Is It Safe to Drink the Water?
Water is essential to life, all life and that’s a fact. We take it for granted in our modern society, as we do not have to give it much thought. When we need a safe cool drink of water, why for the most part we just have to turn on the faucet and out it flows, or pop into the convenience store and buy a nice cooled chilled bottle ready to drink.
And of course this is how it should be. We have advanced far enough to know that clean healthy water for our bodies is essential to life itself.
But what about our pets, and in particular our dogs? Do we have to think about the water that they drink? After all, those of us with dogs know that they will drink just about any water they can stick their heads into (Including Toilet Water), and we as humans would never do that.
But are these bodies of water safe?
What might they harbor that can harm our dogs?
What’s in grey water sources (water not fit for human consumption)?
Is irrigation water safe?
What about the lake?
Is salty ocean water good or bad for my dog?
What about streams when I am hiking?
I suppose if there was ever a “Golden Rule” that I go by when it comes to the water that I will put into my body, then it is this;
“If it is safe for me, then it is safe for my dog”.
But of course we know as dog owners that the constitution of our pet dogs is much different than our own, and even on occasion if they slugged down some dubious water, then it probably will not harm them, and for the most part this is true. Take my own Beagle, Oakie as an example of this. He has drunk from many different sources of water, and the only adverse result that occurred maybe once or twice over the years has been a case of Diarrhea.
Now my Beagle loves the water, and I for one will not deny him the pleasure of frolicking around in a lake or stream or ocean, just out of concern for the mouthfuls of water he may swallow, and the possible side effects that may occur as a result. But, if the right precautions are taken, then a mild case of Diarrhea is acceptable to me.
So let’s look at the dangers that lurk in the water.
Bacteria:
The most common bacteria found in outdoor bodies of fresh water lakes and rivers are, Salmonella, Campylobacter, Escherichia Coli, and Leptospira.
If a dog drinks large amounts of water containing any of these bacteria, then Diarrhea in either a mild form, or more severe may occur, and as a pet owner you will have to deal with that. Healthy young dogs will weather this pretty well, but older dogs may have a lot more trouble and consequences. Leptospira found usually in slow moving or marshy muddy waters which is frequented by critters like, rats, raccoons, opossums, etc., if left untreated can lead to Liver and or Kidney damage in a dog.
Blue Green Algae:
Around where I live we nickname this “Glow In The Dark” as it produces energy by photosynthesis. When I was a Kid, and in the summertime when the moon was full and bright, we would go the lake at night and being the tear-aways that we were, we would pee on the Algae which would glow a luminous green color, and with our urine used to draw pictures in it, (usually happy faces and suchlike) nothing Rembrandt would have been proud of. Not for a moment did we consider these blooms to present any danger, other than a few moments of childish mischief, but danger there is. The blooms produce ‘Toxins” such as Microsystins. If ingested by your dog in large amounts and left untreated then it could lead to liver failure, and some of the anatoxins produced could affect the dogs nervous system.
Parasites:
One of the most commonly found organisms in a body of water. Most are harmless, but for a few species like Protozoans, Giardia, and Cryptosporidium. The most common side effect is that a day after being in the water, your dog develops Diarrhea, in either a mild form, or more severe. Treat immediately to avoid any long term adverse health conditions.
Chemicals:
Run-off from tilled fields can contain pesticides and herbicides that can get into streams, rivers and lakes. The side effects of exposure to these industrially produced agents can be dramatic for human and dog alike. If at all possible I try to avoid walks over and around agricultural land for this reason. Also on boating lakes, pollution from gasoline and fuel additives can have its own dangers.
Salt:
Ocean swimming is great for a dog. A dog that takes to the ocean, and I have had a few over the years, gets to enjoy a dynamic environment unlike any other. But just like with ourselves, when you ingest too much ocean water, then the high concentration of salt can lead to vomiting, and diarrhea. In a dog these symptoms can also occur, but also in addition the dog may get dehydrated and an electrolyte imbalance may occur. Treat immediately.
Essential Items To Have With You To Avoid These Issues.
Of course in life if you have the right tools for the job, then you and your dog should never have to experience anything more than a mild case of Diarrhea, and even then, maybe never if you implement some common sense practices when out and about or near a body of water.
A Portable Drinking Water Bottle For Your Dog
Extra Bottle of Fresh Drinking Water
Collapsible Or Pop-Up Bowl
Follow some common sense rules of thumb like;
- Clean off by hosing down or bathing your dog after it has being in a lake, river or ocean.
- Towel dry the animal. Do not let it dry itself.
- Clean and thoroughly dry the inside of the dog’s ears.
- Check its fur and coat over thoroughly for any ticks etc.
- Comb through with a metal comb to remove any sand or soil from its coat.
Watch your dog carefully for any signs that may develop over the following few days after it has been in the water, pay particular attention to Diarrhea and if it occurs treat it immediately.
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