Planning a hike with your dog nearby a pond? You may want to reconsider letting your furry pal drink from it. While it may seem harmless, pond water can pose health risks to dogs. Can dogs drink pond water? Let’s find out.
While dogs can technically drink pond water, it often is not safe due to harmful bacteria, parasites, and chemicals that can be found in slow moving or standing water. Drinking contaminated water can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, skin irritation, and illnesses. To prevent this, bring fresh water on walks, keep your dog on a leash, and train them to avoid unknown water sources.
Can Dogs Drink Pond Water?
While dogs can technically drink pond water, it is not always safe for them to do so.
Ponds can contain harmful bacteria, parasites, and algae that can cause a range of health problems for your furry friend. Pond water can also be contaminated with chemicals such as pesticides, fertilizers, and herbicides that have drained into the water from the nearby fields or yards – and these can actually be toxic to dogs.
So there’s a significant enough risk to simply say “no, dogs should not drink pond water”.
Related Post: Do Ponds Attract Rats?
Risks of Drinking Pond Water for Dogs
If your dog drinks contaminated pond water, there’s a good chance they may develop a range of health issues. Keep an eye open for the following, if Fido slipped past your glance and got a stomach full:
Gastrointestinal problems: Drinking contaminated pond water can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and other digestive issues.
Illness: Ponds can contain harmful bacteria and parasites, which can cause your dog to become sick. This can include conditions such as leptospirosis, giardia, and blue-green algae poisoning.
Skin irritation: Pond water can also contain irritants that can cause skin problems such as itching and redness.
Preventing Your Dog from Drinking Pond Water
So, if drinking pond water (or any still standing, older water) holds a level of danger, you really need to do your best to prevent your dog from drinking from it. Here are a few steps you can take:
Bring your own water: Whenever you take your dog for a walk or hike, bring your own supply of fresh water for them to drink. (You can even get one of those portable water dishes that flatten nicely and slip it into your backpack alongside a water bottle for a really cheap price.)- Use a leash: Keep your dog on a leash and under your control to prevent them from wandering into ponds or still water when you’re on your walks.
- Train your dog: Train your dog to avoid drinking from unknown sources, including ponds and slow moving creeks where algae and bacteria may be multiplying.
Bring your own water: Whenever you take your dog for a walk or hike, bring your own supply of fresh water for them to drink. (You can even get one of those portable water dishes that flatten nicely and slip it into your backpack alongside a water bottle for a really cheap price.)Other Sources of Contaminated Water
Did you know that ponds aren’t the only source of contaminated water that can be harmful to your dog? Other bodies of water such as lakes, rivers, and streams can also contain harmful bacteria, parasites, and chemicals.
Pretty much all standing water, such as puddles or birdbaths, can pose a risk to your furry friend.
My own puppy caught a parasite from drinking standing rain water that had collected on top of our above ground pool cover… during the first week we had him (when puppy ownership was seriously new to us), one of my family members thought he looked thirsty and scooped up some for him. Results… giardia parasite and a vet bill. And resulting research into this topic of “can a dog drink standing water”.
Long story short, it’s important to be aware of all potential sources of contaminated water and take steps to prevent your dog from drinking from them.
Key Takeaways
While dogs can technically drink pond water, it’s important to be aware of the potential risks. As a responsible dog owner, it’s your duty to keep your furry friend safe and healthy. Taking a few precautions can help you make sure your dog stays safe and healthy, no matter where your adventures take you.
