Tap Water For Pigs?

[Beans&Toast]

Okay I have 2 sows, Beans and Toast. And I've always given them tap water to drink. I've had pigs before and I gave them tap water too. I've never had any issues with this and they drink it fine.

But recently I've seen a lot of people saying that they only give there pigs bottled water, or filtered water.. why is this? Am I putting my pigs in danger by giving them tap water?

 

[MerryPip]

Nope! It depends on the quality of tap water but if you drink it then it's ok for the piggies too.

Some people (like me) filter or use bottled to reduce the amount of calcium etc particularly for piggies who have issues with bladder stones/sludge etc. For most piggies this isn't a problem. We also have many emmebrs who live abroad whose tap water may not be as good as ours.

 

[piggieminder]

High levels of calcium in the tap water is a concern in areas with very hard water. I suffer from kidney stones and have been advised to filter my water as it's very hard here, so my piggies get to share my filter jug, their bottles are easier to clean and so's my kettle!

 

[Beans&Toast]

Thank you. The water where I live (Scotland) has soft water and is completely cleaned etc, so would this still be an issue or is it only hard water?

 

[piggieminder]

I personally wouldn't worry in a soft water area. If it's worrying you I would ask your vet for an opinion but as far as I know soft water is fine.

 

[Beans&Toast]

Thanks, it wasn't worrying me until I seen a lot of people mention filtered water, it never occurred to me that it might be due to hard water areas We're lucky here in Scotland we've got great tap water. Just thought I'd check with everyone though

 

[Freela]

It depends on what's in the water- some water has more minerals in it. Since I have a bladder pig who is on a reduced calcium diet, I do run the water through a filter, though I'm not sure what is in our water or how good the filter is at removing minerals. I figure it's better than nothing!

 

[VickiA]

I live in a soft water area and have always given my piggies tap water.

 

[pelicano]

I wouldn't worry in a soft water area either. In fact, I am really jealous! Our water is classed as 'very hard' so I use Deeside bottled.