Cats and Water

Question
Hello Barb,

I don't know if this is your area or not, but I have a small concern.  I have a domestic short-haired female cat.  She is about 16 months old and is very obsessed with water.  She is constantly drinking it and loves to let the faucet run on her head.  She will NOT touch the water that is left in her water bowl, but is always right there when I turn on the faucet, flush the toilet, or turn on the shower.  She is always wet.  

I mentioned it to my vet during her last shot visit, but he said it was probably just her personality.  He also mentioned that it could also be a symptom of diabetes or something.  Is this odd behavior, or is it common?  Should I be concerned?  If not, when is it too much water?

Thanks for your help,
Jeannette

Answer
Hi Jeannette,

I had to really grin when I read your letter.  Four months ago, one of the other teachers in my high school had to find a home for his daughters cat, and knowing that I was a cat person, offered her to me first.  He told me that she had a special personality and was raised with a Golden Retriever.  Since my best friend has a Golden, I took the cat for her.  She has the very same habits with water as your cat!  

I have since moved into my best friends basement apartment, she lives upstairs, but the cat goes back and forth as she pleases, and I have observed this cute, silly cat's habits.  Like yours, every time we get near a sink, she is up there waiting for the water to be turned on for her.  When she is finished drinking from the running water, her head AND paws are soaked!  She also plays in the shower right after it's been used, sits on the tub and pats the water when my friend takes a bath, and even lets her tail hang in it. Needless to say, this is a very unusual habit for cats, but I guess for some, it's normal.  

So please, don't worry about your kitty.  She probably is not drinking a huge amount, besides, it's summer and the extra water won't hurt her.  I feel the only time you should worry about diabetes is when they stop exibiting normal cat-like behavior.  When diabetes hits, animals will drink any water around because the thirst is so over-powering.  

Enjoy your kitty's nutty behavior (as I have with my friend's cat), and please write again if you feel I can help further.  Hugs,  Barb