Filtered Water for Pets: Why Water Quality Matters for Their Health

Pets are cherished family members; we care for them just as we do for others in our households. Keeping our pets healthy and happy starts with proper hydration. Water is essential for any pet’s bodily functions, including temperature regulation, digestion, and eliminating toxins. Providing your pets with constant access to fresh, clean water is just as important as choosing the right food for their diet. Regardless of the kind of pet you have, water quality is critical. Ensuring that drinking water or water for their environment is safe is essential for preventing health issues and providing the quality of life your pets deserve. 

Is Tap Water Safe for Pets?

Turning on your faucet and filling your pet’s water bowl or tank is quick and easy. However convenient tap water is, it may not be the best water for your pet, depending on where your water is sourced from and the quality of that source. While tap water is generally safe for pets like cats and dogs, other pets like fish, amphibians, and reptiles should not be provided with water straight from the tap.  If you have city water, your water is treated according to standards established and maintained by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This means your water likely contains small concentrations of chemicals like chlorine and fluoride; chlorine acts as a disinfectant, while fluoride supports dental health by combating cavities. Levels in tap water are usually safe for pets like cats and dogs. However, high levels of these chemicals can cause gastrointestinal irritation or issues like bony growths and tissue thickening. Heavy metals, such as lead, or microorganisms like giardia threaten your pets more directly. Lead can leach into tap water from old pipes and cause pets stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting, fatigue, and neurological symptoms like seizures. Giardia is among the most common tap water concerns, as it is one of the leading causes of intestinal parasite infections in the US. Giardia is a microscopic parasite that lives in the intestinal lining and can cause diarrhea in both pets and humans.  For other pets like fish, reptiles, and amphibians, tap water poses a much greater risk. These animals absorb water directly into their bloodstream, making them highly susceptible to even small levels of chemicals, disinfectants, and other impurities that may be present in tap water. If you have one of these pets, you should only use tap water if it has been filtered through further filtered through either a whole-house or point-of-use system. 

Whole House Water Filter

Can Pets Drink Well Water?

Well water can be safe for pets like cats and dogs if treated properly. Unlike city or municipal water, private well water is not regulated. This means homeowners are responsible for ensuring their water is safe to consume. Concerns like groundwater pollution, microorganisms, heavy metals, and naturally occurring fluoride levels above EPA standards are fairly common with well water. Routine at-home testing is essential to confirm well water is actually safe for human and animal consumption.    Shop Kind Water’s Water Test and Survey   

Is Hard Water Bad for Pets?

Hard water, which contains high levels of dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium, is generally safe for pets provided it is free from toxic contaminants. However, pet owners should also be aware of research that may indicate an increased risk of urinary tract issues, particularly in male cats. One study found that male cats in areas with extremely hard water were three times more likely to develop urinary complications like crystalluria compared to those in areas with slightly hard, hard, or very hard water. While dogs and female cats may be less affected, pet owners in hard water areas may want to monitor their pets’ urinary health more closely and consider installing a salt-based or salt-free water softening system. If your pet is on a limited sodium diet, consider a salt-free softening system or an a 6-Stage RO Drinking Water System instead of a salt-based softener, as these systems slightly increase sodium levels in water. 

Filtered Water For Cats, Dogs, and Other Pets

Filtered water is a great choice for pets of all species. It has fewer impurities like microorganisms, chemicals, and heavy metals, providing a better option for drinking and overall pet hydration. Some pets can be picky about the water they choose to drink, so switching to filtered water may encourage your pets to drink more, especially if they are reluctant to drink your current tap water.  Depending on your household’s needs, you can choose between whole-house water filters or point-of-use systems like under-sink reverse osmosis (RO) filters. If you have hard water, consider combining a filtration system with a water softener. Your pets may also benefit from a UV water purification system, which uses UV light to mitigate bacteria, viruses, and protozoa.    Shop Kind Water’s Whole House Water Filter with UV   Shop Our Whole House Salt-Free Water Softener and Filter Combo with UV  

Can Pets Drink Reverse Osmosis Water?

Water filtered through reverse osmosis is one of the best options for all pets. RO systems remove 99% of contaminants, including chemicals, microorganisms, and heavy metals by using a highly effective 0.0001-micron filter. This makes it safe for cats, dogs, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians alike. For fish and amphibians specifically, RO water creates an ideal environment, especially for delicate aquatic species. However, it’s essential to remineralize RO water before use, as the filtration process removes beneficial minerals that are important for maintaining proper hydration and health. Kind Water’s 6-stage RO system includes a remineralization filter to ensure proper mineral levels.    Shop Our 6-Stage Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water System   

Can Pets Drink Distilled Water?

While cats and dogs can drink distilled water, it should not be their main source of hydration because it lacks essential minerals. These minerals are critical for maintaining overall health in pets and play an even more significant role for fish, reptiles, and amphibians. Distilled water should only be used for these pets if it is remineralized beforehand, as mineral deficiencies can lead to serious health issues.