Like us humans, cats need plenty of hydration to stay happy and healthy.
That may seem like it has an obvious solution — just regular provide them with plenty of water — but actually, some cats are fussy drinkers and won’t get the water they need without a little bit of an extra push.
That’s why bottled water is a great choice for your pets.
The best way to get your kitty to increase its water intake is to give it the right water.
While it may seem strange to consider there are ‘wrong’ water sources, knowing which ones are better for your pet can make all the difference.
After reading this post, you’ll know which type of water is harmful to cats and why, plus get recommendations for specific bottled waters that give your kitties what they need.
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CATWATER by VETWATER: ph-Balanced and Mineral-Free Cat Water
CATWATER by VETWATER: ph-Balanced and Mineral-Free Cat Water
Keeping your cat happy and hydrated is super easy with CATWATER. Unlike other bottled waters, CATWATER is designed specifically for cats with a formulation tailored to their health needs.
While alkaline and mineral waters are safe for cats to drink, they aren’t recommended for all cats – particularly those with existing health issues. And eliminating these elements from their water is proven to improve their overall health.
CATWATER is made by experts in the pet food industry and claims to help domestic cats drink up to 48% more water.
In addition to its perfect PH levels, the lower percentage of minerals found in CATWATER makes it more appealing to our furry companions and encourages them to drink more and keep themselves well hydrated.
While other waters on this list are standard bottled water, CATWATER is the only water for cats on the market. It’s completely free from minerals that may build up over time and that can cause renal or bladder issues such as stones or crystals.
In distilled waters, the acidity levels aren’t optimal for a cat’s system. They can lead to the formation of stones as well. These bladder stones may have a negative impact on your cat’s health.
CATWATER is our top pick for cats with health issues or those that need some extra encouragement when it comes to drinking enough water.
Pros:
• Designed by pet food experts
• Formulated specifically for cats
• Mineral and toxin-free
• Perfectly balanced PH for cats
• Great taste for fussy cats
Cons:
• Expensive
FIJI Natural Artesian Water
When you’re looking for bottled water to give your cat, it’s important to know how it is filtered and treated before being bottled. Finding the best water depends on water sources, the bottling process, packaging, and much more.
Unlike other heavily processed waters, FIJI water is extracted using a natural filtering process. The water is made by harvesting rainwater and filtering it through volcanic rock, meaning it’s completely untouched by harmful chemicals that may alter its mineral content.
FIJI water also has double the electrolytes of some of its competitors. Electrolytes are essential for keeping your cat healthy and happy. They can impact your cat’s health by improving its brain and heart functioning. Similarly, they’re necessary to avoid urinary tract infections in female cats and stave off kidney disease in older cats.
If you’re worried about the effects of plastic water bottles on you’re cat’s health, you’ll be happy to know that FIJI’s mineral water is bottled in BPA-free plastic, making it safe to pour straight into Fluffy’s water bowl.
You can also purchase FIJI water in various sizes, which is ideal for households with multiple pets.
Pros:
• Natural filtration process
• High in electrolytes and beneficial minerals
• Bottled in BPA-free plastic bottles
• Available in different sizes
Cons:
• The PH level of the water is safe but not ideal for cats
Flow Alkaline Spring Water
Alkaline water is a great option for your cat. And there’s no better choice for bottled alkaline water than Flow.
Packaged in BPA-free, eco-friendly paper, this water bottle is made from recycled material and can be recycled again. So, if you’re an eco-conscious pet parent, Flow scores extra bonus points just for its packaging.
Flow water has perfect PH levels for human consumption, which is fantastic for keeping your house cats hydrated. And although you can make alkaline water at home using a reverse osmosis system, not all home water systems are guaranteed to give you clean, pure water.
While Flow is sold in various flavors, it’s important to note that you should only give your cat plain, unflavored water. Flavored water is harmful to your cat and may contain non-nutritive sweeteners that can make your furry feline sick. This is also true for flavored carbonated water, so it’s best to avoid it.
Additionally, alkaline water is perfectly safe for most cats. But suppose your cat is nursing or taking vet-prescribed medication. In that case, you may need to consult a veterinarian before giving alkaline water to your cat. It may interfere with your kitty’s ability to absorb certain medications and diminish nutrients in your cat’s milk.
Pros:
• Full of minerals and electrolytes
• The taste of alkaline water encourages fussy drinkers
• Eco-friendly packaging
• Packaged in recycled, BPA-free bottles
Cons:
• You may need to consult your local veterinarian before giving it to your cat
evian Natural Spring Water
Most cat owners enjoy giving their pets filtered water. But unless you have access to water softeners in your home, it may be worthwhile to swap standard filtered water out for natural spring water. Spring water is a safe alternative and is more convenient for keeping your cat hydrated.
There’s a lot of debate among cat lovers about giving cats spring water. While spring water is generally classified as hard water because it contains magnesium and calcium, some brands have traces of these minerals that may be classified closer to soft water. One of our favorite brands with lower levels of harmful minerals is Evian. In fact, these levels are so low that their effect is completely negligible.
It’s also important to note that even the best home water filters may not completely remove traces of toxins and minerals from tap water. So it may be better to fill your kitty’s water fountain with cleaner bottled water like Evian.
Additionally, placing Evian water into a pet fountain with a carbon filter may help to reduce minerals and impurities even further. Most pet fountains with these carbon filters are designed to be used with tap water to draw out heavy metals and eliminate the risk of stagnant water. Therefore, the filtration system will be even more effective by using naturally pure water.
While this water is fantastic for cats, there may be better choices for owners with fussy felines. Although spring water is naturally more enticing to some cats, others dislike the taste. We recommend trying a bottle of spring water on your cat before buying it in bulk!
Pros:
• Naturally sourced and filtered spring water
• Contains trace amounts of minerals
• A good alternative to filtered water
• Inexpensive when bought in bulk
Cons:
• Some cats may not like the taste
CORE Hydration Nutrient Enhanced Water
CORE Hydration Nutrient Enhanced Water
CORE Hydration is the best bottled water on the market if you’re looking for nutrient-rich water to give your cats. Water with additional nutrients is known to help cats drink more water, and is extremely beneficial to their overall health.
Increased water intake is linked to more urine output and better dilution, which also helps avoid urinary tract infections and kidney disease. Overall, nutrient-dense water is one of the best choices you can give to your beloved kitty.
If that isn’t enough to convince you to switch out your cat’s water for CORE, this bottled water is perfectly balanced. With a PH of 7.4, CORE avoids being too alkaline or acidic for your furball. There aren’t any traces of harmful chemicals or metals, either!
Packaged in a sleek BPA-free bottle made from recycled and recyclable materials, CORE Hydration is also eco-friendly, so you can rest easy knowing you’re doing your part for the environment while also keeping your cat well hydrated.
CORE Hydration is a great choice for most cats and may benefit older cats with more health needs. However, some cats may not enjoy the smell or taste of the water, so it may be worthwhile to try it out before investing in a bulk pack.
Pros:
• Nutrient-rich water
• Low levels of minerals
• Perfect PH balance
• No traces of harmful chemicals or heavy metals
• BPA-free packaging
Cons:
• It may be expensive if not buying in bulk
Can cats drink distilled water?
No, cats should not drink disilled water. It’s acidic and could lower your cat’s urine pH, which could lead to stones or crystals.
Can cats drink filtered water?
Yes, cats can drink filtered water and it’s the best option for them. Not only has filtered water been purified to remove impurities, making it a safe and healthy option, but it also it free of odors and tastes that your kitty may not like.
Can cats drink natural spring water?
Natural spring water is another great option for your cat. It might contain traces of chlorine and natural salts, but the level of minerals present in it is much lower than what you’ll find in tap water.
Can cats drink tap water?
It depends on your tap water. I’m sorry to say that, where we live, our tap water sometimes actually smells like chlorine. So we don’t even drink straight from the tap.
If your tap water has high levels of chlorine or other chemicals, they irritate your cat’s stomach and intestines, which can lead to vomiting or diarrhea. It can also put a strain on your cat’s liver and kidneys, which are responsible for filtering toxins out of the blood.