Do cats like ice cubes in their water

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated September 16, 2024

Contributions sourced from

Why Is My Cat Obsessed With Ice? (Is It Safe?)

If you have noticed that your cat is obsessed with ice you may be wondering why and if this is normal

Why is my cat obsessed with ice?

Some cats are obsessed with ice for several reasons. The most common one is that is fun for them and resembles an enjoyable game. If you see a cat playing with ice you will see them pushing around their bowl and admiring how it glides from side to side. However, there are risks with ice and cats.

So, now you know. But, can ice help your cat drink more water? Is cold water ok for cats? Should you put ice cubes into your cats bowl? Keep reading for these answers, and much more

Can Ice help a cat drink more water?

Ice can make a cat drink more water. This is because they like laying with it and even licking it. While they are there they may consume more water in the process. However, this can be improved by adding some additional flavor such as the gravy from their tinned wet food. Also, chipping up the ice can reduce the risks of the ice.

If you do this it may make them more inclined to consume more of the water due to the enhanced taste. Like most things, this is not guaranteed for all cats, because they all have different habits and personalities. But, in general, it should improve on their standard intake of water.

Are ice cubes bad for cats?

Ice cubes can be bad for cats if they attempt to bite them. This can damage their teeth. However, if they do not do this they will enjoy bashing the ice cubes around the bowl and may help them consume more water. If you do offer your cat ice its better to break up the ice cubes to avoid damaging their teeth.

Basically, you need to take precautions and monitor your cat with them. If you cant do that its not worth the risk in my opinion. So, if there is any doubt on yr behalf then I would not give it to them.

Should you give cats ice cubes?

You should avoid giving your cat ice cubes due to the risks of its teeth. But, If you are keen on it and happy to monitor your cat while they use and play with an ice cube, its better to chip up the ice cubes. But, if you are too busy and cant spare a few minutes its not worth offering it.

Although this may seem a bit harsh its the facts of the matter. An ice cube could be a great game and way to cool your cat or be used to damage its teeth if left neglected.

Is cold water OK or bad for cats?

Some cats prefer cold water, that is why some cat owners offer them ice cubes in the water. This may be because they perceive fresh cold water as safe and natural. But you will need to see how your cat responds to it.

Coldwater, in general, is not bad for cats. However, I have to say this with caution. Because the term cold water is quite subjective. What you deem as cold may not be cold to your cat and vice versa, are you with me?

Avoid Ice cold water

My point is, its not a good idea to load up your cats water with loads and loads of ice cubes. Avoid preparing a drink that is ice cold.

Ice cold water is not a good idea for cats. Why is this? because their metabolism rate has a high temperature. If you provide extreme cold water that they consume this can cause issues with their digestion and may even slow down your metabolism. Which, can cause a lot of other related health issues.

So for that reason, if you do want to provide cold water do it in moderation. Like most things, moderation is the key.

Also, if there is any doubt about this its best to check in with your vet to see what their views are on it because they know the history of your particular cat.

Is it safe to put ice cubes in my cats water?

No, its not recommended. The reason is there is a chance that it can cause issues in their mouth. In particular, biting on the ice cube could chip or break their teeth. Also, there is a chance of it choking them. Therefore, if you really want to, regardless of these risks, at least consider chipping up the ice first.

So, if you had wondered how to keep your cat hydrated on hot days (Click here to see my Best 3 Cat water Fountains to keep your cat hydrated). And you have been tempted to cool them down with an ice cube. You know if this is a good idea or not.

Now that you know the deal with ice cubes let me also explain why other cat owners argue that ice cubes are fine and low risk, in their opinion. Also, other ways to cool your cat down. The effect of the ice on their teeth and much more. Keep reading

Why do some cat owners say Ice cubes are safe?

Other cat owners argue that Ice cubes are totally safe. And claim they have done it many times before without any issues. They argue that cats do not gulp down water, so the chances of them swallowing the ice cube is very low.

They say cats leisurely lap the water up rather than gulping it down which reduces the risks of the ice cube being swallowed. In my opinion, its best to be safe than sorry and avoid doing this.

Other ways to keep your cat cool.

other ways to keep cats cool

One of the biggest reasons why cat owners consider giving their cat ice cubes is keeping them cool in hot weather. In particular, in the scorching summer heat, depending on where you live it can get very hot.

To get around this temptation to use ice cubes Im going to suggest some other methods you can use to keep your cat cool during these hot summer days.

01. Ice Cubes in Water with Ice Chippings

Instead of doing this, it is advised to place the ice cube into some water so that it doesnt cause any issues within their mouth. But first, chip up the ice cube into smaller pieces. Which will reduce the chances of them hurting their mouth.

02. Using a fan

In this section, Im going to explain how you can use a fan (click here if your cat is scared of them) but not in a conventional way. Firstly you need to turn the fan on but direct it towards the floor rather than at face level.

Once this is done you need to make sure that you have a wet towel on the floor. The fan should hit the wet towel and caused a nice cold breeze for your cat to feel cool in the summer period.

03. Ice balls

Another trick that you can use is to create some big ice balls. They are great because they keep your cat cool, interested (if not fascinated) and also reduce the risk of them choking on it due to the sheer size of the item.

These ice balls are easily made and very economical. All you need is a standard balloon (can the string on these be dangerous? Click here) which is inflated. You then need to fill the balloon with water and freeze it.

The only issue is the amount of freezer space it needs. If you have a deep freezer that is ideal for this. Once it has been set, remove the balloon (will it scare your cat? click here) from the freezer and along with the elastic balloon material to expose the ice ball.

You will then be left with an oval-shaped piece of ice which you can place into a container and offer to your cats to keep them cool in the sun.

04. Catscicles.

Catscicles (Click here for my article on Catsicles) are is basically a play on the word popsicle. You can get creative with these and cats really do love them. Its a fun thing for your cat and you can have many different flavors and styles. The only restriction is your own imagination.

Will ice cubes affect your cats teeth?

Ice cubes can affect your cats teeth. One of the biggest reasons I say to avoid ice cubes is because of reports from vets that some cats have injured themselves by chewing on ice cubes rather than licking them.

Earlier I talked about the potential dangers of using ice cubes and why its better to look at alternatives to keep them cool in the summer.

The dangers of ice cubes on cats teeth

However, I would like to focus on your cats teeth for a moment. So you understand what dangers these ice cubes offer your cat.

Whilst this is a low percentage of cats because in most cases they rather lick it than bite it, it does happen. The problem is, these chipped or broken teeth can cause other knock-on issues. Such as causing choking, digestive issues, etc.

This can also lead to them having a high level of discomfort. Which can stop them from eating for a period of time which can cause numerous different related issues. This is the reason why I said its not a good idea to do this.

Turning ice cubes into a game for cats.

As much as we have focused on the dangers of ice cubes, cold water issues, etc. How about some fun with ice cubes? Is this possible and is it a good idea? Let Me Explain

Yes, there is a cool ice cube game I will share with you. It is a great idea and a very economical game that you can prepare in a short space of time.

Simply get a few ice cubes. Place them into a bowl or even on the plate. Thats it, simple as that.

Youll be surprised how intrigued your cat will be as they attack the ice cubes and watch them slide across the floor.

My only concern with this is to make sure that you clean up after theyve had a good play because it could leave slippery wet floors after they finished playing with the cubes.

Can Cats Drink Ice Water?

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Drinking water and staying hydrated is absolutely critical for the health of our cats. But if youve done any kind of research about our feline friends, you already know that they arent exactly great at staying hydrated. While there are plenty of liquids that your cat can drink besides water, one of the simplest ways you can encourage cats to drink more is by adding some variety to their existing water options.

That means more bowls, different locations and even varying temperatures.

But what about ice water?Can cats even drink ice water?

Yes, cats can drink ice water and some may even prefer it over regular or room temperature water. While it can encourage some cats to drink more water, others may make a mess by playing with the ice cubes and over-eager cats could damage their teeth by trying to bite the hard ice.

Lets take a closer look at everything you need to know about ice water and cats. But first, lets start with one important guideline.

Give Your Cat Multiple Water Options

What you dont want to do is force your cat to only drink ice water. Proper hydration is extremely important for our cats but our feline friends can also bevery picky.

In some cases, theyll love the variety that ice cubes bring but other cats may not. They may even decide that its better to wait for other water options. If their only choice is a water bowl with ice cubes then that could actually be a very big problem.

Cats that are chronically dehydrated may be more prone to conditions like FLUTD along with a long list of other health problems. Properly hydrated cats are more likely to feel better, be healthier, and even shed less in some cases.

Despite the many benefits, cats wont always stay well hydrated on their own and can use some encouragement from us. One of the easiest ways to help cats drink more is by adding additional water bowl locations. One study from Royal Canin found that cats greatly preferred multiple sources of water. That means its a good idea to give your cat multiple water options at all times but this becomes even more important if youre adding some variety like ice water to the mix.

Consider making one water bowl location the ice water bowl and leave the other options unchanged so your cat is never in a position where they have to choose between ice water or no water.

What Are The Risks Of Ice Water, Ice Cubes, and Cats?

Im making the assumption here that when we talk about ice water youre actually using ice cubes. Cold water is quite safe for cats and likely doesnt need as much explanation for most folks.

But the addition of ice cubes can change a few things so lets look at the possible risks before we break down the benefits.

Some Cats Will Make A Mess

Most cat parents already know that cats love to flip water bowls or just splash around the water bowl with a paw. Some cats even seem to think that the water bowl is the perfect place to deposit their favorite toys.

All of these habits on their own can create quite the mess but if youre regularly giving your cat a bouncy, floating ball of ice to play with they can really go nuts!

Not only will they make a mess by splashing the water but once the ice cube is out of the bowl many cats will enjoy pushing it around the house! Eventually youll end up with a little puddle that could be far away from the water bowl.

Consider a flip-proof water bowl or one with a special tray if you know your cat likes to make a mess!

Ice Cubes Can Create Trip Hazards For Humans

A mess could be the least of your concerns when it comes to ice cubes and those little puddles could create tripping hazards to humans! Obviously, ice is slippery and theres no telling where your cat will decide to take an ice cube but just as dangerous as the cube itself are the little puddles theyll leave behind.

Slip and fall accidents are quite common and a surprise puddle of water is the perfect set up for an accident so be careful!

Cats May Try To Chomp Down On Ice Cubes

The risk here is quite low but some cats may injure a tooth by trying to bite down on the ice. Most cats will simply lick the ice and your feline friend will quickly figure out that ice is too hard to bite through.

Still, your cats long canines can actually be quite fragile and prone to breaking so carefully watch how your cat reacts to their first ice cubes.

Kitty Brain Freeze

Weve all experienced a little brain freeze and it isnt fun!

The same thing can happen to your feline friend if they get a little too excited about their ice water. However, there are no long-term risks or health problems associated with brain freeze and the discomfort is only temporary.

Your cat will also learn pretty quickly that too much ice water isnt very fun.

Why Offer Your Cat Ice Water and Ice Cubes?

Now that you know the risks, lets look at the rewards! So why would you want to give your cat ice water in the first place?

Improved Hydration and Health

Anything you can do to improve your cats hydration is generally worth the effort. As historically desert-dwelling animals, cats dont have the same thirst drives as us or many of our other pets.

But unfortunately, that doesnt mean they dont need water and according to veterinarian Deborah Linder, there are a variety of medical conditions that benefit from a cat increasing their water intake. Some common examples are kidney disease and bladder stones or crystals.

That means anything you can do to improve your cats water intake also has the potential to improve their health. Adding in wet food is going to make the biggest impact and your cats wild ancestors would have gotten a lot of their hydration from eating live prey.

Thats of course missing in the modern house cat.

But will adding ice cubes and making ice water actually encourage cats to drink more?

In many cases, the answer is yes!

Cats are often interested in novel stimuli and the change in temperature or addition of ice cubes could be all it takes to spark some extra interest in the water bowl.

Just For Fun

But offering ice water to your cat doesnt have to be done with any motivation other than having fun!

Sure, some extra hydration is great but adding some variety to the water bowl can provide cats with mental stimulation and might even provide you with some entertainment!

In addition to something new, some cats may like the extra cold water since it can help cool them off a little bit. You absolutely shouldnt rely on ice water to regulate your cats temperature but some cats may enjoy something cool in their tummy from time to time.

Can Ice Water Impact Digestion?

If consumed in large quantities, ice water can constrict blood vessels and lead to slower digestion. However, the chances of this occurring in cats is quite low.

As weve already mentioned, cats arent known for their love of water so the chances of them drinking so much ice water that it causes any type of long-term problem is extremely unlikely.

The exception here is if youre adding ice waterandextra flavor to the water. Adding something that cats find delicious like bone broth may lead cats to overdo it with drinking and could result in problems.

Still, the risk here is very low but something to be aware of.

Skip The Cubes And Consider A Cooling Bowl

What if you want to offer your cat ice-cold water without the cubes?

Maybe you already know that your cat wont be able to resist pushing ice cubes all around the house or you just dont want to mess with constantly refreshing the ice.

Your best option is to pick up a water bowl thats designed to keep water cold over long periods of time. These are usually geared towards dogs that are spending time outdoors but theres no reason a cat cant enjoy them too!

There are surprisingly few of these on the market but the most popular option is the K&H Freezable Water Bowl which you can see on Amazon by clicking here. The bowl has a large hollow opening where you can add water and then place it in the freezer overnight. Just add water to the bowl the next day and the ice inside the bowl will keep things nice and cool all day for your cat!

The only downside is that this bowl is pretty gigantic for cats and holds a massive 96 ounces. That might be a good fit if youre looking for something that your cat will be unlikely to tip over but it will also be a bit large for many homes.

Its also deep enough that it could cause whisker fatigue in some cats which is occurs when a cats whiskers are constantly rubbing against the bowl. This happens most often in deep bowls where cats have to really dive in to get the food or water.

A smaller alternative is the 16 oz bowl from Cooler Dog which you can see on Amazon by clicking here. This bowl uses a permanent gel thats placed inside the bowl, similar to an ice pack you might see in a lunch box, that freezes and keeps water cool.

Its also better if youre concerned about whisker fatigue since the bowl is much more shallow, a trait thats common across all the best bowls for whisker fatigue.

Both bowls will work for cats and theyll give you the chance to offer cold water all day long without the hassle of ice cubes!

Can Cats Play With Ice Cubes?

Can ice cubes ever be a safe toy for cats?

Well, if youve ever met a cat then you know that anythingcan be a toyincluding ice cubes!

However, its not always the most practical toy and weve already mentioned the risks of ice cubes to both humans and cats. While many cats wont have a problem, some folks may want to try a different option.

Thats where the giant ice cubes come in!

One clever Youtuber figured out that a simple water balloon in the freezer can produce the perfect cat toy that willalso help improve your cats hydration! What could be better?

Check it out in this video:

My favorite part of that video are the cats that insist on getting inside the tray in order to lick the ice! While its not exactly ice water, this could be a fun activity for your cat!

Should You Give Cats Ice Water?

Ice water is a great way to add a little variety to your cats routine and potentially encourage them to drink water. Both of which are good things in moderation. However, you arent required to give your cat ice water and its not something that cat parents should feel like they have to do.

But what cat parentsshouldbe doing is offering their cat multiple sources of water around the house in different-sized water bowls when possible. This isnt just over the top crazy cat guy advice either, the folks at Royal Canin completed one of the most extensive studies of feline drinking habits and found that cats preferred a variety of water sources and if there were several options to choose from, water points in a room other than the one where the food bowl was located were preferred.

In other words, ice water should just be a part of your cats overall drinking options but never theonly option!

If you do choose to work in ice water, consider making one bowl the go-to for ice water so that your cat knows to look there for cold water.

Closing Thoughts

Cats can absolutely enjoy ice water and even have fun playing with ice cubes! While ice cubes arent always the perfect toy, ice water can be a great way to encourage cats to drink more water which is a constant battle that every cat parent should be aware of.

However, its important to emphasize that ice water shouldnt be your cats only choice and our feline friends generally prefer several water options!

What do you think? Are you going to give your cat some ice water?

Read Next: When Do Kittens Start Drinking Water?