RESEARCH from water filter company Brita has shown that chlorine, routinely added to tap water, may encourage your dog to drink from dirty puddles.

Apparently many thirsty dogs rush to a muddy puddle, or bird bath of rain water, because they prefer the taste to that of the water in their bowl at home.

Our pets are more sensitive than we are to added chemicals and in tests allowing dogs and cats to choose freely between filtered or tap water most will prefer chlorine-free water, to tap water.

Brita Water Filters say that with their highly developed sense of smell many dogs and cats will seek out a variety of alternatives to tap water including puddles, bird baths, ponds, and even the toilet, if it has been left to stand for a while.

Veterinary expert Len Pierce explained: "The high levels of chlorine in tap water are very off-putting for animals. From personal experience pets certainly prefer water which has been filtered to remove the chlorine. Counter top jug filters are ideal for this."

Many pet owners have found that once their dog or cat has tasted filtered water they will never go back to tap water, and in some cases owners have found their pets refusing to drink tap water at all.