Does anyone know why my cat sticks its paw in the water bowl then licks the water off before getting a drink?

Cats generally have poor depth perception. I think that sometimes they will step into their water bowl to test the level. Then their paw is wet, so they will lick it to dry it. My cat sticks his nose into the water, then is surprised when it gets wet. Then he's fine and will drink it. I've heard of people putting colored glass marbles in the bowl to help with stuff like this.

One of the most sensitive areas of the cat’s body is the paw pad. Cats pat objects to test them, to see if the toy moves, the food is too hot, or if the water is safe.

Also, although many cats dislike getting wet, they do enjoy playing with water. The water bowl is an ideal place to paddle. So your cat may be playing, or literally “testing the waters” before drinking.

My cat Gizmo also does that, He also will usually only drink water out of a running tap, not out of the bowl, but he still does the thing with his paw. Sometimes he will use his paw like a cup or a ladle. . Do I have a clue why he does this? Probably because he is spoiled rotten and I left him.

The cat can't see the where water level is, so it breaks the tension by poking it with her paw. Now she doesn't have get her whole face wet.

Perhaps your cat is using proper etiquette, by "licking her paws" before drinking from her water bowl"!

Your cat is a very smart cat. He is "testing the waters" before he makes a commitment to drink it.

I just got a sixth cat - a 14 yr old rescue - and he does this. I think it's quite charming. He's not a great water-drinker though and I have only seen him do it twice.

Cat ethiquette, maybe?

or a more sinister reason: maybe some time in the past you put something in her drink, so now she has to test it first before she drinks it.

My cat does the same thing, he also scratched the ground while he drinks too!!

since water is hard to see, he's probably seeing how deep it is! of coarse cats are very clean, so he licks it off!!