I have stopped offering tap water to my dog. It’s definitely a by-product of going to many WQA conferences. I know that there is just too must “stuff” in our water.

I always want to make sure that Kaycee, our senior Dataman Group DataDog, always has the best of everything. Whether it’s making sure she gets get the most nutritious food or the best grooming in town, I want to provide her with the very best. Since I do a lot of work in the water quality industry, I know that I want to provide filtered water to my dogs for best heath and hydration.

So – when it comes to drinking water, what are you giving your dogs?

While we usually don’t give this a second thought, it’s important to make certain that your dog’s water is safe and healthy.

Benefits/Importance of Hydration

Like us, a dog’s body contains 75% water. Water is just as vital to them as it is to us and it’s essential for all kinds of bodily function, including:

• Regulation of body temperature (especially with all the running that dogs do!)
• Keeping the skin elastic so you can cuddle your dog even more.
• Lubrication of the joints so they play fetch with more speed!
• Keeping the eyes, nose, mouth, and lungs moist so your pup can shower you with those face licks!
• Cushioning the nervous system and organs
• Flushing  out waste products from the body
• Helping in the digestion of  protein, fat, and carbohydrates through hydrolysis
• Dissolving and transporting  nutrients to the cells

Problems with Tap Water

Studies conducted to test the safety of water from various water treatments have raised doubts as to how safe our drinking water really is. It’s no secret that many contaminants have been found to be in our drinking water sources. This may include metals like lead and arsenic which compromise dog’s immune system. The water may also contain microplastics, which causes health hazards.

Contaminants and Hazards

Some of the contaminants in Tap Water that can cause problems in our dogs include:

• coli – Though most E.coli strains are harmless, there are dangerous strains in public water supplies can be very problematic. Coli can cause appetite loss, diarrhea, vomiting, malaise/weakness, and lethargy in dogs.
• Lead -High doses of lead can cause acute stomach pain, diarrhea, and vomiting in your dog. Prolonged exposed can cause your dog to experience seizures, fatigue. and changes in behavior.
• Fluoride –High levels of fluoride are toxic and can damage kidneys. In dogs, it can cause severe sickness & diarrhea, restlessness, drooling, weak muscles, seizures. There is a possible link between fluoride and cancer in dogs but there are studies have yet to confirm these facts.
• Chlorine -Whether chlorine is dangerous to your dog or not depends on how much and how often your dog drinks it. Generally, the water is safe if the chlorine is within the set levels by regulatory guidelines. Some of us still worry that the disinfection byproducts are just as bad as the chlorine itself.  I guess it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
• Giardia – A parasite which is transmitted by discharges of fecal wastes into water, food, soil, and other surfaces. This parasite can cause diarrhea in animals as well as humans.
• Hardness – Water with a high mineral content, usually calcium, iron and magnesium, has been linked to urinary illness such as Crystalluria (crystal in urine). This may predispose your dog to stone formation and bladder and urinary tract infections.

Before you freak out because of this list, check whether your drinking water source actually has these risks.  Contact your water utility company to receive the annual consumer confidence report. This is a good assessment of your water quality. If you are looking for a more permanent solution, you can buy a water testing kit. I personally suggest you check out a WQA Certified Water Treatment provider.   Another option it to send your water to an EPA-approved laboratory or government department of health to have professional approval on your water.

Is Bottled Water the Answer?

Would switching to bottled water solve this problem? Some bottled water sources come from a natural aquifer, spring or underground sources. These have zero harmful contaminants. Other bottled water companies just use the same water treatment used for tap water. Many companies just draw water from any source and then treat them to reduce dissolved solids to a certain level.

In a study of 10 popular brands of U.S. bottled water, the EWG (a nonprofit research organization) discovered 38 different pollutants. Some of the pollutants included bacteria, pharmaceuticals, fertilizer residue, and industrial chemicals..  Make sure you check the ingredients of the bottled water you are buying.

Providing bottled water for our pets can be very expensive.  And, it’s just plain bad for our environment.

Some Solutions

• Invest in a Water Filter – Filtering tap water ensures that you don’t have to rely on your water supplier or bottled water companies. Research faucet, under-the-sink filters and point-of-entry solutions to find the best 24/7 option for both you and your pet. ***This is why Dog Owners are great prospects for Water Treatment Companies. I provide filtered water to my dogs.
• Pet Water Fountain – This is basically a water bowl with a fountain installed to supply flowing water. The flowing water is fresh and will also encourage your dog to drink more. You can also add filters on them to keep unnecessary bits from the water.
• Insure a Clean Water Bowl – Sometimes the problem is not the water but the container from where your dog is drinking. If not regularly cleaned, bacterial growth in the bowls can infect your dog. Steel water containers are a better alternative to plastic bowls as there are concerns about toxins leaching from plastics into the water.

Bottom Line:

If you won’t drink the water then don’t give it to your dog either.

Dale “DataDale” Filhaber, President and Listologist Supreme, Dataman Group Direct.

Dataman Group offers a complete menu of lead generation lists for Water Quality Dealers, including pet owners, new homeowner lists, families with children, health-conscious homeowners, well water/septic tank owners. 800.771.3232. Dataman Group offers a special website dedicated to the Water Quality Industry.