Science explains why cats are so much neater drinkers than dogs

Science explains why cats are so much neater drinkers than dogs
(Image credit: YouTube)

The first thing you might notice from this story is that multiple scientists at multiple universities study how domestic pets consume liquids. "Three years ago, we studied how cats drink," biomechanics engineer Sunny Jung explains with refreshing candor. "I was curious about how dogs drink, because cats and dogs are everywhere."

Jung, an associate professor at Virginia Tech, and his fellow researchers are presenting their findings on "How Dogs Drink Water" at the American Physical Society's fluid dynamics division meeting in San Francisco. Neither cats nor dogs can suck in liquids, since they have "incomplete cheeks" — the better to catch prey with their jaws — so they rely on gravity-defying tongue action to move liquid into their mouths.

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Peter Weber, The Week US

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.