Is Drinking Water From The Toilet Bad For Your Dog?

Ellen Britt for CNT #wooftips

Ever catch your pooch drinking from the toilet? Chances are you have! And if you are like most people, you likely were a bit (or a lot!) disgusted by this behavior.

But when you think about it, the water in your toilet bowl is the same water that flows through the pipes that go to your kitchen sink. And, after you flush, that water is fresh and cold, which makes it highly appealing to your dog.

The problem is that in most households, toilet bowl cleaner residue may remain in the bowl, even after multiple flushed. These chemicals are quite toxic and your dog should definitely not be exposed to them in any amount, so keeping them away from toilet bowl water is a good idea.

What To Do

You can do this by making it a practice to close the lid to the toilet bowl after each use and keeping the door to the bathroom closed. However, some dogs, being the clever and resourceful canines that they are, will still manage to get in the bathroom, shove their snouts under the edge of the lid to lift it and drink anyway! So, you may need to purchase one of those devices that are designed for toddler safety and place that on your toilet to prevent the lid from being opened..

Fresh Water Access

The next thing to do is to satisfy the reason why your dog loves to drink from the toilet: access to fresh cold water! Make sure your dog’s water bowl is clean by washing it often with warm, sudsy water and rinsing it thoroughly to make sure no soap residue remains.

Keep the bowl filled with fresh, cool water for your dog at all times. Change the water a couple of times each day and if necessary, use a couple of ice cubes placed in the water to cool it down. You may also want to consider using a dog water fountain which is designed to continuously circulate the water, keeping it fresh.

By Ellen Britt

Dr. Ellen Britt has loved dogs since she was a child. She is particularly fond of the Northern breeds, especially Alaskan Malamutes. Ellen worked as a PA in Emergency and Occupational Medicine for two decades and holds a doctorate (Ed.D.) in biology.