Where to put your cats food & water bowls


Feeding our cats does not stop at what they eat.

We need to carefully choose where they eat, too.

This blog will walk you through how to make your home a food and water bowl paradise for your cat.

Does it matter where you put food and water bowls for your cat?

Yes, it matters a great deal where you place your cat’s food and water bowls.

A lot of people think cats are fiercely independent creatures that require very little looking after.

As owners, we know that’s certainly not the case.

Cats can be extremely picky when it comes to eating and drinking so it’s imperative we create an environment that’s welcoming, comfortable and safe.

Where you place food and water bowls will have a big impact on their dining experience, and should not be underestimated when it comes to taking care of their health and wellbeing.

Throwing a couple of bowls together in the kitchen, and letting cats get on with it, is not in their, or your, best interest.

Here are a few pointers that could help make mealtime a much more appetising event.

Tips on finding the perfect place in the home

  • Find a quiet place. If there’s lots of noise and footfall around where your cat’s food and water bowls are located, it could leave them feeling too uncomfortable to eat or drink. Try and find somewhere in your home that’s less busy. A quiet hallway is a good place, or maybe a spare room that isn’t used.
  • Keep food and water bowls apart. Many owners choose to place food and water bowls together. On the face of it, it makes a lot of sense. A lot of pet stores even sell duel food and water bowl stands, and it is recommended that cats should drink water alongside dry food. However, they don’t like the smell of food while drinking water. Domestic cats still have in common with their wild ancestors, and the fact wildcats don’t hunt in close proximity to where they get their water from could have something to do with. Remember, cats need access to fresh drinking water every day.
  • Clear line of sight. Staying with those feral instincts, cats in the wild are both prey and predator. They like to feel secure, but also see what is going on around them. Placing bowls in the corner of a room so they have their back to everything could leave them feeling anxious and uncomfortable. Instead, place them out in the open where they have a circular line-of-sight. This is especially important if you have any other pets in the house.
  • Keep away from litter trays. We don’t take our dinner into the bathroom, and likewise, cats don’t like to eat near their litter trays. Cross-contamination is also a real risk if cat food bowls, or water bowls, are set down near to litter trays. If waste ends up mixing with mealtime, then you could have a really poorly cat on your hands. Try to keep in separate rooms if possible.
  • Think dog. If there’s a dog in the house, it’s worth thinking about putting your cat’s food and water bowls somewhere out of reach. You don’t want your dog eating the wrong food, or intimidating a cat while they’re trying to eat. Try placing bowls on a more elevated level, maybe a counter or a window sill.
  • Trial and error. Try placing bowls in different locations around the house and see which one your cat prefers. It won’t take long to establish their preferred locations. Happy cat, happy owner.
  • Find the perfect spot, keep the perfect spot. A lot of cats don’t like having their daily routine disrupted. Once you’ve found a spot your cat is happy with, try not to change it unless absolutely necessary. Moving bowls around might cause confusion, and lead to them losing their appetite.
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