If I may add some thoughts here....
As was told to me to a very sharp mind....the electric company doesn't give a rat's ass how much energy you use as long as you pay for it.....on time. They couldn't care less what you're doing with it as long as you are paying for it.....again.....on time.

Rock, do you go 8 days between waterings? That just seems like a long time to me....soil too heavy? I'm no soil pro for sure but had to stick my nose in.....

PS....I wouldn't make a habit of letting kitty lick up the water but in small doses it won't hurt her.....she's a normal cat right....not ill or old....well even old doesn't matter if she's healthy. ....babble babble.....