Bottled water for Fid-eau

When it comes to quenching their thirst, most animals aren't too fussy. If their saucer is empty, cats and dogs will usually sip from a pond or puddle.

But a range of expensive, bottled mineral water for pets is to be launched in Britain. And it's not just for cats and dogs.

PetRefresh - which will cost up to 70p a 500ml bottle - is also suitable for a plethora of animals ranging from hamsters to birds, according to Scot Pet Foods.

It is filtered using ozone and ultra-violet light to kill certain bacteria while leaving fatty acid solids and minerals not found in tap water but apparently good for pets.

The water, to be imported from Springmill Products in Seattle, will come in a range of flavours. One type is said to curb bad breath, another promises to deter fleas, while a third tastes of chicken. It is set to hit British supermarkets within weeks.

Despite adding up to £80 a month to the bill for keeping a dog, Scot Pet Foods boss Alex Cullen denied it was an extravagance. 'A lot of people drink mineral water themselves because it is chemical-free and good for them, so why shouldn't they give it to dogs?' he said.

But animal experts are less sure of the benefits. 'We would rather see owners invest in micro-chipping pets or insuring animals against illness than forking out for this exotic water,' said the RSPCA.

Tablets of Birmingham tap water are being sold as a homeopathic remedy - for £11.95 a bottle.