Dog drinking from the toilet: Is it dangerous?
Quite disgusting: your dog drinks the water from the toilet. But the strange preference for the unique “eau de toilette” causes disgust and harbors concern. Is toilet water possibly dangerous for your animal companion? Find out here and how you can break him from his inappropriate behavior.
And again, you’ve caught your furry friend slurping from the toilet bowl. Your subsequent tirades have no effect at all. And your understanding of your four-legged friend’s preference for toilet water is non-existent. Why does he do it?
Why does the dog drink from the toilet?
For one thing, your dog associates the splashing of water when you flush the toilet with a natural outdoor water source. Consequently, the constantly circulating water in the bathroom seems fresher to your four-legged friend than the stagnant water in his drinking bowl.
On the other hand, the toilet water is pleasantly cool due to the porcelain fixture. Especially in the summer months, dogs appreciate the refreshing thirst quencher. The strange taste does not keep them from drinking. Instead, they are skilled at drinking and eating unsavory things. For example, dogs sometimes tend to eat feces.
Dog drinking from the toilet: dangerous or harmless?
As a rule, nothing will happen if your dog drinks from the toilet. However, there is a health risk associated with this habit because toilet water can contain dangerous bacteria such as Escherichia coli (E.coli), sometimes found in human (and animal) feces.
Furthermore, traces of medications find their way into the toilet water, which humans release through their excretions. Depending on the substance, your dog may be harmed by it.
However, the most significant risk from drinking the toilet water is the household chemical products used to clean the toilet. They often contain sodium hypochlorite and other chemical substances – pure poison for your animal friend. If your dog shows symptoms after drinking, such as…
● vomiting
● Increased salivation
● Redness in and around the mouth.
● abdominal pain
● sore throat
… you should immediately consult a veterinarian.
How can you get your dog out of the habit of drinking toilet water?
Permanently close the toilet lid and preferably also the bathroom door. Then your best animal friend will not even be tempted. In addition, you can make the water in the drinking bowl more appetizing by providing a fresh supply more often. A so-called drinking fountain for the dog is also conceivable. The water circulates likewise, whereby the impression of freshness is aroused.
