This is really dumb, but I’d really like to take care of this problem.
One of my cats has the habit of drinking out of my tall glass cylindrical floating candle holders. He especially likes the tallest one (I really have no idea how he drinks the water halfway down in it - he’s very talented I guess). I know it’s just a silly annoyance, but I’m afraid that one of these days he’s going to knock one down and possibly hurt himself. I also don’t really want him getting his head stuck in there. The easiest solution, of course, is to not use the candle holders, which is what I’ve been forced into. However, these were a wedding gift and I really like them and would like to be able to use them. He has a perfectly nice water dish. I don’t know why he can’t just drink out of that like the other cats do. And yes, I know it’s him because I’ve caught him at it.
Any ideas on how I could keep him from drinking out of the candle holders? I’ve thought about putting something in them to make them taste bad to him, but I’m so afraid that I’ll make him sick or even worse, that I haven’t ever tried it. I’d appreciate any ideas you could give!
I think most animals are repelled by citrus. If you got a little orange or lemon oil to add to the water he might lose interest. I don’t think the citrus will hurt the cat if he drinks it (unlike some other essential oils) but I think once he gets a whiff he won’t WANT to drink it.
Thanks! I’ll definitely try that. However, I did try putting orange peels around the bottom of the Christmas tree to keep the monsters out and all they did was roll in them. It’s worth the try anyway.
If you can afford it, buy one of these. Our cat was always drinking out of a dripping faucet or tree water or a glass left on the table…anywhere but her dish. After I plugged in the machine, end of problems. Cat’s naturally are drawn to running water and prefer to drink from a non-stagnant source.
Maybe a splash of vinegar in the water would help? (It’d also prevent scum forming in the bottom of the bowl AFAIK)
I don’t know, but my cat comes running to drink the nasty water in the humidifier when I take the reservoir out to refill it. This, despite the fact that there is fresh water in both the cats’ dish and the dog’s dish. Both of my cats much prefer to drink water out of the dog’s bowl and not their own, and will meow to have it filled when it’s empty.
Weird cats.
My cats have a water dish that is changed out 2 times a day with filtered water, but they prefer to drink out of a cup on the bathroom counter (it is not filled for them the knock it over & onto the floor) or the glass me or my husband is drinkng from… me and my weird cats… They are getting the fountain for their birthday present. 
I think putting vinegar or citrus oils (only real, not the fake stuff) in the water in your candle holders might work to keep kitty from drinking the water.
I frequently am awakened during the night by the sound of my cat (or cats; it’s dark, so I can’t tell if it’s one or the otheror both) drinking out of the glass I have on my nightstand for my own consumption. It drives me nuts, because I then have to get up to get myself a fresh glass of water. And I’ve just now realized that maybe I don’t hear them every time, and have been drinking after they’ve already been and gone. Ick!
My boy cat just prefers the toilet - I don’t use any bleaches or anything in it, but I keep it clean, so I figure it’s really no different from the water I put in the water bowl (the girl cat will drink from the bowl and runs away from the toilet). I don’t think Jake even considers the water bowl as a source of water anymore - last week there was a water main break and my water pressure was so low that the toilet wouldn’t flush after I’d peed before bed. So I put the lid down. When I got up in the morning and water pressure was back, he was in there as soon as he heard it flush. I’m considering one of the fountains though.
As far as the floating candles thing…can you set them somewhere that he can’t get to them? Beyond that, I have no idea how to keep him out of them.
Mine do this, too, so I have a glass with a lid and straw that I use instead. If a glass of water is sitting out overnight, it’s almost guaranteed that they’ll drink out of it. And one of my boys is fond of sticking his paw in the water and then licking his paw.
porcupine that’s how my cat always drinks. It’s really bizarre, and amuses guests to no end.
Yellowval-
Try using salty water in the candleholder. I suspect after only one or two drinks, your cat will be cured.
Plus, it’s non-toxic, and easy to clean up if the water evaporates.
Citrus, eh? Well my Buffy loves lemonade. She always drinks out of my Mom’s glass.
Is there any where you could put them where Kitty won’t have access to them, but they can still be on display?