Filtered water for your dog?

In the midst of the "Probert Zoo” there is a Shih Tzu dog named Leo who has terribly sensitive skin.  He is prone to getting yeast infections, particularly on his paws and neck, and has to have a regimented diet of low carbohydrate dog food.  In addition, he takes acidophilus tablets to create a healthy flora in his GI tract (eewww – there is just something about flora and GI tract that shouldn’t be put in the same sentence) and Benadryl to control his itching.  As I continued to research natural remedies for his problem, I came across several articles that said dogs should have filtered drinking water.  What????  As if filtered water for my family isn’t enough.  But the articles made a lot of sense.  The chlorine in regular tap water can upset the delicate balance in a sensitive dog’s digestive tract and cause a yeast infection to flare up.  Some inexpensive solutions would be to have a Brita type filter pitcher for your pet or to buy filtered water by the gallon or 2.5 gallon jug.  Remember, dogs tend to drink a lot of water during the warm summer months so keeping several on hand is a good idea. 

So while I’m not advocating designer bottled  water for your precious pooch, I do think filtered water is a good way to bolster the health of your dog if he has itchy issues like mine does.  Bottled water companies, like the K9 Water Co. are actually marketing bottled water for dogs in flavors like “gutter water”, “toilet water”, “hose water” and “puddle water”.  Think of the heads you would turn whipping out a bottle of toilet water and serving it to your dog a the local dog park :)  http://www.k9waterco.com/  They are advertized as being flavored and vitamin fortified for providing the essential vitamins and hydration your dog needs for overall good health.  I don’t think I’ll be buying it for Leo anytime soon but it might be fun to try it sometime in the future.


***Nikki has been plumbing designer for Larson Binkley Inc. in Overland Park, KS since 1993. She currently holds the position of department manager and loves helping clients find solutions to their plumbing needs. Plumbing might be often overlooked but it is never under used. :)

http://www.larsonbinkley.com