If you live in a part of the country where your water has a high mineral content, also called “hard water,” not only will you use more laundry detergent when washing kennel blankets. You may also see a higher number of urinary health conditions.

On April 7, Trupanion, a pet insurance company, released data that linked urinary health conditions in pets with hard water ratings in U.S. cities, as identified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 

In areas with “extremely hard water,” male cats had a much higher incidence of urinary health issues—especially crystalluria. They were also three times more likely to have urinary complications compared to male cats living in areas with “slightly hard,” “hard,” or “very hard” water.

When it comes to canines, owners of female dogs are 2.5 times more likely to submit a claim for urinary health conditions than owners of male dogs.

Florida, Illinois, and parts of Texas and Michigan took the prizes for high claim payout amounts related to urinary health conditions.

Photo credit: © iStock/DenisZbukarev