Public Dog Water Bowls: Be Cautious!
- Vickie Foster
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
As the days get sunnier and milder, walking your dog in the park or turning your pooch loose in the dog park is a joyful time. As your four footed buddy gets a workout, the communal water bowl at these locations look awfully tempting to a thirsty pup. But, if proper sanitization processes are not followed, these public drinking holes can hold dangers for unsuspecting dogs and owners.
Communal dog bowls left to fester can harbor infections, viruses, and parasites. Among the dangers lurking in the bowls can be intestinal parasites. According to Lindsay Butzer, DVM, and PetMeds partner, dirt at dog parks or communal parks can be full of parasites that live in the soil like roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms transferred from fecal matter or a dog’s feet.
Another danger can be from Giardia, which can infect puppies, senior dogs and dogs that are immune compromised with a disease that prevents water and nutrient absorption. Leptospirosis can also be picked up from a water dish. It affects the liver and kidneys. In severe cases it can be fatal. These are just a few of the many hazards your precious pooch could pick up at the public water trough when proper sanitization practices are not in place.
That is why proper disinfecting processes are so important. At Thousand Hills Pet Resort we use veterinary-grade Rescue® Disinfectant to maintain a clean and sanitary environment for all pets in our care. Each water bowl, room, and holding run is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected at least once daily. Our play yards are also cleaned with the same disinfectant on a weekly basis. We are committed to providing every pet with access to clean, fresh water at all times, regardless of where they are in our facility. We ensure these concerns don’t need to follow you and your pet to boarding or daycare!
Ideally, water bowls should be washed every day. There is just no way to know the last time a communal bowl has been washed. In addition, if the bowl is in an open park it could be subject to diseases from wildlife or even rats. Given all the hazards it may be best to stay away from these unmonitored pits of peril for your canine.
When you’re away from home or your pup isn’t enjoying their time at Thousand Hills, bring along a water source for your dog when you’re out and about. All in one water bottles with an attached bowl are available at pet supply sources. Or bring a collapsible water bowl and filled water bottle. The extra effort will keep you pooch safe from the nasty diseases in public water bowls.
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