Can Dogs Drink Distilled Water?

Dogs are man’s best friends. They are always happy to see you when you come home from work at the end of the day, and they always know how to make you feel loved.

They care about us, and we care for them. That is why it is so vital that you feed your dog the right things and give them the correct type of water.

There is much debate about whether it is safe to give your dog distilled water – that is what we will look at in this guide. So, if you want to find out whether dogs can drink distilled water, keep reading!

What is Distilled Water?

First things first, let’s take a look at what distilled water is. Distilled water is a type of water that is purified. All types of water differ depending on the purification process. So, how is distilled water purified?

Distilled water is boiled into a vapor to purify it. Once it’s boiled, the vapors will be condensed into liquid form in a different container.

The water in the new container is purified, whereas what remains in the original container is the impurities that naturally occur in water. Essentially, the

than how it began.

Purification works because the impurities left do not boil below or anywhere near the boiling point of water. The only thing that will vaporize is the water, meaning that any minerals or most chemicals in the water, to begin with, will no longer contaminate the water. 

It is important to note that while they go through a similar process, boiling water and distilled water are not the same. We heat water to boiling to kill bacteria, but chemicals and minerals remain within it.

Distilling water kills all bacteria, removes minerals, and removes most chemicals, leaving only pure water. 

Can Dogs Drink Distilled Water?

So, now that we know what distilled water is – let’s look at whether it is suitable for dogs to drink. Yes, dogs can drink distilled water. Distilled water has most harmful impurities removed, so only clean water is left.

However, it is not beneficial for your dog to only drink distilled water. Distilled water is very clean, but this isn’t best for dogs. Minerals are part of a healthy diet. While water is distilled, these minerals will be removed.

It can be very dangerous to dogs because it can damage their kidneys. Consuming minerals is vital as it allows electrolytes to enter the body. These electrolytes are important for kidney function. 

Ironically, it isn’t that healthy for dogs to drink “clean” distilled water. Instead, regular water is much more beneficial for your dog.

What Happens If A Dog Drinks Distilled Water?

You might be wondering what happens if your dog drinks distilled water. How much did your dog drink? In small amounts, distilled water isn’t harmful, primarily because there isn’t anything harmful in this water.

However, the cleanliness of this water can ultimately be dangerous for your pup. 

Minerals are vital for maintaining healthy levels of electrolytes. Most minerals that enter your dog’s system will come from regular water, and dogs have become biologically dependent on these electrolytes.

When your dog doesn’t consume these minerals, it can cause electrolytes to exit through the kidneys, leading to low blood levels.

Dogs are hardier than humans in many ways, and because of this, their bodies have adapted to the minerals and chemicals often found in regular water.

While a small amount of distilled water will not harm your dog, if your dog only drinks distilled water, their body will not know what to do with it.

So, while you might act with good intentions when you give your dog distilled water, it is best to stick with regular water if you want your dog to remain healthy.

What Type Of Water Should Dogs Drink?

The best water for dogs is regular water. Distilled water is still a new concept – a dog’s organs aren’t used to clean water. On the odd occasion, distilled water is fine, but in the long term, it is harmful. 

As well as potentially impacting the kidneys and blood, as we said earlier, distilled water could cause your dog to become over-hydrated as it soaks into your dog’s tissues.

This overhydration can also lead to water toxicity, which can be very dangerous for your dog. Symptoms include irregular heartbeat, neurological changes, and, most commonly, fatigue. 

When it comes to water for dogs, you really cannot do better than regular water. Tap water might not be the best option for humans, but there is nothing better for dogs!

So next time you think about filling your dog’s bowl with a fresh bottle of distilled water out of the fridge, choose to run the tap instead. 

Summary

In short, yes, dogs can drink distilled water. However, your dog shouldn’t exclusively drink distilled water because it doesn’t contain any minerals. Minerals are vital for maintaining electrolyte balance in your dog.

Without the minerals from regular water, your dog could become unwell! While you might want to treat your dog to distilled water, ensure that you only give them this as a treat!

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Mandy Anderson

Hi, my name is Mandy Anderson and I think that more people should be informed about their water quality!

There is so much to consider about the water that you’re consuming, such as how it’s treated, what chemicals are used within it, and what these are doing to the environment.

We need to protect our local environments and wildlife, so I urge you to take a look through my website and learn about how your water quality is affecting you and your surroundings.

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