Where should I put my cat’s water bowl?

A quiet corner with clear sightlines, well away from both the food bowl and the litter box, out of busy walkways. Cornell notes that heavy traffic, noise and nearby litter boxes deter cats from where they eat, and the same instincts shape where they drink. A bowl six feet from where it currently sits often does more than buying a fountain or a new bowl. In a small apartment that “away from” clearance is hard to find, but even a couple of feet of separation between water and food and water and litter is meaningful. Add a second station if you have space.

When to call a vet: if your cat avoids every spot you try, mention the avoidance to your vet, since sometimes a dental or musculoskeletal issue is behind it.