For a lot of us, pets are a valuable possession. They bring unheard-of fun and pleasure to our regular day-to-day activities and our families—as the sheer comfort and emotional help they give. And the amount they help relieve our feelings of anxiety and feeling of depression.
Nearly 70% of American households have at least one pet. Nonetheless, their hydration is likely not something we invest much energy in considering.
Like people, our furry best friends are made up for most of the water. And are greatly dependent on it for ideal well-being. The main concern is that if you're worried about the water you're taking in your body, you should give that worry to any dogs or cats drinking similar water.
Keeping Pets Hydrated
- Hollow eyes
- Lack of energy or enthusiasm
- Loss of appetite
- Dry mouth
Tap water is frequently the most widely recognized source of drinking water for dogs and cats. While this is not innately awful, it warrants additional work to guarantee that the water is clean and safe for pets.
In the wilderness, creatures can use their exceptional sense of smell to recognize which water is best for them to drink. They normally avoid water that contains chemicals and other noticeable contaminants.
Yet, since not all tap water is safe, you could be giving your pets polluted water, which could harm them. To worsen the situation, our domesticated pets need to drink the water we give them. Otherwise, they may become dehydrated.
This is why we've chosen to emphasize the significance of clean drinking water for pets and how you can guarantee that your water is without contaminants before it arrives at your pet's water dish or drinking fountain.
Is It Safe For Cats and Dogs To Drink Tap Water?
Regardless of whether your water originates from a community, a well, a waterway, or some other source, there's consistently the possibility that it is filled with contaminants to a certain extent. When consumed, toxins hiding in contaminated tap water sources can prompt many negative health impacts on your pets and even death.
It is difficult to determine whether tap water is safe for pets by simply smelling, tasting, or looking at it. However, before making an exact estimate, there are a few things to consider.
Above all else, we need to consider the potential existence of harmful toxins, such as chemicals, pesticides, metals, pharmaceuticals, microbes, infections, protozoans, parasites, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), radiological contaminants, such as plutonium and uranium, and even sewer floods and wastewater.
Water hardness can also be a danger to the health of certain pets. Finally, we should not overlook the cancer-causing water fluoridation.
Untreated tap water (in certain areas) is highly contaminated, making it unsafe for people to drink and undependable for pets. If you don't drink tap water, you are unlikely to offer it to your pets.
Water Contamination Problems and They Affect Pets
A few people consider that 5,000 ppm (parts per million) of Total Dissolved Solids in drinking water is worth pets.
Although we believe the distinction in drinking water that contains 5,000 ppm of sodium instead of 5,000 ppm of toxic arsenic, we do not completely accept that suggested contaminated level.
Instead, it's more consistent with observing the concentration levels of the particular water contaminants just as their familiar health impacts:
E. coli: Some strains of E. coli bacteria are harmless. However, hazardous strains are sometimes found in our public water systems. A pet contaminated with E. coli may show side effects such as low body temperature, depression, rapid heart rate, diarrhea, heaving, vomiting, loss of appetite, and weakness.
Lead: When ingested in high intakes, lead can cause serious stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea in certain pets. If exposed for an extended period, they may suffer fatigue, seizures, poor appetite, vision impairment, extreme anxiety, and behavioral changes.
Fluoride: Fluoride in water is hazardous at insufficiently high levels. It can pressure the kidneys to remove it from the body and cause drooling, anxiety, severe infection, weak muscles, stiffness, rapid heart rate, unconsciousness, or even death. Fluoride in water can likewise cause cancer in pets, like in people.
Arsenic: High levels of arsenic are seldom found in tap water. However, if it is and your pet swallows much of it, it can prompt stomach pains, laziness, or even unconsciousness.
Giardia is a parasite passed through the release of fecal waste into water, food, soil, and other surfaces. It can cause loose bowels in animals and humans.
Water Hardness: "Hard water" is portrayed as water that contains high levels (17.1 ppm) of dissolved magnesium and calcium. Hard tap water (more than 240 ppm) is bound to cause pets to experience urinary health problems similar to incontinence, tract infections, cystitis, and crystalluria.
Why Do Pets Need Clean Water?
Water is important to the wellness of all mammals, making up 55 to 75 percent of the body weight of warm-blooded animals. It is a delicate cooling motor in your pet's body when they discharge water fumes through gasping and sweating.
When consumed, untreated water flowing through the body can cause a few contaminations and harm the pet's immune system. On the other hand, clean drinking water purifies and detoxifies your pet's whole body.
Water is a universal solvent, so it can transfer many substances. Its capacity to expel toxins from the body makes it equipped to transfer toxic material into the body.
In this situation, contaminants found in untreated tap water can enter your pet's body. Therefore, you should figure out what water is most beneficial for your pets so they can live longer and healthier lives.
Nevertheless, don't stress. We've researched and discovered the ideal solution for your canine, feline, hamster, and other pets. This technique will keep your pets and the whole family safe and hydrated.
How To Keep Your Drinking Water Safe for Pets
If tap water is unhealthy for drinking, people and pets can experience the ill effects of dangerous water-borne illnesses or even death. As a prevention, you can take the accompanying protective measures:
Secure a Clean Water Bowl
The issue isn't simply the water but the bowl your pet drinks from. When not cleaned consistently, bacteria may develop in the bowl and eventually contaminate your pet. You should keep the bowl clean by washing it regularly and changing the water twice daily to keep it nice and fresh. Likewise, steel water containers are a superior option to plastic bowls, as there are worries about toxins filtering from the plastic into the water.
Pet Water Fountain
It is a water bowl with an automatic fountain that provides continuous freshwater flow. The fountain can either be a free-falling stream or recirculating water, encouraging pets to drink more. You may install filters to free the water from dirt, food debris, and unpleasant odors.
Verdict
Our pets are our companions, and our responsibility is to ensure their well-being and safety. This includes providing them with excellent water and helping them remain happy and hydrated.
Whether you opt for an entire home water filtration system or a stand-alone system that fits in your kitchen, your pets will thank you when their water is freshly filtered. Then you could sigh in relief, realizing your water is protected and healthy for you and your best four-legged companions.
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