Why Do Dogs Drink From the Toilet?
Our dogs often engage in some pretty gross habits, and one of the most baffling is their penchant for drinking from the toilet. Have you ever wondered why they do that, especially when they have their own water bowls?
Why Dogs Prefer Toilet Water
Believe it or not, dogs tend to drink from the toilet because it’s cooler and fresher than the water in their bowls. Even if your dog’s bowl is fancy, standing water just isn’t appealing to them. Here are the main reasons why dogs are attracted to toilet water:
1. Cooler Temperature: Toilet water tends to stay consistently cool compared to water sitting out in a bowl at room temperature.
2. Freshness: Each flush refills the toilet with fresh water, which is more inviting to dogs than stagnant bowl water.
Although it sounds gross to us, dogs are naturally drawn to the cool and fresh qualities of toilet water, making it more enticing than water that’s been sitting out for hours.
Coolness Factor
One of the major reasons dogs prefer toilet water is its cool temperature. Dogs are likely to choose the cooler toilet water over the warm water that’s been sitting in their bowl.
Freshness Matters
Toilet water, despite its location, is often fresher than the water in a bowl that might have been left out for days. Dogs are less likely to drink stagnant water due to its higher chance of contamination. Interestingly, studies have shown that toilet water has a lower bacterial count compared to other surfaces in the bathroom.
Your Dog’s Water Bowl: A Germ Haven
In a 2011 study by the National Sanitation Foundation, it was found that pet bowls are one of the top hot spots for germs in homes, ranking fourth in contamination levels. Surprisingly, toilets didn’t make the list, but pet bowls did, outranked only by kitchen sponges, which had 33% testing positive for E. Coli.
Keeping Your Dog’s Water Bowl Clean
It’s essential to regularly clean and refill your dog’s water bowl to keep it fresh. Here’s how you can do it effectively:
1. Washing with Sponge & Soapy Water
– Use a liquid soap or detergent with hot water to scrub the inside of plastic, porcelain, or ceramic bowls.
– If using a sponge, make sure to clean it too. You can soak and microwave the sponge for two minutes every other day to kill over 99% of pathogens.
By following these cleaning tips, you can ensure that your dog’s water bowl is as inviting as possible, minimizing their temptation to drink from the toilet.
