Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Can the higher salt content of soft water hurt a chameleon?

Possibly. It may be hard to predict as the amount of salt a softener adds depends on how it is set to reduce the hardness in your water to begin with. It may also be hard on the cage plants.

what about reverse osmosis with minerals added? thats the bottled water i get.

or should i just go with good old distilled?

or a quality spring water?

Thanks Carlton, you have helped me before I welcome your advice and opinions.

I've used RO filtered water for years with no problems at all. You shouldn't have to add minerals if you are gutloading and dusting correctly. It isn't completely devoid of mineral content like distilled water. I also use RO in my humidifiers and foggers and for general spraying cage plants. No grungy build up on leaves and keeps humidifier parts much cleaner.

Thanks for the compliment! I do try.

Since the water in my house is soft, how should I go about misting?

The thought of dumping multiple bottles into another bottle makes me cringe.

This will only be problem for another year-because we am moving. Where we will have RO water all the time.

Can you collect rainwater? Sometimes an outdoor hose faucet doesn't run through the softener. Check that too.

Im such an idiot-the hose-I think I need my head checked. Thanks Carlton.

Generally, Soft water is not a problem for chameleons. Where I live we have nice, high quality, soft water. Have given this to my panther chameleons for over ten years without issue (not to mention me for nearly 40 years).
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Sandra
BC Canada

I just popped in here looking for an answer for a friend when I saw this thread.

Anyway, I just moved into a house with a water softener. However, it also has a faucet based filter and I use that for my animals' water. How would this affect the salt content of all my animals?

I don't have a chameleon, but I have an ig, a few tegus, a few beardies, bunch of corns, etc. I do have two cats that both have kidney disease as well as an 11yo Burm python with mod kidney disease. I've noticed the cat seems to want to drink out of the toilet all the time now, I'm not sure how the salt content of the water will affect him.

Wow, I just never thought of that .

Did you ever say to yourself: I think I think too much? I have.

here is some info I found from morton-salt FAQ on their website.

36) Is water softened by potassium chloride safe for pets?

If your pet suffers from heart disease, diabetes or kidney disease, consult your vet as to whether or not your pet can drink potassium chloride softened water. For healthy pets potassium chloride softened water is safe to drink.

my cat chooses the toilet over water bowls as well. We just keep our bathroom doors shut.

I did find out the that the potassium is good for the plants =). Some fish like softer water as well, that I never knew.

This is from morton salt FAQ website.

i found that the best thing i ever bought for my cat is a petmate fresh flow fountain she literally will sit and drink from it for hours a day she LOVES it! super healthy and promotes good hydration... very good in so many ways.