For many of us, pets are a valuable asset. They bring unparalleled enjoyment to our day-to-day activities and to our families, as well as comfort and emotional support. And the amount they help relieve our feelings of anxiety and depression.
Nearly 71% of American households have at least one pet. Nonetheless, their hydration is likely not something we invest much energy in considering.
Like people, our pets are made up of mostly 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 drinking, you should extend that concern to any dogs or cats drinking the same 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 inherently problematic, it warrants additional work to ensure 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 usually avoid water containing chemicals and other visible contaminants.
However, because not all tap water is safe, you could be giving your pets contaminated water, which could harm them. To make matters worse, our domesticated pets must drink the water we give them. Otherwise, they may become dehydrated.
This is why we've chosen to emphasize the importance of clean drinking water for pets and how you can ensure your water is free of contaminants before it reaches your pet's water dish or drinking fountain.
Is It Safe For Cats and Dogs To Drink Tap Water?
Regardless of whether your water comes from a community, a well, a waterway, or another source, it may contain contaminants to some 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 presence of harmful toxins, including chemicals, pesticides, metals, pharmaceuticals, microbes, infections, protozoans, parasites, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), radiological contaminants such as plutonium and uranium, and sewage and wastewater.
Water hardness can also pose a health risk to 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 unreliable 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 the distinction is between drinking water containing 5,000 ppm of sodium versus 5,000 ppm of toxic arsenic, we do not fully accept the proposed contamination threshold.
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 exhibit symptoms 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 severe 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 a large amount, it can cause stomach pain, lethargy, or even unconsciousness.
Giardia is a parasite spread through the contamination of water, food, soil, and other surfaces with fecal waste. It can cause loose bowels in animals and humans.
Water Hardness: "Hard water" is defined as water with high levels of dissolved magnesium and calcium (17.1 ppm). Hard tap water (more than 240 ppm) is likely to cause pets to experience urinary health problems, including incontinence, urinary tract infections, cystitis, and crystalluria.
Why Do Pets Need Clean Water?
Water is essential 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 mechanism in your pet's body that dissipates water vapor through breathing and sweating.
When consumed, untreated water can introduce contaminants 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, capable of dissolving many substances. Its capacity to expel toxins from the body also enables it to transport toxic materials into the body.
In this situation, contaminants found in untreated tap water can enter your pet's body. Therefore, you should determine which water is most beneficial for your pets so they can live longer, 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 unsafe to drink, people and pets can suffer the consequences of waterborne 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. If not cleaned regularly, bacteria can build up in the bowl and eventually contaminate your pet. Keep the bowl clean by washing it regularly and changing the water twice daily to maintain freshness.
Likewise, steel water containers are a superior option to plastic bowls, given concerns about toxins leaching from plastic into the water.
Pet Water Fountain
It is a water bowl with an automatic fountain that delivers a continuous flow of freshwater. The fountain can be either a free-falling stream or a recirculating water feature, encouraging pets to drink more. You may install filters to remove dirt, food debris, and unpleasant odors from the water.
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 appreciate the fresh, filtered water. 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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