Soleil is washing her paws

x-ta-z

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Ok - I don't know what this is...
Remeber how Soleil peed on a towel and I then moved the litterbox to another place behind the door of the bathroom (where the towel was) because I had the feeling she didn't like to be 'watched'.

Anyhoo, I shifted the litterbox so I had to shift her food and water (which she never drank) because it was else to close to the litterbox. So I put food and water at the place where the litterbox was before.

I had already noticed that she never drinks the water, but had seen her dip n both her front paws in it once. At that time i thought it was her testing whatever was in the bowl.

Ever since I shifted the items, she will run around the food and water bowl and dip her both her fron paws in the water as if to wash them.


But she will then also 'dig' her paws around the area next to the food and water (like they do when they cover their poo).

Any ideas what she is doing???

I really think she is a weirdo
, but maybe she is telling me something??

Once she had also placed a toy in the water.
 

jennyr

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My new kitten also dips her paws in the water sometimes. I think they are just testing it and playing a bit. As for 'burying' their food they do that from instinct, to prevent predators getting it and to hide where they have been.
 
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x-ta-z

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Originally Posted by jennyranson

My new kitten also dips her paws in the water sometimes. I think they are just testing it and playing a bit. As for 'burying' their food they do that from instinct, to prevent predators getting it and to hide where they have been.
She test its with both paws? First left, then right?
I think it's cute, but I wish she would DRINK the water, too!


As for burying the food? She is just pawing the floor tho... I thought it had to do with the fact that the litter box was standing there vefore...
 

mamakitties

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I have noticed one of my cat has been religiously dipping one of her paw in the water bowl, shakes her paw, lick, then goes about drinking water. I wish I know why she is doing it. I'm guessing she is probably trying to see whether the water is fresh enough for her to drink?
 

4badcats

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I wouldn't worry about the 'digging' thing - Melchett has always done this - he actually gets quite carried away, and makes quite a noise - we have wooden floor in the kitchen where the water dish is, and the sound is really distinctive!

As long as she is actually drinking some and doesn't seem scared or agitated, I would just accept it's a little funny habit! (you're right though - I do wish I knew WHY!!!!!
)
 

larke

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My female cat does a whole toilette every day after eating - dips her paws in the water and drinks from them, plus washes all over, so I think that part is normal, but the digging definitely is sending another message. I would move her dishes away from that place - there may be (for a cat) a strong residual smell of used litter there, and she's trying to 'bury' it so she can eat and drink without the smell - would you want to dine in the bathroom?
 

xxtashaxx

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in the great outdoors cats will cover there food up so that another animal wont be able to smell it and give them away to preditors. it is quite normal. it has nothing to do with the litter box used to being there. as long as she isnt weeing or pooing right there , then i dont see a problem just instincts kicking in. the water one of my cats will do this dip his paws in then drink from them lol. as long as she is eating wet kitten food then she dosnt need that much extra water anyway as the food contains water. but if you pinch the scruff of her neck ( not hard of course) it should bounce back to normal quickly but if it goes down slowly then she could be dyhitrated(not spelt right sorry)
 

callista

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Well, here's one theory:

Clear, calm water does not have a distinctive surface for the cat to see; and the cat prefers not to get its face wet misjudging the water's level. When it dips a paw in, the water moves and the cat can see where the surface is.
 

nellers

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You know, that calm water theory may be true. Once I got the kitties the walter filtration with the flowing water stream, they very rarely dip their paws into the water. Before, they did that constantly!!
 
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x-ta-z

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Originally Posted by Callista

Well, here's one theory:

Clear, calm water does not have a distinctive surface for the cat to see; and the cat prefers not to get its face wet misjudging the water's level. When it dips a paw in, the water moves and the cat can see where the surface is.
Soleil is only dipping her paws in it. First left, then right. Never going near it with her face....

But I guess it's the only thing that could be
 
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