The Impact of Forever Chemicals on Your Pet’s Health
You do everything you can to keep your pets healthy: vet visits, high-quality food, daily exercise, and lots of love. They’re an essential part of your family after all. But have you ever stopped to consider the quality of the water they drink?
If your tap water contains PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals,” your pets may be at risk without you even realizing it. These persistent contaminants aren’t just a concern for humans; they can affect animals too.
Whether it’s in the water you pour into a dog bowl, fill up a tank for your fish, or mist a reptile enclosure, the PFAS can quietly accumulate in your pets’ systems over time. Understanding what PFAS are, where they come from, how they interact with your pets’ biology, and how a water test can help are the first steps in protecting their well-being.
What Are PFAS and Why Are They Called “Forever Chemicals”?
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of human-made chemicals developed in the 20th century to resist heat, grease, oil, and water. You can find them in everything from non-stick cookware to fast food wrappers, waterproof clothing, and even stain-resistant carpets.
They’re called “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down in the environment. That includes your body and your pet’s. Instead, they build up over time. Once PFAS enter a water supply, they tend to stick around, spreading through everything that water touches. Municipal water systems, well water, and even rain runoff can carry these contaminants.
For your pet, this can mean daily exposure through their drinking water, food, or even grooming practices if you’re using contaminated water to bathe them.
How PFAS Affects Animal Health
PFAS are concerning because of their link to various health issues in humans. And emerging studies1 suggest that animals, especially pets, may experience similar effects. Like you, your pet’s body doesn’t process and eliminate these chemicals easily. Over time, PFAS can accumulate in organs and tissues, slowly disrupting natural biological processes.
Research involving lab animals and wildlife has shown that PFAS exposure can lead to:
- Immune system suppression
- Reproductive and developmental issues
- Hormonal imbalances
- Liver damage
- Increased risk of certain cancers
While direct studies on household pets are limited, the biological similarities are enough to raise alarms. In fact, if you notice unexplained health changes in your pet, such as frequent infections, changes in appetite, skin irritation, or fatigue, PFAS could be a hidden factor worth investigating, especially if you haven’t tested your water.
Pets Are Often More Vulnerable Than People
You might not realize it, but your pets are often more susceptible to environmental contaminants than you are. For one, they usually weigh much less than humans, leading to a lower chemical exposure threshold. A concentration of PFAS that might be deemed “safe” for adult humans could still be harmful for a smaller animal like a cat or a dog.
Also, pets, especially dogs, often drink more water per pound of body weight than humans. Add in the fact that pets often lick their fur and paws after walking on surfaces that may have been cleaned with contaminated water, and their total exposure could be significantly higher than yours.
Fish and amphibians are even more at risk. They live in water, breathe it through gills or absorb it through skin. They have no way of escaping contaminated environments. Even small levels of PFAS in tank water can create a toxic buildup over time, causing stress, abnormal development, and shortened lifespan.
PFAS Hotspots and Local Risks
If you live near industrial sites, military bases, airports, or landfills, your home’s water supply is more likely to be contaminated with PFAS. These are common sources of PFAS pollution, and the chemicals often find their way into both surface water and underground aquifers.
In states like Texas, where hard water and groundwater usage are common, PFAS may coexist with mineral buildup in household plumbing. If you’re treating your water for hardness but not testing for chemical contaminants, your pets may still be drinking compromised water, even if it looks clear and tastes fine.
How to Test Your Water for PFAS
The only way to know for sure whether your home’s water contains PFAS is to test it. Unfortunately, over-the-counter test kits usually can’t detect PFAS at the low concentrations that are considered unsafe.
To get accurate results, you’ll need to:
- Work with a certified lab that tests for PFAS using EPA-recommended methods
- Consult a water treatment specialist familiar with your local water conditions
It is also a good idea to repeat testing annually, especially if you rely on well water or live in a high-risk area. The value can change over time, so it’s best to recheck regularly. Knowing what’s in your water can help you decide how to treat it effectively, not just for your sake, but for your pets too.
Best Water Treatment Options for Protecting Your Pets
Once you confirm PFAS in your water, you’ll want to take action to eliminate or reduce exposure. The good news is that some filtration methods are highly effective at removing PFAS if they’re properly maintained and integrated into your water system.
Reverse Osmosis (RO) Systems are a powerful tool for removing PFAS. They push water through a semi-permeable membrane. The holes in the membrane block contaminants like PFAS from passing through while allowing water molecules to cross. RO systems are especially useful for filtering drinking water or any water you give directly to pets.
If you want coverage for your entire home, a whole house water filtration system is an excellent choice. Depending on your water needs, a dual-system approach might be best. Combining a water softener with an RO system ensures that all water in your home, including what you use to bathe pets or fill their water bowls, is safer and more consistent.
Everyday Changes You Can Make Right Now
Even before you install a filtration system, there are small changes you can implement to reduce your pet’s PFAS exposure:
- Use filtered or bottled water for pet drinking bowls
- Avoid washing pet dishes or tanks with unfiltered tap water
- Bathe your pets with filtered water free of contaminants
- Avoid using stain-resistant pet beds or water-repellent clothing that may contain PFAS
These steps may seem minor, but they can significantly cut down on long-term exposure for your furry or scaly companions.
Ensuring the Best for Your Pets
Your pets depend on you for everything, from food and shelter to love and protection. Giving them water free from harmful forever chemicals like PFAS is one more way you can safeguard their health and happiness.
As research continues to reveal the risks associated with PFAS exposure, more homeowners are turning to filtration and testing solutions to take control of their water quality. Your pets can’t tell you when something is wrong, so it’s up to you to make choices that protect their well-being.
By investing in the right water treatment systems and staying informed about what’s in your water, you’re not just taking care of yourself but creating a safer, healthier environment for the animals you love.
1https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/javma/261/7/javma.22.12.0582.xml
