DOG and cat owners have been issued an urgent warning over “harmful” tap water that could be “slowly poisoning” their pets.
Water treatment expert Gene Fitzgerald said that certain types of water could be dangerous for animals because of the elements dissolved in it.
Gene, who works for Best Osmosis Systems, told The Mirror: “The UK is known for having some of the best tap water in the world.
“But that doesn’t mean that it is free from problems and if you live in an area with certain tap water, there’s a good chance that you might be poisoning your pets.
“In most places, tap water is perfectly fine for humans and animals to drink. But if you live in a hard water area, it may be making your pets ill.
“Hard water contains high levels of calcium and/or magnesium. For pets, this can be harmful.”
The expert explained that long-term consumption of hard water could lead to severe health issues for our furry friends.
She added: “If a dog drinks too much hard water for too long a period, for example, they can develop conditions such as urinary tract and/or bladder infections, cystitis, urinary obstruction, crystalluria and stone formation.
“Hard water can also cause skin irritation and dryness, digestive problems, and dental issues in pets which can be dangerous for them and costly for you.”
Fortunately, Gene had some advice for pet owners living in hard water areas.
She said: “While some water softeners contain sodium, which can be equally harmful to pets, reverse osmosis and distillation softeners are great solutions.
“Removing the harmful substances from hard water, they can help to keep your pet healthy and also improve the health of your plants and the lifespan of your appliances.”
Overall, the best thing to do is to make sure either that your water is soft or that your tap water is filtered before your pet drinks it.
