6 ways to make tap water safe for your pet

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 their 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. It is particularly important to boil your pets’ water at this time because the risk of harmful microorganisms such as bacteria is much higher. In general, though, boiling water will ensure water is free of such dangerous organisms.

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). Particles of this kind will not be removed by boiling water; they need to be removed by a home water filtration system. As water moves through a filter, the particles are trapped because they are larger than the water molecules. If you do choose a filter, be sure to weigh options such as whether or not it is reusable or must be thrown away. You can pick the option that best fits your needs because there are plenty of filter options.

3. Distillation

Distilled water is water in its purest form. However, it is a bit difficult to produce. When water is boiled, the steam that rises is pure. That is, only water molecules travel in the steam. You can catch the steam on a surface and let it collect in a container. This can be done by placing a larger pot over a smaller one with water in it. The steam will collect on the inside of the larger pot and trickle-down 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 able to purify water; even some plants are also able to do the job. These filters can be purchased or made at home, but they are often not as efficient as more modern filters.

5. Fountain drinking bowls

Some drinking bowls are essentially small fountains. They suck water in at the base and then push it up to form a small waterfall. These bowls keep water constantly moving, which prevents the formation of new harmful microorganisms. This method is not ideal because whatever organisms are already there will likely remain, but it is better than water that is just still. They also have 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 as it is. Doing so will ensure that you are giving your pets clean water from the start. You can obtain water quality tests by contacting your public utility or by running a check on your own. Public utilities are required to run these tests on a routine basis. Private labs also will run a quality test for you (for a nominal fee, of course).

Let’s wrap it up

There are lots of ways to make sure 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 live options. Doing any of them will help maintain your pet’s health and wellness, so we think that it’s more than worth the time and effort. After all, they’re nothing if not loyal friends.

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