Cats can drink alkaline water if it meets their dietary requirements.
Some owners wonder if their cats will like it or not. The ideal pH for cat’s urine is 8.5-9.6. Since cat’s urine is acidic, it naturally has an acidic pH.
Therefore, it can benefit cats to drink alkaline water. In addition, alkaline water can neutralize the acidity of cat urine, making it less susceptible to disease causing bacteria.
Cats are very sensitive to pH changes, so it’s best to consult a vet before applying any of the dietary changes. A lot of people ask about ” Can cats drink alkaline water? ” that we will discuss this in the following.
Let’s start now!
Can Cats Drink Alkaline Water?
Cats should avoid drinking too much alkaline water or it can have a laxative effect and disrupt their stomach and intestine function.
The alkaline water will interfere with the absorption of calcium, magnesium and potassium in cat’s body.
The main concept is to provide your cat with water that is balanced in minerals and also acid and alkali levels within their body.
Water should be utilized that is less acidic and needs little or no additives that encourage urine output (icles and bases) or stimulates urination in cats.
What Water pH Should Cats Drink?
Cats need normal-temperature water to stay hydrated and properly digest their food.
In most cases, tap water is alkaline and safe for cats to drink, but this time there are exceptions.
However, more simple tap water won’t be the best for your cat to consume every day.
Cats may prefer somewhat acidic water because it is easier for their body to absorb the minerals like calcium and magnesium.
Cats, on the other hand, prefer drinking water with a lower pH compared to humans.
They are usually good as drinking 6 to 8 pH water.
Cats are likely to consume water that is slightly acidic, 6 to 7.
As a result, even if they consume alkaline water, they will still benefit from it and absorb more minerals than drinking plain tap water.
The issue develops when they exclusively consume alkaline water, not having enough minerals in their body because their body eliminates minerals when they have to pee.
Is Alkaline Water Good For Cats?
Alkaline water is only good when mixed with normal (slightly acidic) water for your cats to drink.
Alkaline water has a lower pH compared to normal tap water.
A material’s pH shows whether it is acidic or alkaline.
On a scale of 1 to 14, pure water has a pH of 7.
Acidic materials have a pH less than 7 and alkaline materials have a pH greater than 7.
However, pH isn’t the only factor that determines its mineral content.
Alkaline water has lower mineral content than plain tap water or slightly acidic water.
This means that it may quickly give up its mineral content to a cat’s body during urination.
Alkaline water is safe for cats as long is it mixed with normal water because it contains more minerals than plain tap water or slightly acidic water.
According to experts, increasing your cats’ water consumption may solve their health issues naturally without giving them nutritional supplements or medicine.
Calcium is one of four vital elements found in alkaline water and it helps keep your cats healthy.
Calcium is also essential for your cat’s dental health, metabolism and bone formation.
Is Alkaline Water Safe For Cats?
Alkaline water is only good when mixed with normal (slightly acidic) water for your cats to drink.
The main issue is that once alkaline water has absorbed all the minerals from water, it becomes less useful and may be dangerous for your cats to drink.
This is bad news for cats and their owners because the leftover mineral salts can lead to health problems such as kidney disorders.
When the two interact, they become less useful as an alkaline drink and may result to kidney disorders like kidney stones and kidney failure.
Food digestion will be challenging for cats because alkaline diet makes them more acidic while acidic food causes pH imbalance in their bodies.
This is why giving a cat alkaline water and acidic food will not entirely help it overcome its health condition and may even contribute to its ill health.
The cat will suffer significant injuries and even death if both water and food are alkaline or acidic at the same time.
Examine what the cat is eating and drinking because it may affect its health too.
These are water sources that our pets can drink safely.
It is critical to avoid giving your cat either alkaline water or acidic food such as pasta and tomato sauce.
This may be done through careful observation or asking your veterinarian for recommendations.
If you do this, your digestive health will also be highly affected as well.
Because alkaline water affects cats’ digestive tracts, it may significantly increase the risk of a variety of digestive ailments.
Because of this, it is highly recommended that you give your cat clean tap water instead because it contains just the right amount of minerals needed for a healthy body and maintaining pH balance in your cat.
Is It Safe for Cats to Drink High-ph Water?
No, cats should drink tap water to clean their tissues and maintain their PH balance.
It promotes an adequate urine pH for cats to thrive.
Because it contains no minerals, it also helps the kidney to function well to expel waste and toxins from the body.
When coupled with alkaline water, feline health is adversely affected which can lead to poor digestion and weight gain.
Although there is no proof that an alkaline diet may spark thyroid issues in cats, there are cases that show that it may be safe to do so if done under strict supervision from a veterinarian.
What Happens to a Cat When He Drinks Alkaline Water?
If your cat just consumes a spoonful of alkaline water on a regular basis, he can expect to experience bloating and vomiting afterwards because he is not used to drinking pure water.
While their system will be unaccustomed to drinking alkaline water initially, you can ease the transition by gradually increasing the ratio of alkaline water to regular tap water.
However, if your cat consumes daily amounts of alkaline water, there is a high risk of harm to your pet’s health.
If taken in large quantities, alkaline water can lead to damage to feline kidneys and liver and cause severe dehydration leading to death.
This is likely to stem from the lack of mineral ions such as sodium and potassium found in the regular drinking water which help maintain electrolyte balance and body hydration.
Your cat can make up for such minerals by consuming a healthy cat food that contains plenty of nutrients.
Furthermore, the moment your cat drinks alkaline water for the first time, he will experience a large amount of sodium and potassium excreted through his urine.
Cats may refuse to eat in certain instances or stop eating altogether and this sometimes can be due to drinking alkaline water.
As a result, although you should be aware of these side effects upon starting the dosage of alkaline water, you should focus instead on improving your pet’s lifestyle and overall health.
Instead, supply your cat with the necessary love, attention, and care as well as a balanced diet to ensure the well-being of your pet at all times.
When Should Cats Avoid Alkaline Water?
Using Medication
Most drugs are meant to release chemicals gradually into your cat’s body to avoid gastrointestinal difficulties.
However, if your cat drinks alkaline water, it will receive a sudden burst of these chemicals which can interfere with the medication.
Doctors usually recommend alkaline water to their patients because it contains more minerals and has a refreshing taste compared to ordinary water.
If your cat drinks too much alkaline water, it is likely to cause side effects and may delay the drug’s effects.
After Meals
When your cat is eating, you should avoid providing it with alkaline water because it leads to stomach problems.
Alkaline water should be okay to drink before meals but should be avoided after meals.
Nursing
Cats may absorb harmful quantities if their mothers fed them alkaline water during their lactation period.
Hypercalcemia is caused by an excess of calcium – the cat’s kidneys cannot process it and the blood concentration rises as a result.
Is Alkaline Water Good For Cats With Kidney Disease?
Alkaline water may be therapeutic for kidney disease because it helps lower the amount of calcium intended for the blood, kidneys, bones and other tissues.
When a cat’s kidney fails, the body has no choice but to start digesting bones and other calcium-rich substances to pump out the excess calcium.
Alkaline water may help lower the amount of calcium in the blood and reduce the symptoms of hypercalcemia in cats with kidney disease.
Also See: Can Cats Drink Spring Water?
Conclusion
Therefore, if your cat is exclusively drinking alkaline water, it could be beneficial.
However, it will vary based on your cat’s individual needs and diet. Cat’s urine is naturally acidic and since alkaline water has a more neutral pH, it neutralizes the acidity of cat urine making it less susceptible to disease causing bacteria.
Furthermore, it can be beneficial to make alkaline water part of your cat’s diet if they have kidney disease or diabetes since these diseases are aggravated by acidic urine.
Drinking alkaline water can be very beneficial if your cat has a kidney disease or diabetes since it helps reduce the acidity of your cat’s urine and reduce its adverse effects on the body.
Hydrating your cat might be difficult, but the benefits of drinking alkaline water can be very beneficial if your cat has a kidney disease or diabetes.
We discussed numerous strategies for encouraging your cat to drink more and stay hydrated, but one of the most popular strategies is through the use of cat water fountains.
