Vet nurse urges dog owners to stop letting pets drink this

As the UK gears up for a warm spell this week, many kind-hearted shop and pub owners are likely to put out water bowls for dogs. But a veterinary nurse has issued a dire warning about letting your pets quench their thirst from these public sources.

“Don’t let your dogs drink from communal water bowls whilst out on a walk!” urged nurse, Jade in a TikTok video. “Communal water bowls are any water bowls that have been left outside of a person’s house, outside of a shop, or even at the dog park – basically any that multiple dogs can drink from.”

She revealed the seemingly helpful bowls could harbour dangerous pathogens. “They can often be a source of contamination and can spread infectious diseases,” highlighted Jade, noting kennel cough, leptospirosis, and the canine papilloma virus as serious health concerns.

The video warned pet owners of the unseen dangers lurking in shared watering spots as Jade continued: “You don’t know if the water is fresh, if it’s stagnant or when the last time the bowl was cleaned and what it was cleaned with. Plus you don’t know what other animals may have been drinking out of it because other wildlife can freely drink out of them as well.”

The nurse also highlighted the risks of these community water bowls for dogs, warning that these can spread parasites like tapeworm, roundworm, giardia and lungworm – often attracted by slugs.

“The bowls can also be a reservoir for bacteria such as salmonella and E.coli to grow, which can really upset your dogs’ tummies,” Jade warned.

Stressing her point further, she added: “Whilst I know these bowls are put out for the right reasons, I strongly advise dog owners not letting their dogs drinking from them. If you want your dog to drink, take a travel bowl with you and a bottle of water and just stop occasionally to allow them a drink.”

One TikTok user commented they avoid such communal dishes, explaining: “My dog never drinks out of these bowls anyway I think she knows there’s something wrong with them.”

Another expressed their shock, writing: “Our vet has one, just sitting in the waiting room for 10 minutes and seeing the amount of dogs drinking from it that are potentially ill/unvaccinated is insane!”.

A third person added: “This is why at my pet shop I never fill it until they request to so it can be sanitised and given per dog. People moan it’s always empty and I have to repeatedly explain why!”

Meanwhile, a fourth individual suggested circumstances when the bowls’ use would be of benefit: “The only way this kind of offering water is helpful is for stray dogs. If you live in an area where there’s a chance that stray dogs pass through put water out in safe places. Change it often.”

Whilst a fifth TikTok user declared: “I always carry a travel bowl and fresh water but I’ve never thought about this before. Good advice right here.”