The Best Water Filter for Cats

If you're a cat owner, there's a strong chance your feline friend loves drinking from the faucet. Clean, fresh water is a must-have for any pet, and there are many pet filtration systems on the market today. Most filters claim to purify the water, keep the taste fresh and some even feature a faucet-like running feature. Read on for some insight into which of these filtration systems is right for you and your pet.

  1. Cats and Running Water

    • People say cats and water don't mix, but that's not really true. In fact, cats need lots of drinking water to stay healthy. Cats like the sight and sound of running water, and the bathroom or kitchen faucet is usually a tempting destination. Running water, unlike water in a dish, has a fresher, cleaner taste. Some cats will even dip a paw into a bowl of water to re-create the idea of running water.

      Filtration systems that include a running water "fountain" or "faucet" have become common in today's pet-care market. A wide variety of pet fountains are available. Some have a reservoir that attaches to the system and pours out water when the animal approaches. Other fountains have continuous water movement. Some even hook up to your home faucet system so the unit does not have to be continuously refilled by the owner. Different brands hold more or less water, depending on the owner, the animal and their unique needs.

    Filtration options

    • Tap water can include harmful chemicals and minerals, so many pet owners opt to give their pet higher-quality bottled or mineral water. One pesky parasite found in tap water is known as giardia. This pest can get into the intestinal tract and cause stomach upset and diarrhea in both cats and humans. Flouride is another potentially harmful additive in water as far as cats go. Filtering a cat's water will remove the danger from both these additives.

      There are lots of options for pet owners looking to filter their animal's water. Many pet water fountains come with a carbon filter, much like the ones common in water pitchers that many people use for their own consumption. These filters are usually inexpensive to replace and simple to install. Carbon filters differ in size and shape but most have the same effectiveness in cleansing the water.

      For those who don't want to invest in a pet fountain, cleaning your pet's dish regularly and filling it with water from a filtration pitcher with a carbon filter can be a more cost-effective option.

    Price and Function

    • Cat filtration fountains range in price from $50 to $100. More inexpensive pet fountains can be less than $20, but most do not include a filtration system. Some pet fountains come as a set, where an automatic pet feeder is included. You can also buy matched sets of automatic watering and feeding stations separately. Different sized reservoirs hold more or less water, and a larger reservoir might be ideal for multiple-pet homes. Replacement carbon filters usually cost less than $20 for a packet of one to three.