Ikrimah (may Allah have mercy on him) says: I saw Sayyiduna Abu Qatadah (may Allah be pleased with him) bringing his ablution water near the cat; it would drink from it, and then he would perform ablution with what it had left.
All of this is corroborating evidence for the soundness of Malik's narration.
Hadith Referenceالسنن الكبرى للبيهقي / كتاب الطهارة / 1164
Hadith Gradingمحدثین:صحيح لغيرهٖ
Hadith Takhrij«صحيح لغيرهٖ۔ أخرجه ابن الجعد 2756»