NO!
While it's common and convenient to keep cat food and water bowls next to each other, we hope this article convinces you to rethink cat bowl placement.
As cat parents, we have an important job when it comes to hydration – make our cats' water bowls appealing. Drinking enough water is important for cats’ kidneys, urinary tract, and overall health. Yet, cats naturally have a low thirst drive due to their evolution from desert animals. By placing cat water bowls away from their food, your cats will likely drink more water.
Here are the reasons why we recommend NOT placing cat food and water next to each other…
1. Feline Instincts in the Wild
Domestic cats, or house cats, have evolved from their wild ancestors. In the wild, cats often eat and drink in separate locations. Why? The answer has to do with their food!
A recently hunted carcass could spoil and contaminate a fresh water source – yuck! So, these smart cats take their kill away from their water source to eat.
This instinct of preferring to eat and drink in separate locations may still persist in domestic cats, suggesting that cat food and water bowls should not be next to each other in your home.
2. Observational Experience
While no scientific studies have directly measured the effects of separating cat food and water, many veterinary clinics and cat behaviorists have observed that cats prefer their water to be placed away from their food.
This has also been my experience! I used to keep cat bowls side by side, but when I learned more about cat behavior, I separated my cats' dishes. I’ve observed that Penny, Bella (that's her picture above), and Lewie all drank more water when their water bowls were not next to their food.
It made me happy to see them drinking more!
3. Prevent Whisker Fatigue
Whisker fatigue is a term veterinarians use to describe the sensory overload cats feel when their whiskers repeatedly rub against an object.
Whiskers are highly sensitive and have nerve endings at their base. Cats use their whiskers to navigate their environment. However, when whiskers rub against a surface continuously, cats feel stressed, uncomfortable, and overstimulated. Eating or drinking from a bowl that is too deep is the most frequent cause of whisker fatigue.
Cat food and water bowls next to each other can also cause whisker fatigue if whiskers rub against the nearby bowl.
Therefore, not placing food and water next to each other gives cats more space to dine and hydrate comfortably.
4. Eliminate Cross-Contamination
A final reason to place cat water bowls away from food is to prevent food particles from contaminating the water. If bowls are placed side by side, when cats eat, food particles can easily fall into the water bowl.
Cats are unlikely to drink from water that has food floating in it. Can you blame them?!
Keeping cat food and water bowls in different locations reduces the chances of contamination, and improves cleanliness, encouraging cats to drink more fresh water.
Recommendation: Separate Cat Food and Water Bowls
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. Offer multiple water bowls throughout your home as well.
Observe whether your cats drink more water.
While some cats might not be bothered by having their bowls side by side, we’ve observed that most cats prefer their food and water separate.
Cat Food and Water Bowl Top Picks
Need a refresh to your cats' food and water bowl areas? Here are some tips...
DON'T Use a Double Feeder
Although double feeders for food and water bowls are popular at pet stores, we do not recommend using them. These products were invented for dogs and are not ideal for cats due to the reasons we shared above. Instead, we use stands and placements designed for single bowls.
DO Use Single Elevated Bowl Stands
These cat bowl stands are single feeders. They raise bowls off the ground for more comfortable eating and drinking, while allowing food and water to be spaced apart.
DO Choose Stainless Steel Bowls that Prevent Whisker Fatigue
Thanks to their wide shape, these whisker-friendly cat bowls and stands allow cats’ whiskers to remain above the bowl while eating or drinking.
DO Protect Your Floors with Single Bowl Placemats
These cat placemats are sized to fit under a single bowl to catch spills and splashes, while protecting your floor below.
About Us: Americat Company is where love for cats meets American craftsmanship. Founded in 2016, we are a cat-loving, woman-owned, small business. We make cat products in the USA from safe, durable, U.S. materials. Shop all our made in the USA cat products here.
