6 ways to make tap water safe for your dog

Make tap water safe for pets by using a water filtration system. Other options include fountain drinking bowls or boiling.

We don’t just like our pets; we love them. That’s why we want the best for them. While which type of food to use gets lots of attention, how to make tap water safe to drink is often overlooked.

We know that clean water is vital for all living things. That includes our pets.

So, we’re discussing six ways to make tap water safe for your pets to drink.

1. Boiling

This first option is one of the simplest and best-known methods.

When a water line breaks, a boil water advisory is often issued for a particular city, county, or area serviced by the contaminated system. The Centers for Disease Control recommends boiling water for a full minute.

It is essential to boil your pets’ water at this time because the risk of harmful microorganisms such as bacteria is much higher.

Boiling water eliminates dangerous organisms and ensures safe drinking water.

2. Standard filtering

Filtered water helps remove contaminants of a more mineral type. According to the Water Quality Association, tap water can contain everything from aluminum to uranium (which is radioactive, by the way).

Boiling water will not remove particles of this kind; they need to be removed by a home water filtration system.

As water moves through water filters, the particles are trapped because they are larger than the water molecules.

If you choose a filter, consider whether it is reusable or must be thrown away. There are plenty of filter options to ensure drinking water quality, so you can pick the option that best fits your needs.

3. Distillation

Distilled water is water in its purest form. However, it is a bit difficult to produce. When you boil water, the steam that rises is pure.

Only water molecules travel in steam. You can catch the steam on a surface and let it collect in a container by placing a larger pot over a smaller one with water.

The steam will collect inside the larger pot and trickle down to where you can catch it in another container.

4. Natural filtering

This method is different from the filtering we mentioned earlier. Natural filters use materials found in nature rather than manufactured ones. Sand, for instance, is a common material for these.

As water runs through the minuscule rocks, the microscopic holes in the surfaces of the rocks trap contaminants.

Other materials are porous and can purify water; even some plants can do the job. These filters can be purchased or made at home, but they are often less efficient than more modern ones.

5. Fountain drinking bowls

Some drinking bowls are essentially small fountains. They suck water at the base and then push it up to form a small waterfall.

These bowls keep water constantly moving, preventing new harmful microorganisms from forming.

This method is not ideal because whatever organisms are already there will likely remain, but it is better than water, which is just still. It also has the added benefit of making your pet drink more water.

6. Quality test

If you’re not interested in any of the methods above, you can check the quality of your water. Doing so will ensure you give your pets clean water from the start.

You can obtain water quality tests by contacting your public utility or by running a check. Public utilities are required to run these tests on a routine basis. Private labs will also run a quality test for you (for a nominal fee).

Let’s wrap it up

There are many ways to ensure your pets are drinking clean water. Ideally, you should pick an option that combines safety with time constraints, so a purchased filter will likely be your best option.

However, all of the methods above are good options. Doing any of them will help maintain your pet’s health and wellness, so we think it’s more than worth the time and effort. After all, they’re nothing if not loyal friends.

Warning signs: 9 dog illness symptoms and what they mean