What can and can’t cats safely drink?

What Can And Can't Cats Safely Drink? | Higooga Blog

The only drink cats truly need is fresh, clean water. Plain water keeps them hydrated, supports their kidneys, and helps regulate body temperature. Unseasoned bone broth and a small amount of goat, soy, or almond milk are safe as occasional treats. Cow's milk, sugary drinks, caffeine, and alcohol are not safe and can make cats ill. When in doubt, offer water and skip the rest.

Why does hydration matter so much for cats?

Cats descend from the African wildcat, a desert hunter that got most of its moisture from prey. Because of this, cats have a naturally low thirst drive and often do not drink enough on their own.

According to the Cornell Feline Health Center, a cat needs about 4 ounces of water per 5 pounds of body weight each day, which is roughly one cup for a 10-pound cat. Wet food helps too, since it can contain up to 80 percent water.

Cats may not seem thirsty even when they need water, so steady access to a clean bowl protects their kidneys and urinary health.

What can cats safely drink?

Use this quick guide, then read the details below.

Drink	Safe for cats?	Notes
Fresh water	Yes	The only drink cats need every day
Unseasoned bone broth	Yes, as a treat	No onion, garlic, or added salt
Goat, soy, or almond milk	Small amounts	Lactose-free, offer sparingly
Cow's milk	No	Most adult cats are lactose intolerant
Sugary drinks and juice	No	Empty calories, risk of weight gain
Coffee, tea, energy drinks	No	Caffeine is toxic to cats
Alcohol	Never	The most dangerous drink here, can be fatal

Is water really the best drink for cats?

Yes. Water is the only drink cats need to stay healthy. It keeps them hydrated, cushions their joints, aids digestion, and helps regulate body temperature.

Offer fresh, clean water every day. Filtered or spring water is a great choice, but safe tap water works fine for most homes. Change it often and wash the bowl daily.

Many cats prefer running water to a still bowl. A pet fountain can tempt reluctant drinkers, and its filters keep water fresh. The Cordless Rechargeable Pet Water Fountain with Motion Sensor starts flowing when your cat steps close, while the App Control Smart Water Fountain For Pets sends refill and filter reminders. A wide, shallow dish like the MS Two-Way Slanted Ceramic Pet Bowls suits cats that dislike their whiskers touching the sides.

Can cats drink bone broth?

Yes, in moderation. Cats are obligate carnivores, so a meaty, unseasoned bone broth is a tasty way to add moisture and flavor, especially for cats that turn their nose up at plain water.

Use broth made only from bones and water. Never use store-bought broth or recipes with onion, garlic, or added salt. Onion and garlic are part of the allium family and can damage a cat's red blood cells, which may lead to anemia (ASPCA).

Serve bone broth as an occasional treat, not a meal replacement.

Cat and milk

Can cats drink milk?

It depends on the cat's age. Kittens need their mother's milk or a proper kitten formula while nursing. Most adult cats, however, are lactose intolerant.

According to the ASPCA, cats do not have significant amounts of lactase, the enzyme that breaks down the lactose in milk, so cow's milk can cause vomiting or diarrhea.

If your cat enjoys a milky treat, offer only a small amount of lactose-free goat, soy, or almond milk. Water is always the safer choice.

Which drinks are unsafe for cats?

Several popular human drinks can harm or even poison cats. Keep these away from your cat:

Sugary drinks and juice. Cats cannot process added sugar well, so it turns to fat and can cause weight gain. The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention found that 61 percent of US cats were overweight or obese in 2022, so empty calories are a real risk.
Coffee, tea, and energy drinks. Caffeine is toxic to cats, and they are far more sensitive to it than people. The ASPCA lists caffeine among common household toxins, and even small amounts can cause a racing heart, tremors, or seizures.
Alcohol (absolutely never). Alcohol is the most dangerous drink on this list. It is toxic to cats and can be fatal even in very small amounts, with signs appearing within 15 to 90 minutes of exposure (VCA Animal Hospitals). Keep cocktails, beer, wine, and spirits well out of reach.

Ethanol can also hide in places you might not expect, such as raw bread dough, some mouthwashes, and hand sanitizers, so store these safely too.

Absolutely never let a cat drink alcohol. Even a few licks can cause dangerous drops in body temperature, blood sugar, and breathing, and severe cases can be fatal.

If your cat drinks any of these, contact your vet or an emergency animal clinic immediately.

How can you get your cat to drink more water?

A few small changes make a big difference for a low-thirst desert animal:

Place several water bowls around your home, away from food and the litter box.
Try a pet fountain, since moving water attracts many cats.
Mix wet food into the diet for extra moisture.
Use wide, shallow bowls to avoid whisker fatigue.
Wash bowls daily and refresh the water often.

An elevated, spill-resistant option like the MS Ceramic Spill-Proof Elevated Pet Bowl keeps water cleaner and can make drinking more comfortable for older cats.

Frequently asked questions

Can cats drink tap water?

Yes, most cats can safely drink tap water if it is safe for you to drink. Filtered or spring water is a good option if your tap water is very hard or heavily chlorinated. The most important thing is that the water stays fresh and clean, so wash the bowl and refill it daily to encourage drinking.

Why won't my cat drink water?

Cats descend from desert animals and have a naturally low thirst drive, so many simply do not feel very thirsty. Your cat may also dislike the bowl's location, its shape, or the taste of stale water. Try a pet fountain, add wet food, and offer fresh water daily. See your vet if drinking suddenly drops.

Can kittens drink cow's milk?

No, kittens should not drink cow's milk. It lacks the nutrients they need and can cause digestive upset. Nursing kittens need their mother's milk or a veterinary kitten formula made for their stage of growth. Once weaned, kittens thrive on complete kitten food and fresh water, so cow's milk is never necessary.

Is bone broth good for cats?

Plain bone broth can be a healthy, hydrating treat when it is made only from bones and water. It adds moisture and flavor, which helps fussy drinkers. Avoid any broth with onion, garlic, or added salt, since these can be toxic to cats. Serve it as an occasional treat, not a full meal.

What drinks are toxic to cats?

Alcohol and caffeine are the most dangerous everyday drinks for cats, and both are toxic even in small amounts. Sugary sodas and juices are not toxic, but they add empty calories and can lead to weight gain. If your cat swallows alcohol or caffeine, contact your vet or an emergency animal clinic immediately.

How much water should a cat drink each day?

According to the Cornell Feline Health Center, a cat needs about 4 ounces of water per 5 pounds of body weight daily, or roughly one cup for a 10-pound cat. Cats on wet food get much of this from their meals, so they may drink less from the bowl. Fresh water should always be available.

Key takeaways

Fresh, clean water is the only drink cats need every day.
Cats have a low thirst drive, so make water easy to find and appealing.
Plain, unseasoned bone broth and a little lactose-free milk are safe treats.
Cow's milk, sugary drinks, caffeine, and alcohol are not safe for cats.
Contact your vet or an emergency animal clinic immediately if your cat drinks something toxic.