Can Cats Drink Soda Water?

You're drinking sparkling water and your cat seems curious about the fizzy glass on the table. But can cats drink soda water? The short answer is no—carbonation doesn't mix well with feline digestive systems. Soda water is just plain water with carbon dioxide gas added to make it fizzy. It's not toxic, but those bubbles that make it refreshing for humans can cause discomfort for cats. Cats don't understand carbonation. When they drink something fizzy, they're getting a mouthful of gas that can lead to bloating, discomfort, and burping—none of which cats enjoy.

Soda water is not toxic in the way chocolate or grapes are toxic. A few laps won't poison your cat. But the carbonation creates problems cats aren't equipped to handle. When cats drink carbonated water, they're swallowing gas bubbles along with liquid. This leads to gas buildup in their stomach and intestines. Cats can't burp as easily as humans, so that gas has to work its way through their system, causing bloating and discomfort. Plain, unflavored soda water is less risky than flavored varieties, but even plain soda water is worse than regular water for cats.

Most people don't intentionally give soda water to cats. It's usually accidental—your cat drinks from your glass when you're not looking, or you leave a glass of sparkling water where your cat can reach it. Some owners wonder if the bubbles might make water more interesting for a cat who doesn't drink enough. But cats don't find carbonation appealing the way humans do. The fizzing sensation is uncomfortable for them, not refreshing. If your cat drinks from your soda water, it's probably because they're thirsty and that's the water they found—not because they enjoy the bubbles.

Not all fizzy water is the same. Some types are worse for cats than others.

Cats don't have any biological need for carbonated water. In fact, carbonation goes against how their digestive system works. When a cat drinks soda water, the CO2 gas creates bubbles in their stomach. Unlike humans, cats can't easily release this gas through burping. The gas sits in their digestive tract, causing bloating, discomfort, and sometimes pain. Some of that gas will eventually pass through their intestines, but it's an uncomfortable process. There's also no benefit to offset this discomfort—soda water doesn't hydrate better than plain water, it doesn't provide nutrition, and cats don't enjoy the fizzy sensation.

Problems can occur even from small amounts.

The bubbles themselves don't cause physical injury, but they do cause discomfort. When carbonation hits a cat's tongue and mouth, it creates a tingling, almost burning sensation that cats find unpleasant. Then when they swallow, those bubbles enter their stomach where they can't easily be released. Imagine having a stomach full of gas with no easy way to burp—that's what happens when a cat drinks soda water. For some cats, this is mildly uncomfortable. For others, especially cats with sensitive stomachs, it can cause significant distress and pain.

If your cat doesn't drink enough water, carbonation is not the solution. Cats are attracted to fresh, moving water—that's why cat water fountains work so well. The sound and movement of flowing water encourages drinking without any carbonation involved. Multiple water bowls around the house give your cat options. Some cats prefer wide, shallow bowls where their whiskers don't touch the sides. Wet cat food provides hydration along with nutrition. Adding a small amount of low-sodium bone broth to water can make it more appealing. But adding bubbles? That just makes water uncomfortable to drink.

Absolutely not. Kittens have even more sensitive digestive systems than adult cats. The gas from carbonation can cause serious discomfort in their tiny stomachs.

If your cat had a few laps of plain soda water, they'll probably be uncomfortable but fine.

Carbonation isn't toxic, but it is uncomfortable and unnecessary for cats. The CO2 gas creates pressure in their digestive system that their bodies aren't designed to handle easily. Humans can burp to release gas, but cats have a harder time with this. The gas has to either be absorbed into the bloodstream (which takes time and can cause discomfort) or pass through the entire digestive tract. Neither option is pleasant for the cat. There's no scenario where carbonation benefits a cat—it's all downside with no upside.

If your cat has been drinking soda water regularly, stop immediately. Chronic gas and bloating can lead to digestive problems over time. Cats with regular exposure to carbonation might develop a pattern of reduced appetite because their stomach feels uncomfortable. They might also start avoiding their regular water if they associate drinking with the unpleasant fizzy sensation. Some cats might develop chronic digestive sensitivity. If your cat has been drinking soda water regularly, switch to plain water and monitor for digestive issues. Consider a vet visit if you notice ongoing stomach problems or behavior changes.

Yes, significantly worse. Plain soda water only has the carbonation issue. Flavored soda water adds artificial sweeteners, natural flavors (which can include many ingredients), and sometimes sugar. The biggest danger is xylitol, an artificial sweetener that's extremely toxic to cats. Even small amounts of xylitol can cause liver failure and death. Many flavored sparkling waters use xylitol or other artificial sweeteners without clearly labeling them. Natural flavors can also include compounds that upset cat stomachs. If your cat drank flavored soda water, check the ingredients immediately. If xylitol is listed anywhere, call your vet right away.