Is tap water safe for my cat? What about fluoride or bottled water?

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. If tap water is not safe for people where you live, it is also not safe for dogs. I don't think her health will improve once you change to bottle water, but she will not be at risk of getting infections that may be caused by drinking tap water.

Sweetie is doing something that is extremely common in cats. Some cats (and dogs) simply prefer to drink water that is in motion versus stagnant in a bowl. If you prefer that your cat does not drink from a dripping faucet but she refuses to drink from the regular bowl, many pet stores sell water fountains that continually cycle the water. This is often the best solution for cases like one you are describing. In terms of the safety of the water, this is hard for me to speculate about. If the water is safe enough for you or your family to drink, it is almost certainly safe enough for Sweetie. If your water source is coming from a well or spring and is not routinely tested, use of a bottled or distilled water may be a safer option.

I assume you mean the normal tap water that comes from the faucet of your house? Yes, this tap water is safe for pets to drink assuming there is not a water advisory in effect. Please feel free to post any additional questions.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I think so animals prefer the minerals in rain water and water from creeks and streams. Also it tends to be more aerated and cool. It just may a taste preference. I wouldn't worry too much about it. They will do fine with either type of water. I hope this helps!

Water treated with water softener is usually safe for cats and dogs to drink. However, softened water isn't recommended for pets that have a restricted or sodium-free diet. If you are not sure whether you want to use your softened water, you can use bottled water for your cat to drink.

Any water that is safe for humans to drink is safe for dogs. If you are feeding a normal, commercial diet dog food that is AAFCO certified, it is fortified to contain all the needed vitamins and minerals so the content in the water isn't really a concern. The vast majority of dogs drink tap water and do fine (as long as it is safe to drink). I hope this helps.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I would recommend not allowing the cats to drink from the tree stand; if the tree was sprayed or treated with anything while at the tree farm, it could leak into the water that they are drinking. I would gate off the tree, or cover the top of the stand with aluminum foil. Good luck!