Filtered Water for Dogs
If you're a dog owner, you understand the motivation to keep them healthy and happy. You’d do just about anything to make sure they’re eating the right food, getting the right amount of exercise, and have enough stimulation with toys and outdoor playtime. But have you ever considered what type of water your pets are drinking? Did you know that dogs require more water throughout the day than any other nutrient? 70 to 80 percent of an adult dog’s body is made up of water. They need adequate water throughout the day to stay hydrated, especially if they’re very active and spending time in the heat. But what type of water is best? Is tap water sufficient? Does filtered water provide any benefits for pet health? Here, Advanced Water Solutions will take a look at the types of water you might offer your dogs, so you can decide which kind is best for them.
Hydration and Water for Dogs
Making sure your dogs are well hydrated is the most important factor for their health, no matter what kind of water you decide to offer. There are many reasons why you need to make sure your dogs always have enough water available, including the fact that water:
- Helps regulate body temperature.
- Cushions the nervous system and organs.
- Keeps the eyes, nose, mouth, and lungs moist.
- Flushes out waste products from the body.
- Dissolves ands transports nutrients to the cells.
- Keeps the skin elastic.
- Lubricates the joints.
- Helps digest protein, fats, and carbohydrates through hydrolysis.
Water truly is an amazing molecule!
Tap Water for Dogs
Where you live and what process your local water goes through will determine whether you should give your dogs water flowing directly from your tap. There can be some harmful contaminants in tap water, such as chemicals and bacteria. In the US, most tap water is perfectly safe to drink, but if you’re worried about its quality, you can have a water test done. If you’re in Ventura or Santa Barbara Counties in CA, contact AWS for a free water evaluation at 805-973-0411! You should be particularly concerned about regular water testing if you use a well water system.
The hardness of your water can also affect the health of your pets. Hard water is an issue of having too many minerals in the water, such as magnesium and calcium. You can learn more about the differences between hard and soft water here. Also remember that your tap water will likely have fluoride in it, which is not good for dogs to consume in large quantities.
Filtered Water for Dogs
If you’ve installed a water filtration system in your home, then your tap water is the best thing to put in your pet's water bowl. Again, if you’re concerned about the quality of the water coming from your tap, the best solution is to get it tested.
If you’ve installed a water filtration system in your home, then your tap water is the best thing to put in your pet's water bowl. Click To Tweet
Not all water filtration systems are created equally, but they all have similar jobs. They will filter your water to remove bacteria, chemicals, and other contaminants that are floating around in there. These systems can be attached to individual faucets, installed as a whole house water filter, or you can even purchase a dog bowl that filters just the water that your pets drink!
If you really want to get all of the contaminants out of your water, it would be best for you to purchase a distiller or reverse osmosis system, as these will provide you with the cleanest water for your home, family, and pets. A good water filter can turn that unfiltered tap water into clean, refreshing drinking water for your entire household.
Bottled Water for Dogs
Even though bottled water can be a great convenience on the go, it’s not the best option for drinking water for either yourself or your pet. Studies have shown that even the most popular bottled water companies release products that can be contaminated with various unwanted substances. Many companies simply fill their bottles with tap water anyway, but you have more control over what comes out of your own tap than theirs. Worse yet, disposable plastic water bottles release microscopic bits of plastic and industrial chemicals from the bottling process into the water they contain. You’re better off filling up that reusable water bottle from home.
The best option for you and your pet is to drink water that has been freshly filtered from your own home. You can carry it with you in a refillable container to ensure that you and your dogs drink the best possible water throughout the day. If you’re willing to spend money on bottled water that could have plastics and chemicals in it, your money would be better spent on a water filtration system for your home that will give your dogs even better water in their bowl, with the additional benefit of providing clean water for the rest of your house.
Overall Hydration and Water
Giving your dogs filtered water is better for their bodies and long-term health than giving them unfiltered or disposable plastic bottled water. If you spend time worrying whether you’re giving your dog good and clean food, the you should be just as concerned about giving them good clean water to drink as well. Call your local water company, and have them give you an updated water report. Then you can see what’s actually in your tap water and go from there. Hydration is important for your pets' health, just as it is for yours!