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.
Even though the disease is most common around still water, leptospirosis can affect any dog living in any type of environment: city or country, rural or urban. Dogs of all ages, breeds and sizes are at risk. The risk of exposure is greater in dogs that: Drink from lakes, rivers, or streams.
Immediate veterinary intervention is needed! Any bodies of standing water including small lakes, ponds and even puddles can be a source of harmful bacteria and parasites for your pet. Some common examples of parasites are Giardia and Cryptosporidium. These parasites can cause profuse diarrhea and vomiting.
For safe swimming, we recommend a blue-green algae test
“The water doesn't necessarily need to be up to 'human' standards,” she says. “However, lakes and other bodies of water may contain blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) that can be deadly for dogs.”
It May Be Unsafe for Dogs to Drink from Lakes and Streams
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.
Salmonella. Salmonella is a bacteria that can survive in the water (and can infect dogs as well as humans). Contaminated water sources can easily harbor bacteria and diseases, so it's important to keep your four-legged friend safe by having your own water source that's just for them.
In general, animals in the wild drink from water sources that have dirt, minerals, and organisms that don't cause disease in them. Since these are their primary water sources, they tend to build up an immunity to these organisms.
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.
Yes, dogs can get sick from being in the rain. The cold affects dogs in a similar way to humans. The cold and rain can cause the lining of a dog's lungs to become irritated and inflamed. If left outside for long enough, a dog could develop pneumonia, a potentially life-threatening illness.
Taking your dog out in the rain
Going outside in the rain WITH your dog is important. Pull out your umbrella, the bigger the better, and take your dog outside on a leash to where he likes to go potty. Shelter your dog with an umbrella to help him stay dry.
The parasite experts say is responsible, giardia, is something veterinarians say can be found in a rain puddle your dog may stop to take a few licks from. “When you have a lot of dogs in one area, that's an incubator waiting to happen.
Avoid using rainwater for drinking, cooking, brushing your teeth, or rinsing or watering plants that you intend to eat. Instead, use municipal tap water if it is available, or purchase bottled water for these purposes.
Storm Fear/Phobia
Dogs diagnosed with storm phobia can react with anxiety or fear to wind, rain, thunder, lightning, and other associated stimuli, including barometric pressure changes, the “smell of rain,” static electricity, and even time of day.
Stainless steel dog bowls are the best dish you can get for your pup because they offer the ultimate in ease, health, and safety. Stainless steel bowls are super easy to clean, dishwasher-safe, and non-porous. These bowls won't hold on to any harmful bacteria.
Instead, all stainless steel requires the use of 'cutting fluids' which shape metal and are extremely difficult to get off of the surface. Cutting fluids are highly toxic and continue to leach out over time.
Pets need constant access to clean water – water should be changed at least once daily. Keep your pet's bowl full and make sure to fill with fresh water every single day. It's also important to keep your pet's water bowl clean.
Limit Refills: You can still leave water out in a bowl for your dog but you need to ration it during the day. Maybe only fill the bowl half or a quarter of the way each time. This means increased refills throughout the day so they have steady access to water, but a reduced amount.
Never push or pull your dog into the water as this could scare them and have a lasting effect for life. If you have a friend or neighbour whose dog is a strong swimmer, invite them around to your place.
Animal experts have been advising against pets drinking from hoses for several years. This includes humans and pets alike. Hoses can contain lead and other toxins, depending on what the hose is made of and what type of fittings it uses.
Yes! In fact, filtered water is ideally what you should be giving your dog to protect them from potentially harmful contaminants. This may be especially recommended if you live in an area without safe tap water. Once it has been filtered, water still has the minerals that your pup needs.
The Centers for Disease Control recommend boiling water for a full minute. It is essential to boil your pets' water at this time because the risk of harmful microorganisms such as bacteria is much higher. Boiling water eliminates dangerous organisms and ensures safe drinking water.
A general rule of thumb for determining the amount of water a dog should drink daily is 1 ounce (1/8 of a cup) of fluids per pound of body weight. For example, a 10-pound dog should drink approximately 10 fluid ounces per day, while a 100-pound dog should drink roughly 100 fluid ounces in a day.