Pets Need Clean Water Too: The Benefits of Filtered Water for Your Furry Friends

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The average dog or cat will drink thousands of bowls of water over its lifetime. Pets are family, and many owners will spend hours carefully choosing premium food, the right preventative healthcare and the comfiest bedding for them. But what about hydration? Water is just as essential for animals as it is for humans. It supports everything from digestion and circulation to temperature regulation. And when it’s filtered, it’s cleaner and tastes better.

At Water Filters Australia, our durable, fully certified filtration systems have been helping all members of Australian households get more from their drinking water since 1999. While the jury is still out on the full extent of the health benefits for pets, flavour matters, even to the fussiest of beings, human and animal alike. Dogs are approximately 60% water, while cats are 50-70% water, depending on age and body composition, and none of them get to choose what goes in their bowl. They rely on you to make that decision for them.

Water is an essential nutrient for our furry family members. It’s involved in almost every major body function. It transports nutrients, oxygen and hormones throughout the body while carrying waste products to the kidneys and liver for removal. It also helps break down food and absorb nutrients efficiently. Adequate fluid levels are necessary for circulation because blood is largely composed of water. Water also forms a major component of the synovial fluid that lubricates joints and allows them to move comfortably.

It’s a lot! So, what happens when pets don’t drink enough? Even mild dehydration can leave them feeling lethargic, less playful or reluctant to exercise. Their appetite may decline too. Early signs of dehydration can include dry or sticky gums, sunken eyes, reduced skin elasticity and darker, more concentrated urine. More severe dehydration is a medical emergency and requires prompt veterinary attention.

Living in a hot country like Australia means our pets often need more water because they lose more fluid through panting, which is a dog’s way of regulating body temperature, and evaporation. After exercise, it’s particularly important they have access to fresh drinking water so they can gradually replace what they’ve lost. Illnesses involving vomiting, diarrhoea or fever can also lead to dehydration, so replacing lost fluids is essential for recovery.

As pets age, their hydration needs can change due to conditions such as kidney disease and diabetes, so maintaining good water intake becomes even more relevant.

Just about every pet owner has experienced spending a small fortune on ‘the best’ premium food, carefully placing it in the bowl, only to watch their cat or dog sniff it and completely snub it. Just like humans, they’ve got some strong opinions on taste. Here’s why.

Dogs and cats have a much stronger sense of smell than we do, so they’re often far more sensitive to the characteristics of their food and drinking water. Depending on the local water supply, tap water can contain chlorine or mineral odours that most people barely notice but animals detect quite easily. Because taste and smell are so closely linked, if water isn’t appealing, some pets will simply drink less of it.

So far, there’s anecdotal evidence from veterinarians and pet owners that some dogs and cats prefer the taste of filtered water. Research is still limited. Cats can be particularly selective because they naturally have a lower thirst drive, so anything that encourages them to drink a little more is generally a positive thing. At the end of the day, if your pet drinks more when offered filtered water, there’s every reason to keep offering it.

Interestingly, the domestic cat evolved from desert-dwelling ancestors that obtained much of their water from the prey they ate rather than by drinking it. Because of this, they have a naturally lower thirst drive than dogs and many other mammals. They don’t typically feel thirsty until they’re already mildly dehydrated.

This is one of the reasons hydration is especially important for our feline companions. Good fluid intake helps support normal kidney function by assisting with the removal of waste products. Drinking enough also helps dilute urine, which benefits urinary tract health and may reduce the likelihood of crystals and other urinary problems developing.

How can we get cats to drink more water? Well, in addition to trying better-tasting filtered water, place several water bowls around the house in quiet locations away from litter trays. Refresh the water regularly, as many cats prefer it freshly poured. You could also try a pet fountain, as cats are often attracted to moving water.

It’s not just about what goes into the water bowl, either. When you think about it, pet owners use water in all sorts of ways, from preparing homemade meals and softening kibble for puppies, senior pets or those with dental disease to mixing powdered supplements, recovery diets or electrolyte products when recommended by a veterinarian. In these situations, the quality of the water is just as important as the food or product you’re preparing.

Filtered water is also a great option when making frozen treats, ice cubes for the summer and pet-friendly broths where water is literally the main ingredient. None of this means filtered water is a substitute for good nutrition or veterinary care. It’s a positive choice for humans, and our adorable furry companions get plenty of benefits too.

All the things people look for in quality drinking water, and the reasons they choose to invest in it, generally apply to their pets as well. Water should taste good, smell fresh and be readily available.

Water Filters Australia supplies premium inline water filters online from our Australian distribution centre. Manufactured in the United States to strict standards, all systems are WaterMark certified, and we offer a full range of certified replacement cartridges.

If you’d like to make cleaner, better-tasting water part of your pet’s daily routine, shop online today or contact our team for personalised advice on the best system for your home or caravan.