Recently, I’ve been asked by a few people if they should be giving their dog or cat filtered drinking water rather than tap water. In the past, I have had people make fun that I only give my pets purified water. If that has happened to you, it’s okay! Being healthy comes with its territory. There will always be naysayers. About a year ago, one of my dogs developed struvite crystals in his urine. After consulting with my veterinarian and doing my own research, I concluded that I needed to stop using tap water and up the intake of fluid in my dog. If you’re feeding a dry kibble diet, it is likely that your dog does not consume enough water. In the wild, they receive a lot of moisture from fresh meat. Of course, a raw diet is the absolute best when it comes to feeding your dog or cat. We offer many varieties that are frozen, convenient, and balanced. But, if raw is not on your radar, adding warm water, bone broth, goat’s milk, or canned food to your pet’s diet will help increase moisture consumption.  

But back to tap water. There are so many chemicals added to our water sources that I personally do not consume it. I use filtered or bottled water for myself so why wouldn’t I use it for my dog? Tap water contains heavy metals, chlorine, and fluoride which can potentially cause health problems in the long run. And don't forget the ever prevalent unsightly tear stains! I especially recommend that if your dog is undergoing chemotherapy or fighting a serious infection or virus, provide filtered water. You want their immune system to recover and help fight the infection or virus, and not waste time fighting heavy metals. Also, don’t forget to clean out your dog’s water bowl regularly as bacteria can build up easily, especially when using a purified water source. Pet water fountains help with filtering out debris and keeping it fresh. Cats are especially attracted to water movement. So, if you don’t like filling up the water bowl multiple times a day, consider a large capacity water fountain. Whatever you decide, always provide a water source at all times for your pet.  

Happy and healthy drinking!  

Sherry Redwine  

Owner

Odyssey Pets