From healthy food to drinking water, as dog owners, we need to make sure what is going into our dog’s tummy. Both dogs and cats are prone to pick up any disease or virus, just like us. Their requirement to live a long healthy life is to consume healthy food & even water!
The answer to your question, “can dogs drink alkaline water?” is – Yes, dogs can drink alkaline water.
Dogs need proper nutrients, minerals, and other essentials to be physically fit and maintain themselves. Getting accessible minerals and electrolytes from naturally alkaline water will keep your dog healthy.
What is Alkaline Water?
A pH of 8 or above is regarded as alkaline water. While anything with a pH of 12 would be very alkaline, something with a pH of 1 would be excruciatingly acidic.
Water that is suitable for drinking normally has a pH of7, or is neutral.
While pH is a great indicator of how acidic or alkaline the water you are drinking is, it is by no means the sole one. For instance, alkaline water has a negative oxidation-reduction potential and contains alkaline minerals such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, bicarbonate, etc. (ORP).
A high concentration of hydroxyl (OH-) ions has a negative ORP in alkaline water. When we drink alkaline water, this enables it to quickly contribute its electrons to our body. As a result, it lowers the level of dangerous free radicals in our bodies and increases the blood’s oxygen content.
Alkaline Water Vs. Regular Water
Alkaline water has a higher pH than regular drinking water. Because of this, some proponents of alkaline water assert that it helps balance your body’s acid levels.
pH 7 is considered to be neutral for normal drinking water. Typically, the pH of alkaline water is 8 or 9. To impart considerable alkalinity to water: pH is independently not insufficient.
It is also required to have alkaline minerals and water with a low oxidation-reduction potential (ORP). The ORP of water relates to its ability to operate as a pro-or antioxidant. The more antioxidizing something is, the more negative its ORP value is.
Benefits Of Alkaline Water
Given that water is necessary for both humans and animals, why not provide your pet with mineral-rich water? Water keeps the body of your pet working optimally, much as it does in people. It participates in a number of other vital biological processes, including lubricating joints, keeping the digestive system working, and keeping children healthy.
But not all water is created equal. You may learn more about the distinctions between tap, distilled, and natural artisan water in this post. Hazardous chemicals, including chlorine, fluoride, and heavy metals, are frequently used in the treatment of tap water.
While we may avoid tap water due to these contaminants, most people don’t give it a second thought while filling a pet’s bowl.
You can benefit from the higher health properties of this type of water by drinking naturally alkaline, as can your pet. One of the benefits of naturally alkaline water is that it can be absorbed by human tissues more quickly, resulting in optimum hydration levels 1.
| Calcium | • Most crucial while young puppies and kittens are growing and nursing • The bones of your dog and cat contain 99 percent of the calcium in your body. |
| Potassium | • Aids in energy production • Supports sodium's role in maintaining pressure balance |
| Magnesium | • Makes your pet's bones stronger and generates energy • For a healthy neurological system |
| Sodium | • Regulation of water input • Stimulates your pet's body to flush out toxins. |
Reduced acidity
Dogs’ stomachs produce acidic waste when they digest food because their metabolic systems are comparable to ours. The dog may experience acid reflux as a result, which could put them at risk for health problems that alkaline water can treat thanks to its pH balance that neutralizes acids.
Bonus Read: My Dog Keeps Hiccuping And Swallowing – 8 Possible Reasons
Increased energy and hydration
It is common knowledge that drinking alkaline water regularly improves both our health and beauty. Dogs’ bodies are comparable to ours, thus the same is true of them.
This means that by regularly consuming alkaline water, your pet will look younger and have more energy.
Cures allergies
These days, pet allergies are more prevalent due to the inclusion of needless components like corn and corn-derived items in pet foods. Because it contains calcium, an ingredient known to be an enemy of allergies, ionized alkaline water can alleviate allergies.
Bonus Read: 8 Dog Food Brands To Avoid [+ 5 You Should Buy].
Helps with joint issues
We are all aware that when dogs age, they develop joint problems similar to those seen in humans. But most people are unaware that alkaline water helps keep cartilage healthy, reducing the deterioration of joints and preserving mobility.
Does Alkaline Water Have Any Side Effects?
Alkaline water is thought to be safe to drink. There isn’t any proof yet that there are any undesirable side effects.
Although alkaline water has a lower pH than conventional water, your body will still go through physiological changes to maintain homeostasis, which is a stable state, including continuing to create hydrochloric acid.
Natural or Artificial Alkaline Water
Water becomes naturally alkaline when it flows over rocks, such as those found in springs, and picks up minerals that raise the alkalinity of the water.
However, a lot of individuals who drink alkaline water purchase it after a chemical procedure known as electrolysis.
This method raises the pH of ordinary water using a device known as an ionizer. Electricity, according to ionizer manufacturers, is used to separate water molecules that are more acidic or alkaline. After that, the acidic water is drained.
These claims, according to several medical professionals and academics, aren’t supported by reliable research. To make sure that there are no impurities in the drinking water: it is essential to consider the original source’s water quality before ionization.
Reverse osmosis is recommended by some experts in order to sufficiently filter water before employing an alkaline ionizer to increase pH and add minerals. A study from 2014 Reverse osmosis, distillation, and other processes (without extra mineralization) might result in low mineral content water, which Trusted Source advises against consuming on a regular basis.
When it is Safe to Give Alkaline Water And its Limitations?
Though alkaline water is not harmful to your furry friend however everything has its limitations. There are proper timings for supplying your dog with alkaline water. If you were thinking – “It’s just water,” then you must get ready to learn & remember some important points about how to safely provide your dog with alkaline water.
The lowest amounts of alkaline water are typically best for dogs. Most frequently, water with a pH of 8.5 to 9.0 is advised. Giving your pet water with a pH level of up to 9.5 can aid in the body’s ability to heal from an accident or illness and fight off infection.
When You should
- Only within 30 minutes before or after meals.
When you shouldn’t
- Giving your pets alkaline water during or right before meals is never a good idea, just like with people. If water is filtered but not ionized, a good water ionizer should be able to generate water at a neutral level.
- Do not supply alkaline water to your pet dog with medications. Why? Because the stomach of your pet uses acidic secretions to break down food. Alkaline water raises the pH of the stomach for around 30 minutes. While eating, raising the stomach’s pH may cause the digestive fluids to malfunction.
- Do not supply this water to nursing dogs. According to studies, giving animals alkaline water when nursing causes them to absorb higher amounts of calcium than usual. This could result in calciuria, a condition where there is calcium present in the urine, which is bad for their health.
Due to this, veterinarians advise nursing dogs to only drink filtered water.
Where To Get Alkaline Water?
Many grocery and health food stores sell alkaline water. It is also accessible online. Additionally, a lot of big chain retailers sell water ionizers.
You can also make your own at home. Another method to increase the alkalinity of water is to add baking soda or pH drops.
There is no evidence to imply a limit on the amount of alkaline water that can be drank daily if the water is adequately filtered to eliminate pollutants, ionized and re-mineralized, or bought from a reliable source.
FAQ’s
Ans. Alkaline pet meals are believed to reduce the risk of renal, hepatic, and diabetes problems, among other benefits.
Ans. Among other advantages, alkaline pet foods are thought to lower the incidence of diabetic, hepatic, and renal issues.
Ans. It is advised that most animals drink water with a pH level of 8.5 or less.
Ans. If you consume a bottle of alkaline water every other day, you won’t notice a significant change in your body. The development of additional digestive enzymes and gastric secretions will eventually result from drinking a gallon of alkaline water every day since your body will have to work harder to keep its pH stable.
Final Thoughts on “Can Dogs Drink Alkaline Water?”
Before making any dietary or water modifications for your pet, it is usually a good idea to see your veterinarian and do some research. If you decide to try alkaline water, keep an eye out for any behavioral or physical changes in your pet over time.
Meet Madison Phillips, your compassionate guide to pet well-being. With experience from VCA Animal Hospitals and Laxton Vet Clinics Bellaire Inc. Madison honed her skills and embraced the balance of medical expertise and compassion, through her articles, she simplifies pet care, whether you’re a newbie or an experienced pet parent.