Cats may scratch the floor while drinking water due to instinctive behaviors and preferences. One possible explanation is that cats have a natural tendency to “dig” to simulate fresh water sources in the wild. By scratching around the water bowl, they may be trying to create a more desirable and clean drinking area. Also, some cats have sensitive whiskers, and scratching helps keep their whiskers from touching the bowl sides. Finally, cats may simply find the action of scratching and pawing the floor a playful or comforting behavior while drinking.
