No, you should not put your cat's water right next to their food; keep them separated by a few feet, as it's a natural instinct for cats to avoid contaminating their water source, which encourages better hydration and cleaner water. Separating them prevents food particles from getting into the water, keeps the water fresh, and caters to their wild instinct to drink away from where they hunt and eat.
While some cats adapt and show no issues with this, others will rebel. Your cat may refuse to drink the water, knock the water dish over, or drop food into its water bowl 💦 Your cat's water bowl should be placed minimum 3-5 feet away from its food bowl. That's all credit to your cat's base instincts.
The 25% Rule for cat food, established by AAFCO, means if a food is named something like "Chicken Dinner," "Chicken Entrée," or "Chicken Platter," the named ingredient (chicken) must make up at least 25% of the total weight (excluding water), but less than 95%. This rule indicates a significant amount of the main ingredient but less than a "Chicken Cat Food" (95%). The named ingredient must also be at least 10% of the total diet when water is included, and if multiple ingredients are listed, they must collectively meet the 25% minimum.
Separate the food from the water. In most cases, just sliding the food bowl away so it's not right next to the food is adequate, but for some cats, they would prefer the water be on the other side of the room. It also helps to have water bowls stationed in several locations around the house so your cat can choose.
The best place for a cat water fountain is in a quiet, accessible area away from food bowls, litter boxes, and noisy appliances.
The top "silent killers" in cats are Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), often going undetected until 75% kidney failure, and Hypertension (High Blood Pressure), which damages organs without obvious signs until blindness or seizures occur, notes Muirfield Animal Hospital, Pet Health Network, www.springwoodvets.com.au, Close Veterinary Clinic, Killarney Animal Hospital, Physicians Mutual Insurance, Sykesville Veterinary Clinic, Mona Vale Veterinary Hospital, Nimbus Pet Hospital, Hill's Pet Nutrition, Covetrus North America, ASPCA Pet Insurance and PetCareRx. Other serious conditions include Hyperthyroidism, Heart Disease (like HCM), and Fatty Liver Disease (Hepatic Lipidosis).
Look for a serene spot, perhaps a quiet hallway or a less frequently used room, for their bowls. Cats like feeling secure and fuss-free while eating – it helps to have a clear view of their surroundings. Try to avoid placing bowls in corners of rooms where their back is exposed, or their view is obstructed.
If your cats' food and water bowls are next to each other, move your cats' water bowl to a different corner of the same room or to a nearby room. In general, cats like their water away from food and in whisker friendly water bowls. Choose quiet, low-traffic areas, far from the litter box.
Cats say "I love you" through actions that show trust and affection, like slow blinking (a "cat kiss"), head-butting (bunting) to mark you with their scent, kneading ("making biscuits"), showing their vulnerable belly, and bringing you "gifts" like toys or prey, all signaling they feel safe and consider you family. They also show love by purring, rubbing against you, following you, and holding their tail up high with a slight curl.
Your cat is marking its territory by scratching
Our feline friends no longer need to bury their prey to survive – we provide them with delicious kibble and pâté. And when your cat scratches around the food bowl, it knows perfectly well it isn't burying prey. It's simply acting on instinct – just like when hunting.
The 3-3-3 rule for new cats is a guideline for adjusting to a new home: 3 days to decompress (hiding, overwhelmed), 3 weeks to start learning routines and showing personality (exploring, getting comfortable), and 3 months to feel truly at home and bonded (revealing true self). Patience is key, providing a safe, quiet space and consistent routines helps reduce stress and build trust during these stages, allowing the cat to adjust at its own pace.
Healthy adult cats: Can go without food for up to 24-48 hours without serious health consequences. Kittens: Should not go without food for more than 12 hours, as their bodies are not yet fully developed. Senior cats: Should not go without food for more than 24 hours, as their bodies are less adaptable.
Until they are six months old, kittens will usually do best when fed three meals a day. Between the ages of six months and one year, twice daily feeding is generally best. Once the cat becomes an adult, at about one year of age, feeding once or twice a day is appropriate in most cases.
Cats get most annoyed by loud, sudden noises (vacuums, thunder), strong smells (citrus, vinegar), changes in routine, dirty litter boxes, and unwanted handling like being picked up or stared at, as these disrupt their sense of security and sensory balance, triggering their sensitive hearing and instincts for control and safety. Unexpected movements, unfamiliar scents, and being forced into costumes also cause significant stress and annoyance for felines.
Many cats prefer running water, which is why they might drink from a running tap This instinct likely comes from the fact that in nature, running water is fresher and less likely to be contaminated. So if your cat keeps stealing your water, you could try: 🐈⬛ Refreshing their water bowl more often.
- Depth: It is generally recommended to choose a bowl with a depth not exceeding 5 cm (about 2 inches). This helps prevent the cat's whiskers from touching the rim of the bowl while drinking, which can cause discomfort.
To apologize to a cat, use a soft, calm tone, offer treats or toys, initiate slow blinking, give space if needed, and respect their boundaries for physical touch, focusing on actions and tone over words to rebuild trust and affection. Don't force interaction, as they respond to reassurance and positive experiences more than human language.
Research suggests that cats' short term memories last around 16 hours, which means they can remember recent events and react accordingly. If a cat has had a minor scare—such as a loud noise or being bumped by accident—it may remember and act skittishly for a short period.
Generally, animals tend to favor drinking from glass and ceramic bowls. Avoid placing the water bowl and food bowl next to each other. Although there is no direct evidence that cats dislike drinking near their food, many cats display behaviors indicating they feel more comfortable when these items are separated.
Signs of Overfeeding in Kittens
Recognizing the early signs of overfeeding can help you adjust habits before weight issues become established. Look for these indicators: A rounded, distended belly that swings when walking. Inability to feel ribs when gently running your hands along your kitten's sides.
If possible, do not place your cat's food bowl and their litter tray in the same room. If you absolutely need to, place the litter tray in one corner of the room and the food bowl in the corner that's furthest away.
Do cats prefer deep or shallow bowls? In terms of cat bowl depth, a wide and shallow bowl is the best option for your cat. This is because the sides of deeper bowls will touch against your cat's whiskers as they eat, which can cause whisker fatigue.
A recent study proved exactly what we had discovered by accident—that cats would rather drink tap water (Drinking Water Preferences in the Cat. Wooding B, Mills DS. Proceedings of the 6th International Veterinary Behavior Meeting, June 2007).
While not the norm for most healthy cats, in special circumstances, your vet may recommend the use of an elevated cat bowl for YOUR kitty.