It could just be a matter of picky kitty preference We all know cats tend to have a bit of a diva side. It's possible that they simply don't like that dish and prefer your fresher colder water in a tall cup. If it bothers you a lot then try a few different dishes or mugs and see if they like that more.
Your cat may not want to drink from its water bowl because of how still the water in it looks. Not only do cats have poor depth perception which makes it difficult for them to see where the water in the water bowl actually starts, they are also instinctively wary of still water.
While cats are famously very clean, it's still not a good idea to let him drink from your glass. All mammals have mega-bacteria in their mouths, and we don't know if cats' mouth bacteria is the same as ours.
Chris Miller, AtlasVet DC: The good news is that drinking after your cat is very unlikely to cause any significant health concerns. Cats can be finicky drinkers, but the amount one cat drinks compared to another can be highly variable.
Cats are biologically programmed not to drink water which is near their food or near their toileting area - this is thought to be their instinctive avoidance of contaminating their water with potential sources of bacteria.
Their survival instincts play a factor
You may provide Fluffy with fresh water, and day after day the bowl goes untouched. Water that sits still can be very intimidating to a cat which sets off an alarm to stay away. Drinking from a bowl leaves them vulnerable.
Cats do not like their food and water right next to each other. Cat behaviorists believe this may be due to cats hunting away from their water source in the wild. Cats also do not enjoy the scent of food while drinking water. In addition, they are turned off by food particles in their water.
For most healthy pets, sharing a water bowl is relatively safe. But for those that may carry a contagious disease, it could be a way for them to pass harmful pathogens to one another. Internal parasites can be passed through a shared water bowl.
In most cases, experts say giving your pets hard water probably won't cause any problems. The minerals in hard water (calcium, magnesium, and iron) shouldn't lead to any health issues. However, some veterinarians do advise against giving cats and dogs untreated tap water, and that's not because of the minerals.
Cats drink from the sink for many of the same reasons you might notice them drinking from their paw. They could be bored, dislike their water dish, or enjoy the vantage point. Either way, it's not unsafe and might even be a good way for you to sneak some extra water into your cat's daily diet.
If you can discipline yourself to check your food and water bowls frequently, glass is a superb choice. For safety, choose American-made glass for your cat food and water dishes. American glass companies might not make dishes specifically designed for cats, but there are some designs that work fairly well.
Sometimes they might want a drink and it is easier to get a drink if it is overturned on the counter. Ensuring they always have fresh water may help. Some cats are fascinated by clinking ice. They may also just like to explore the cup or glass satisfying their famous curiosity.
Drinking from a bowl
If you think your cat doesn't like the temperature of its water, try adding a few ice cubes to the bowl. You may want to try changing the bowl entirely. Different types of bowl will give different tastes to the water. If your cat has a plastic bowl, try a metal, ceramic, or even glass one.
One suggests that because the species evolved in dry climates and had little exposure to rivers or lakes, water (except for drinking) is an element they are unfamiliar with and thus avoid. More likely, however, cats don't like getting wet because of what water does to their fur.
Stainless-steel. In most cases, stainless steel is considered the 'best' material for cat food and water bowls. You want to purchase those labeled as grade 304 or 18/8. The numbers indicate the quality, durability, and resistance to corrosion.
So a cat drinks ten to twelve times per day on average. Cats also get some of the fluid they need from their food, and the amount of water will naturally depend on the type of food. If your cat eats canned food, this will cover much of her water requirement.
Many cats, like humans, prefer their beverages chilled. You'll promote more water consumption if you serve it cold. It's hard to keep refilling your kitty's water bowl, but luckily you can buy products that keep it chilled for hours.
Most cats are actually 'lactose intolerant' as they don't have the enzyme (lactase) in their intestines to digest the sugar in milk (lactose), meaning that milk which contains lactose can make them poorly. They can get vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach pain from drinking it (just like lactose intolerance in humans).
Giving cats bottled water isn't inherently dangerous or bad, as long as the bottled water in question is high quality and fresh. In an emergency or while traveling, bottled water is a great option. At home, though, your cat should be just fine drinking tap water, especially if you run it through a simple filter first.
If your cat likes to drink out of a water glass, leaving one out for her at night can actually be a great way to get more moisture into her. That's important because cats have a low thirst drive that can lead to chronic dehydration. The risk of problems like kidney disease goes up when a cat doesn't drink enough water.
However, Cats Can Share Water Bowls
But, cats tend to get thirsty and drink at different times. So, it is less likely that multiple cats will try to drink at the same time from the same water bowl. There also is usually a lot more water, enough for everyone.
Should you be worried or can you still eat your food after your cat has licked it? If you want to play it 100% safe then you should throw out the food that your cat licked.
Where should I put my cat's water bowl? Just like their food, your cat's water bowl should be somewhere relatively quiet. A hallway, for example, may be too busy for them, even if they are very sociable. Put your cat's water bowl somewhere clean and odour-free – and far away from their litter tray!
If you have more than one cat, it may be best to change the cat litter more often, every 2-3 weeks. If you use a non-clumping litter and have only one cat, changing the litter twice per week is a good guideline. If you have more than one cat, every other day may work better.
Basements and laundry rooms are popular choices but not actually recommended. Instead, Geller suggests the bedroom. "Your bedroom is a good location for a cat litter box since it's usually a quiet place," she says.