Every living organism needs some water to drink, and a pet should always have access to fresh drinking water. Most people give their pets water that has been drawn from the tap, and if you’re supplied with hard water, this can be a concern. In this article, we will take a closer look at hard and soft water to evaluate which is better for your pets.
Hard Water for Pets
Many animal experts are in agreement that pets drinking hard water is not a cause for concern. There are certain minerals in hard water, such as calcium, magnesium, and to a lesser extent, iron, that are not a health risk when consumed in small quantities. But, there are some veterinarians that have concerns about giving cats and dogs tap water to drink. This is because tap water has been chemically disinfected with chlorine, chloramine, or fluoride, which may be harmful to smaller animals. There are also concerns about private well water if it’s not tested annually to ensure that it’s clean and healthy.
That said, it’s important to note that, at this time, there is no supporting evidence that links pet health with hard water consumption. In 2016, the Trupanion study did discover a correlation between urinary health issues in pets that did drink tap water in areas with very hard water. This study found that cats are 40% more likely to have health issues when compared to dogs. It was also found that female dogs are 2.5 times more likely to have a urinary problem when compared to male dogs.
Soft Water for Pets
The most effective water softener systems use an ion-exchange process which replaces the mineral ions that cause hard water with sodium or potassium ions. This does add a minuscule level of salt to the water, which could be an issue for people and pets on a low salt diet. It is true that some people and pets don’t enjoy the taste of softened drinking water. A water softener will not remove any other contaminants when it’s used in isolation, and other filtration systems installed in series with the softener may be required.
Hard vs. Soft Drinking Water: Which is Best?
There is no easy way to answer this question because pets may have different preferences to consider. In most cases, the pet should be drinking the same water as the people in the home to ensure that they stay hydrated for optimal health. Drinking bottled mineral water and giving it to your cats or dogs is an option. But, drinking bottled water can be expensive, and storing multiple bottles in your home can be a hassle. The easiest way to improve the water quality is to install appropriate filtration and softening systems in your home. If your pet is happy drinking the water you provide, stick with that water, and you can see how they react to other water options later.
If you want to install a water softener in your home, contact your local water treatment specialist today.
About The Author:
Greg Scott is President of Valparaiso based Miracle/EcoWater Systems, the premier water conditioning company in Northwest Indiana serving the Lake, Porter, and LaPorte County areas. A 3rd generation water treatment professional, Greg grew up in the family owned business started by his grandfather in the late fifties. He has made water treatment his life, and under his direction and high-standards, the company’s water treatment experience, knowledge, and products are unrivaled in the region.