The pink residue in the cat water bowl is due to Serratia marcescens bacteria. This biofilm slime is also found in dirty toilet bowls and showers.
The pink bacteria will grow in any moist location where fatty substances accumulate.
This could be from soap, cat saliva, or food getting into the cat water bowl.
Ironic that everyone is so concerned about bacteria in raw food.
But they don’t realize pink bacteria will grow if the food and water bowls aren’t cleaned daily.
How to prevent pink residue slime:
- Preventing pink bacteria in water
- Test your water quality
- How to prevent slime in cat water fountains
- Best water fountains for cats
Disclaimer: You (and only you) are responsible for your cats. I earn a commission through affiliate links below.
Preventing pink bacteria in water
Preventing pink bacteria in the water is simple.
Get better dishes, clean them daily, and use fresh water.
Water dishes
Ditch plastic. Plastic traps bacteria. Even with regular washing.
Buy stainless steel or lead-free glass or ceramic water bowls and food plates instead.
You can get lead-free plates and bowls on Chewy.
Soap
There’s no getting around fatty soaps. Animal and vegetable oils are common ingredients in all soaps.
But unscented soap can be helpful for your cat.
The cat’s sense of smell is much stronger than ours. So unscented is always a great choice.
I use Dr. Bronner’s unscented soap on Amazon.
Water
Improve your water quality with a reverse osmosis machine.
My brother works in water sanitation, and this is the best option.
I live in an apartment and can’t make any structural plumbing changes.
But I found the perfect countertop RO machine: AquaTru.
Buy the Glass carafe model (10% off with that link). Or the Classic model (10% off plus a free 1-year filter pack with that link).
Cleaning
Clean cat food plates after each meal to prevent bacteria buildup.
And clean and refresh water dishes at least once daily.
Think about it like this…
Would you eat food or drink water that’s been sitting out for days?
Test your water quality
Testing your water quality at home is simple and essential. Of course, keeping the dishes clean is the only true way to prevent this bacteria slime.
However, water quality matters because cats are finicky about freshness.
I tested my city water quality with Tap Score. Even though I got higher than the US average, my tap water was still contaminated with chloroform and other disinfection by-products.
These toxins can negatively affect our cat’s immune system, organ function, and overall health. Read the full Tap Score reviews here.
Buy a water test kit from Tap Score. With that link, you’ll get $10 off your first $100+ order. The discount is automatically applied at checkout.
The AquaTru countertop carafe got an 86/99 score, removes disinfection by-products, and produces the perfect pH for cat drinking water!
How to prevent slime in cat water fountains
The best way to prevent slime in a pet water fountain is to change the filter and clean it out completely very frequently.
Clean it out completely and add fresh water at least once every few days.
Take the pump apart and clean that too. And change the filter more often than recommended.
Especially if you have multiple cats.
Don’t buy plastic water fountains. Plastic traps bacteria.
You’ll have a higher risk of pink residue buildup with plastic water fountains.
Add filtered water to the fountain.
Yes, the fountain has a filter.
But you can help it stay clean by adding filtered water. Use a stainless steel faucet filter rather than a plastic pitcher.
I highly recommend using the AquaTru countertop carafe.
If you have to use a plastic fountain, I’d suggest cleaning it out completely and refreshing the water daily.
Remember, cat saliva and food particles can get into the fountain water when your cat drinks.
And this can promote bacteria growth.
Best water fountains for cats
The best water fountains for cats are made with stainless steel and lead-free ceramic.
Avoid plastic because it traps bacteria.
I’d suggest Wheezie Works 96 oz water fountain. It’s the only one I can find that actually states lead-free.
3 tiers of medium-sized bowls pour into each other and then into the bottom reservoir.
It’s very large making it a great choice for larger cats or multiple cats.
Wheezie Works’ water fountains are handmade, and all glazes are lead-free and food-safe.
With regular cleaning, the pump is expected to last for many years.
Buy Wheezie Works water fountain on Etsy.
Final thoughts on pink residue in cat water bowls
That pink residue you see in your cat’s bowl is due to bacteria!
Ditch plastic, clean the dishes regularly, and use clean filtered water.
Stainless steel and lead-free ceramic are the best choices for food and water dishes.
Invest in a high-quality water fountain rather than plastic.
Remember to clean the fountain and pump regularly. And change the filter more often than recommended, especially if you have multiple cats.
Your cat needs and deserves clean water just like you.
Ready to upgrade your cat’s food? Check out my cat food labels guide next!
