Browse ›
A blue Great Dane and a silver Maine Coon cat drink side by side from one metal water bowl on a wood floor. 1 / 31

The Great Dane Drank First. The Maine Coon Waited Exactly Two Seconds.

AI imagegreat danemaine coonwater bowl

The big gray Great Dane has his whole muzzle dipped into a steel water bowl, ears hanging low on both sides, while a silver Maine Coon leans in from the right for her own sip. Their heads nearly touch over the rim. Behind them a warm lamp glows, and a cozy, lived-in living room spills softly out of focus, with a plant on a shelf and a pile of blankets on the floor.

Neither animal seems to think the arrangement is strange. The Dane, whom we might call Moose, is twice her height at the shoulder, yet he drinks calmly and leaves her plenty of room. The cat, nicknamed Pearl, has a thick ruff of fur and tufted ears, and her eyes stay fixed on the water rather than on her enormous roommate.

Shared bowls are common in multi-pet homes, but a few habits keep everyone healthy. Wash the bowl daily with soap and hot water, since a slick film builds up quickly. Many cats prefer wide, shallow dishes because deep ones can brush against their whiskers, and some like their water set apart from their food. Putting out a second bowl in another room is an easy way to make sure nobody has to wait their turn. Large breeds like Great Danes also do well with a raised bowl at a comfortable height, though your vet can tell you what suits your dog.

For now, Moose and Pearl have settled the matter in the simplest way possible: one bowl, two thirsty friends, and no arguments.

More from this collection

All 31 →
A Dalmatian and a seal point Birman cat sit side by side on a concrete porch step, both looking off to the right.Two Neighbors Took the Porch Steps and Stared Off TogetherA brindle and white Boston Terrier and a silver tabby cat share a cardboard box lined with a gray blanket.There Was Only One Box, and Somehow It Fit Both of Them
A black curly Poodle and a black cat sit together on a worn tractor seat inside a cluttered barn-like room.Nobody Told Them the Tractor Was Parked, So They Climbed AboardAn orange longhaired cat sleeps curled beneath the front legs and chin of a sleeping red Shiba Inu on a wooden floor.The Shiba Inu Used His Paws as a Blanket for a Sleeping KittyA blue and tan Yorkshire Terrier and a red Maine Coon cat sit in a red wooden wagon on a grassy backyard lawn.Pepper Brought the Wagon, and Rusty Brought Himself AlongA Yorkshire Terrier and a red Maine Coon cat peer through a wire fence at chickens in a coop yard.Two Furry Spectators Study the Hens From Behind the Wire