Why Does My Cat Drink from the Toilet?

This is something people tend to only associate with dogs. It’s quite ironic because you’d think of a cat being too shy with noises and water to ever attempt it. I got news for you, some cats do drink from toilets, but why?

Why Do Cats Drink from Toilets?

Much like dogs, cats will seek out water if they do not have any readily available. If your cat doesn’t have fresh water, he/she will go looking for it and water is always in the toilet. They tend to remember this after doing it a few times and make a habit of going straight to the toilet when they are thirsty.

cat drinking from toilet
Your cat may consider the toilet bowl an ideal water source

How Can I Correct This Behavior?

You must first understand this is not a behavior you want to correct. Finding water sources is a natural instinct for cats. It’s not something they should ever be punished for doing. If your only option for water was to drink from a toilet or be without fluid, you would do the same! It’s simply a survival instinct.

What you want to do is make sure your cat always has fresh water sources. It is best to have at least two they can easily reach. Some cats will not drink from bowls where their whiskers touch the sides so be sure it is wide enough. You can also choose the option of using running water and buy a pet fountain. This way they will always hear and smell the water.

Is It Safe for My Cat to Drink from the Toilet?

If your toilet area is kept clean, you don’t have to worry about your cat digesting the water. Cats have far superior bacteria in their mouths to handle eating raw meat and natural/unclean water sources in nature. Just make sure to never have chemicals or chemical residue in or around the toilet. If you use any kind of continuous cleaning capsules, pads, or liquid in your toilet it’s best to just keep the lid closed at all times.

Extra Tips:


  • Keep the toilet bowl down or the bathroom door shut when not in use.

  • Keep water near food dishes to associate eating with drinking in the same area.

  • Use two sources of water – One near food and one near their favorite resting area.

  • Do not scold your cat for doing this, they are only doing it out of instinct.

  • NEVER use chemical cleaners in a toilet with the door or bowl open.

More Great Cat Articles

We’ve written on a wide variety of cat-related topics. If you’d like to learn something new, check out an article below:


Scent Glands on Cats

Cats Make Great First Pets for Children

Why Cats Will Never Be Domesticated

When Do Cats Go into Heat?

Do Cats Sense Death?

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