Hydrating your hound from the tap often means they'll be getting chlorine and perhaps other undesirable. Fresh water should always be readily available for them so they can drink when they need it. However, there are some reports of dogs having potassium deficiencies and even heart problems as a result of a long-enforced strict distilled water regiment. Just two weeks ago he went to the vet for a regular check up and he is just fine. I do not want my dog to suffer by getting another stone. In most areas the tap water is fine for drinking and you can leave that out for your dog without concern. Read This First. It didn’t do anything for their eyes anyway. One website says distilled is fine, the next says never to give it to them, and yet another said sometimes it’s okay. Tap water usually has chlorine in it that will further irritate the dog’s eye. He had emergency surgery to remove the stone which came back as calcium oxalate. We have a deep well and I’ve never had the water tested. He’s now 6 months old and he seems very healthy and no tear stains. Our vet also put her on distilled water as well as the Royal Canine prescription diet. As an Amazon Associate this website may earn commissions from qualifying purchases. Bottled Water vs. We have 3 other dogs along with the dog that has history of stones, all on distilled water. Indeed, it is very safe to drink and this also applies to animals. How much water should you or I drink a day. Doctor Stephanie Flansburg Cruz (a veterinary physician) has carefully reviewed and endorsed this article. Administered in powdered form, it is sprinkled on your dog’s food with every meal, a teaspoon each time for a dog the size of your Bichon. In a spray bottle, combine equal parts water and vinegar (either distilled white vinegar or ACV) and shake to blend. But choosing bottled spring water instead of distilled water is a much healthier choice for your pet. We had Schnoodles and 2 died with heart problems. Is my female dog at risk and should I be giving her a multivitamin? Thanks for any input. As far as water, I filter my personal drinking water by reverse osmosis and I give that to my dogs and cats as well. Yes it contains chlorine and all the minerals you believe are bad, but it will quench your dog’s thirst without fail. It is true that distillation purifies H2O by heating water to a point where trace elements are removed. If regular fresh water won’t harm your dog why give them distilled water? Your email address will not be published. You can’t and shouldn’t shield a four-legged friend from any and all potential dangers. How does distilled water affect dogs? This is because iron in his or her secretions turns red (as in the color of rust when iron oxidizes) once saliva is exposed to air. Like Ann, it is hard with multiple dogs to give water separately. Tap Water: Drink it With or Without Poop, Adding Minerals to Distilled Water is very EASY – How to Remineralize Reverse Osmosis too. A water distiller gently boils tap water; clean, toxin-free … Distilled water is known to purify the body, helping the kidneys, cleansing the body from of all its toxins and it’s no secret that many people start a fast or a diet by drinking distilled water first (also those who want to make a positive change in their lifestyles). So we are doing Potassium Citrate and she has him on Lasix once a day. Cats, on the other hand, can get water crystals in their … Distilled Water for Dogs, Cats, Birds, and Other Pets Many people provide distilled water for dogs, cats and other pets because it is clean and toxin free. Bigger animals can consume distilled water BUT they need more minerals in their bodies, which they might not get from dog chow alone and for this reason you’ll need to add minerals to distilled water. If your dog is constantly thirsty, you are doing more damage than good. The amount of nutrients in water is so minimal that it does not matter. My dog recently had bladder surgery for Struvite crystal stones. The take home for those of you with cats and dogs that are urine crystal formers is to increase the amount of water in the diet. If they end up drinking more distilled water than they do with the regular stuff, it could indicate that this theory is true. In addition, distilled water is reported to be less thirst quenching, which may lead dogs to drink and urinate excessively. For dogs, benefits range from improvement of the fur to possible prevention of urinary tract infections. It’s often suggested to use distilled water to relieve small dogs, such as Maltese, from having runny tear ducts. There Is Usually No Reason To Give Your Dog Distilled Water. Ideally tap water is fine. It’s a win-win situation, because you get super clean water with nothing else but the good nutrients. AquaNui distilled water is not only fantastic drinking water for people, but it is also perfect for pets. Dog owners may want to consult with their vets about the amount of salt to add to the diet to drive thirst and additional water consumption. If your vet says only use distilled water because of a medical condition, then you should take that advice. I can smell the chemical odor in it so we drink bottled water that is delivered. Water Diet – Does Drinking Water help lose Weight ? This characteristic makes distilled water an excellent cleanser and detoxifier, with plenty of “room” or “power” to carry away impurities from a person’s or a dog’s body. Over the years, distilled water has been subjected to a lot of controversies. If your dog’s eardrum is intact, start the vinegar ear treatment. My issue is I have another mini schnauzer female, she’s older, who is drinking the distilled water also. Under normal circumstance, hydrating your hound from the tap is best. Where do you get your info about that from? Distilled water is preferred as the chlorine in tap water may irritate your dog's eyes. Distilled water can be given to smaller pets, such as cats or small dogs although many prefer to add minerals too. It goes through a reverse osmosis process removing contaminants and minerals from what I understand. Amazons sells Vetericyn Plus , which makes an eye wash that can be used by rabbits, horses, dogs, and cats. I’ve been giving her more and more distilled water, but have been reading that it’s not a good idea, but that spring water (which still has minerals in it) would be better. As I mentioned above water is the universal solvent, it is exceptionally stable and can transport many diverse substances, either in solution or in suspension without being permanently altered itself. Your dog can drink as much spring water as needed without adverse effects. Usually, the more impure liquids you drink, the more you’re putting your kidneys to work to get rid of all that junk. In addition to their main diet, they are supplemented with chopped and cooked vegetables such as broccoli, burdock, carrot, sweet potatoes, tiny splices, parsley, bits of sauerkraut kraut, turmeric, ginger and kelp. If you know the tap water in your area isn’t safe to drink you are well informed. The brilliance of distilled water is that it mirrors the natural hydrologic cycle. We all have good intentions and we probably want to do the right thing and give our dogs, cats, and other pets the best we can afford. 2. This is due to heat or their exercise routine. Sure there may have been the occasional times when the power was out, or we went on a trip where they had to drink tap water, but that does not even account for 2% of the total water consumption in their entire life. There are lots of people food that dogs should not have. I have used distilled water with my 3 year old Shih Tzu for the last 12 months, since I moved to a different town. Use distilled water rather than tap water. Frozen Dog Treat Mixes: not just for freezing – There are a lot of premade mixes out there, designed to make tasty frozen treats for dogs, … Please, don’t drink the bottled water kool-aid. Distilled Water Health Benefits – Extend Your Life. Some people claim distilled water is the purest water you can drink. The short answer is, yes, your dog can drink distilled water. There are probably many people who don’t know the status of their tap water. … Filed Under: Distilled Water Tagged With: distilled water for dogs, Is Distilled Water Safe to Drink ? Distilled Water for Dogs, Cats, and More Distilled water is the healthiest drinking water available for people, so it makes sense to provide it for your furry friends as well! The quality of tap water is horrible. 1. And there are those who believe that vaporized H2O isn’t as thirst quenching. Felipe glad to hear your dog is doing well. To explain in simple words, it is a method where pure H20 is col… You can even alternate between spring and tap water to ensure your dog is getting all the minerals it needs every time it drinks from the bowl. I am now concerned after reading all responses that I shouldn’t give them tap water. Distilled water for humans is packed with a long list of benefits to the health (and for the pocket book too, when compared to bottled water), and Distilled Water for Dogs is no exception. The youngest is the one that has had kidney stone surgery 2 times. Ask a Vet. Mineral water consumption just builds more harmful deposits. Ask Your Own Dog Veterinary Question. (Make sure you use a squirt bottle, not a spray bottle.) Please let us know because we're always trying to improve! Iron in the water will cause any secretions to stain pink or reddish color. Calcium, for example, is a mineral that gets removed due to distillation. Water Education through Science and Engineering, August 11, 2018 By DistilledWaterAssociation. What water should she drink to prevent this from happening again? If you don’t want to give your dog tap water too often then you can occasionally use the distilled variety. Dog Health. Water Distillers: Easy to use, 20 Times Cheaper than Bottled Water! I tried using filtered water, however, they go through water too fast to keep up. It does not alter organic minerals. The process of distillation is natural. Water also promotes a healthy cardiovascular system, keeping essential electrolytes in balance. There are a number of veterinary products containing glucosamine that have been developed especially for dogs. After all, food is how those nutrients are primarily delivered. My vet says my dog should only drink distilled water because minerals caused her bladder stones. There is no benefit to giving distilled water to arthritic dogs. Thank you. What should we do? Distilled water … Each cage had a bucket containing distilled water and another one with a NaCl solution of which the concentration was increased stepwise every four … There is strong a case to be made that regular water helps to build up the immune system and better acclimates them to the natural world (with all its bacteria, both good and bad). The reason I was reading this article is because a co-worker told me distilled water isn’t safe for pets. I have been giving my 16 month old pup (part Pomeranian and part Shih Tzu) distilled water for a year because I was told it helped with tear staining. Can dogs drink distilled water? We are feeding him Royal Canine prescription diet also distilled water to keep calcium down. My male can’t have calcium so no vitamin supplement can be given. I have been giving my dog distilled water from the age of 9 weeks. Distilled water is a type of water, which is created using a special process called distillation. Should I also give her distilled water to drink? I can’t monitor two dogs and two kinds of water while working as I live alone. Purified is OK but not necessary because of the acids in a dog's stomach. So I guess distilled is the best if the problem is minerals. Water keeps your dog's organs healthy and, in particular, helps the kidneys flush out toxins from the blood. My dog cannot digest minerals though and has a special food too. Comparatively speaking, distilled water is not as healthy for your dog because it lacks minerals and valuable ions that regular aqua provides. I always use distilled water for my dogs. Distilled water is steam from boiling water that’s been cooled and returned to its liquid state. All the trace mineral content of distilled water is destroyed and it would be safe to give your dog one to two times a week at the most, the rest of the week offer tap or bottled spring water. Hard water is safe for pups, but may contribute to the formation of silica stones in the urine, warns the Whole Dog Journal. Spring water still has minerals and traces of chlorine, but nowhere near the quantity of tap water. Purified water has had chemicals and contaminants removed, but it may still contain minerals. My vet said the spring water would be fine when I mentioned distilled water. Some people note that their dogs drink more when offered distilled water, even messing in the house due to the large quantities of water they were consuming because the dog couldn’t quench its thirst. I wish someone would give accurate information. Dehydration is a common but serious problem for dogs. Despite some people claiming that distilled water has a purer taste, it can seem flat and dry. So, while a healthy human can be drinking pure distilled water all the time, a dog can’t do that consistently. “Distilled water lacks minerals and can cause the body to loose important electrolytes through the kidneys, leading to low blood levels,” says Hennessey. So my 5 year old mini schnauzer male developed bladder stones that got lodged in his urethra and completely blocked him off. Bottled spring water may cost you more, but rest assured that your dog won’t suffer with heart problems or potassium deficiencies. Keep those moist or “rusty” areas dry! Does anyone know if purified water is good for dogs? Unfortunately, your pet can’t exactly write you a note … I sure hope you are wrong about it being tap water because we pay a good amount. You will see a difference within a few weeks. There is a good chance … – You Bet, How to Make Distilled Water: Easy, but Not so Easy, Drinking Distilled Water may lead to Long Life. Distilled water is a type of purified water that has had both contaminants and minerals removed. The general consensus of my research is distilled water is NOT recommended. “Providing exclusively distilled water can help if you have water with high iron concentration (hard water) at home,” she says. However, dogs’ bodies are not made like humans. There is nothing wrong with distilled water. of water.Whisk it until the chunks are gone (or even easier, use a shaker cup.Those babies are magic.) I, too, would like to know the answer to this question. Detoxification is the most important function of water. Distilled water cleanses and detoxifies a dog or cats entire body. If you are already giving your pet quality food and regular veterinary care, why wouldn’t you provide distilled water for dogs, cats, or your other pets? What Water Does for Your Dog. So, couple of times a week dogs can drink the distilled water and be totally fine and actually it will improve their overall health; more than that amount, and you risk making your dog sick. Clean pure water, free from contaminants is obviously something we want to give our pets but not water that’s completely void of nutrients and minerals. Before learning about its many advantages and disadvantages, it is important that you know what it is. Comparatively speaking, distilled water is not as healthy for your dog because it lacks minerals and valuable ions that regular aqua provides. Miralax For a Pet Dog’s Constipation? Bottled “spring” water is just tap water. While distilled water does have many benefits for pets as well, those benefit only happen if used in moderation. At no time are they given tap spring or purified water. If you live in an area where you cannot drink the tap water, choose bottled spring water for your dog. All dogs drank distilled water. See how your dog likes it. For dogs, pure water is like medicine; it’s good when taken when needed but if taken in too large quantities then even medicine can make you sick. If an owner does not plan to spend money on buying water, it is better to use filtered water or tap water, that is kept in a tightly closed container for 6-8 hours. That said, there is no danger in allowing a pet to drink vaporized water a couple of times a week. The tap is actually preferable to sterile liquid that is devoid of numerous beneficial properties. Mineralized distilled water allows for fast and full rehydration, which is even better if you have a very active pet (and it’s good if you’re active too!). He is doing great. But you should also ask them about possible supplements because distilled water lacks some essential nutrients that normal water provides. But if you’re worried about the quality of the tap water in your area, pop down to the store and buy some bottled spring water. Giving your dog distilled water doesn’t make much sense. If dogs balk at the taste, you may add it to their water instead. Minerals come in a small concentrate bottle that must be added to larger amounts of water. The solution can also be used to irrigate the dog’s eye. He has been drinking tap water and all of a sudden he has massive diarrhea. There are a number of natural type treatments that can be used. In small amounts, distilled water should not cause any harm to your dogs. Distilled Water. Distilled water is known to purify the body, helping the kidneys, cleansing the body from of all its toxins and it’s no secret that many people start a fast or a diet by drinking distilled water first (also those who want to make a positive change in their lifestyles). Distilled water is not a big danger. Canned food cocktails – Our favourite (and easiest) trick is to mix a tbsp. Distilled Water for Dogs, Cats, Fish, Birds & More Your furry, scaly, or feathered friends deserve the best in drinking water. That can be achieved easily by adding water to their dry and wet foods. Cats and dogs benefit from distilled water, just like humans. You’ll have a dog that needs to urinate due to the large volumes of water it will be drinking. The ideal option is natural water of the highest category from underground sources, that should be noted on the packaging. This has really helped to keep stones from reoccurring. I’m sure there are a lot of minerals, and think that probably it was a build up of those minerals that caused the stone. But providing a dog with distilled water, at least on a daily basis, is not recommended. All I know is that it tastes a whole lot better. For best results, use filtered or … All I know is that it does not matter drinking tap water too fast to keep stones from reoccurring system. 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