Animal Hospital of Mebane Meet the Doctor.


	Lavatory Lapping Question: I have kept several water bowls around my house and always dutifully keep them filled with clean, fresh water. But Jules, my boxer, prefers lapping water out of the toilet bowl, which I find disgusting! Why does he do that? Will he get sick? Answer: Disgusting is a good description for this common doggy deed. But It makes sense if you think like a dog, not a civilized person who craves bottled or carbonated water with a fancy name. To a thirsty canine, the toilet simply provides a giant porcelain oasis of fresh, cool water in a huge bowl that never moves or tips over and is always full. And don’t forget about location. Bathrooms often feature tile floors that sooth canine pads on hot days. As far as Jules is concerned, the toilet is your home’s Number One water bowl. As for germs, even if you pride yourself on keeping the cleanest bathroom in your block, your dog isn’t wowed by that fact. There is a slight risk that your dog can get sick if you pour lots of cleaning chemicals in your toilet, but in general the water in your toilet bowl is actually cleaner, and safer than most puddles, lake, and ponds. It’s an unfortunate fact that these public bodies of water often harbor nasty germs and parasites that can cause giardia and other illnesses in our dogs. Another reason Jules may head to the bathroom instead of his water bowls could be the bowl itself. Plastic bowls absorb odors and may cause the water to taste off, even to a dog. Consider switching to ceramic or stainless steel water bowls that can easily cleaned in the dishwasher. The simplest solution to this problem is to keep the lid down. I know that it’s easier said than done; we often forget or visitors inadvertently leave it up. You can put a sign for guests saying, Please keep the lid down to keep Jules from drinking, but that won’t enhance your home décor. You may decide to keep your bathroom door closed. A final tip: Water bowls kept in sunny places can be doggy turnoffs. Make sure that water bowls are in spots where they will be kept cool. Heighten their appeal by tossing in a few ice cubes to provide a welcoming chill on particularly warm days.

Lavatory Lapping

Question:
I have kept several water bowls around my house and always dutifully keep them filled with clean, fresh water. But Jules, my boxer, prefers lapping water out of the toilet bowl, which I find disgusting! Why does he do that? Will he get sick?

Answer:
Disgusting is a good description for this common doggy deed. But It makes sense if you think like a dog, not a civilized person who craves bottled or carbonated water with a fancy name. To a thirsty canine, the toilet simply provides a giant porcelain oasis of fresh, cool water in a huge bowl that never moves or tips over and is always full. And don’t forget about location. Bathrooms often feature tile floors that sooth canine pads on hot days. As far as Jules is concerned, the toilet is your home’s Number One water bowl.

As for germs, even if you pride yourself on keeping the cleanest bathroom in your block, your dog isn’t wowed by that fact. There is a slight risk that your dog can get sick if you pour lots of cleaning chemicals in your toilet, but in general the water in your toilet bowl is actually cleaner, and safer than most puddles, lake, and ponds. It’s an unfortunate fact that these public bodies of water often harbor nasty germs and parasites that can cause giardia and other illnesses in our dogs.

Another reason Jules may head to the bathroom instead of his water bowls could be the bowl itself. Plastic bowls absorb odors and may cause the water to taste off, even to a dog. Consider switching to ceramic or stainless steel water bowls that can easily cleaned in the dishwasher.

The simplest solution to this problem is to keep the lid down. I know that it’s easier said than done; we often forget or visitors inadvertently leave it up. You can put a sign for guests saying, Please keep the lid down to keep Jules from drinking, but that won’t enhance your home décor. You may decide to keep your bathroom door closed.

A final tip: Water bowls kept in sunny places can be doggy turnoffs. Make sure that water bowls are in spots where they will be kept cool. Heighten their appeal by tossing in a few ice cubes to provide a welcoming chill on particularly warm days.