Is regular tap water safe for my cats and hamsters to drink daily?

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.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Tap water should be fine to be honest. It would not hurt to use bottled water but it is not necessary unless you are concerned about the quality of the tap water where you live. Have a good night!

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.

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.

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.

Short answer yes. Hamsters may suffer from a condition called “wet tail” which usually manifest itself with watery stools. Because their body doesn't absorb water properly they tend to drink a lot. This condition is usually fatal if not treated ASAP. Of course there could be many more reasons for a hamster to suddenly drink more (like change of food or kidney problems) but “wet tail” is the most common condition to cause this symptom. I would advice to take him to the vet, the sooner the better. Food luck!

That won't be harmful..my cat has been doing it for many years (!!) and there is no problem with it as long as the water is clear.. The only way would be to limit the access to the bathroom, but other than that is completely normal for cats to drink from different sources of water. Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.