Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a freaky black cat who loves snakes. I bought him a bunch of small, rubber snakes, and they are his favorite.

He must have a snake in his water dish at all times. Every day I take the snake out of the water dish, and put it in a different part of the house. Every day it is Eddie's mission to go find the snake, and put it back in the water dish.

It doesn't seem to bother the other cats much.

Just seems kind of odd. Isn't a snake something that you would naturally not want in your water supply?

This does seem odd, although probably the cat realizes that the snake is not real, and views it as a toy or even a companion rather than as a threat. The snake in the water dish might help him gauge the depth of the water - cats sometimes need some help with this issue. Anyhow, your cat sounds like a really delighful cutie full or personality!
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Smile, it will make them wonder what you are up to!

MA, that is creepy. I typed the exact same response yesterday but then my computer froze and I never got back to retyping it. The water dish was always a favorite dumping place for Gonzo's toys when he was a kitten. I had a lot of soggy mice. Maybe your cat likes when the snake ripples in the water as well. It adds to the hunt.

It sounds like your kitty is ahving a great time.
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Gonzo, WoooLee, Stumpy and Squashy

I have to agree with the other two -- it may well be to help him gauge water depth. Stanley has a depth perception problem and if the water isn't to the very tip-top of the dish, he has trouble finding it and drags his paws across it to ripple it so he knows where to drink. I've tried different bowls... Wouldn't worry about it. Your cat seems to have found the "trick" to drink!
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Tammy
Stanley and Pookey

Yup. Just the snake. Never any other toys. If he can't find the snake, the water dish just has water in it.

Eddie does love snakes.

He's a charachter. Lotsa fun. Just an odd quirk.

He also keeps snakes in his bed. And he puts them in the dogs bed when he gets mad at him.
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Cats; Mustard, Frodo, Ted, Eddie Poe, Puck, Ted, Todd, Fessig, Marla, Bill, Darlene, and mama cat.

Snakes; Mickey, Fido, Dead, Samson, Delalah, Jack Straw, Phobia, Tuesday, Tweeker, Elizard, Cmaeo, and babies.

Ferret; Cricket.

Dog; Stryder

etc..........

Hi,

It's not an unusual thing for a cat to put his or her favorite toy in the water bowl. Your cat happens to enjoy playing with toy snakes.

My feeling is that cats see their toys as prey, and that putting the "prey" into water finishes it off. I doubt that your kitty knows or cares that his toys resemble the real thing.

Regards,
PHKitkat