A lot of Americans filter their water, and Brita is the most widely used brand. More than 50% of American households also own a pet, and dogs are the most popular pet. It’s no surprise, then, that a lot of dog owners may be wondering if they can give their pets filtered water.
Brita filtered water is safe for your dog. This is because it removes taste, odor, and other contaminants that may cause your dog to get sick. A big benefit of giving your dog Brita filtered water is it doesn’t have the chemical taste and smell that prevents many pets from getting enough to drink. Giving your dog Brita filtered water provides the same health benefits to your pet that you receive.
This article explores the topic of how safe Brita filtered water is for your dog. We start with a review of how Brita water filter systems work and then do a deep dive into how filtered water protects your dog.
We also explore if Brita can help with dog tear stains and if there are ways you can make the water even safer for your dog.
Read my related articles about water for dogs:
Is Reverse Osmosis Water Good for Dogs? The Definitive Answer
Is Water Softener Salt Safe for Dogs?
Can Dogs Drink Alkaline Water? The Surprising Answer
How Does the Brita Water Filtration System Work?
Brita’s water filtration system works by combining several technologies, such as Ion Exchange, Activated Carbon, and Micro Mesh. These technologies help remove chemicals, heavy metals, and particles contaminating the water. As a result, your water is cleaner, safer, and tastes better.
Brita water filtration systems come in many shapes, types, and sizes. Some are generic filters that remove particles and turbidity, while others remove dangerous impurities like lead. Some of the most popular Brita filters include the Tahoe Pitcher filter and their faucet filter system.
Aside from these point-of-use drinking water solutions, there are also professional, whole-home filters. For example, filters from the Brita Pro series can treat all of the water that comes into your house.
These filters commonly work by utilizing the power of granular activated carbon, micro mesh, and ion exchange resin. Each of these components helps to purify water in different ways:
Ion Exchange Pearls: When water passes through the ion exchange pearls, the filter media attracts and pulls heavy metals away from the water onto the surface of the resin beads. Heavy metals that the Brita filters remove include lead, copper, and cadmium, which may come from contamination or rusty household pipes.
Ion exchange pearls also help to soften the water by removing excessive calcium, manganese, and magnesium from the water. This helps to reduce limescale buildup and prevent black stains on the toilet and sink.
Granular Activated Carbon: The water is also treated by Brita’s granular activated carbon, usually made from natural coconut shells. The carbon adsorbs and locks away chemical substances such as chlorine and other disinfectant compounds. This helps to remove the smell and “swimming pool” taste of the water.
Micro Mesh: Most Brita filters come with micro mesh screens, which helps remove small particles, rust, and turbidity. Removing these solids enhances the quality and purity of your water.
Is Brita Filter Water Safe for Dogs?
Brita filter water is safe for dogs. The Brita filter purifies the water and removes contaminants that may harm your dog’s health. Brita’s better-tasting water may also encourage your dog to drink more, helping it to stay hydrated.
In general, Brita-filtered water is safe for your dogs. In fact, Brita filter water may be better and healthier for your dog than any regular tap or natural water available.
This is because the Brita filter removes many contaminants, chemicals, and heavy metals that may pose a health risk to your dog. Read my article on what contaminants Brita filters remove.
For example, regular tap water tends to have a higher count of heavy metals such as copper. Copper may come from the pipes, which may have deteriorated over the years.
High levels of copper in the body have been known to cause liver and kidney issues in dogs. In fact, high copper levels in the body can also hurt humans, causing liver, kidney, and eye damage.
Aside from heavy metals, Brita water filters also remove chemicals such as chlorine. Chlorine can also cause issues for dogs, especially in higher amounts. Dogs have vomited after drinking water with a high chlorine count. Some even may have esophagus erosion.
The biggest issue with chlorine in your water is that dogs don’t like the smell or taste. They are a lot like us in this regard! As a result, they avoid drinking it which can result in dehydration.
Do you have a cat, too? Read my article on whether Brita filtered water is safe for cats.
How Can Brita-Filtered Water Protect Your Dogs?
Brita filtered water protects your dogs from ingesting heavy metals and chemicals from water. It also improves your dog’s quality of life by encouraging hydration and cooling its body.
As much as filtered water can improve humans’ health and quality of life, it provides the same benefit to your dog. Your dog stands to benefit from drinking Brita-filtered water in the following ways:
Encourages Hydration: Dogs need to drink plenty of water to keep themselves hydrated, just as we humans do. However, if your dog is given water that smells and tastes foul, it may not drink enough to meet its daily water requirements.
Long term, dehydration can cause many health issues in dogs, such as kidney issues. A dehydrated dog may also eat less and, with fewer calories, and may be less energetic overall.
Filtered water removes the foul smell and taste, ensuring your dog enjoys the water. Your dog is more likely to drink an adequate quantity of water which will help him to be more energetic and healthier.
Helps Your Dog to Cool Down: Humans cool down by sweating. Dogs, on the other hand, do not sweat, limiting their ability to cool down. The most common method for dogs to cool down is to open their mouths and allow their saliva to evaporate, taking away body heat.
By providing your dog water that it enjoys, you encourage it to drink more, which helps it cool down more. On top of that, if you give your dog cold filtered water, you may enhance the cooling effect it has, especially on a hot summer day.
Helps with Toxin Removal: Dogs also have toxins in their body systems like humans. By giving your pet clean, filtered water, you help your dog’s body to remove these toxins.
This is achieved in two ways. First, by reducing the intake of toxins. Brita’s filtered water removes contaminants, which reduces the overall intake of these toxins into your dog’s body. Then, when your dog is well hydrated, it will frequently pee. This allows its kidneys to filters toxins from its body and maintain good health.
Does Filtered Water Help with Dog Tear Stains?
Brita filtered water may minimize dog tear stains by removing excessive mineral content. As a result, the tears your dog excretes may have a lower mineral content, reducing stains associated with its tears.
Tear stains are little dark marks that form under a dog’s eyes. These are usually leftovers of the tear their eyes naturally excrete.
As the tear evaporates, the mineral content remains, leaving stains under their eyes. Dogs with lighter-colored coating may be more prone to have tear stains. Dogs that drink water with higher mineral content may also have heavier tear stains.
Filtered water helps to manage this issue by reducing the hardness of the water. This is achieved by removing excessive mineral content in the dog’s water. This may cause the tear excreted by the dog’s eyes to have less mineral.
This means less mineral residue remains under the eye when these tears evaporate, reducing the tear stain. This may reduce your need to constantly wipe your dog’s eyes.
Can You Make Brita Water Even Safer for Your Dogs?
You can make Brita-filtered water even safer by boiling it before serving it to your dogs. This is because boiling kills all the bacteria, viruses, and harmful microorganisms that may have survived treatment and filtration.
Generally, most tap water in the United States is safe to drink, as they are treated before being sent to you. During treatment, chlorine is added to the water to kill microorganisms.
If you get your water from a well, or if your public water supply has a problem, there is the potential for microorganism contamination. In these situations, you and your dog might be at risk.
Brita may be a great water filter, but they do not claim to remove bacteria, viruses, or other water-borne pathogens. Boiling the water will kill any of these microorganisms that may have survived treatment and filtration, making it safe for your dog to consume.
If you have to resort to sanitizing your water, boiling is a good temporary solution. You’ll need to boil the water for at least 3 minutes to kill the microorganisms. Let the water cool before filtering it with your Brita. If you added contaminated water to your filter, be sure to sanitize it before using it again.
Final Take on Brita Filters for Dogs
Brita filters are a great way to ensure your dog has clean, fresh water to drink. Not only does filtered water remove toxins from their water, but it also improves the taste and smell. Giving your dog water it enjoys will ensure it drinks enough to stay hydrated and healthy.
You can make Brita water even safer for your dog by boiling it before giving it to them. This will kill any microorganisms that may have survived the filtration process.
If you’re using a Brita filter, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions on how often to change the filter. Doing so will ensure your dog has the best quality water to drink. Overall, Brita filters are a great way to give your dog clean water to drink.