Cats are fond of water.
Some species can even drink it directly from the soil or aquarium. However, since cats and drinking pose several risks, it’s important to make sure that cannabis water is not one of them.
So, can cats drink distilled water?
Distilled water is clear liquid that is made by boiling the water and collecting the steam that condenses.
Distilled water is free from contaminants and bacteria. However, it can have a harsh taste that cats may not like to drink.
This is one reason why many people prefer to add a few drops of honey or juice to the distilled water to make it more appealing to cats.
Contents
What Exactly Is Distilled Water?
To eliminate contaminants, the water is heated to such a boiling point that impurities are broken up and removed from the solution.
After the water has boiled and condensed, it is collected and bottled.
People drink distilled water because it has relatively no taste, odor or residue behind since there is no mineral or dissolved contaminant in it.
Although some argue that distilled water is helpful since it provides all the minerals and nutrients essential for the human body, it may actually be a detriment to your pets. Because it lacks vital minerals like sodium and calcium among others that animals need to survive.
Distilled water is not recommended for cats for a number of reasons.
Can Cats Drink Distilled Water?
Distilled water is tasteless and odorless, which makes it especially appealing to people who are health conscious.
Distilled water has a pH of 7.
Your cat’s body is very delicate and dehydration can be fatal.
Distilled water may lower your cat’s energy level because it lacks mineral salts and electrolytes.
Because distilled water lacks minerals, it can cause vomiting, dehydration or problems that may lead to kidney problems in cats.
Your cat’s body need these essential nutrients and minerals to function properly and without these minerals, they’re prone to be sick.
Is Distilled Water Good For Cats?
It is not recommended at all for pets to drink distilled or purified water because it is devoid of essential minerals and electrolytes within their bodies.
This water is created by distilling the liquid through boiling the impure natural water which removes the impurities and contaminants, but does not retain the healthy minerals that the body needs.
Under sterile circumstances, the steam is condensed and collected which is known as distilled water.
This technique removes impurities and contaminants from the natural water and is typically packaged in plastic or glass bottles.
Distilled water has very minimal if any traces of minerals and dissolved solids in it. These minerals are replaced in the distilled process under very controlled situations and are replaced with dissolved gases which include carbon dioxide.
The steam is allowed to cool and becomes pure distilled water which lacks essential elements like magnesium, sodium, potassium and other minerals that the body needs.
Some claim that distilled water is beneficial since it has zero contaminants but if it does have zero contaminants then wouldn’t it also be very pure.
Will Distilled Water Be Harmful to My Cat?
Distilled water is not a smart option for your pet to drink because it has little if any minerals and electrolytes within it and therefore has no purpose in the body.
If your cat does not have access to water and is drinking the distilled stuff then that is fine.
Furthermore, as long as your cat has access to normal water, then distilled water may not pose any risk.
However, supplying your cat with distilled water as a drink may result in dehydration and other serious health issues for your furry friend so it is best to keep the filtered water to your pet.
In general, if tap or spring water is not available, distilled water is an acceptable alternative for your pet to drink.
PH of Distilled Water
Distilled water has a pH of 7 which is where most distilled waters fall in the pH scale.
The body of your cat has fluids that have a very neutral pH aligning with the ph of distilled water.
Distilled water may cause your cat’s pH to fall which may lead to other health issues like bone disease.
Because distilled water is devoid of minerals, it may cause an imbalance in your cat’s body fluids leading to dehydration due to excessive urination and excessive thirst which is a cause of electrolyte.
The body of your cat operates in a very functional manner and functions best when its natural pH levels are at an optimum level.
Is Cat Water The Same As Distilled Water?
No, cat water and distilled water are not the same.
The water used in demineralized and distilled waters is often filtered using a process, such as reverse osmosis which filters out impurities and other types of water contaminants.
The most popular technique for demineralization is reverse osmosis where water is passed through a filtering membrane which removes ions and other substances from the water.
Furthermore, the filtering process does alter the ph of the water which may pose an issue for your cat’s body.
Because it is distilled, demineralized water has no minerals in it and this may pose a problem especially for senior cats or kittens who need minerals in their diets.
Types of Water
Distilled Water
This water is made by boiling tap water and then collecting the steam that rises and condensing it before it becomes water again.
As the steam cools, it releases some pure water from the water that boils and then evaporates.
Impurities, minerals, and other substances that are not captured in the steam remain behind and are thus held pure on the surface of the vessel or container used to contain the water.
Bottled Water
According to studies, 25% of bottled water is actually just repackaged tap water.
The mineral analysis will be affected depending on the source of tap water and the type of minerals present in the water source itself.
Well and Spring Water
These sources include aquifers under the
If you get spring or well water that is high in minerals, use deionized or distilled water for your cat’s drinking needs.
You may occasionally get water from a stream and this is also considered clean water. You should not drink the water yourself due to the presence of pollutants such as bacteria.
The mineral analysis of spring and well water reflects the composition of rock or soil as well as the mineral depletion in the groundwater.
Tap Water
This sort of water is often regulated for purity and may contain household chemicals such as chlorine and fluoride.
Before being fed into the main system, it will be filtered to remove sediment and particles of water.
What Water Is Safe for Cats?
Cats must drink water, but distilled water isn`t always the best choice for them.
If your cat has no access to water and all you have is a bottle, you can have some water that can hydrate your cat. Keep in mind that some cats do not really like the taste of distilled water.
Furthermore, if your cat drinks distilled water from your glass or bottle, his thirst will never be satisfied and this will make him thirsty for longer periods of time.
The ideal approach, though, is to bottle only filtered or tap water.
In general, if tap or spring water is clean, it`s good enough for cats.
Bottled spring water should also be suitable for cats and it`s safe to give them tap water from your glass since cats lack the ability of drinking water like humans do.
Also Read: Why Does My Cat Paw at Her Water Bowl?
Conclusion
Cats can drink distilled water without risking their health or experiencing any side effects. However, it’s important to remember that the taste may not be pleasant for them. Adding some honey or juice can help make the water more palatable for cats.
If you don’t have any other alternatives, it’s fine to let your feline friends drink distilled water from time to time.
Make sure the drinking water they receive is clean and filtered so that any substances that may be harmful to their health.
