Turns out, the reason for a dog drinking from the toilet really isn't a mystery. The water in a toilet bowl is often fresher than what your pet has in their water dish. The porcelain in the toilet keeps the water cool. And flushing keeps that cool water oxygenated.
Some dogs might be drawn to drink from the toilet because the water is cold and is continually refreshed every time it's flushed. Additionally, the water is often in motion (if the toilet has been recently flushed) and moving water can be particularly appealing for dogs.
If he's drinking straight from your toilet, that can also be dangerous not just because of the urine inside of it, but because of the cleaning products he may consume. Cleaning products contain a lot of harmful chemicals that could potentially be life-threatening to your poor pooch.
Even in the cleanest of households, the toilet is still a breeding ground for bacteria and germs that could potentially make your pet sick. Gastrointestinal upset could result from stagnant, bacteria-filled toilet water. A Slip of the Tongue—Or Paw!
Lest you begin to question my sanity, let me explain: Dogs love toilet water. Cats, too, though their reach often limits their ability (much though I'm sure it irks them). The reason for this phenomenon is simple: The stuff tastes great.
How to Stop Your Dog From Drinking Out of the Toilet
In some parts of the world, the wastewater that flows down the drain – yes, including toilet flushes – is now being filtered and treated until it's as pure as spring water, if not more so. It might not sound appealing, but recycled water is safe and tastes like any other drinking water, bottled or tap.
Water from a plastic or metal bowl can also taste like the bowl it is in. So, your dog is essentially choosing clean, flowing water over stagnant, room-temperature water. Drinking from the toilet bowl is often a concern for pet parents due to the fact that we use chemicals to clean the toilet bowl.
If your pet drinks some of that blue toilet water, you can give them a small amount of milk or fresh water to help dilute the mixture even further. Be sure to contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center if more than mild stomach upset develops.
This is part of their scavenging. If your dog is thirsty and the toilet bowl is available, he will enjoy a drink from the toilet. Even if there is a bowl of water in another room, he still prefers the toilet bowl water.
Is it safe for dogs to drink from the toilet? The water in your toilet is the same water that comes out of your faucet, so it is safe for your dog to drink toilet water. However, the cleaning products we use to clean toilets (such as bleach) can be extremely harmful to dogs. Dr.
Stagnant, bacteria-filled water can lead to serious cross-species infections like E. coli and Giardia.