Taking care of a pet seems fairly simple. They need food, water, exercise, and plenty of love. However, once you adopt a dog, you probably know that everything seems more complicated. You may spend hours researching the best food for your dog and learning about what the most stimulating toys are. So, it’s only natural that you would want to know if filtered water is safe for dogs, especially if you’ve already installed a whole-home water filtration or water softening system.
What’s the Deal? Is Filtered Water for Dogs Safe?
Yes! In fact, filtered water is ideally what you should be giving your dog to protect them from potentially harmful contaminants. This may be especially recommended if you live in an area without safe tap water. Once it has been filtered, water still has the minerals that your pup needs.
What Can Be Dangerous for Dogs in Water?
There are several contaminants in unfiltered water that can potentially make your pooch feel ill. These include chemicals, metals, minerals, bacteria, and parasites. If you think that your dog has consumed contaminated water, there are a few symptoms that you should look for.
If your pup drinks water contaminated by bacteria such as E.coli or parasites such as Giardia, they may vomit, have diarrhea, or seem extra tired. If you observe any of these symptoms, contact your vet right away.
Fluoride can often be found in water, and this can impact humans and dogs. Some symptoms of consumption of too much fluoride include seizures and drooling, as well as an increased risk of bone tumors. Humans can handle a decent amount of this substance, but the health risks are much more dramatic for dogs.
Certain metals can be particularly harmful to your dog. Both copper and lead can cause severe health issues in dogs. Drinking hard water can also make your dog more vulnerable to UTIs, which can lead to more severe health issues.
Get a Whole-Home Water Filter for Filtered Water for Dogs – and You!
At American Water, we have many great filtration and water softening options that can benefit you and your four-legged friends. Make sure your pup stays healthy with a great whole-home system. To make an appointment, give us a call at 512-388-0202 as soon as possible.
