Approximately 60% of a cat’s body consists of water, while a canine’s is around 80%. Naturally this means that fresh, clean water is essential to your pet’s vitality. Exactly what is in your water, and how might it affect your animal’s health? Is a water filtration system really a necessity? Here are some things you need to know!
Urinary Disorders and Hard Water
Pet insurance company Trupanion performed a study to determine if there was a correlation between urinary disorders and hard water. First, the company mapped out “hard water zones” across the country, based on data from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
What they found was that pets were more likely to develop urinary disorders in areas with very hard water. Male cats in particular were susceptible, being three times more likely to develop urinary crystals in locations with extremely hard water.
The Dangers of Fluoride
Promoters of fluoride often claim it prevents tooth decay. However, emerging research shows there is virtually no benefit to drinking water treated with fluoride. In fact, new studies show that fluoride in drinking water does very little to prevent cavities.
Indeed, fluoride might even weaken teeth, and is thought responsible for an increased risk of fractures in both humans and animals. Horse trainers in particular have noted an increase in bone fractures over the past few years. The number of bone tumors in dogs has risen as well.
Veterinarians recommend canines drink one ounce of water per pound of body weight each day. The fact that larger animals drink more water could account for higher number of fractures in bigger dogs.
Not Just Harmful When Swallowed
The problem with fluoride is that it isn’t just harmful when swallowed. Fluoride can easily be absorbed through the skin, and may therefore enter your pet’s body through bathing or swimming. There it can wreak havoc on a number of bodily functions such as:
- Cardiovascular system
- Thyroid
- Kidneys
- Reproductive system
The Dangers with Chlorine
Chlorine is added to drinking water primarily because it eliminates parasites and bacteria. One common parasite that affects dogs is giardia, which is often found in water contaminated with feces. Giardia can cause vomiting, diarrhea, a loss of appetite, and dehydration.
More problematic than giardia is the possible long-term effects of drinking chlorinated water. Repeated exposure to chlorine can cause organ damage to the liver or kidneys. Chlorine exposure is also linked to the production of free radicals, leading to an increased risk of cancer. The Global Healing Center claims that those consuming chlorinated water have a 93% higher chance of developing cancer than others.
As with fluoride, chlorine may also be absorbed through the skin. As such, you should also limit your pet’s exposure to swimming pools treated with chlorine. After swimming, rinse your four-legged friend with fresh water from a whole-house water filtration system from Passaic Bergen Water Softening.
Benefits of a Water Filtration System
Dogs have a far better sense of smell than humans. In fact, some breeds can detect scents up to 100,000 times better. What this means is that even the slightest hint of chlorine, rust, lime, or other contaminants could be off-putting to your canine. Your companion might even refuse to consume adequate amounts of fluid just because something doesn’t quite smell right.
That’s not the case when you offer fresh, clean water. Not only will your pets stay well hydrated, but you can also relax knowing that what they are taking in is healthy for them. A whole-house filtration system is surprisingly affordable and is actually an investment in your entire family’s health. For help choosing the system that is just right for you, please contact us.
