Is tap water okay for cats?
Jackson Reed
Updated on February 21, 2026
In most cases, experts say giving your pets hard water probably won't cause any problems. The minerals in hard water (calcium, magnesium, and iron) shouldn't lead to any health issues. However, some veterinarians do advise against giving cats and dogs untreated tap water, and that's not because of the minerals.
What kind of water should I give my cat?
For water, we recommend filtered tap water or spring water. Generally speaking if the water is good enough for you to drink, it is good enough for your pet. Do not use distilled water as distilled water is acidic and could lower your cat's urine pH below 6 which could cause stones or crystals.Should cats drink tap water or bottled water?
Giving your cat filtered water from the tap is probably the best option. A simple filter, available to attach to your faucet or in a pitcher that you refill, will remove most objectionable odors and tastes for your cat. Another great way to provide water to your cat is with a drinking fountain.How do you make tap water safe for cats?
Make tap water safe for pets by using a water filtration system. Other options include fountain drinking bowls or boiling.
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So, we're discussing six ways to make tap water safe for your pets to drink.
- Boiling. ...
- Standard filtering. ...
- Distillation. ...
- Natural filtering. ...
- Fountain drinking bowls. ...
- Quality test.