Cats can drink pool water if they’re thirsty.
However, they’re more susceptible than dogs to dehydration. If they drink too much, they could experience a variety of unpleasant side effects.
So, can cats drink pool water?
Yes, cats can definitely drink pool water.
But cats shouldn’t drink pool water if it’s cloudy or contains chlorine.
Cloudy pool water is likely filled with dirt and bacteria, resulting in stomach problems for the cat.
Chlorophyll from grass also turns the water green, which is unappealing to cats.
However, if pool water is clean, cats can definitely drink it.
Can Cats Drink Pool Water?
Yes, cats can drink pool water, but they shouldn’t.
Pool water is treated with chemicals like chlorine to keep it clean, but these chemicals can be dangerous for cats.
Cats can swim in water because it’s denser than air, so they tend to float in it.
However, pool water is highly saturated with chlorine, so cats can breathe in this chemical and get very sick.
Additionally, pool water is usually colder than cats’ body temperatures, so cats can get sick if they drink too much.
Pool water contains a lot of chemicals and minerals that cats can ingest if they drink too much.
Overall, cats are better off drinking fresh water from a pool than drinking pool water.
Do Cats Like Pool Water?
While not scientifically proven, it is believed that cats are more drawn to pool water than dog’s are.
After all, cats are natural swimmers and the color of pool water may be more appealing to them.
However, if your the water is chemically treated, then it is probably considered toxic to your cat.
Don’t allow your cat to swim in chemically treated pool water or eat any grass that has grown in in-ground pools.
Can Drinking Pool Water Make a Cat Sick?
Small quantities of properly managed pool water should not harm a cat; however, excessive consumption can cause many health problems for your feline friend.
However, even in little amounts, some effects of consuming your pool’s treated liquid could influence the health of your cat.
More serious issues might arise if the chlorine concentration is too high or if the water in your pool is contaminated with bacteria or other germs.
Your cat is exposed to toxins and microorganisms that can cause diarrhea and vomiting in large amounts of water containing chemicals and harmful bacteria.
How Can Pool Water Affect My Cat?
The biggest danger to cats is from the chlorine and other chemicals found in most pools.
Chlorine tablets should be kept in their original container inside a locked cabinet out of reach of pets and children.
If breathed in, chlorine gas may irritate the cat’s nose and throat and cause difficulty breathing.
The Dangers Of My Cat Drinking Pool Water
Stomach Upset
The most common problem associated with pool water is stomach upset.
Cold water, as well as water that is too hot or too cold for your kitty’s taste, may also cause nausea or vomiting.
Aspiration
Aspiration occurs when water gets into your cat’s lungs. If too much water is consumed, this can lead to pneumonia-like symptoms.
Cats drinking pool water may mistakenly aspirate it into their lungs and then choke on it as they breathe out.
Microorganisms
Bacteria and fungi that live in the water can cause gastrointestinal distress for your cat.
In a properly maintained pool, the concentrations of these organisms are too low to be harmful to humans.
However, they can harm your pet if ingested in large quantities.
Even in the best-kept pool, there can be traces of algae or parasites that cause diseases in humans.
However, these are typically not present in high concentrations enough to be dangerous to animals.
Escherichia coli is one example of a microorganism that is found in a pool.
It is harmless to humans but can be dangerous to cats if ingested in large quantities.
When microorganisms like E.coli are ingested by your cat, they can cause severe diarrhea and lead to dehydration.
E. Coli are consumed, for example, when a cat drinks water from a bowl that is not cleaned regularly or when algae grow in the corners of the swimming pool where they are not immediately removed.
Toxins
To keep the pool clean and free of human parasites, pool water often contains chlorine or ammonia.
Large quantities of these chemicals will irritate your cat’s skin, causing dryness and irritation.
However, they can also cause more severe symptoms depending on exactly how your cat consumes them.
Despite their use in pool cleaning, chlorine and ammonia are highly toxic to cats who ingest them.
Can Cats Drink Salt Pool Water?
Unlike humans, cats have salt glands in their paws that help them maintain proper hydration, especially in hotter climates.
If your cat drinks too much salt water from your pool, he may become dehydrated and require veterinary care.
Their kidneys can filter out most of the excess salt from their blood in a few hours.
If your pet does not receive prompt treatment, he could develop life-threatening complications such as kidney damage or even death.
How Can I Keep My Cat From Drinking Pool Water?
The easiest approach to keep your cat from drinking your pool water is to put a fence around it.
You might also keep your cat away from the pool by having a pool cover that closes over it when not in use.
However, a cover may inhibit your pet’s ability to escape in case of emergencies.
If your pool has a safety cover, make sure it is attached to the bottom of the pool with a spring mechanism to prevent it from accidentally closing.
A fence and cover are not an option for a backyard or in-ground pool.
If they are not options for you and your cat, make sure to clean the pool area regularly and avoid leaving any containers of chemicals unattended.
If you can’t keep your cat away from the pool and he doesn’t show signs of illness after drinking the pool water, he is probably okay to drink it occasionally without posing a threat to his health.
If they start drinking from your pool regularly, however, you should discuss the situation with your veterinarian to avoid more serious complications in the future.
Also Read: Why Do Cats Like Running Water?
Final Words
Overall, if you exercise care, pools may pose no threat to your pet as long as you keep the area clean and ensure they don’t drink from the chemicals in it.
Cats, like children, must be monitored around swimming pools to avoid any mishaps or injuries from occurring.
Fortunately, since chlorine is spread with so very little liquid in the pool itself, it’s highly unlikely that a cat will get enough of the chemical to cause harm.
Cats also do not usually swim in the water, so their exposure to the chemical is minimal as well.
So, your cat may be fine swimming in the pool without you worrying too much about the chlorine.
Keep a watch on her, however, to make sure she doesn’t get any chemicals in her eyes or mouth and stays out of the hot tub.
Your cat has probably never encountered a swimming pool before and may not understand its dangers as well as you do.
If you see a pet drinking from a pool without showing signs of distress, don’t panic – but keep her away from it for a day or two until she adjusts to the experience.
