Can Dogs Drink Bottled Water?
You love your pup, and you'd give the whole world to them if you could - which is why you need to consider the type of water you use to fill your dog's water bowl. Filtered water is the best option you can provide your dog, but is bottled water safe for your pooch?
Just because your dog can drink the toilet doesn't mean they should. Toilet water harbors microbes that are harmful to your pet, not to mention to you when Fido licks your face! Always provide your dog with filtered water as a safe choice for them to hydrate themselves. Here's what you should know about your dog's water sources:
Can Dogs Drink Tap Water?
The better question is: Is tap water safe for dogs to drink? - Most municipal water sources are safe enough for human consumption, but that doesn't mean it's the better water option for your pooch. Tap water contains traces of chlorine, salts, and other chemicals used in the filtration process. While these additives are negligible for humans, they may cause problems for your dog.
Tap water is generally safe to drink in small amounts, but there are better options for your pooch to hydrate itself. Most dogs can survive drinking tap water just fine, as long as the owner can vouch for the purity of their tap. While outdoors, however, you may want to switch to safer options like bottled water.
Is Bottled Water Better for Dogs?
Bottled water is generally perfectly safe for dogs. Bottled water companies often go through great lengths to ensure their products are safe for human consumption, so they are sanitized and filtered to remove any harmful microbes that could potentially make humans and pets sick.
Remember that your dog has a different bodily function from you, and the amount of chemical additives in tap water may be too much for your pooch's smaller system. The taps may also be riddled with mold and mildew, which can cause stomach upset for Fido. If you're unsure of the water source, stick to bottled water instead.
Benefits of Bottled Water for Dogs
Dogs raised on bottled water treated via reverse osmosis, and added minerals like calcium chloride and sodium bicarbonate are less likely to accept drinking water from the tap. Dogs have a very sensitive sense of smell - up to 100,000x more acute than human senses! They could sense traces of chlorine in water that we can't.
The main benefit of bottled water for dogs is safe drinking water. Dogs can sense additives that may not sit well with their digestive system, and they may turn away hard water from the tap as well. Purified water provides them a clear, clean, and crisp drink without the worry over industrial chemicals or dangerous strains of bacteria.
Is Natural Spring Water Better for Dogs?
Spring water may still contain traces of chlorine and natural salts, but the level of minerals present in natural spring water is much lower than those found in tap water. Natural spring water has essential minerals that your dogs need to stay healthy, and also provide a flavor boost for your pup.
Bottled spring water is also accessible in most stores and restaurants while you're out and about, so giving your dog this filtered water is better than letting them drink unfiltered tap water that they may end up rejecting. Spring water may be better for your dogs than distilled water, even, as the former replenishes lost minerals in your dog's body.
Types of Bottles Safe for Dogs
When you're feeding your dog bottled water, you would want to consider the type of water they drink, and the container that they use. Many plastic water bottles contain BPA, which are as harmful to dogs as it is to humans. Drinking water from BPA-laden containers can lead to reproductive disorders, neurologic problems, and even cancer in some cases.
Stick to bottles that are labeled BPA-free, such as silicone collapsible bottles and bowls, aluminum bottled water, and BPA-free plastics. Our My Own Water aluminum bottles are completely void of any plastic liner, so you can rest assured our bottles are BPA-free - perfectly safe for your thirsty pooch!
How Often Should Dogs Drink?
Dogs drink fairly often as water regulates their body temperature. Dogs don't sweat like humans do, so they take alternative ways to cool down: panting, a cold, wet nose, and drinking water are all ways dogs can keep themselves cool.
As a general rule, your dog should have fresh water out all day for them to drink whenever they feel thirsty. This will prevent their bodies from overheating, as well as replenish lost fluids from playing around all day. Outdoor dogs drink more often than indoor dogs, and the more active the breed, the more often they need to replenish their liquids.
The Paw-ttomline
Tap water may be safe for dogs to drink, but bottled water provides benefits that tap water can't. Whether your pooch has an affinity for bottled, distilled, or natural spring water differs from individual animals, but you as the owner will need to consider your dog's health.
You can trust My Own Water for your dog's drinking water. Our bottles are absolutely free from BPA, making us the better choice to hydrate you and your pup! You can be sure you're getting only pure, clean water.
Trust My Own Water, and keep a crystal clear outlook on your hydration. Check out our products today!
