...By Henry George for TDPel Media.
A water safety expert warns that tap water in certain areas of the UK could be harmful to your pets.
Gene Fitzgerald, a home water treatment expert at BOS, claims that while the UK’s tap water is generally safe for human consumption, it may not be suitable for cats and dogs.
The Problem with Hard Water
According to Fitzgerald, hard water – water that contains high levels of calcium and/or magnesium – may be particularly harmful to pets.
Drinking too much hard water can lead to various conditions, including urinary tract and bladder infections, cystitis, urinary obstruction, crystalluria, and stone formation.
Hard water can also cause skin irritation, dryness, digestive issues, and dental problems in pets.
Finding Solutions
To ensure your pet’s health, Fitzgerald suggests avoiding water softeners that contain sodium.
Instead, she recommends using reverse osmosis and distillation softeners, which can remove harmful substances from hard water and improve your pet’s health, as well as the lifespan of your appliances and plants.
The Importance of Water Quality
Water treatment specialists at Kinetico explain that while pets can generally drink the same water as humans, high mineral content in hard water is not advisable for them.
Therefore, providing your pet with filtered tap water is the best solution.
If you’re concerned about your water quality, you can contact your water company for an assessment, or speak to a vet if your pet has pre-existing kidney or bladder conditions.
Analysis and Commentaries
This article highlights an issue that many pet owners may not have considered before.
While tap water is generally considered safe for human consumption, its high mineral content in certain areas of the UK can be harmful to pets.
As a result, pet owners may need to consider alternative solutions to ensure their pet’s health and wellbeing.
It is worth noting that the article presents two different viewpoints on this issue
. While Gene Fitzgerald warns of the dangers of hard water for pets, water treatment specialists at Kinetico suggest that pets can generally drink the same water as humans, but with caution.
It is up to pet owners to do their research and make an informed decision based on their pet’s individual needs.
This article highlights the importance of water quality for pets and the potential risks of consuming hard water.
Pet owners should consider their pet’s health and wellbeing when choosing their water source and may need to seek alternative solutions if their tap water is not suitable for their pets.
