Cat Hydration: 3 Secrets Every Owner Should Know

My cat Luna has recently developed a taste for faucet water, and it's got me worried about her health! This post shares how I went from stressing about her water intake to uncovering potential tap water dangers, and finally, finding the purrfect solution. As a software engineer by day and a cat researcher/writer by night, this little challenge was right up my alley!

This is our little troublemaker, Luna, a mixed breed who's brilliant (especially when it comes to opening food cans). Her recent "faucet fetish" has had me quite concerned.

It all started one day when I was washing dishes. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a furry shadow dart onto the counter with lightning speed, followed by the faint sound of lapping. I turned around, and there she was! Luna, in a rather acrobatic yoga pose, head down, tail up, daintily sipping droplets from the faucet, looking utterly pleased with herself, like, "This is the life!" I was amused and annoyed at the same time, but after the laughter died down, the standard cat-parent anxiety kicked in: "Can cats drink tap water? Is this really okay?"

Luna is usually a clever little thing. She'll come when called eight out of ten times (the other two, she's probably just pretending not to hear me). She loves cardboard boxes, and when she's really happy, she'll leap onto my shoulder, then take a "leap of faith" onto the window screen, getting herself stuck until I rescue her. She's super affectionate with me, but with strangers... well, let's just say she has a strong personality. For such a precious little creature, her water source can't be an afterthought.

Tap Water's "Secret Ingredients": Safe for Your Cat?

My inner engineer immediately went into research mode. First off, cats need plenty of water to stay healthy – that's a given. According to Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine, water is crucial for a cat's body temperature regulation, digestion, joint lubrication, and more (Reference 2). Many cats are naturally poor drinkers, especially those on a dry-food-only diet, making them prone to dehydration. This is why "pet hydration" is always a hot topic among cat owners.

But here's the kicker: is the tap water we humans drink just as safe for our feline friends? Water treatment plants often add chlorine for disinfection. While it's generally not harmful to humans (or so we're told), cats have much more sensitive noses and palates. Some might dislike the taste or smell of chlorine and refuse to drink it. And what about old pipes? Could they be leaching heavy metals? My brow furrowed at the thought.

Many cats seem to have a fascination with running water, but is faucet water truly suitable for them?

What alarmed me even more was an AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) news article I came across, mentioning researchers looking into the effects of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) on cats and dogs (Reference 3). These "forever chemicals" can be present in the environment, and even in drinking water. Although research is ongoing, just the thought of these potential risks is enough to make any cat parent uneasy. This is no joke; it's about my furry overlord's "cat health"!

Unlocking Cat Hydration: 3 Top Strategies

After some serious research and internal debate, I've come up with a few ways to ensure Luna (and your feline rulers) can drink safely and happily. After all, providing clean, safe, and sufficient water is a non-negotiable part of our "cat owner life."

Strategy 1: Boiled or Filtered Water

The simplest, most direct approach is to offer your cat boiled (and cooled) water or water that's gone through a filter. Boiling can remove chlorine and some microorganisms, while a good quality water filter can further remove impurities, heavy metals, and some models even claim to filter out PFAS (you'll need to check the product specs carefully). My Milo, that husky-voiced, Pikachu-tailed orange tabby, used to ignore the tap water in his bowl. After switching to filtered water, he started drinking noticeably more. He still prefers napping in cardboard boxes, but at least he's improved his hydration habits.

Some cats prefer outdoor water sources, but the safety of their indoor drinking water needs our careful attention.

Strategy 2: Increase Wet Food Intake

Cats' ancestors were desert dwellers, accustomed to getting most of their moisture from prey. Therefore, increasing the proportion of wet food (like canned food or wet food pouches) is a very effective way to boost hydration. The Cornell article also mentions that wet food can contain up to 70-80% water, significantly helping cats stay hydrated (Reference 2). My Sophie, that sweet-voiced, super cuddly calico, has had a noticeably shinier coat and seems more energetic since I increased her wet food portions. She sees me off at the door every morning when I go to work; it's an incredibly heartwarming sight.

Strategy 3: The Ultimate Weapon – A Cat Water Fountain!

Ta-da! This is the "optimal solution" I found for Luna – a cat water fountain! Cats are naturally more interested in moving water, possibly stemming from their instinct to find clean water sources in the wild. A cat water fountain mimics flowing water, effectively encouraging cats to drink more. There's a huge variety on the market, most equipped with filters to provide continuously filtered, fresh, flowing water. Some studies even suggest that using nutrient-enriched water or providing more appealing water sources can help increase a cat's water intake and improve hydration status (Reference 1).

Since we got the water fountain, Luna's obsession with the faucet has significantly cooled down. She now prefers to drink (okay, sometimes rather boisterously) from her fountain. Watching her lap it up happily puts this cat dad's heart at ease. Even Lucy, who's usually a bit mischievous and likes to bully the other cats (she has an adorable heart-shaped spot on her rump and was rescued from a tight spot near our home), is curious about the new fountain and has been drinking more too.

• Clean Regularly: Whether it's a bowl or a fountain, clean it thoroughly and regularly to prevent bacteria buildup.
• Multiple Locations: Place water bowls or fountains in several spots around the house for easy access.
• Observe Preferences: Pay attention to the type of fountain or bowl material (ceramic, stainless steel, etc.) your cat prefers!

Every drop of water carries our profound love and responsibility for our furry companions.