**Dear Joan:** My cat, Chong, has developed a peculiar habit of only drinking water from cups. Despite having a water bowl next to his food, he seems to believe that water from a cup is superior.
A friend of mine mentioned that this behavior is typical among cats.
— Phil Wilson, Oakland
**Dear Phil:** Indeed, your friend is correct; this is a common feline behavior, but there’s a logical explanation behind it.
Cats generally prefer to eat and drink from containers that don’t interfere with their whiskers, avoiding what is known as “whisker fatigue.” While they favor wide bowls for food to prevent their whiskers from being pressed, they prefer narrow containers like cups or glasses for drinking. This preference stems from their dislike of getting their whiskers wet. A narrow container helps keep their whiskers dry and prevents them from experiencing whisker fatigue, as cats tend to drink several times without lifting their heads, unlike when they eat.
It’s a minor distinction, but it’s significant for cats who are known for their particular preferences. So, if Chong insists on drinking water from a cup, it’s best to accommodate his preference. However, I would advise against using valuable family heirlooms for this purpose.
**Dear Joan:** I’ve been growing carrots in a steel trough raised about 2 feet off the ground. Over a week, something has been eating the carrots from below, leaving only the stems. Additionally, something is now targeting the lemons on my tree, about 3 feet tall.
I’ve tried using mouse/rat traps and sticky traps, which I dislike, but to no avail. The traps get moved, yet nothing gets caught.
Do you have any insights on what could be eating the lemons and how to address this issue?
— Tom, Brentwood
**Dear Tom:** The issue with your vegetables being eaten from below likely involves gophers, which can occasionally infiltrate raised beds. However, the absence of carrots might not always be due to animals. Sometimes, an excess of nitrogen in the soil can result in lush green tops without the development of actual carrots. Besides looking out for gophers, consider conducting a soil test and reviewing your fertilizer use.
As for the lemons, rats are the usual suspects, though we can’t entirely dismiss the possibility of squirrels, both tree and ground varieties, being involved.
I strongly recommend discontinuing the use of glue traps, as they often harm non-target animals, leading to severe injuries or desperate attempts to escape. Instead, opt for rat traps baited with half a shelled walnut, secured to the trigger mechanism. This setup requires the rat to exert effort to access the bait, increasing the likelihood of triggering the trap.
For protecting your raised bed, consider removing the existing soil and placing a layer of hardware cloth at the bottom to prevent any burrowing from below. Additionally, installing a shock wire around the bed’s perimeter can deter intruders without causing lethal harm.
Animal Life is featured on Mondays. For further inquiries, you can reach me at AskJoanMorris@gmail.com.