VENT!

I have 5 cats and 2 birds,I buy their food,litter and bedding, I feed them every day and change their bedding 2-3×/week, all my animals are happy and healthy, I admit I don't always remember to give them a bowl of fresh water everyday so they have to drink from other places and my husband says that because of that I am neglecting them.....really!
Do they look neglected to you?

Being told you're neglecting animals you love has to be upsetting.  I'm also not sure it's a very useful word in this case because it has such emotional overtones. The word "neglect" also has different meanings for different people.  It might be better to look at this from the standpoint of:  is there something you can do to improve the lives of your beloved cats?   The answer to that question, as it is for many of us, is yes.

Cats do not have a strong thirst drive, which means that it is easy for them to become dehydrated.  Cats who don't get enough water are at risk of developing urinary tract problems which are very painful and potentially fatal, especially in males.  Your cats may be fine and healthy now but this is not something you want to risk.  Just look through the Health forum and you will find one thread after the next from worried members whose cats are suffering from urinary problems.  So...you do always want to have plenty of water available for your cats.  It is actually better just to put out one or two huge bowls of water that will last for a couple of days than to rely on them to find their own water sources.   For one thing, they might not do a very good job at that. For another, those other water sources may not be the cleanest. 

If you are having problems remembering to give them water, you might consider setting an alarm until it becomes a habit. Try putting a reminder note next to their food so you fill their water bowl when they get fed.  Or, since your husband has voiced his concerns, ask him to be in charge of the water.  It is a lot of work to care for five cats and 2 birds so asking for help seems like a reasonable approach. 

 Your cats are lovely btw.  In that photo, it looks like you caught them playing.  

People hurt with their words.. u know in your heart u do no harm to these kitties.. they r happy and healthy.. however my concern is drinking elsewhere.. chemicals.. ugh.. every morning when i have my feet out of bed.. i go right to his water dish before i hop in the shower.. i have an icemaker.. so i give him fresh water.. and a tiny ice cube to slap around for fun while i shower.. 

sabbyjake said:

Do they look neglected to you?

Click to expand...

Nope. They look quite content to me. 

Why is it that HE cannot give them some fresh water when he sees that they need some? Unless he has a medical condition or something like that which limits his mobility, I'd think that in the time it would take to call you out on your "neglect", he could have filled the dish up twice. Judge not lest ye be judged. 

Just a thought. One I would bring up. One for all and all for one you know. 

You have some very pretty cats!!   

I think an alarm is a great idea.  You might also consider a fountain.  My kitties LOVE their fountain!

Is he upset that they are drinking out of the toilet bowl?
Does he think that you have too many cats?

Just how "not fresh" is their water?
Do they even have any water in their bowls?
Ongoing issue or a one time thing?

Then again, a cat will drink from wherever it feels like at the time.  Fresh water in a bowl is little guarantee that that's where they will drink.

And HE can't manage to fill the dish if he sees it is empty ? Whenever I hear situations like this emotional abuse/control comes to mind. The use of pets to attack and put fear in a spouse is a common tactic. The short term answer is to get bigger or more water bowls. I have 4 cats and they deplete the fountain quickly. I have to top off in the morning and evening. You need to incorporate filling the water dish into your daily routine. I usually do that in the morning while the teapot heats up.

I am sorry you had to listen to rubbish.

Also I had a cat who would NOT drink out of a bowl. she drank water out of a dish on the porch that sat out all night. She would whine at the door at 6am so she could drink water out of the dish outside. She used to drink out of the facet too. but bowls? nope. I have a few bowls down just because and ceramic veggie dishes=those little cups we used to use for veggies in the 1960s. milk glass looking. We also have a few plastic cups that we fill with water. one drinks out of the cups because she licks the side of the cup to get her water. she won't drink in the center of the bowl. so maybe try different things. we had a cup on the counter In the bathroom. then a cup on the floor in another bathroom plus bowls in three rooms.

and I agree with the other ladies-ask him to fill them up. tell him you need help. And that he should be helping you instead of insulting you.