Filtration

Why filtered water for pets is chosen by many UK pet owners

11:20 AM • December 22, 2025

Think about the last time your pet paused at the water bowl, sniffed, and walked away. Moments like this are one reason filtered water for pets is gaining attention in UK homes. Owners notice that small changes in taste or smell can affect how their animals drink. This is especially true in areas where tap water hardness or chlorine levels feel more noticeable from day to day. UK tap water is held to high safety standards, with public supplies monitored and reported on by the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) [1].

Yet, at the same time, research shows that water hardness and mineral content vary across different regions, which can change how water tastes and looks over time. These minerals are part of normal drinking water, yet they still shape the experience at the bowl. For many households, filtration becomes a simple way to create a more neutral, consistent flavour that supports everyday hydration habits.

In this article, we explore why more owners are rethinking their pets’ water, how dissolved solids influence taste, and what to consider when choosing a jug or dispenser that fits your home and routine.

What tap water means for your pets in the UK

Tap water is where most UK pets get their drinking water, and around 99% of people in England receive their drinking water from a local water company. The DWI's triennial report for 2020 to 2022 shows that 99.98% of public water supply samples met the regulatory standards [2]. Therefore, your drinking water is already of a high quality for your household taps.

However, even in a well-regulated system, the hardness of tap water varies across England and Wales because it is caused by dissolved calcium and magnesium in local geology. The DWI explains that water with more than 200 milligrams per litre of calcium carbonate is classed as hard or very hard and can leave more limescale on kettles, appliances, and even pet bowls. It also provides a national hardness map showing typical levels by region [3].

Chlorine can also influence taste and smell. Water companies use small, carefully controlled amounts to protect supplies, and trace levels may be noticeable to sensitive noses. For some owners, these everyday differences in hardness and chlorine levels are the starting point for considering filtered water for pets, especially when they notice changes in how confidently their animals approach the bowl.

Why pet owners are choosing filtered water for pets

Many owners start exploring filtered water for pets after small changes catch their eye, especially in warmer months when bowls seem to need refilling more often. The RSPCA’s summer guidance reminds pet owners always to provide fresh drinking water. It also warns that when it’s 22°C outside, enclosed spaces can hit 47°C, so regularly checking bowls and drinking spots is essential [4].

In this case, filtration then becomes one more way to keep that water appealing and familiar while owners focus on topping up and providing shade.

Filtered water often appeals to UK pet owners who:

Live in harder water areas and want a more neutral flavour at the bowl
Are moving away from single-use bottled water and prefer a refillable option
Already filter water themselves and want their pets to have a similar experience

For these households, filtration is a lifestyle choice rather than a medical decision. It makes drinking more predictable and helps pets have easy access to fresh, tasty water.

How filtered jugs help pets enjoy fresher-tasting water

Filtered water can create a familiar taste that some pets respond to more readily. Many jugs reduce dissolved solids, thereby lowering mineral or chlorine-related flavour notes. For households that already filter their own water, using the same filtered source for pets can simplify shopping, storage, and daily refills.

Yet, unlike other filters, Culligan with ZeroWater Technology uses a 5-stage filtration system designed to reduce 99.9% of total dissolved solids (TDS). TDS refers to organic and inorganic materials such as metals, minerals, salts and ions dissolved in water. These dissolved solids influence taste and appearance, and reducing them can yield the purest-tasting water in the home.

Each jug includes a TDS meter to help owners see when dissolved solids begin to rise. This simple tool makes filter replacement easy to judge and gives a measurable view of how water changes from refill to refill. For households exploring filtration for the first time, it provides reassurance through evidence rather than guesswork.

How to choose the right filtered water setup for your pets

Owners often compare filters based on daily convenience and how well the product fits their home. A few practical considerations can help narrow the choice:

Multi-pet homes or homes with large dogs often benefit from larger jugs or dispensers to reduce refilling.
Smooth pouring, fridge fit, and simple maintenance support everyday routines.
Some pets drink more readily when their water tastes neutral and steady.

Culligan with ZeroWater Technology publishes clear, independently tested results. These show what each filtration stage is designed to reduce and how performance is measured. Owners can learn more about our efforts through our performance & certifications page.

Why ZeroWater fits so well into pet-friendly homes

Filtered water for pets can also reduce visible buildup in bowls in harder water areas, which some owners find makes cleaning easier and faster. It sits alongside regular cleaning, fresh top-ups, and attentive care as one more way to support steady drinking habits at home. For many UK families, it is a small, practical change that fits neatly into routines they already have in place and supports a consistent, familiar drinking experience for their animals.

Culligan with ZeroWater Technology make it easy to put this into practice. Our 5-stage system is paired with a handheld TDS meter, so owners can take a quick reading when they refill and decide at a glance when to change the filter, rather than relying on guesswork or fixed date reminders. Explore our bundle options or visit our FAQs for straightforward answers to any further use and maintenance questions.

Cleaner water starts at zero for you and your pet.