Posted on by Barky Boy

Can Cats Drink Tap Water? Vet Approved Nutrition Advice

If you are a cat owner, you will know that they should always have access to clean, fresh water. In nature, animals get their water from rivers, lakes, streams, puddles, watering holes, or ponds, but when it comes to our pets, tap water is the most convenient source for us to use, but can cats drink tap water?

The answer is: Yes. If the tap water is safe for us, then it is also safe for our cats. This generally means that cats can drink tap water, but in areas or situations where the water is suitable only for cleaning, and not for consumption (non-potable), then it is also not safe for your cat.

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Which Tap Water is Safe For Cats?

The safety of tap water is regularly monitored and treated to guarantee that it is fit for consumption, so giving your cat tap water is perfectly safe.

You may already be aware that there are typically two kinds of tap water: hard and soft water. Let’s take a look at what this means for you and your cat.

Hard and Soft Water

Hard and soft water refers to the concentrations of minerals in the water; the harder the water, the more minerals are in it. Hard water is higher in calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and iron (Fe). This is basically down to geography and geology – water that passes through more porous rock, like limestone, will pick up more minerals.

Soft water refers either to:

  • Naturally occurring soft water – in areas with less porous rock, like granite, the groundwater travels over the rock layer, not through it. This means it doesn’t pick up many minerals, but retains naturally higher sodium (Na) levels.

  • Softened water – people in areas with particularly hard water often install water softeners due to the harsh effects of the water on clothing, skin, and hair. Water passes through the softening unit, where Na ions exchange with the Mg and Ca ions. This water must then be tested to ensure the sodium levels do not become too high.

faucet in the kitchen
Image Credit: Piqsels

Which Is Better – Hard or Soft?

Hard water has the advantage of providing minerals (calcium, magnesium, iron) which are highly beneficial to both human and feline health, particularly for heart and bones. The downside is that the minerals leave deposits on skin and hair, which can lead to skin irritation and poor hair condition, and limescale accumulation on appliances. Many people (and potentially cats) do not enjoy the taste of hard water.

Soft water is great for clothes, skin, hair and appliances, but offers very little in the way of health benefits. The higher sodium content of soft water has the potential to be a problem for cats (and humans) on low sodium diets, but water testing generally ensures this is not the case. The taste of soft water is generally preferred over that of hard water.

Neither hard or soft water are harmful for your cat. There are more potential health benefits from drinking hard water, but cats will likely prefer the taste of soft, or softened, water. The question has been raised regarding a link between hard water and the incidence of urinary crystals in cats, but there is currently no scientific evidence to support this hypothesis.

The choice of whether you have soft or hard water will depend on where you live, and whether you have a water softener installed. You can soften hard water, but you cannot install a water hardener.

Are There Any Risks of Giving Tap Water?

There is always an inherent risk of physical, biological, chemical or radiological contamination of tap water, but in developed countries like the United States, this risk is low. Things like natural disasters, particularly flooding, can lead to water contamination, which is why bottled water becomes a valuable commodity at such times.

The only other time that tap water is considered unsafe for your cat is if it is a non-potable water source. Non-potable water can be in a number of forms, including stormwater, untreated groundwater, recycled water, or greywater. This type of water is useful for irrigation, clothes washing, toilet flushing, cleaning equipment or cars, but should not be used for drinking or food preparation, and should not be given to pets.

flooding in th street
Image Credit: Piqsels

What Is the Best Water To Give Your Cat?

Tap water! From a safety, convenience, economical, and ecological standpoint, tap water is the best option for your cat, and here’s why:

  • Safety: Potable water (safe for human consumption) is completely safe for our cats, whether it is hard water or soft. If you have a cat on a sodium restricted diet and a water softener device, just be sure to have regular tests of your water’s sodium levels.

  • Convenient: It’s right there, all the time, in your home, no need to go to the shops or order online. How easy is that?

  • Economical: It doesn’t cost much to fill a cat’s water bowl.

  • Ecological: You might think that bottled water is the best option for your cat, but the fact is, bottled water rarely has any significant health benefits. It’s expensive, and the manufacturing and bottling process, not to mention the pollution from the water bottles themselves, does not make bottled water the most eco-friendly option. We are always going to need fresh water supplies, so we are far better putting money and effort into improving the sustainability of this process, rather than water into bottles.

white Persian cat drinking from water bowl
Image Credit: Punyaphat Larpsomboon, Shutterstock

The Importance of Keeping Your Cat Hydrated

As we know, water is essential to all life, so we must ensure our cats are always getting enough. Felines aren’t always big drinkers, but there are often perfectly normal reasons for this. On average, cats need around 8-10 fl. oz per 10 lbs of body weight, but this can be consumed both as water or as moisture in food.

Factors that will impact a cat’s daily water needs include weather, activity levels, health, and diet. Cats eating predominantly wet food will get around 80% of their daily moisture requirement from their food, so it is not unusual for them to rarely be seen at a water bowl. On the flipside, cats that are fed a completely dry food diet should be drinking water regularly.

By and large, cats will drink as much or as little water as their body needs, but it is important to familiarize yourself with what is normal for them, so it is easier to spot when things aren’t right.

Cats can survive up to 3-4 days without water, but they will start to suffer the effects of dehydration within 24 hours; less in particularly hot conditions. Signs that your cat may be becoming dehydrated include:

  • Reduced skin elasticity – the “pinch test” can help you evaluate this very easily. Gently pick up some skin on the back of your cat’s neck and release it. In a normal, hydrated cat, the skin should spring straight back. The longer it takes to return, the more dehydrated they are

  • Lethargy – dehydration makes it harder for the blood to circulate, which deprives organs of oxygen

  • Panting or shallow breathing

  • Inappetence

  • Dry mucous membranes of the gums

  • Sunken eyes

If you see ANY of these signs, your cat needs to be seen by a vet.

close up of sick-looking orange cat lying on wooden planks
Image Credit: estoymhrb, Pexels

How To Encourage Your Cat To Drink Water

If you are worried that your cat doesn’t drink enough water, or they appear to not like drinking from their bowl, here are a few tips to ensure your cat’s water supply is as appealing as possible:

  • Swap plastic bowls for ceramic or stainless steel.

  • Use a water filter – if you live in an area with particularly hard water, you might already be using one for yourself; your cat may prefer the taste of filtered water as well.

  • Use wider bowls so their sensitive whiskers don’t touch the sides.

  • Invest in a cat water fountain – moving water = fresh water, and most drinking fountains will also filter the water, making it even more appealing.

  • Place your cat’s water bowl away from their food and litter box, and out of busy areas of the house.

  • In warmer weather, keep the water bowl topped up with cool water. You can even pop some ice cubes in the water to keep it cool. To go that extra mile, try mixing some water with bone broth or the juice from tinned tuna, and make ice cubes from this.

Cat drinking from ceramic bowl
Image Credit: Pattysan, Shutterstock

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Conclusion

The great news is that, unless it isn’t safe for us, tap water is perfectly safe for your cat. There may be times when you need to switch to bottled or filtered water, but these would be few and far between. In terms of safety, both hard and soft water are safe, but you may find that cats prefer their water to be filtered if your water is particularly hard. Cat water fountains are great in this situation, but do be aware that if you have hard water, the fountains will often get limescale.

There are a number of factors that will influence how much water your cat needs, as well as how much they will actually drink. If you notice that your cat is drinking a lot more than normal, or you are worried that they are showing signs of dehydration, book an appointment with your vet.

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Featured Image Credit: NadyGinzburg, Shutterstock

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