Here’s a breakdown of alkaline water for dogs, including potential benefits, safety concerns, and how to use it:
What is Alkaline Water?
- Higher pH: Alkaline water has a pH above 7 (neutral), while typical tap water ranges from 6.5-8.5.
- Mineral Content: Some alkaline waters have added minerals for potential health effects.
Is it Safe for Dogs?
- Generally Safe: Most dogs can drink alkaline water without problems. It can promote hydration due to smaller water molecule clusters.
- Mineral Intake: Alkaline waters with calcium and magnesium can be a minor supplement source, potentially beneficial for dogs with deficiencies.
- Myths: Concerns about alkaline water causing kidney stones in dogs are largely unfounded. Research doesn’t support this claim.
Potential Benefits of Alkaline Water for Dogs
- Hydration: Smaller water molecule clusters may be absorbed better, leading to improved hydration.
- Energy: Hydration supports overall health and vitality.
- Joint Health: Some believe alkaline water can benefit joint health, though more research is needed.
- Acidity: May help neutralize stomach acid, potentially reducing acid reflux.
- Skin & Coat: May improve skin health and reduce hair loss in some cases.
How to Give Alkaline Water to Your Dog
- Avoid with Meals: Alkaline water can interfere with stomach acids needed for digestion. Give it at least an hour before or after meals.
- Avoid with Medications: Can affect medication absorption. Use regular water when giving your dog medicine.
Important Considerations
- Not a Cure-All: Alkaline water isn’t a magic solution for health problems.
- Vet Advice: Consult your vet if your dog has specific health conditions or takes medications.
- Balance: While alkaline water is generally safe, a balanced diet and regular water are still the foundation of good health.
Key Takeaways
- Alkaline water is generally safe for dogs and might offer some benefits.
- It’s not a substitute for veterinary care or a balanced diet.
- Use it responsibly: avoid giving it with meals or medication.
- If unsure, consult your vet about whether alkaline water is right for your dog.
What Is Alkaline Water?
Commercially available water with a high pH is referred to as alkaline water or alkaline ionized water. The acid-base balance of water is gauged by its pH. Natural water normally has a pH of 6.5 to 8.5, which is regulated by the carbon dioxide-bicarbonate-carbonate equilibrium system.
One of the main factors influencing water’s corrosivity, or the degree to which water damages the metals in water distribution systems, is its pH. Corrosive water can dissolve metals in the plumbing system, primarily lead and copper. This raises the quantity of metals in drinking water and can cause a number of health issues.
Compared to alkaline water, acidic water (pH less than 7) is more corrosive. This is why adding alkaline chemicals to the water to raise its pH is thought to be one of the best ways to lessen the corrosiveness of the water.
Can Dog Drink Alkaline Water?
For dogs, alkaline water is normally safe. Your dog’s body experiences chemical changes from this water, which encourages them to drink more water and become more hydrated. Alkaline water has been reported by many pet owners to improve digestion, give their dogs more energy, and make their coats shine.
The myth that drinking alkaline water elevates urine pH and increases the danger of kidney or bladder stones is the source of concern, yet a WHO study found no peer-reviewed data to back up these assertions.·
Indeed, the study confirms that micronutrients and minerals are essential parts of clean drinking water and that many people throughout the world often consume insufficient amounts of calcium and magnesium from their diets.
Drinking water that is fairly hard and contains minerals like calcium, magnesium, and other elements could assist in meeting the recommended daily intake of food. Like people, dogs and cats are susceptible to illnesses and require the same nutrients and minerals4.
Benefits Of Alkaline Water For Dogs:
As long as dogs aren’t utilizing alkaline water to swallow medication, they can drink alkaline water right before and after meals, as well as while nursing. The following are the advantages of drinking alkaline water for dogs:
Increase Energy Level:
Regular consumption of alkaline water is known to improve human health and beauty. Dogs have a similar body structure to humans, thus this is also true. This implies that by regularly consuming alkaline water, your pet will look younger and gain more energy!
Keep Hydrated:
Alkaline water is more deeply absorbed by our canine companions than ordinary water due to its smaller molecule structures, which makes it a more effective and sustained source of hydration. Your dog will remain active for extended periods of time if you do this.
Treats Joint Issues:
We are all aware that when dogs age, they develop joint problems just like people do. Most people are unaware, though, that drinking alkaline water helps keep cartilage healthy. This keeps joints from bearing down and keeps people from losing their mobility.
Reduce Acidity:
Dogs produce acidic waste in their stomachs after meal digestion because their metabolic systems are comparable to ours. This could cause the dog’s body to experience acid reflux and expose them to health risks that alkaline water’s acid-neutralizing pH helps mitigate.
Cures Alopecia:
Alkaline water inhibits the microbial development that causes alopecia, thereby treating hair loss. Moreover, it lessens the acidic sebum stripping that aids in the prevention of hair loss. Alkaline water, above all else, eliminates the dangerous free radicals that initiate this process.
Treats Allergies:
Pet allergies are becoming more widespread these days due to the superfluous additives that are used in pet meals, such as maize and maize derivatives. Because calcium is known to be an enemy of allergies, ionized alkaline water can help alleviate allergies.
How To Give Alkaline Water to Dogs?
When providing your dog with alkaline water, bear the following advice in mind:
Don’t Give Alkaline Water With Food:
Dogs’ digestion may be slowed down if they are given alkaline water with their meals. This is due to the possibility that the alkaline water will neutralize the stomach acids needed for food digestion. For this reason, you ought to cease providing your dog with alkaline water one hour before or after meals. During this time, you can offer them filtered or purified water, though.
Don’t Give Alkaline Water With Medication:
Ionized alkaline water should never be given to your dog an hour before or after medication administration. Dogs who drink alkaline water have a faster metabolism and can process food more quickly. When it comes to medication, we want it to enter the body at the rate that has been prescribed by a doctor. For this reason, you may want to offer your dog’s medication along with some filtered water.
Conclusion:
Our closest companions are our dogs. They share our bed, our house, our finances, our time, and an abundance of love and happiness. It makes sense that we would want to give them the finest as well! Therefore, you may be correct if you think that giving your dog alkaline water will make it wag its tail more. You don’t need to worry about things like can alkaline water harm pets. Your dog won’t suffer from drinking alkaline water; in fact, it might even benefit from it. For a completely worry-free experience, just make sure you heed our advice on when to forego it or simply contact your veterinarian.
