Is Soft Water Safe for Pets to Drink?
Providing fresh, clean water for your pets is essential for their health and wellbeing. But is soft water safe for pets to drink? In most cases, it is, though a few exceptions may apply depending on your pet’s health.
Read more to find out…
If you have a cat, dog, or other household pet, you already know how important it is to provide them with a constant supply of fresh, clean drinking water. Naturally, you want to be sure that the water they’re drinking is not just clean, but also safe and healthy. The question here is: Can pets drink softened water?
In most cases, the answer is yes, softened water is safe for pets to drink. However, there are a couple of exceptions to keep in mind, especially for pets with specific health needs.
Does Softened Water Contain Salt?
A common concern among pet owners is that softened water may contain too much salt. While Harvey water softeners use salt in the softening process, it’s important to clarify that no salt is added directly to your water supply.
Instead, salt is used to clean the softener’s resin bed during regeneration. This process slightly increases the sodium content in the softened water, not salt, just sodium. For most pets and people, the water remains perfectly safe to drink.
When You Shouldn’t Give Softened Water to Pets
While softened water is generally safe for most pets, there are a couple of important exceptions to be aware of. In some cases, giving your pet softened water may not be the best choice, especially if they have specific dietary needs or if you keep aquatic animals with sensitive water requirements.
There are two main situations where you should avoid giving your pets softened water:
01
Pets on a Sodium-Restricted Diet
If your vet has advised that your pet should follow a low-sodium or sodium-free diet, it’s best to provide them with unsoftened water. That’s why every Harvey water softener installation includes a dedicated drinking water tap, giving you easy access to unsoftened water for both you and your pets.
Some pets (and people) may simply prefer the taste of hard water too, so having the option available is always a plus.
02
If You Keep Fish or Aquatic Pets
Fish can be more sensitive to water chemistry than cats or dogs. If you keep fish in an aquarium or outdoor pond, it’s best to consult an aquatics specialist or your vet. Some species of fish, especially tropical or ornamental types, have very specific mineral needs, and hard or soft water can affect their health.
If you have a water softener, consider fish species that thrive in soft water or use filtered unsoftened water when needed.
A Flexible Solution for Every Home
To help ensure everyone in your home, pets included, gets the right type of water, we offer a range of drinking water filters compatible with our Harvey drinking water taps. These include active carbon filters and our So Clear filter, which help reduce unwanted minerals and keep your water tasting clean and fresh.
Conclusion
So, is softened water okay for pets to drink? For most healthy animals, absolutely. It’s safe, clean, and easy on their system. If your pet has special dietary needs or you’re caring for more delicate aquatic life, unsoftened water is the better option, and with our Harvey water solutions, you can easily have both!
Explore our range of water filters and drinking water taps, or get in touch with our team to learn more.
How Hard Is Your Water?
100
200
300
Soft
Hard
00.00
parts per million*
Unfortunately we do not have data for your area but you could still benefit from a water softener.
Enter your postcode to check the hardness of the water in your area
Are these hard water issues familiar to you?
Clogged shower head
Stained kettles and coffee machines
Stained bathroom surfaces
Frequent maintenance of washing machines
Rough hair and skin
Get in touch with our experts
Please fill out this form so that we can contact you about your enquiry. You can also arrange for a free personalised water analysis in your home or through a virtual online demonstration.
Explore the benefits of softened water
Softened water provides so many benefits to your home and family, from a shiny kitchen and bathroom to being soft on skin and hair.
