We are aware that our pets need to stay hydrated, especially in hot weather or when engaging in physically demanding activities. Dogs should, on average, drink one ounce of water per pound of body weight each day (though this can change depending on health, activity level, weather, and other factors).
Is it okay to fill Fido’s water bowl with water from the sink? What about those hot days when nothing sounds more enticing than water straight from the hose or sprinkler? The quantity of your pup’s water is one thing, but what about the quality?
For advice on how to ensure that the water you give your dog is as healthy and safe as possible, continue reading.
How to Keep Your Drinking Water Safe
Consider these suggestions from Pauli Undesser, executive director of the Water Quality Association (WQA), to determine whether your tap water is safe for you and your pet:
1. Obtain a consumer confidence report from your water treatment plant.
According to Undesser, the majority of consumers use municipal water systems. A treatment plant treats the water before it leaves the tap. To inform you of what’s in your water, that plant is required to publish an annual consumer confidence report. (If you didn’t receive one, contact your water company. ).
You might want to go about and do something separately because there might be things there that the water treatment plant is aware of and working on, according to Undesser.
Federal law regulates water treatment facilities, but individual states may have more stringent rules. For instance, laws in California control the amount of chromium-6 in the water. (If that sounds familiar, it’s because Erin Brockovich warned against this contaminant in her movie ).
2. Test your home water supply.
Hard contaminants cannot be felt or smelled, so Undesser advises that people test their tap water once a year. Consumers should continue to test their water at the faucet to be aware of potential contaminants, according to Undesser. “You just never know until you test. ”.
If consumers notice any abrupt changes in flavor, color, or smell, they should have their water tested.
While you can buy a water testing kit from a store and mail it off somewhere, Undesser recommends sending your water to a list of EPA-approved laboratories that test consumer water. Some city governments and departments of health will test water for free, she adds.
According to Undesser, “there are over 100 contaminants that [the EPA] is regulating that have to be within a certain amount or below a certain amount for it to not be an impact negatively on health.” “You don’t have to wait for the regulation to catch up with it if you test for it and you find it.” ”.
Basic testing costs anywhere from $20 to $50. According to Undesser, a more thorough test can cost anywhere between $200 and $300.
3. Consider buying certified products that can help treat your water.
If the test comes back and confirms the presence of contaminants in the water, you can buy certified products that can help treat the water. You could purchase water pitchers, faucet mounts, or even hire a professional to install a reverse osmosis filter under the sink or a filter that treats all the water in your home, Undesser says.
She recommends finding a water treatment professional, as opposed to a plumber, to ensure proper installation. Those individuals can also recommend products that would be the best fit for you. For example, if your water test shows levels of arsenic, you’ll want a filter designed to remove traces of arsenic from the water.
According to Undesser, your actions “all depend on what your water quality tests show you.” “Your test may reveal that the water coming from the faucet is fine and equal to bottled water in quality.” ”.
Additionally, you might choose to treat your water before even seeing test results. The advantage of filtered water, according to her, is that it will help you add an extra layer of security for your family and yourself.
What About Bottled Water for Dogs?
Undesser advises pet parents to look for certified products if they choose to give their dog bottled water. Whether it be a pitcher, faucet mount, or reverse osmosis, “that bottled water has used the same membrane that is in all these other products, in most cases,” she claims. They employ the same technologies to provide you with bottled water of high quality. It’s just a different way of getting it. ”.
Undesser advises customers to look for the WQA gold seal or the NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) seal on the label. “You should look for a seal of approval, whether it’s bottled water or a product,” she advises.
Keep in mind that you shouldn’t give your dog any water that you wouldn’t drink yourself. Additionally, if the city administration advises you not to drink the water, your dog also shouldn’t.
“I think it’s logical that they would apply that same thought process to their pets,” Undesser says. “If someone tests their water or if they smell a change and they’re concerned over it and they’re not going to drink it themselves.” However, “tap water is still excellent, and we should have some faith in what is there ”.
Read about the significance of water for dog nutrition to determine how much water your dog should consume.
Problems with Tap Water for dogs
Studies conducted to test the safety of water from various water treatments have raised doubts as to how safe our drinking water really is. Many contaminants have been found to be in our drinking water sources.
These include microplastics with unknown health effects and metals like lead and arsenic that weaken dogs’ immune systems.
FAQ
What happens if dogs drink tap water?
While drinking tap water in moderation is generally safe, there are other options that will better hydrate your dog. As long as the owner can attest to the purity of their tap water, the majority of dogs can survive drinking it just fine. But when you’re outside, you might want to switch to safer alternatives like bottled water.
Should I give my dog tap or filtered water?
Filtered water for dogs is just the best option. especially for smaller breeds or older dogs whose immune systems or digestive systems are more delicate. Your pet will live a long, healthy life thanks to clean, filtered water, which encourages cell growth and thriving.
Should dogs drink tap water or bottled water?
Simply put, your pet should be able to drink the same water as you, whether it is tap, filtered, or some other type. We advise giving in to that if they don’t like the flavor or appear to have a preference.
What type of water should dogs drink?
Reverse Osmosis is perfect for your pets. It has trace minerals like natural water does, but is free of potentially harmful contaminants that could contaminate your groundwater.