Is it OK for dogs to share water bowls?
Carmella Labadie
2025-06-23 17:23:38
Count answers: 18
But just as you wouldn’t share the same glass with people in the café, should your dog be drinking out of a water bowl that many other pets have also used? Pet owners and vets are becoming increasingly concerned about shared water bowls and the potential risk of cross-infection of contagious canine diseases such as Distemper, Kennel Cough (Bordetella) and Parvovirus. One example is the canine papilloma virus which may spread through your dog’s saliva if he has contact with a dog carrying the virus. However, although not spread directly by oral contact, many other infections and viruses can find their way into a communal dog bowl and affect your pet. If faecal bacteria get into the communal drinking bowl, intestinal pathogens such as roundworms and parvovirus could be easily spread from pet to pet. While you might well give your dog fresh water every day and regularly clean his water bowl, can you be sure the communal bowl in the park is receiving the same level of cleanliness? Stagnant water is never good to drink. If your dog has a strong and healthy immune system, it is less likely he will contract a serious disease from a shared water bowl.
Miller Wuckert
2025-06-23 17:03:47
Count answers: 8
Our dog has caught it.
Told us don’t share public dog bowls for drinks.
Kennel cough is very infectious and can spread both in the environment and the air.
It is also known as canine infectious tracheobronchitis and is an upper respiratory tract infection that can be caused by many different bacteria and viruses.
Due to this, we do often see outbreaks in cases in local areas, as dogs can pick it up very easily in the park or local dog shows, or in areas where they might mix with other dogs such as day-care and kennels.
Symptoms that suggest a dog has contracted kennel cough include a nasty cough, a fever, running nose, sneezing, loss of appetite and breathing difficulties.
There is a vaccine that can protect against some of the infections that cause severe symptoms, however some viruses that cause kennel cough cannot be protected due to their rapid mutation.
Alexie Beahan
2025-06-23 14:31:09
Count answers: 5
Dogs that have stepped in fecal matter and then played in the bowl could leave parasites and bacteria in the water. Stagnant water can retain environmental contaminants, such as plant material, parasites, toxins, mold, and more. If your dog is hot and thirsty and at risk of dehydration, then that may take precedence over avoiding the water in the bowl. In most cases, dogs living in the same house will be exposed to similar infectious agents, so sharing a water bowl will not have a tremendous impact on that. It is still important that water bowls be washed with soap and hot water on a regular basis. Deciding if a public water bowl is safe for your panting pup is a case-by-case decision for an owner. Teller insists that if it looks like pond water, a dog should not drink from it. When in doubt it is always better to be cautious with the possibility of contaminated water, as owners should not gamble with the health of their cherished pet.
Patricia Veum
2025-06-23 13:14:11
Count answers: 7
Shared water bowls can be a breeding ground for harmful bugs that could make your dog sick. Where dogs might share bowls for food or water, there is also the risk of dangerous bacteria such as MRSA spreading between dogs and their owners. Dogs might also accidentally share other infections via water bowls. Respiratory infections with a bacterial or viral origin can easily be shared when water or bowls become contaminated with saliva or nasal secretions. Contaminated objects, including toys, bedding and water bowls, are likely to be heavily involved in its transmission. Water bowls can also be a source of disease-causing adenoviruses that originate from faecal contamination of surfaces and objects. Preventing your dog having access to shared water bowls is a good idea, especially if they are at higher risk of infection – young puppies, unvaccinated adults, or older dogs, for example. To protect your dog from infections, bring your own water and bowl when out and about. If using a communal bowl, make sure it’s been freshly cleaned and refilled.
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