Is it safe for dogs to drink from communal water bowls?

Question

There are communal water bowls at the dog beach I take my dog to. I never let her drink from them because I thought it was gross. But I was wondering if dogs have any communicable diseases that could be passed along through the use of a communal water dish?

Answer 1

I never let my dogs drink out of any communal water bowls. Giardia is a prevelant virus which spreads through water and if one dog has it and drinks out of a bowl which others also drink out of, there is no doubt that another dog will pick it up.
There are also other viruses which can spread through water and saliva, but Giardia is the one to worry about.
My dogs drink out of the regular human water fountains, either held up by me, or up on their paws to drink it.

The best thing to do is to always carry a durable bowl with you and some bottled water. This way your dog always has fresh water whenever he needs it.

I say it is just not worth the chance to catch a terrible virus.

Answer 2

If the water is really dirty or if you can see algae or moss growing on the water bowl, then avoid the bowl. Otherwise, it is VERY rare for a dog to get something from drinking for a communal water bowl. A dog can get diseases from drinking wter, but usually only from lakes or other places where the water is stagnant. If the bowls at the dog beach are changed often, the water should be fine. If it grosses you out, though, they make a device you attach to a water bottle that you can bring to give your dog a drink from.

Answer 3

I would not let my dog drink out of a communal water bowl in an area that has no regulation, such as a dog park, or Public event with dogs from all over.

The exception is at a regulated dog event, such as an Agility or Obedience trial. If I had forgotten my own water, I would allow my dog to drink out of a communal bowl. I do make the assumption that people who compete in Agility, Obedience, Flyball, etc are going to keep up with their dog's vaccinations and would notice if their dog was having a health issue.

I'd brink my own water to the dog beach.

Answer 4

I would not put anything in the dish without talking to a vet. As many of the other replies have said, wash the bowl. Take the bottle off at least once a day, and wash it with soap and water, rinse very well and at least every other day, refill the bottle, the water does stay fresh in the bottle, but a natural "slime" will build up and every week or so, you need to empty all the water out of the bottle, and clean it as well, adding a few drops of chlorine bleach to the soapy water to kill any bacteria haning around. And if it is an outdoor bowl, one with that big of a watter bottle, with constant water in the dish is perfect breeding grounds for mosquitos, the harborer of heart worms for dogs. Talk to your vet, if there is anything that can be added to the water to protect against algea and mosquitos from laying their eggs in the dish, they will know.

Answer 5

No its not safe... My 1 yr. old boxer picked up something at the dog park! My vet was here today and asked me about where she's been! When I said the beautiful dog park she knew just what to look for...The community bowl is like... would you drink out of it? Why would you want your pet to be subject to whatever!!! Really, think about it!!!

Answer 6

Dogs drink out of toilets. (my dogs call it the magic water bowl) How much worse can a communal water bowl be?

Answer 7

i don't think it's very safe. when we put my cat in a shelter when we went on vacation he got really sick an almost died. animals do have their own diseases and i wouldn't want to go through all the vet appts and money just because my dog was thirsty. i think it's safer for him to drink out of the toilet than a communal water bowl.

Answer 8

Birds take their bath in those bowls. Mosquitoes lay eggs in them. Rabbit drink out of them. Oooo! I would not let my dog drink out of them. You don't want to deal with Giardia or Clyptosporium.

Answer 9

I suppose it's theoretically possible for them to get roundworms that way, but think of this: when you go to the bathroom, doesn't your dog sometimes look at you as if to say,"What are you doing in my drinking bowl?"

Answer 10

if you think about the many disgusting things that dogs drink out of (mud puddles,ditches,creeks,stagnant water holes) the communal water dish doesn't sound that bad.