Dog and cat owners issued urgent warning over fears tap water 'slowly poisoning' pets

Gene Fitzgerald, who works for Best Osmosis Systems, has issued a warning over hard water which could lead to severe health issues for pets.

"The UK is known for having some of the best tap water in the world," Fitzgerald told The Mirror.

"But that doesn't mean that it is free from problems and if you live in an area with certain tap water, there's a good chance that you might be poisoning your pets.

"In most places, tap water is perfectly fine for humans and animals to drink. But if you live in a hard water area, it may be making your pets ill.

"Hard water contains high levels of calcium and/or magnesium. For pets, this can be harmful."

The experts explained that hard water can cause cats and dogs to develop health conditions.

She added: "If a dog drinks too much hard water for too long a period, for example, they can develop conditions such as urinary tract and/or bladder infections, cystitis, urinary obstruction, crystalluria and stone formation.

"Hard water can also cause skin irritation and dryness, digestive problems, and dental issues in pets which can be dangerous for them and costly for you."

But there is hope for pet owners living in hard water areas, according to Fitzgerald who has advice for those affected.

She said: "While some water softeners contain sodium, which can be equally harmful to pets, reverse osmosis and distillation softeners are great solutions.

"Removing the harmful substances from hard water, they can help to keep your pet healthy and also improve the health of your plants and the lifespan of your appliances."

Dog and cat owners are advised to ensure their water is soft or to filter tap water before giving it to pets.