Cats have a blind spot below their chins, which means they rely on other methods to gauge the water level in their bowl. When cats move the water with their paws or noses, they are checking the depth to avoid dipping their nose too deep.

Some people suggest placing a floating item in the bowl to help cats gauge the water level, but this approach may not always work as intended. In some cases, the floating item, like a reusable ice cube, may become a toy for the cat instead. It’s not uncommon for cats to start placing their toys in the water bowl to play with them. As a result, it can lead to a wet kitchen floor as cats engage in playful behavior such as bobbing for milk rings, bottle caps, or felted mice.