Opinions on Cat Water

[ziggyandshade]

Hello everyone

I’d love your opinions on Cat Water. I give my cat Spring water and recently read the PH for that isn’t great for cats.
With Ziggy’s recent Struvite crystal diagnosis, I tried Cat Water made by Vet Water, a company out of Canada, see pics of info on bottle.

I’m still working on transitioning him to urinary RX food.

- I’ve read all cats have a degree of Struvite crystals, is that true?

- Do you think Vet Water would make a big difference to the bladder PH in general and with regards to Struvites? The RX food gets rid of them but since he’s still eating some Fancy Feast, I’m wondering if Vet Water can help getting his PH right.
Thanks for any info!
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[Furballsmom]

I’m still working on transitioning him to urinary RX food.

HI
I'm assuming you are working with your vet? What does s/he say about the water?

What is your tap water's pH? Can you just use a faucet-end filter unit--there are pH test kits available for fish that would give you information about your home water. I use filtered tap, or artesian for my cat because I don't like the extra additives that water treatment plants put in (flouride, chlorine/chloramine etc).

 

[Kieka]

I wouldn't spend money on Vet or Cat Water. As long as your local tap water is safe for drinking, tap water is just fine. In fact, tap water can have minerals that bottled water may have filter out that can benefit your cat. In all honestly, from my understanding and the studies I've looked at briefly, there isn't any research to conclusively support there is any benefit to specific pH levels in water for humans let alone animals. Since cats get most of their moisture from food, they'd have even less benefit then anything humans might get. As long as it's safe to drink, it's good to drink. This article agrees with me on that, Can Cats Drink Alkaline Water? Vet-Reviewed Nutritional Fatcs & FAQ - Catster

A diet specifically for kidney/urine health will do more to help with your cats system. It sounds like your vet has already recommended switching. I'd continue to work on the diet changes.

 

[ziggyandshade]

HI
I'm assuming you are working with your vet? What does s/he say about the water?

What is your tap water's pH? Can you just use a faucet-end filter unit--there are pH test kits available for fish that would give you information about your home water. I use filtered tap, or artesian for my cat because I don't like the extra additives that water treatment plants put in (flouride, chlorine/chloramine etc).

Hi
Thanks for the suggestions.
I haven’t spoken with our vet about Cats Water, yet. She was ok with me adding the water we drink to his food. I’ll ask the vet about it, was wondering what everyone’s experience was, to get direct info from experience. I’ll get a PH testing kit to see what the levels are with Spring Water from the grocery store. I agree about not liking the additives in our water.
thanks again!

 

[Furballsmom]

was wondering what everyone’s experience was, to get direct info from experience.

Not direct experience but I was looking at this product again and noticed it is distilled. I'm not sure this would be a good choice anyway, since all the minerals have been stripped out in the distilling process.

Granted, the manufacturer addresses this issue on their website;
"Cats get the minerals they require through their diet. The minerals found in their food are said to be “organic” or bonded (chelated) with the amino-acids found in proteins which allows for maximal absorption and distribution in the cat’s system. Conversely, the minerals found in water are said to be “non-organic” and are less easily absorbed and therefore end up being excreted in the animal’s urine or excrements."

I’ll get a PH testing kit to see what the levels are with Spring Water from the grocery store.

If you scroll down on this page of their website, they list some numbers;
Cat Water – Water for Cat

In addition, sodium hydroxide is an ingredient I personally would never let my cat ingest, small amounts or otherwise.

At any rate, to my mind this product would be a bad choice long term.

 

[mrsgreenjeens]

I agree about the Sodium Hydroxide. That's an ingredient used in Drain Cleaners. It's a corrosive!!!!!!!!!

 

[ziggyandshade]

Not direct experience but I was looking at this product again and noticed it is distilled. I'm not sure this would be a good choice anyway, since all the minerals have been stripped out in the distilling process.

Granted, the manufacturer addresses this issue on their website;
"Cats get the minerals they require through their diet. The minerals found in their food are said to be “organic” or bonded (chelated) with the amino-acids found in proteins which allows for maximal absorption and distribution in the cat’s system. Conversely, the minerals found in water are said to be “non-organic” and are less easily absorbed and therefore end up being excreted in the animal’s urine or excrements."


If you scroll down on this page of their website, they list some numbers;
Cat Water – Water for Cat

In addition, sodium hydroxide is an ingredient I personally would never let my cat ingest, small amounts or otherwise.

At any rate, to my mind this product would be a bad choice long term.

Hi
Just read up and sodium hydroxide would be terrible for them. I appreciate the links and research you did. I’ll avoid this and give him Spring water.
I’ve been working to transition Ziggy to RX food for the last 3 months. Trying different tactics, a lot of great suggestions from this site to get him to eat the food.
He’ll eat it for 1 day, yesterday, for example he ate 90% RX food, today he won’t touch it so I give him a bit of Fancy Feast and RX. I know I’ll only work if it’s all RX food but he holds out for an entire day not eating but for a tablespoon. I cave and give him FF because I worry about him getting enough moisture.
I wish I could just get him on the food 100%
Thanks again for your help!

 

[ziggyandshade]

I agree about the Sodium Hydroxide. That's an ingredient used in Drain Cleaners. It's a corrosive!!!!!!!!!

It’s incredible they add it to something for an animal.

 

[ziggyandshade]

I wouldn't spend money on Vet or Cat Water. As long as your local tap water is safe for drinking, tap water is just fine. In fact, tap water can have minerals that bottled water may have filter out that can benefit your cat. In all honestly, from my understanding and the studies I've looked at briefly, there isn't any research to conclusively support there is any benefit to specific pH levels in water for humans let alone animals. Since cats get most of their moisture from food, they'd have even less benefit then anything humans might get. As long as it's safe to drink, it's good to drink. This article agrees with me on that, Can Cats Drink Alkaline Water? Vet-Reviewed Nutritional Fatcs & FAQ - Catster

A diet specifically for kidney/urine health will do more to help with your cats system. It sounds like your vet has already recommended switching. I'd continue to work on the diet changes.

Thanks for the link. It’s been a slow process, 3 months of trying to get him to eat the RX. I wish he’d just accept the new food so it can help with his struvites.
I can’t seem to get out of the half Fancy Feast half RX meals. He just refuses to eat only RX food. Now the last few days he’s refusing the RX for the most part.
The Cat Water doesn’t sound like a good thing, I’m glad I checked here first.
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[jclark]

I'm going to say it's a product in search of a solution as it doesn't look much different from distilled water. Water in general contains such a small amount of minerals that I can't see how it would never be a contributor to the development of crystals.

Remember generally speaking cats aren't great at drinking water and they receive a lot of moisture through the consumption of whatever small animals they eat throughout the day.

If you're having a hard time getting the cat to eat the RX food try mixing in some wet with or without fish flake food topper.

Another way to encourage water consumption is a little water fountain for pets. It's a godsend.

 

[ziggyandshade]

I'm going to say it's a product in search of a solution as it doesn't look much different from distilled water. Water in general contains such a small amount of minerals that I can't see how it would never be a contributor to the development of crystals.

Remember generally speaking cats aren't great at drinking water and they receive a lot of moisture through the consumption of whatever small animals they eat throughout the day.

If you're having a hard time getting the cat to eat the RX food try mixing in some wet with or without fish flake food topper.

Another way to encourage water consumption is a little water fountain for pets. It's a godsend.

Hello
A different cat parent here noted the water contains a harmful ingredient so I’m avoiding it. My cat refuses to eat more than a few tablespoons of the RX food. Unfortunately he wont use a water fountain, either. He’s not a fan of the fish flakes, either. I think I’ve tried everything possible. I’ll just keep trying to push the RX food.

Thanks for the suggestions, I just have the pickiest cat in the world.