Can dogs drink well water? Although seemingly harmless, well water can harm a dog’s health. Well water contains more bacteria than filtered or distilled water, making your dog sick. In an urban area, city water is treated and tested so you don’t need to worry too much. But for more than 15% of the population, private wells are the only source of drinking water. And while this water may be good for us, is it safe for dogs?
This article elaborates once and for all whether dogs can drink well water, well water contaminants and their effects on dogs, and how we can ensure the safety and well-being of our dogs.
Is Well Water Safe for Dogs?
Well water is not always suitable for dogs. Wells may be contaminated with heavy metals, nitrates, or bacteria. Microorganisms like bacteria can originate from water runoff, rain, and snowmelt. There is no way to tell if well water will grow bacteria, regardless of its source. Groundwater movement can introduce nitrates and nitrites into drinking water. Heavy metals can also enter well water from your home’s plumbing system. Also, living next to any type of agriculture increases the risk of animal contamination of well water.
The best way to determine if the water is safe for your dog is to test the water. Water testing will tell you exactly if the wells are contaminated. Once you know what’s in your water, you can easily determine if it’s safe for your dog to drink. Well water testing can be done by a professional, or you can purchase a home test kit. Either way, we need immediate results to determine if well water is safe for dogs. Well water that is free of bacteria and parasites is safe for dogs.
Contamination of Well Water and Effects on Dogs
Some contaminants are more dangerous than others. Here are the details of well water contaminants and their effects on dogs.
Sulfur in Drinking Water and Dogs
Just like in humans, drinking water with high levels of sulfur can cause digestive problems in dogs. Moreover, it can lead to constant nausea, diarrhea, and dehydration. Dogs are instinctive creatures, and the foul taste of water can cause them to lose their appetite. However, the good news is that sulfur is considered more of an irritant and is not fatal. However, to be safe, if the water smells like rotten eggs and your dog is showing some illness, see a doctor immediately.
Iron in Drinking Water and Dogs
Small amounts of iron are considered safe and have some benefits, but too much can cause health problems in dogs. Symptoms include extreme body aches (particularly in the abdomen) and fatigue. Iron poisoning can also occur, but it’s rare for a dog’s water to become contaminated with iron and become dangerous. Too much iron in drinking water can cause discoloration and an unpleasant taste, preventing your dog from drinking enough.
Calcium in Drinking Water and Dogs
Calcium is one of the most abundant minerals in well water and is generally harmless to dogs. It helps a lot in bone formation and blood clotting. The only reported health problems from too much calcium are bladder stones and minor kidney complications.
Nitrates in Drinking Water and Dogs
Scientists claim that nitrates in drinking water are usually harmless, but too much can be harmful. Especially your dog can develop serious health problems such as trouble breathing, trouble urinating, and cramping. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) specifies a maximum of 10 milligrams of nitrate per liter of water.
Bacteria in Water and Dogs
Dog water is full of harmful bacteria. Well water can have specific bacteria that are extremely harmful to dogs. Leptospira can cause leptospirosis, an often fatal disease. Giardia, salmonella, and E. coli are other microorganisms that can make dogs sick.
Symptoms Associated with Dog’s Sickness after Drinking Well Water
Here is a list of symptoms that may indicate that your dog has gotten sick from drinking well water.
- Diarrhea
- Unusual laziness
- Drowsiness
- Confusion
- Algae in stool or urine
- Dehydration
- Rashes
- Red eyes
- A sudden increase in thirst
- Discomfort while urinating
- Weight loss
- Muscle spasms
- Rapid heartbeat
Urinary tract problems are also common in dogs when they drink contaminated well water. The condition may worsen if you don’t treat your dog immediately after early infection signs.
What Kind of Water Is Best For Dogs?
The best water for dogs is tap water. It has all the right nutrients and minerals, doesn’t have the same risk of contamination as well water, and is cheaper than frequently buying bottled water. Well water can contain harmful microbes, and pool or pond water is stagnant and dangerous for dogs. Dogs need as much water as humans do, so it’s important to find ways to keep them hydrated.
Like humans, a dog’s body is made up of over 70% water. So water is just as important as humans. Finding a good water source for your dog can be difficult. If you live near a lake or pond or have standing water nearby, you may be tempted to give your dog water. However, standing water is very harmful to dogs. Distilled water may seem safe, but it lacks the minerals your dog needs to hydrate properly. It is best to give your dog only small amounts of distilled water.
What If Your Well Water Makes Your Dog Sick?
As a dog owner, you are responsible for monitoring your dog’s water availability. If your dog’s only source of drinking water is well water and it’s contaminated, here are some helpful daily remedies.
Test Your Water
Without knowing it, the water you drink at home can expose your dogs to viruses and other diseases. One way to ensure this is to perform regular tests. Water testing kits are available on the market, and you can easily use them to get your water quality results at home. Install a treatment or purification system for contaminated water. Depending on your water quality test results, you will need to follow one of the two steps below.
Install Water Softener for Hard Water
Extremely hard tap water contains many minerals and can be indigestible. A high-quality water softener can do wonders in removing excess magnesium, calcium, and chlorine. Water softeners use an ion exchange mechanism to remove heavy minerals and ions, especially calcium and magnesium, from hard water.
Well Water Filter for Iron, Manganese, and Other Heavy Metals
Since there are so many possible pollutants around us, sometimes a water softener won’t be able to remove them. You may already need an iron pit screen. A good well water filter will remove unwanted iron particles and other common contaminants. It forces the water through an oxidation process, locating and removing these potentially dangerous molecules. 
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, dogs shouldn’t drink well water. It has too many potential risks, leading to serious illness later on. Therefore, to prevent unfortunate incidents from happening, I recommend that you test your well water regularly, use a softener or invest in a filtration system for the whole house.
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