Providing clean, safe water is just as essential to your Cavachon’s health and well-being as offering high-quality, nutritious food and treats. Water plays a critical role in every bodily function, from regulating temperature to aiding digestion and flushing out toxins. However, giving your Cavachon tap water can potentially pose risks, as it may contain contaminants like fluoride, chlorine, heavy metals, pesticides, or bacteria. These substances, even in small amounts, can contribute to a range of health issues, including digestive disturbances, kidney strain, skin irritations, and excessive tear staining.

To protect your dog’s health and ensure optimal hydration, consider providing filtered, spring, distilled, or reverse osmosis water that is free from harmful additives and safe for regular consumption.

• Kidney Stones: High mineral content in tap water (hard water) can lead to the development of kidney or bladder stones over time.
• Gastrointestinal Issues: Contaminants like bacteria, parasites, or viruses in tap water can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and other digestive problems.
• Toxin Accumulation: Heavy metals like lead, mercury, uranium, radium, or arsenic from old plumbing systems can accumulate in your dog’s body, potentially leading to kidney or liver damage as well as cancer.
• Weakened Immune System: Continuous exposure to low levels of contaminants can weaken your dog’s immune system, increasing susceptibility to infections.
• Thyroid Problems: Contaminants like perchlorate found in some tap water sources may affect thyroid function.
• Neurological Issues: Toxins, such as pesticides or industrial chemicals, can have neurotoxic effects, potentially causing behavioral changes or neurological symptoms.
• Heavy Metals: Trace amounts of heavy metals, like lead or copper, found in tap water can disrupt normal bodily functions and potentially lead to allergies and tearing.
• Pollutants: Pesticides or industrial runoff may be present in tap water, causing irritation and contributing to excessive eye tearing or epiphora.
• Chlorine and Chemicals: Chemicals such as chlorine, added to disinfect tap water, can irritate a dog’s sensitive eyes, skin, and digestive system and can lead to increased tear production.
• Fluoride: Present in some tap water supplies, fluoride may trigger skin or gastrointestinal sensitivities as well as potentially leading to conditions such as fluorosis, affecting teeth and bones.

To support your dog’s long-term health, choose distilled, spring, reverse osmosis, or filtered water. Fresh, clean water should always be readily available for your puppy and adult dog to keep them hydrated and healthy.