The Curious Case of Feline Toilet Drinking

Why Do Cats Drink Toilet Water?

Some felines treat the toilet as an endless, irresistible water fountain. It appeals to their knack for repurposing objects (curtains become swings, lint becomes a snack, and old couches become scratching posts). It also showcases their talent for balancing on slick surfaces and twisting into yoga-like positions.

But what drives this behavior?

The Motion of the Water Captivates Cats

A key reason cats may drink from the toilet is that the swirling water triggers their instinct to focus on movement, whether for fun or hunting. They might also spot reflections in the water and, beyond admiring themselves, see them as toys.

In nature, cats learned that flowing water is safer than still water. The sound of moving water in the toilet may mimic a stream or river, awakening their wild side.

While dogs are more likely than cats to drink from a toilet bowl, cats are not far behind. They won't drink from a toilet that contains waste, but they don't see a toilet as gross like we do. They don't know its purpose. They just see a large container filled with fresh, cold water!

Surprisingly, toilet bowl water is cleaner than that of our cat’s water dishes.

Frank C. Muller

Toilet Water Can Be Cleaner Than What's in a Cat's Dish

Surprisingly, with regular cleaning, toilet water is often cleaner than water in a cat's bowl. Each flush replaces old water with new, while a cat's bowl may have water that's been sitting, become stagnant, and contains food bits, hair, whiskers, and other debris, plus it can get slimy from saliva.

Frequent flushing also adds oxygen to the water, giving it a fresher taste. Being in a porcelain bowl, the water stays cooler than in a typical cat dish. Bathroom tiles also help keep the water temperature down.

Cats' Mouths Are Tough on Bacteria

Cats' mouths harbor strong microorganisms that can handle hazards in things like raw meat and can neutralize small amounts of toilet contaminants. They also have robust immune systems that can cope with impurities.

Drinking toilet water is an instinctual behavior. It goes back to wild ancestors who chose cooler, safer water over warm, bacteria-laden water. If a cat's water becomes lukewarm, bacteria in it can multiply to 38,000 in under 48 hours—and that's from bacteria introduced after just one sip.

A discriminating cat displays her astute choice of water bowl.

Cats Prefer to Avoid Their Dirty Water Bowl

Cats may choose the toilet because it's far from their own warm, cloudy water. They don't care how stylish or expensive their bowl was. If owners forget to refresh it, cats won't want to go near it, won't drink from it, and will choose the toilet instead.

In the North African desert where cats evolved, they relied on prey for hydration since water was scarce. Thus, they became used to separating their water source from their food source.

Peace … quiet … and refreshment!

Cats Seek to Avoid Busy Areas

Often, cat food is placed in busy spots like kitchens. For sensitive cats, this can be stressful. Like a stressed person grabbing a drink and heading to the porch, a nervous cat may find relief drinking alone in the bathroom.

What you see ….

What they see

Marco Verch

How Do You Stop Your Cat From Drinking Toilet Water?

Make water appealing in a way that competes with the toilet. Use a ceramic or stainless steel bowl (both keep water cool and resist bacteria). Keep it out of sunlight and refill regularly with chilled water.
Add ice cubes in summer. (Frozen chicken broth cubes work too.) You might have forgotten to fill the bowl, and your cat is just following her instinct to stay hydrated.
Place several bowls around the house (including one near the bathroom, so she'll go to it instead of the toilet). This is crucial if you have multiple cats, as they are territorial and will claim their own bowl.
Don't put the water bowl near the litter box. Cats may not mind drinking from your toilet, but they won't drink near their own! (And ironically, these are animals that lick their own butts!)
Because your cat has highly developed taste buds, she is very sensitive to the taste of her bowl and how it affects the water. If the bowl's taste is unpleasant, the toilet may become her go-to. Cats will also seek water elsewhere if their sensitive whiskers rub against the bowl's sides.
A pet fountain may be better than a bowl. It continuously filters and circulates water, keeping it oxygenated and clean. And like a toilet, it has a stream of water to fascinate your cat. This way, cats can always smell and hear the water and are reassured it's there. However, if you don't clean it or change filters regularly, the water may be less clean than your toilet's—and that could send your kitty back to the commode.

A pet water fountain. Hey, that kinda looks like a….

Put the Seat Down

As long as there are cats and toilets, there's a good chance they'll be up to their whiskers in porcelain. However, one thing they won't do anytime soon is put the seat down!