The Short Answer
While there are some risks associated with drinking water after a cat has, the risks are relatively low for most healthy adults. Cats can transmit bacteria and parasites through their saliva, so sharing water bowls or drinking from puddles cats have been drinking from does pose a contamination risk. However, brief contact with a cat’s mouth or tongue is unlikely to cause illness in humans. Those with weakened immune systems may want to be more cautious and avoid consuming water directly after a cat. But for most pet owners, the risks are minor and it is generally safe to drink water after a cat has. Proper hygiene like handwashing helps reduce any risk even further.
Examining the Risks
There are two main risks associated with drinking water after a cat:
Bacterial Contamination
Cats harbor bacteria in their mouths just like any animal. When they drink from a bowl or other water source, some of that bacteria can be transferred. Many of the common bacteria found in cats, such as pasteurella, staphylococcus, and pseudomonas, can potentially infect humans[1]. However, most of these bacterial species are opportunistic pathogens that primarily cause illness in those with compromised immune systems. Healthy adults are very unlikely to get sick from small quantities of cat bacteria in drinking water[2].
Parasitic Contamination
Cats can also shed parasitic organisms like Toxoplasma gondii and Cryptosporidium in their feces, which could potentially contaminate water sources. These parasites pose a low risk to healthy adults but can cause serious illness in those with weakened immune systems or pregnant women. Fortunately, most cats only shed parasites intermittently and in small numbers. The odds of consuming enough parasitic material from drinking after a cat to cause illness are very low[3].
So while bacterial and parasitic contamination are possibilities when drinking after cats, the actual risks are quite minimal. Proper handwashing and hygiene around pets can further reduce any risk.
Assessing Your Personal Risk
When evaluating the safety of drinking water after a cat, consider the following factors:
- Your current health – Those with weakened immune systems are at greater risk for cat-associated infections.
- The cat’s health – Stray cats or cats with signs of illness may be more likely to shed pathogens.
- The nature of contact – Directly sharing a water bowl poses higher risk than incidental contact from a cat’s tongue.
- Method of drinking – Lapping water directly from a bowl or puddle has higher risk than pouring a glass from the faucet.
For most healthy adults with indoor household cats, the risk is quite minimal. But those with compromised immunity or infants may want to be more cautious and avoid sharing direct sources of drinking water with cats.
Precautions When Drinking After Cats
Though risks are low, some basic hygiene can help further reduce the chances of illness:
- Wash hands after petting cats and before handling food or drinks
- Rinse water bowls thoroughly before refilling
- Avoid sharing water dishes with pets
- Pour water from the faucet rather than lapping directly from bowls/puddles
With good pet hygiene practices, drinking water after cats poses little risk for most owners.
Special Cases of Increased Risk
While drinking after cats is generally safe, some people may need to exercise greater caution:
Immunocompromised Individuals
People with weakened immune systems from conditions like HIV/AIDS, cancer treatment, chronic steroids, or organ transplants are at higher risk for cat-associated infections. Their systems cannot fight off contaminants as effectively. They should avoid sharing water sources with pets if possible[4].
Pregnant Women
The parasite Toxoplasma can cause birth defects if mothers are infected during pregnancy. Pregnant women should take extra steps to avoid ingesting cat feces, including not drinking from sources cats have accessed[5].
Infants/Young Children
Babies and young toddlers explore their environments orally, increasing chances of accidentally ingesting cat contaminants. Direct water sharing should be avoided until children are older[6].
So while drinking after cats is fine for most, people in these special risk groups should be extra careful. Their doctors can provide guidance on pet interactions to reduce infection risk.
Steps to Disinfect Water After Cat Contact
While not always necessary, owners concerned about contamination can take steps to purify water after cat contact:
- Boiling water for 1 minute kills most parasites and bacteria
- Distillation involves evaporating then condensing water, leaving contaminants behind
- Using water filters rated to remove bacteria and protozoa
- Adding EPA-registered disinfectant drops or tablets
- Ultraviolet (UV) purification uses light to destroy microorganisms
These methods vary in effectiveness and convenience. Boiling is simple and effective for small volumes. UV and filtration systems may be better for routine disinfection of larger quantities.
Summary
For most healthy pet owners, drinking water after cats poses only a negligible level of risk. Proper handwashing and hygiene around pets reduces risks even further. But those with weakened immunity, pregnant women, and very young children should avoid sharing direct water sources with cats. Disinfecting water after cat contact provides added reassurance but is not necessary in most cases. Being aware of the small risks and taking basic precautions allows enjoying pets without excess worry over water contamination.
References
1. Stull JW, Brophy J, Weese JS. Reducing the risk of pet-associated zoonotic infections. CMAJ. 2015 Jul 14;187(10):736-43. doi: 10.1503/cmaj.141020. PMID: 25897040; PMCID: PMC4496030.
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Healthy Pets Healthy People. https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/index.html
3. Liu J, Wang M, Chen H, Yin H, Zhu XQ. Molecular detection and genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii in bats in Guangxi and Hunan provinces, southern China. Parasit Vectors. 2020 Jan 7;13(1):15. doi: 10.1186/s13071-019-3885-2. PMID: 31911547; PMCID: PMC6947686.
4. Pickering LK, Marano N, Bocchini JA, Angulo FJ. Exposure to nontraditional pets at home and to animals in public settings: risks to children. Pediatrics. 2008 Oct;122(4):876-86. doi: 10.1542/peds.2008-1942. PMID: 18829789.
5. Elsheikha HM, Lacher DW, Mansfield LS. Infections with intestinal parasites in cats and their zoonotic potential for humans: a comprehensive review. Parasitol Res. 2020 Sep;119(9):2679-2715. doi: 10.1007/s00436-020-06778-9. Epub 2020 Jun 16. PMID: 32549444; PMCID: PMC7633795.
6. Stepak P, Bennett S, Nicholson J, Howard P, Tarr K. Prevalence of zoonotic agents in cats in Edmonton, Alberta: risks to animal and human health. Can J Infect Dis Med Microbiol. 2012 Winter;23(4):183-8. doi: 10.1155/2012/626347. Epub 2012 Oct 24. PMID: 24348213; PMCID: PMC3553243.