Many cat owners wonder whether cats prefer cold water or room-temperature water. While some cats seem perfectly happy drinking water left at room temperature, others may show more interest when their water is cooler.
So, do cats actually like cold water?
A small study on feline drinking behavior suggests that cooler water may encourage some cats to drink more. In the study, cats increased their average water intake by about 53% when their water temperature was lowered using ice cubes. However, every cat is different, and some cats may still prefer water at room temperature.
For cats that do not drink enough, offering cooler water could be a simple thing worth trying.
How Water Temperature Affects How Much Cats Drink
Because cats often have a naturally low thirst drive, finding simple ways to encourage better hydration is important. Adequate water intake supports urinary tract health and helps reduce the risk of problems associated with chronic dehydration.
The researchers wanted to answer a simple question: Would cats drink more if their water was colder?
The Study: Do Cats Drink More Cold Water?
The study included eight healthy indoor adult cats owned by veterinary students.
The cats included:
- 3 males and 5 females
- Average age: 3 years old (range: 1–5 years)
- Average weight: 4.9 kg (range: 2.9–8.5 kg)
- Average body condition score: 5.4 out of 9
During the experiment, all cats received the same dry food through free feeding. The researchers only changed the temperature of the drinking water.
To reduce stress and keep the cats in a familiar environment, observations were carried out in their own homes.
How Researchers Tested Different Water Temperatures
The experiment lasted two weeks.
During the first week, cats were given room-temperature water at around:
24°C (75°F)
During the second week, researchers lowered the water temperature by adding:
4 ice cubes, three times per day
After adding ice cubes, the water temperature dropped to around:
15°C (59°F)
The water gradually warmed back toward room temperature over the following hours.
Researchers measured how much water disappeared from each bowl to estimate daily water intake. Since natural evaporation was not included, the actual amount consumed was slightly lower than the measured decrease.
What Did the Study Find?
The results were interesting.
Out of the eight cats:
- Four cats showed a statistically significant increase in water intake.
- The other four cats did not show a statistically significant change.
- Importantly, none of the cats drank less when given cooler water.
The average daily water intake changed from:
Room-temperature water: 133.2 mL/day
to:
Cooler water: 204.0 mL/day
That represents an increase of about:
53%
The results suggest that cooler water may encourage some cats to drink more, although it does not mean every cat will automatically prefer cold water.
However, this study had some limitations. It involved only eight cats, and researchers did not record outside temperatures during the experiment. More research with larger groups of cats is needed before drawing firm conclusions.
Why Might Cats Prefer Cooler Water?
Researchers suggested one possible explanation: dissolved oxygen.
Cold water can hold more dissolved oxygen than warmer water. Higher dissolved oxygen levels are often associated with fresher-tasting water. Cats have highly sensitive tongues and strong sensory abilities, so one possibility is that they perceive cooler water as fresher or more appealing. This idea is still only a hypothesis, and more research is needed to understand exactly why some cats may prefer cooler water.
Do Cats Like Ice Water?
Many cat owners wonder: Do cats like ice water? The answer is that some cats do, but not all cats.
The study above did not directly test whether cats prefer ice water. Instead, researchers used ice cubes to lower the temperature of the drinking water, and the results suggested that some cats may be more willing to drink cooler water. Many cat owners have also shared similar experiences, saying that adding a few ice cubes to their cat’s water bowl makes their cats more interested in drinking.
Interestingly, cats may be attracted to ice cubes for more than just the lower temperature. A floating ice cube can create movement, spark curiosity, and make the water bowl more engaging. However, every cat has its own preference—some cats may enjoy playing with ice cubes or drinking chilled water, while others may simply ignore them or prefer room-temperature water.
Can Cats Drink Ice Water Safely?
For most healthy cats, drinking cold water or water with a few ice cubes is generally considered safe.
There is no scientific evidence showing that cold water causes cats to develop diarrhea or digestive problems. The idea that cold foods or drinks automatically upset a cat’s stomach is mostly based on assumptions from human experiences rather than research in cats.
However, there are a few things cat owners should keep in mind.
Watch for Ice Chewing
Some cats may try to bite or chew hard ice cubes. Repeatedly chewing hard ice could potentially damage teeth, especially in cats with existing dental problems.
If your cat only drinks around the ice cubes, that is usually not a concern. But if your cat aggressively bites the ice, it may be better to remove the cubes and simply offer chilled water.
Every Cat Has Different Preferences
Some cats enjoy cold water.
Some cats enjoy playing with ice cubes.
Some cats do not care about either.
The goal is not to force a cat to drink ice water, but to find what encourages your individual cat to stay hydrated.
Is Adding Ice Cubes a Good Way to Encourage Cats to Drink More?
For cats that do not drink enough water, adding a few ice cubes to their water bowl is a simple and inexpensive thing to try. Cooler water may make drinking more appealing, while the movement of floating ice cubes can also attract a cat’s attention and encourage curiosity.
If your cat enjoys drinking chilled water, adding ice cubes during hot weather may become an easy way to support better hydration. However, ice water should only be considered one possible tool, not a replacement for other healthy hydration habits. Providing fresh water every day, placing multiple water bowls around the home, offering a cat water fountain, and increasing moisture intake through wet food can all help encourage cats to drink more.
Water temperature is only one factor that can influence how much cats drink. Previous research and observations have also explored other methods, including:
- circulating water fountains;
- adding appealing flavors;
- changing water texture slightly.
Different cats respond to different approaches, so finding your cat’s preference is often the most effective strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some cats may prefer cooler water. Research suggests that cats may drink more when their water temperature is lowered, but individual preferences vary.
Yes. Healthy cats can generally drink ice water. There is currently no evidence that cold water causes digestive problems in cats.
Some cats enjoy ice cubes because they make the water cooler and more interesting. Others may ignore them completely.
