The inorganic compound water is the second most essential component after air for perpetuation of life on the planet. Due to human activity the natural resources of water are highly contaminated. The water reservoir contains physical, chemical and biological impurities. Sometimes radioactive materials are discharged in the reservoir creating even hazardous effects. The presence of heavy metal ions in drinkable water is a major global challenge for mankind. The heavy inorganic materials can be separated using various techniques. With the advancement in modern science, nanomaterials are found to be effective in removal of heavy inorganic materials from water. As surface area at nanoscale increases, the possibility of adsorption also gets increased. Therefore, nanomaterials are being effectively used in water purification techniques. In this review, we will focus on how heavy metals with negative environmental consequences may be removed using an adsorption approach that involves iron oxide nanoparticles, which has been shown to be effective in this field. We are going to discuss several methods along with current advancements in iron oxide nanoparticles for heavy metal ion adsorption from water. The discussion covers candidate synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles, mechanisms that enable the applications, advantages, and limitations as compared to existing processes and their adsorption mechanism. Apart from this we have focused the application of adsorption particularly in veterinary science and animal husbandry. The phenomenon of adsorption is of paramount importance in veterinary pharmacology as well.