Pets & Large Animal Impacts

Due to a lack of rainfall up north, the water levels of the lower Mississippi River are extremely low, allowing salt water from the Gulf of Mexico to come upstream. This phenomenon, known as saltwater intrusion, can affect local water supplies because many public drinking water systems in south Louisiana rely on fresh water from the Mississippi River.

The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH), along with regional, state and federal partners, is actively monitoring the situation and conducting water quality testing and analysis to provide regular updates to the general public and healthcare providers about impacts to water systems and necessary precautions.

We urge residents of the Southeast Louisiana parishes affected by the saltwater intrusion to stay informed by signing up for their local text alert systems. Visit emergency.la.gov/saltwater to get the latest updates on the saltwater intrusion in southeast Louisiana.

Download the Water Safety for Pets handout

Dogs, cats, and other domestic animals:

Include pets in your family emergency plans.
Pets need approximately 1 ounce (about 29.57 ml) of water per pound of weight per day (per pet).
Have enough water for at least 7 days per pet. This is an approximation that changes based on activity, weather, age, and stresses.
The warmer the weather — the more water.
Bottled water is fine for household pets.

Horses, cattle and other livestock:

Use rain barrels to collect fresh water for animals like backyard poultry, smaller livestock
When using filling containers to store water, FDA-approved storage containers are best as they will not transfer toxic substances into the water.
- NSF/ANSI 61 standard
If you are not using FDA-approved storage containers make sure the container:
- Has a top that can be closed tightly.
- Is made of durable, unbreakable materials (not glass).
- Has a narrow neck or opening, if possible, so water can be poured out.
Do not use containers that were previously used to hold liquid or solid toxic chemicals, such as bleach or pesticides.
Do not leave stored water in the sun or heat.

Horses need 5-15 gallons of water per day per horse
- Keep stock tanks full while the water is safe to drink; consider storing extra water in unused stock tanks for future use.
- If possible, move horses to pasture that has freshwater ponds or tanks not fed by affected waters.
- If possible, consider planning to move your horse to an unaffected area until the emergency passes.
Cattle minimum water requirements
- Adult, non-lactating beef and dairy cattle: 10-15 gal/head/day
- Lactating cows and bulls: 20-25 gal/head/day
- Young, growing cattle (less than 500 lb.): 5-10 gal/head/day
Calves are more susceptible to salt toxicity, the following increases water intake and makes adult animals more susceptible to salt toxicity:
- Lactation
- Hot weather
- Exertion
Salt vs Cattle
- Total Soluble Salts Content of Water (ppm = parts per million)
- Less than 3,000 ppm = safe for cattle.
- 3,000-5,000 ppm = Satisfactory, but cattle may be reluctant to drink, and it may cause diarrhea.
- 5,000-10,000 ppm = Avoid giving to pregnant or lactating cattle, old and young cattle.
- Greater than 10,000 ppm = Unsafe.
If cattle have been drinking water with dangerous levels of salt, it is best to slowly transition cattle to fresh water. Supplying small amounts frequently is best.
Try to ensure that no cows are overdrinking or limiting others' access to fresh water.
For more information, consult the LSU AgCenter Disaster Information Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Pets

What can I do to keep pets safe?

When making plans for your family, be sure to include pets and any other animals in your care. You’ll need enough safe fresh water to accommodate people and animals.

Can pets drink water salty water?

No. Just as for people, animals should not drink water that’s been contaminated with saltwater.

Where can I get fresh water for my pets?

You can purchase bottled water, or obtain and bottle up water yourself from a municipal system not in the affected saltwater contamination area.

How much water do pets need?

Pets typically require about 1 ounce (about 30 ml) of water for each pound of bodyweight, per day.

For example, an 8-pound animal consumes 8 ounces of water per day, therefore a one-gallon jug of water would be sufficient for a week.

A 60-pound dog needs about a half-gallon of water per day, or about four gallons for a one-week supply.

Note that those are approximate amounts. Water requirements can vary based on the animal’s age, the weather and stresses. In general, more active pets require more water, and animals need more water in warmer weather.

Where can I get water for my pets?

Store-bought bottled water is fine for household pets. If you have backyard poultry or smaller livestock such as goats you can collect rainwater.

What containers can I use to store water for animals?

Food-grade water storage containers. FDA-approved food-grade storage containers will not transfer toxic substances into the water, and they can be found at surplus or camping supply stores. If you’re unsure if a container is food-grade, contact the container manufacturer.

In addition, be sure water storage containers:

Have a top that can be closed tightly.
Are made of durable, unbreakable materials (not glass).
Have a narrow neck or opening, if possible, so water can be poured out.
Have never been used previously to hold liquid or bleach, pesticides or solid toxic chemicals.

Where can I find more information?

Creating and Storing an Emergency Water Supply | Water, Sanitation, & Hygiene-related Emergencies & and Outbreaks | Healthy Water | CDC

Larger Animals and Livestock

I have horses, what should I do?

Horses need from 5 to 15 gallons of water per day, per horse. Make sure stock tanks stay full while the water is safe to drink. Consider storing extra water in unused stock tanks for future use, and cover them to prevent evaporative loss. If possible, move horses to pasture that has freshwater ponds or tanks not fed by salt-contaminated water.

If possible, consider moving your horse to an area unaffected until the emergency passes.

What if I have cattle or other livestock?

The following are minimum water requirement guidelines for livestock:

Adult, non-lactating beef and dairy cattle need 10 to 15 gallons per day per head.
Bulls and lactating cows require 20 to 25 gallons per day per head.
Young, growing cattle under 500 pounds consume 5 to 10 gallons per day per head. Note that calves are more susceptible to salt toxicity. Also, lactation, hot weather, and exertion all increase water intake and make adult animals more susceptible to salt toxicity.

How salty can water be for cattle to consume safely?

The following show soluble salt content as measured in parts per million, or ppm:

3,000 ppm = Safe for cattle.
3,000-5,000 ppm = Satisfactory, but cattle may be reluctant to drink, and it may cause diarrhea.
5,000-10,000 ppm = Avoid giving to pregnant or lactating cattle, old and young cattle.
Greater than 10,000 ppm = Unsafe.

What if my cattle have consumed salt-contaminated water?

It’s best to slowly transition cattle to fresh water by giving them small amounts frequently. Try to ensure that no cows are overdrinking--or limiting others' access to--fresh water.

Where can I find more information about keeping livestock safe?

Link: Water Requirements and Safety for Cattle Following a Disaster (lsuagcenter.com)