Skip to main content

Video: Cat discovers the office water cooler, hilarity ensues

This video of a cat drinking water makes us wish all offices were pet-friendly

Do you ever wish you could take your cat to work with you (even if all they want to do is sit on your keyboard)? Well, after this video about a cat drinking water, you’re really going to wish your office was pet-friendly.

Posted to both the r/AnimalsBeingGeniuses subreddit and the r/FunnyAnimals subreddit, this video features a cat who has learned how to work the office water cooler (we won’t lie: Our break room conversations would be a lot more fun if a cat were involved). This adorable cat stands on their tippy toes, just barely able to reach the nozzle, and then drinks to their heart’s content. The sound you don’t hear on the video, but absolutely hear in your head watching this cat drinking water? Mlem, mlem, mlem.

Related Videos

The internet, of course, found it both adorable and concerning.

Huge_Dentist7633 proclaimed, “Face it people, cats are brilliant.” Redditor TheMoistTeaBag, however, noted, “I find this very scary for some reason…”

And they weren’t alone, with many Redditors chiming in with predictions for what cats will learn to accomplish next. The guesses ranged from using can openers, freezers, and coffee machines to lethal drones and nukes. For our part, our money is on kitchen appliances and not world-ending weapons. While we don’t doubt that cats are smart enough to take over the world, it’d honestly probably end up being too much work for them — better to get us to do it and snack on that tuna instead.

As GreenLoctite joked about the video, “What? That water on the floor? No, not my problem. I was just drinking my water. You are the servant, get the mop.”

To be fair, the kitty did seem interested in lapping up the water from the water cooler’s tray, and someone did helpfully place a towel at the base of the cooler (leading us to believe that this is probably a routine trick for this cat).

Some were worried about kitty’s safety, with Wendellrw noting, “I hope the heater isn’t turned on for the hot water nozzle.” But Redditor CommonConfusables was quick to remind them: “Hot water nozzles usually have a safety feature that requires holding a button and then pulling the tab. It requires two hands or talented fingers.”

(Of course, we don’t really put anything past cats when they put their minds to something.)

Others just wished their cats were this committed to staying hydrated. “If my cats could actually drink this much water, I’d put a dispenser in every single room.” IllegallyBored lamented.

Cats need about ½ cup of water per five pounds of body weight daily (though this intake can be gotten through other means, such as wet cat food, which is typically 70-80% water). Still, if your cat isn’t getting enough water, they might be like the one in this video and prefer a running stream of water to a bowl — and there are certainly cat water fountains you can get to help your cat reach their water goals. (Or you can just invest in a water cooler, set up a camera, and enjoy.)

Editors' Recommendations

Bengal cats: What to know about these quirky descendants of Asian leopards
Bengal cat breed facts that may surprise you
A Bengal cat lies on a white floor and bathes their forelimb

With their striking rosette coats and low-maintenance grooming needs, Bengal cats are already one of the most desired breeds in the world. Once known as Safari cats, the breed went through a name change in the 1970s to reflect its fascinating heritage. But what is living like a Bengal cat actually like? Are they as feisty as their Asian leopard ancestors?
We'll explore the Bengal cat's personality in depth, covering everything from a brief look into their history, the most common Bengal personality traits, and any breed-specific requirements that may hinder your quest to adopt one of these lovely cats.

Bengal cat history
While some cat breeds, such as the Egyptian Mau, can trace their lineage as far back as 10,000 B.C.E., the Bengal cat is a relative newcomer on the scene. The Bengal cat was first bred deliberately in California in the 1980s, after cat breeder Jean Mill crossed a domestic shorthair (a black tomcat) with an Asian leopard cat. Asian leopard cats, a breed of dainty wildcats hailing from Southeast Asia, are also known as Felis bengalensis -- hence the aforementioned name change from Safari cat to "Bengal cat," -- a nod to this hybrid breed's wild ancestor.
However, there may be another reason for the switch that led to the newly dubbed Bengal cat. When the breed's name was changed in 1974, the man responsible was named William "Bill" Engler -- B. Engler. Some believe he drew inspiration from his own name.

Read more
Can cats suffer from mental health conditions the way dogs can?
What you need to know about your cat's mental health
A blue-eyed white cat sprawls out on top of a rug with a forlorn expression

As it turns out, man's best friend has quite a lot in common with humans. Just like us, dogs can suffer from mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "1 in 5 Americans will experience a mental illness in a given year." With such staggering numbers, it's easy to understand why the self-help industry is booming. But what about cats? Are our feline family members similarly affected by mental health issues?
While dogs are typically more expressive regarding their moods, cats can be more difficult to read. A dog suffering from depression may refuse to play with his favorite toy, but what behaviors can you expect from your feline friend? Do cats suffer from depression and anxiety the way some dogs do? We'll take a deep dive into the world of cat mental health, so we can answer the question once and for all.

Can cats have mental illnesses?
In her 2014 book "Animal Madness," Dr. Laurel Braitman writes, "There is not a branch of veterinary science, ethology (the science of animal behavior), neuroscience, or wildlife ecology dedicated to investigating whether animals can be mentally ill." While we can't read our cat's mind, we can use their typical behavior to gauge sudden personality changes that might ring a few alarm bells.
Two commonly diagnosed mental issues in cats are obsessive-compulsive disorder -- often abbreviated as OCD -- and cat anxiety. In cases of OCD, you may notice your cat excessively grooming the same location on her body, which can lead to redness, swelling, skin irritation, and even hair loss. However, excessive grooming is also a symptom of anxiety, though anxiety is often accompanied by additional concerning behaviors, such as decreased appetite, incessant yowling, and even drooling.
Details are scant regarding exactly how many cats suffer from mental health issues, but the fact remains that your frisky feline can be affected by OCD, anxiety, or depression. In fact, it may surprise you to learn that cats can even have autism.

Read more
Is chocolate toxic for cats like it is for dogs?
We know chocolate is toxic to dogs, but is it safe for your cat?
Cat sitting and eating a treat

If you've ever searched for a list of foods toxic to dogs, then you already know allowing your furry best friend to ingest a chocolate bar can have tragic consequences. But is chocolate bad for cats? Although your feline fur baby is much less likely to scarf down a slab of chocolate cake while you have your back turned, chocolate poisoning does occur in cats, too, and it can have equally life-threatening consequences.

Keeping your cat safe is your top priority, which makes knowing the symptoms of chocolate ingestion vitally important. Knowing the proper steps to take in case your cat eats foods she shouldn't might just save her life. Here's what you should know.

Read more