For your average urban dog, the commonly available water sources are tap-water, rain puddles, swimming pools, and toilets. No matter how often you tell them, dogs won’t keep just to the reputable sources. Which is why no dog has ever achieved a degree in Journalism.
So how harmful is this bad habit, and how hard should you try to stop them?
Puddles
Dogs love a muddy puddle on a hot day (or any day, according to most golden retrievers). They’re great for running through at the park, or wallowing in to cool off, preferably immediately after a visit to the groomer. And it’s so convenient to have a drink while you’re there!
But parasites and bacteria love puddles too. The longer the water’s stagnant, the germier it’ll be. Dog park puddles have a higher level of animal faeces. Just about anywhere outside will have rat urine. Add a warm climate and high rainfall, and the chance of disease increases. Dog owners may remember the scary outbreak of leptospirosis across the East coast of Australia 2 years ago. Despite veterinary treatment, many of the infected dogs died. More info here: https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/what-is-leptospirosis/
Roadside puddles can be contaminated by ethylene glycol (antifreeze) from parked cars. This is used in windscreen wash, engine coolant, brake fluid, etc. It tastes sweet, so it can be attractive to animals. But it’s toxic, causing liver and kidney failure. More information can be found here: https://emergencyvethospital.com.au/antifreeze-poisonous-for-dogs-the-signs-and-what-to-do/
Swimming pools
As for swimming pools, chlorine isn’t good for dogs, and will make them more dehydrated, so they’re more likely to drink more.
Toilets
Toilet water contains (as well as germs) cleaning chemicals such as bleach and disinfectant. They’re diluted toxins, but can still cause illness.
Prevention
If your dog is a puddle-drinker, keep them on lead, or carry water and a portable bowl with you.
For toilet- drinkers, it’s easier to train the human household to leave the lid down or the bathroom door shut.
For pool-drinkers… dogs are safer outside the pool fence anyway. It’s easy for people to forget to supervise while they’re doing laps or sunbathing. If you do allow your dog inside the fence, bring their water bowl pool-side too.
Thought for the day – How is it that even the most gourmet fussy eater will drink out of puddles and toilets???