As tempting as it may be for your dog, it's important to remember that rainwater is not always safe for your dog to drink. When rainwater hits earth, it comes in contact with several contaminants or chemicals that aren't safe to drink.
Dogs will usually be tempted to drink from puddles because that water smells different. Unlike the city tap water, rainwater doesn't have chlorine. This can make puddles more interesting and just “tastier” than the water your dog might be drinking at home.
Rain Buckets
Galvanized containers are coated in zinc, which is toxic to cats and dogs in high concentrations. So if you're giving your pet water, opt for a ceramic, steel or glass bowl.
Rain and runoff water can be harmful to your pets if they swim or drink it. North Bentwood Veterinarian, Dr. Victor Schulze, says, “when pets drink the water or runoff, they get all of the feces, manure, urine that is collected on the soil.”
Although many dogs drink from lakes and streams with no ill effect, microscopic organisms in that water can make you and your dog quite sick. Giardia and cryptosporidium are two of the bugs that can mess with the gastrointestinal system.
Water therapy is another form of exercise, but it can also be very calming and healing at the same time. The weightlessness of the water provides a safe environment for your dog and reduces the risk of a land based activity.
Did you know: 1 minute of swimming is equivalent to about 4 minutes of running for a dog. Swimming is one of the best overall exercises for dogs and it works every major muscle group in the body. Not only is it a total body workout, but swimming is a blast for water-loving doggos!
Rain, snow, heavy fog, going for a swim—any form of dampness that soaks through the fur can quickly chill a dog even if the air temperature is mild.
If the water is dirty or contaminated with debris, your dog may refuse to drink it. Since some dogs may have preferences on how they like their water placed, you may need to offer water in different locations or elevations to see what they like.
No vaccine is 100%, so keeping that in mind it is best to avoid your dog drinking from puddles, ponds and lakes. If you know of a wildlife issue in your area, contact your local animal control. Remember always to pack some water and a dish from home when going out on a walk to avoid a thirsty pup!
Exposure to cold and wet weather for long periods of time can lead to inflammation in the respiratory tract. This inflammation makes dogs more prone to bacteria invasion of the airways—aka, pneumonia. This is a higher risk for young dogs, older dogs with other systemic diseases, and any immunocompromised dog.
Initially, it may seem like your dog just has a simple stomach ache but if you suspect they have ingested flood water they will likely start to show symptoms such as diarrhea or vomiting, which can mean they have developed a stomach bug or intestinal infection such as Gastroenteritis or Giardia.
Keep Their Fur Dry
Keeping your pet's coat dry isn't possible all the time. But rubbing them dry with a towel after outdoor adventures in the rain or muck is always a good idea. Some pampered pooches prefer the blow dryer, but few dogs can resist a brisk rubdown.
Stop them from drinking rainwater by gently but firmly pulling them away, as well as training them to know not to drink out of puddles. Positive reinforcement is often the best way to go with training, with dogs learning that leaving things like puddles alone earns them praise and rewards before becoming second nature.
Changing position: Simply changing the position of the water bowl may sometimes work. Add water: Another solution is mixing wet dog food with water. Even though your dog won't drink from the bowl, he may happily drink water when it's mixed with food.
If your dog is drinking excessively (polydipsia) it is possibly because he is losing excess amounts of water for any of a number of reasons. While a number of diseases result in excess water intake and urine output, the most common of these diseases include kidney failure, diabetes mellitus and Cushing's disease.
While it's important to make sure your buddy is getting the daily exercise he needs, dog walks in the rain shouldn't be forced. Walks should always be a happy time and allow you and your dog to connect. They shouldn't be associated with bad experiences, and putting your pet at an unnecessary safety risk isn't worth it.
Most dogs do not appreciate taking a stroll in the rain, particularly if the downpour is heavy. Most humans won't appreciate it either. Some dogs do love the rain, especially if they are retrievers or other dog breeds used to water, but most dogs want to avoid the rain and skip the walk.
The long and short of it is, if your dog's a frequent swimmer, he's probably going to end up with dry, flaky skin if you're not vigilant about it. Chlorine and other chemicals can even strip his coat of oils, leaving him looking dull.
Active dogs need around 20-30 minutes of pure swimming for a good workout while others might only need 10-15 minutes. What is this? A dog's swimming workout can vary depending on their personality, age, and overall health. Some dogs are more into it than others so everything from 5 to 60 minutes is possible.
The average dog can only swim 5 or 10 minutes during their first visit. It is essential that rest periods be taken at intervals throughout your swim time to allow your dog to rest and catch their breath. Dogs new to the sport can often only swim 10 minutes until their stamina level is reached.
Use wet, cool towels
Wetting your dog's coat can help to lower their body temperature. This is especially useful for dogs suffering from heatstroke. To keep them cool, drench a towel in tepid water and drape it over your dog.