What water is safe for my dog? Tap, filtered, or distilled water?

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. If tap water is not safe for people where you live, it is also not safe for dogs. I don't think her health will improve once you change to bottle water, but she will not be at risk of getting infections that may be caused by drinking tap water.

Distilled water is fine to give Be'be' in moderation, but I would not give it to her as her only drink because all the trace minerals in the water are destroyed in the distilling process. Bottled spring water would be a better choice, and you can give her the distilled water two to three times a week at most.

Distilled water is not a good idea for dogs that are suspected to have bladder stones. Regular water contains salt and other minerals that increase thirst causing the dog to drink more, thus diluting the urine. In fact, some internists recommend adding salt to the pet's diet. Bud would also benefit from a urinary specific diet such as Royal Canine s/o, that helps reduce the occurrence of bladder stones.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Tap water should be fine to be honest. It would not hurt to use bottled water but it is not necessary unless you are concerned about the quality of the tap water where you live. Have a good night!

Sweetie is doing something that is extremely common in cats. Some cats (and dogs) simply prefer to drink water that is in motion versus stagnant in a bowl. If you prefer that your cat does not drink from a dripping faucet but she refuses to drink from the regular bowl, many pet stores sell water fountains that continually cycle the water. This is often the best solution for cases like one you are describing. In terms of the safety of the water, this is hard for me to speculate about. If the water is safe enough for you or your family to drink, it is almost certainly safe enough for Sweetie. If your water source is coming from a well or spring and is not routinely tested, use of a bottled or distilled water may be a safer option.

I assume you mean the normal tap water that comes from the faucet of your house? Yes, this tap water is safe for pets to drink assuming there is not a water advisory in effect. Please feel free to post any additional questions.

Water treated with water softener is usually safe for cats and dogs to drink. However, softened water isn't recommended for pets that have a restricted or sodium-free diet. If you are not sure whether you want to use your softened water, you can use bottled water for your cat to drink.