I guess some people are a little confused after reading this topic. Do you need to be careful when giving water to cats? Isn’t it usually just a matter of adding some water to the faucet for cats to drink?

Can I drink tap water directly?

Although we cannot transfer our own food habits to cats, our needs for drinking water are quite similar to those of cats.

In our country, I think most families do not drink tap water directly.

There are two main reasons. One is that tap water is hard water (in mainland China) and contains more calcium and magnesium ions. After boiling, the number of calcium and magnesium ions will decrease. The second reason is that tap water has been treated and contains chlorine, which has a negative effect on the health of humans and cats.

In fact, regarding the first point, there is currently no research proving that calcium and magnesium ions in water are harmful to humans and cats.

However, the chlorine and hypochlorous acid in the water have been clearly harmful to humans and cats, so we will not choose to drink tap water directly.

In Japan and some Western countries, their tap water is drinkable directly, and the taste is different from that in China. If you go to these countries to raise cats in the future, you can give your cats tap water to drink directly.

It is not recommended to give cats drinking tap water directly in China. Cat owners need to take one more step

The emphasis here is on the chlorine element in the water rather than the calcium and magnesium ions, so my recommended method is also aimed at removing chlorine.

　1. Install a purifier in the faucet or buy a cat water dispenser with a filter element

My family bought a water dispenser for the cat, because the dispenser can automatically spray water and has a filter element. On the one hand, it solves the problem of water fluidity, and on the other hand, it can remove chlorine from the water.

Here is a tip for you, that is, the activated carbon in the filter element can be recycled. After using it for a period of time, you can take it out to bask in the sun. After the activated carbon is exposed to the sun, its activity can be restored.

But if your filter element is not just activated carbon, that is a different matter. It is better to spend money to replace it regularly.

In fact, a relatively affordable way is to install a purifier on your home faucet, because such a small device is good for both humans and cats, unlike a water dispenser that can only be used by cats. ​​​​​​

　2. Pour cold water to the cat

The simplest way is to give the cat the cool boiled water we usually drink, that is, boiled water.

After boiling water, chlorine and hypochlorous acid will volatilize and decompose, which will naturally not have any negative impact on cats.

Even if you go to Japan, you can drink tap water directly. I am still accustomed to the domestic way of drinking water, drinking boiled water. This is probably a psychological effect.

Generally speaking, don’t give your cat tap water to drink directly, but drink water that has been dechlorinated.

What kind of water does your cat like to drink?