How Safe Is Tap Water For Dogs?

BY | October 24 | COMMENTS PUBLISHED BY

Image Source: Pixabay.com

Even after taking the best care of your dog, something really mundane and routine might have escaped your notice – are you giving him the right water to drink? In your mind, you probably don’t give much thought before filling his bowl with tap water but here’s why you should think it over.

Most Vets Don’t Recommend It

Take the doctor’s word and be more watchful of what you are feeding your dog. If the water is not deemed fit for your drinking, it couldn’t be very different for him as well. The vets echo the same sentiment and recommend that you rather give your pets pure water in order to avoid water-borne diseases and other problems.

You Can Never Be Sure About The Tap Water

It might be possible that the running water in your home might be fit for consumption for the dog and hasn’t caused any troubles in the past. However, that doesn’t necessarily translates to it being disease-proof and infection-free at all times. Most of the homes get tap water from the Municipality in their homes, and one can never vouch for the quality unless it’s tested on a regular basis. If you must, give them the tap water after getting it tested for any sort of odor or contamination. You can also get your tap water treated by adding chemicals that free it of any sort of virus or bacteria.Apart from this, the consumption of tap water might turn really hazardous if there’s a broken pipeline or some trouble at the source. Your unsuspecting dog might just contact a disorder and this could even affect his immunity. So you need to be careful of something as basic as water consumption. Keep a check on the water supply in your area. Sometimes, the water doesn’t get treated properly even after filtration.

It Doesn’t Take Much To Give Them Pure Water But Makes A Lot Of Difference

To keep your dog safe and be sure about his well-being, just pour him the water you drink, every time. It doesn’t take a great deal and is an extremely easy habit to adopt, but it will keep you free of any worries surrounding your dog’s health.You can also give them bottled water if you want. But in that case, you need to be absolutely sure of its purity and its quality. If you think this might not be reliable, since sometimes there’s no way to check the bottled water’s content, the simplest way to is to give them the water you drink.However, maintain a balance and make sure your dog’s immunity isn’t much affected by it. He should be able to digest normal water too in case you’re traveling.

5 things you didn’t know about feeding unclean water to your pet (beware!)

Pets have the habit of gobbling anything that crosses their path unsuspectingly. Insects, food crumbs that fall on the floor, and beverages that gets spilled on the floor are a few things they eat. There was a study in 2011 conducted by NSF International that looked at the dirtiest, germiest, and grimiest places in households. Guess what came in fourth place? The pet’s water bowls. The water bowl is probably the most neglected at home. We are all guilty of topping off the water bowl for your pet when it is almost empty. Have you ever wondered the impact it will have on their health and well-being? Here are 5 things you didn’t know about feeding unclean water to your pets.

  • Serratia Marcescens – You would have seen this bacteria before. It is commonly known as the pink stuff. You know what this dreaded bacteria can do? It can cause infections and pneumonia. You definitely don’t want your dog catching any of that, do you? It's difficult to take them to the vet as it is.
  • Bisphenol A – Using a plastic bowl for your pet? Bad idea, especially if you don’t clean it every day. Bisphenol is a carcinogen and it leaches into the water. It will break down further in the dishwasher. This is extremely harmful to your pets.
  • Salmonella – This sneaky little germ is harmful to both humans and pets. If you are feeding meat to your pets, it is common to find them. They can cause a variety of implications which can severely impact the health of your pet.
  • E. Coli – This deadly bacteria can be present in the water bowl of your pets if you don’t clean it regularly. The effects on your pet can be devastating as it causes lethargy, vomiting, dehydration, lack of appetite, and depression to name a few.
  • Cyanobacteria – It is toxic to your pets, period. The level of toxicity is generally moderate to severe. It is commonly found in lakes, ponds, and streams. If you don’t clean the water bowl regularly, the chances of having cyanobacteria growing in the water bowl are increased. They can cause difficulty in breathing, shock, coma, blood in stool, jaundice, seizures, to name a few. There aren’t any antidotes for the toxins produced by this deadly bacteria.

You would have also noticed a slimy layer on the water. It is called biofilm and it is a collection of living and dead material. Bacteria find it easy to stick on to it. Clean your pet's bowls regularly. Use hot water to clean them thoroughly and to ensure it is sterilized. Use detergents and an abrasive sponge to release any organic material which might get stuck on the sides. You can also use a combination of baking soda, salt, and warm water to clean the bowl. Also, remember that pets are sensitive to smells and chemicals, so avoid using too much detergent.

Was this article helpful?

You May Also Like

Image for Large Dog Grooming Tips
Large Dog Grooming Tips

To Keep Your Large or Giant Breed Dog Groomed and Clean

Read More