Can Cats Drink Distilled Water? Vet-Reviewed Facts & FAQs

If you’re unsure about the quality of your tap water, you may be concerned about drinking it yourself or offering it to your cat. Distilled water is an alternative to tap water, but can cats drink distilled water, and is it safe for them?

Since distilled water is pure and free of contaminants, it is perfectly safe for cats to drink. However, you might not want to offer it as the only source of hydration to your cat.

Read on to learn more!

Types of Water

Yes, there are different types of water! In this article, we’ll focus on distilled water, but these are the main types of water available.

Distilled Water pH

Drinking water’s pH normally ranges from 6.5 to 8.5. Distilled water has a neutral pH of 7 right out of distillation, but since it doesn't contain any minerals, it loses its buffering capacity and can drop to a pH of 6.9–5.5 when exposed to air or changing temperatures. That said, this is not more acidic than many normal cat foods or a cat’s gastric pH.

Still, there are no studies to prove how distilled water affects a cat's overall health. The way that it affects a cat will most likely also be affected by other factors, including their diet and current health state. This is why we do not recommend offering distilled water to your cat as a sole means of hydration unless it has been specifically requested by your veterinarian.

Distilled Water in an Emergency

If you have absolutely no other option than offering your cat distilled water to drink, then a small amount won’t do your cat any harm in the short term.

You might find information on the internet suggesting that distilled water is safe for both cats and humans to drink. But you’ll find that these sources are almost always from companies that produce distilled water themselves. We do not have scientific evidence of the specific effects that it will have on a cat’s system, and it will likely be affected by many factors.

Re-mineralizing Distilled Water

The process of distillation removes all the minerals from water, including beneficial ones. It is possible to buy mineral drops to add to distilled water, replacing the lost minerals.

We found a few sites advocating the use of re-mineralized distilled water for cats, but we’re not sure what the point of this would be. You can achieve the same balance of beneficial minerals in water by using filtered tap water or good-quality bottled water.

Encouraging Your Cat to Drink More Water

If you’ve been considering offering your cat distilled water as a way to encourage them to drink more, then there are far better options. Cats like drinking from moving water sources, so installing a water fountain is a good way to encourage them to drink more.

Cats don’t have a high thirst drive, and in the wild, they'll get most of their hydration needs met through the food that they eat. If your cat only eats dry food, consider having them eat wet food as well. The higher moisture-rich food, too. The higher moisture content will help hydrate your cat.

If your cat doesn’t seem to like the taste of your tap water, consider investing in a filter to remove some of the particulates and minerals that your cat might not like.

Wrapping It Up

While distilled water might seem like a “pure” choice to offer your cat, it may not be ideal as their only water source. There is not enough evidence or scientific publications about the benefits and risks of only giving distilled water to cats. That said, it's safe for short-term consumption because it does not contain any impurities or pathogens, and it can be an option in an emergency with no other water available. But sticking to regular or filtered tap water is the best option to keep your kitty hydrated and healthy.

If your veterinarian, who has specific information about your cat’s situation and biological samples, recommends distilled water for your cat, do follow their advice, but as a general recommendation, it is best to stick to pure fresh drinking water.

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