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Many cat behaviors have us confused, even when we live with them, we are still left scratching our heads at some of the things they do. You might have noticed toys floating in your cat’s water bowl, which is a common thing for cats to do, but still has scientists baffled.
Nevertheless, there are some theories to try and explain why cats put their toys in water bowls.
The 7 Possible Reasons Why Your Cat Puts Their Toys in the Water Bowl
1. Your Cat Likes to Play with Water
Your cat might just be playful and enjoy playing a game in water. Cats are fascinated by water, and they love to pounce, strike, and fish things out of it. Your cat might just be enjoying the splashes or the sensation of dropping their toys and fishing them out.
2. Accidental
Sometimes, some of the things our cats do may be out of simple misfortune. They may have been playing with their toys (and cat owners know how messy that can get with toys flying everywhere), and sometimes, the toys may end up in their water bowl. Some cats will simply leave the toy in the water bowl, while others will get it out of the bowl and continue as if nothing happened.
3. Convenience
If your cat is prone to carrying toys around in their mouth, it could be that dropping them is just convenient. If you have to drink but there’s something in your mouth, the logical thing to do is to just drop it and drink. So, why doesn’t your cat pick it out when they’re finished? Well, now the toy’s wet, it isn’t as much fun as it was before. So, of course, the next logical thing to do is leave it there. You’ll dry it and then it’ll be much more fun later on, anyway!
4. Boredom
A bored cat will try and find ways to entertain themselves. Boredom can lead to destructive behaviors, and trying to drown their toy may fall in this category, so really you might be feeling relieved the toy got it instead of your furniture.
5. Practising Hunting
In the wild, a mother cat will bring prey (alive or dead) to the nest to teach her kittens how to kill. As they’re growing up, kittens constantly play and imitate stalking and pouncing, using their litter mates and toys as a way to hone those skills. Dropping toys near or in the water bowl may be a way for them to mark their successful hunt.
6. Getting Your Attention
Think back to your first reaction when you saw the toy in the water bowl. If you made a fuss or laughed as you cleaned up the mess, this might motivate your cat to do it again. Cats enjoy attention, so this might be a habit of your own making!
7. Health Issues
Most of the reasons behind this behavior are pretty innocent, but one possibility points to underlying health issues. When a cat develops conditions like feline diabetes, thyroid imbalance, or kidney problems, they can have a strange relationship with water. Some warning signs are splashing water coupled with lethargy, frequent sitting next to the water bowl often without drinking, excessive drinking, confusion, weight loss, and decreased appetite. If you notice any of these warning signs and are at all worried, contact a veterinarian immediately to make sure everything is okay.
How to Stop Your Cat Putting Their Toy in the Water Bowl
While some people might find this behavior funny, there are others who might be frustrated. So, are there ways to stop your cat from drowning their toys?
Try More Toys
We already mentioned that toys are an excellent way to keep boredom at bay. Adding more toys to the equation might not seem like the best idea, but it’s the perfect way to distract your cat from putting toys in their water and keep your pet engaged. If you find your cat is easily bored or overwhelmed by too many toys, rotate old ones out and new ones in. Repeat the cycle when you notice your cat getting bored again. Enrich their environment with more cat trees, scratch posts, and perches, and use puzzle feeders and interactive toys.
Ignore the Behavior
We already mentioned your reaction might be why your cat is putting their toys in the water bowl. So, instead of getting up to instantly clean the mess and raise your voice, ignore the behavior completely. Instead, reward your cat with treats and praise when they play with the toys away from the water bowl.
Make Sure the Water is Clean
Cats aren’t likely to drink dirty water, but they will play with it. And this includes putting objects into it. Make sure you maintain water hygiene. You can also try putting the water bowls somewhere raised and away from your cat’s play area, in the hope to minimize this behavior.
FAQs
Should I Be Worried About This Behavior?
We’ve mentioned health risks, so of course, you might be feeling worried. But generally, your cat would be showing other signs of abnormal behavior, or there would be a noticeable change to their drinking and eating patterns. If you’re unsure, however, speak to your vet for advice.
What Do Cats Think Toys Are?
This very much depends on the toy and its behavior. Even if your cat has never set eyes on a real mouse, seeing the toy scurry across the floor is going to spark that natural hunting instinct. So, a toy that moves across the floor could make them think it’s similar to a mouse. If the toy is thrown in the air, they may associate it with a bird!
Should I Give My Cat Toys?
The short answer is yes. Play is a fantastic way to reduce boredom by keeping your cat moving and their mind active. There are so many different types of toys, there’s going to be something your cat will love. Providing toys reduces boredom and is an excellent way for your cat to get in some exercise, which is especially important for an indoor cat.
Conclusion
While we don’t have any definitive answers about why your cat is dropping toys into their water bowl, there are some theories. It could be that they’re bored, in which case the answer is to find ways to stimulate them both mentally and physically. Or it could be that your cat just loves the attention you give them when something splashes in their water bowl.
Featured Image Credit: MarinaTr, Shutterstock
