by Nomi Berger
 
If YOUR favorite feline finds drinking from the toilet a paw-leasure, have you ever wondered why? And how to break her of this less than sanitary habit?
 
Cats don’t “consider” it a toilet. To them, it’s a giant water fountain in the bathroom! And so, drinking from this particular water supply seems purr-fectly reasonable.
 
Because toilets are typically made of porcelain, they work best at keeping the water cool – which felines, naturally, favor. While some cat water bowls may also be made of porcelain, the majority of them are made of stainless steel, plastic, glass or ceramic, materials that fail to keep the water as satisfyingly cool as porcelain does.
 
The toilet’s constant flushing causes water oxygenation, which helps freshen the water supply, making it more appealing for cats since it’s often fresher than the contents of their water bowls.
 
Constantly curious creatures, cats can be fascinated by watching water swirl down the drain. If they enjoy playing with or drinking water running from a sink faucet, they’ll likely be interested in playing with toilet water as well, which can, of course, lead to drinking it.
 
When cats drink water in a high traffic area, they often feel vulnerable and exposed. A toilet bowl affords them the privacy they prefer because they can keep their backs to the wall while enjoying a quiet drink.
 
Excessive water drinking (Polydipsia) may be a sign of several conditions, including diabetes, hyperthyroidism, an infection or kidney disease. Cats with polydipsia will drink from any source: the toilet, dripping faucets, the shower, drinking glasses and even puddles. If you suspect your cat is polydipsic, bring her to the vet who will likely run some blood and urine tests to determine the cause of her increased thirst.
 
Consider these ways to temper your cat’s passion for drinking from the toilet:
 
Purchase a porcelain water bowl, and refresh the water in it at least once a day. For warmer conditions, one or two ice cubes in the bowl can make a substantial difference.
 
Separate her water bowl from her food bowl by two to three feet and place them both in a quiet location where she can keep an eye on her surroundings, thereby reducing her sense of vulnerability.
 
Because most cats prefer to drink from several different sources of water, place multiple water bowls (six inches or smaller will do) in various areas throughout your home.
 
Since it’s vital to keep the water bowls clean, they should be washed thoroughly every day (twice a day would be even better), and then filled to the brim with fresh, cold water.
 
Knowing that cats are drawn to running water, particularly those who ONLY want to drink from running faucets, another possibility is a cat water fountain. Not only will the water be constantly circulating, allowing for oxygenation, a sturdy, quiet fountain that’s difficult to knock over is easier than keeping multiple bowls that require multiple cleanings throughout your home.
 
Last but not least: the simplest solution of all is to keep the toilet lid closed. In fact, it’s recommended that you ALWAYS close the lid before you flush. Research shows that putting the toilet lid down before flushing reduces airborne particles by 50%. 

by Nomi Berger
 
The problem of cat overpopulation is a global one and requires a solution on a global scale. But like every journey that begins with a single step, this particular journey must begin with every cat owner in every community, town and city in the country. Those conscientious owners who act responsibly by spaying and neutering their cherished family pets.
 
Spaying (ovariohysterectomy) is the surgical removal of a female cat's ovaries and uterus, while neutering (castration) is the removal of a male cat's testicles. To minimize discomfort and pain, both procedures are performed under general anesthesia. Most cats are back to their “normal” selves within a few days, the surgery site usually heals within two weeks, and any skin stitches removed by your vet at a follow up appointment.
 
Did you know that in seven years, an unspayed female and unneutered male cat (and their offspring, if none are spayed or neutered) can result in the births of a staggering 781,250 kittens?
 
And the inevitable outcome? Hundreds of thousands of cats being euthanized each year through no fault of their own. Why? Because they are the tragic, but avoidable, results of over breeding and overpopulation. Why? Because there are too few shelters to house them and too few homes to either foster or adopt them. Why? Because there are still too many cat owners unwilling to spay and neuter their family pets.
 
Both intact male and female cats may try to escape their homes in order to roam outside. Neutering your male will eliminate roaming, urine spraying, and fighting with neighborhood cats. Spaying your female will eliminate the estrus or “heat" behavior of yowling that attracts and invites mounting by roaming males.
 
Despite some owners’ fears, spaying and neutering will not alter their cat's basic personality – except many males will be less aggressive and more docile. Their playfulness, general activity levels, excitement, and vocalization will remain the same. Although neutered males and spayed females may gain weight due to decreased roaming and other sexual behavior outdoors, keeping them active indoors and managing their weight through diet will keep this potential problem under control.
 
Spaying and neutering cats before the age of six months is growing in popularity and the benefits to their health and well being are well documented. Spayed females are less likely to develop breast cancer and won’t be at risk for either ovarian or uterine cancer. Neutered males won’t develop testicular cancer, and without the need to roam, their risk of being injured or infected by other cats is drastically reduced. And males neutered prior to puberty (six months) won’t develop the large head and thick skin of intact males. Early spaying and neutering may also prevent problem behaviors before they occur and may either eliminate or reduce certain behaviors in older cats.
 
Imagine if every conscientious cat owner in every community, town and city in the country took responsibility for spaying and neutering their family pets. Imagine what we, as part of the global community, could accomplish then.