Getting enough clean water is the most important part of nutrition and staying healthy, and the same goes for your furry friend, too. The type of water you drink is also important, so why shouldn’t it be for your dog? You may think your dog doesn’t need filtered water, but you could change your tune after reading this.
Dehydration in Dogs
When you are dehydrated, it is easy to tell. You become extremely thirsty and your body presents other telltale signs such as dry mouth, fatigue, and peeing fewer than four times per day. If your four-legged best friend is dehydrated, they can’t tell you, so what are the signs? They will show symptoms such as loss of appetite, lethargy, panting, dry nose, sticky gums, and thick saliva. There is also a gum test you can perform on your dog to check if they are dehydrated. All you need to do is press on their gums, and see how long it takes for the healthy pink color to return. In a hydrated dog, the color will return almost immediately. If your dog is dehydrated, the color return takes much longer and the gums will stay white for a period of time.
Just like you, dogs can become dehydrated for a number of reasons such as heat stroke, vomiting, or diarrhea. And just like you, dehydration in dogs can be the symptom of another underlying condition such as kidney disease, diabetes, or even some types of cancer. (If your dog is exhibiting any of these symptoms, be sure to check with your vet!)
Prevent Dehydration with Filtered Water
The first thing you want to do to ensure your dog stays hydrated is to always have cool, fresh water available. Do you drink unfiltered water out of your tap? If so, great! It is probably safe to give to your dog as well. If not, then as a rule of thumb, your dog shouldn’t be drinking it either.
Relying on your city or well water unfiltered can be dangerous to your four-legged friend for the same reasons it could be dangerous to you. According to the Center for Disease Control, contaminants that lurk in unfiltered tap water can lead to neurological disorders, gastrointestinal illness, and even reproductive issues in humans. These contaminants can include pesticides, bacteria, pharmaceuticals, and viruses. Having filtered water for yourself and the rest of your household (including pets) is the safest way to keep everyone safe.
Water Treatment Options For Every Home
At Leaf Home Water Solutions, we offer the most comprehensive selection of water treatment products anywhere. With conditioning, filtration, softening, and more, our team is able to correct water chemistry in homes with municipal water and private wells alike.
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What About Bottled Water?
If you are thinking that maybe you will start giving your pooch bottled water because it is purer than unfiltered tap water, think again. In addition to being the more expensive option, bottled water was still found to contain the same chemicals, bacteria, and fertilizer residue as unfiltered tap water! Why pay more for something that still could be dangerous and also harms the environment with all of the extra plastic?
Taste Matters
Did you know that dogs have special taste buds specifically for water? In addition to being able to taste sweet, sour, salty, and bitter, dogs can also taste water much better than we can! Other carnivores like cats also have them, but they are not found in humans. These special water taste buds are found at the tip of the tongue where your puppy laps water, and are more engaged after eating something salty or sweet. The reason for this is thought to be that animals in the wild need to drink more water after eating something salty to prevent becoming dehydrated. Filtered water almost always tastes better than unfiltered water from the tap, and if your dog could talk they would agree.
Foul taste isn’t the only way to know if something’s lurking in your water. Check out more how to identify common water contamination symptoms to ensure you and your furry friend have access to safe, clean water.
Next time you fill up your dog’s water bowl, think about where the water is coming from. Your dog is as much of a part of the family as any other member, so they should get the same quality water.
About Leaf Home Water Solutions
We strive to present a custom solution for your home, with your needs and budgets in mind. Backed by the strength of one of North America’s largest home improvement companies, you can feel reassured that you are working with the best team and getting the best products available on the market. With a distinguished digital water test and systems designed to meet the needs of your home, you can feel confident that you and your family are getting the crispest, purest water possible. Plus, our friendly customer service team is always ready to help should any issues arise down the road. Protect your home and family from the effects of hard water and get a custom solution today!
