does it matter if i give them tapwater instead of mineral bottled water? whats the difference?
Dear Ben,
Depends on where you live. I however have a little story to tell. I live in the high desert in Los Angeles County. I have had cats in my life since before I was born (over 61 years). When living in the suburbs of Los Angeles our cats always lived a long life. Depending on their gene pool the majority lived in excess of 18 and over 20 years and they were given tap water. Since moving to Palmdale and bringing my cats (ok the kids too) I thought nothing about the tap water, boy was I wrong (of course the Palmdale Water District would argue this, however my Samantha is proof) For years my cats were given the tap water and when I got Sami and talking to their vet one day she told me that even she would not give her pets tap water. So Samantha and the rest all started getting bottled water (distilled). Jezebel, Smokey, and Ashley all died of some type of cancer, each one was different in the type of cancer and all three of my girls died at the age of 13. Samantha sadly we had to give that final act of love to 3 weeks ago at the age of 18 years 4 months after suffering a massive stroke. Cheyenne, her sister (bottled water her whole life ) is 16 + and going strong. So Ben, this was is all the proof I need and I hope this is of some help to you. Where you live may have perfectly good water, however as long as I live my felines will get only bottled water. If the tap water wasn't that great for my girls it's no wonder I don't drink it either.
Like some have said, it depends on how comfortable you are with the tap water. If your cat is drinking it, and you would have no qualms about drinking the tap water yourself, it's fine.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com
But also keep in mind, cats really don't like having their water sit for long. If you can, try investing in a water fountain for your cat. It filters the water and keeps it constantly moving. I think you can just pour the water into the fountain, it doesn't need to be hooked up to a water line or anything.
If you live in an area with "hard water" (lots of minerals in the water), then you should give your cats filtered water. It doesn't have to be bottled - just run it through a Brita pitcher first. Hard water can give cats kidney stones, which are painful for them and a huge pain for you.
But otherwise, you can give cats tap water and they'll be just fine.
Do you drink it? The tap water? If you like it, then probably your cat will also. My daughter's cat stopped drinking water and almost died when she moved into town. The cat didn't like the chemicals in the tap water. She now gives the cat bottled water. You can buy the gallon size and it's not expensive.
Difference can be that the tap water is not as filtered as the bottled water. Let's put it this way - if you drink the tap water in your house, your pets can drink it.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com
We have hard water and we filter ALL our water - so the pets never get tap water in their bowls - they are given the water we filter and keep in the fridge.
Municipal water systems must test for harmful microbiological content in water several times a day, bottled water companies are required to test for these microbes only once a week.
Hence, tap is better.
http://www.allaboutwater.org/bottled-wat ... Lots of good info.
I use tap water with Brita pitcher filter for my level of comfort. Bottled water is too expensive. I use tap water w/Brita pitcher filter for my coffee so we're both fine.
It doesn't matter at all! I have given my cat tap water since he was a 6 week old kitten. There has been no difference really.
MegzieB:)
Bottled water is BETTER but it doesn't really matter both are fine.
Yes, its fine. If you drink it, they can drink it.
No difference, both are filtered
I think ur thinking of fish
