Is Hard Water Safe for Pets?
How hard water affects dogs, cats, and other pets, and when to worry.
Pets are affected by hard water too
Hard water can contribute to urinary crystals and bladder stones in cats, particularly in breeds prone to feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD). Dogs are less sensitive but can develop similar issues. The dissolved calcium and magnesium that cause scale on your faucets also concentrate in pet water bowls as water evaporates between refills.
Signs to watch for
Frequent urination, straining, blood in urine, or refusal to drink from the tap. Some pets instinctively prefer softer water and may drink from puddles or toilet bowls (which contain softened water in homes with whole-house systems) rather than their bowl.
What helps
A whole-house water softener treats all water including pet bowls. If you use a softener, the slightly elevated sodium is safe for healthy pets but may be a concern for pets on sodium-restricted diets. In that case, use filtered reverse osmosis water from the kitchen tap. Check your hardness level.