My Dog Drank Blue Toilet Water

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As most dog owners know, the sight of a dog with their head in a toilet bowl is not unusual. However, that doesn’t mean the sight won’t turn our stomachs or cause concern, especially if there’s toilet cleaner in the water. Understanding why your dog is so attracted to drinking toilet water, what the impacts of that indulgence can be, and how to curb such compulsions can help put your mind at ease.

Though the idea of drinking from a toilet might be confusing if not revolting to us humans, our dogs have a very different opinion. They don’t see the toilet as a waste receptacle but as a source of refreshment.

Dogs – like humans – prefer chilled water. So even if you make sure to keep their water bowls full, the odds of your pup drinking all of it at once are low. That means that the water will likely be closer to room temperature by the time they get back to it. The water in the toilet, on the other hand, is almost always cold, making it preferable to what they find in their bowls.

It can be a matter of taste, too. While metal bowls are often seen as more durable, they can transfer an unappealing taste to their contents. That metallic flavor can prompt dogs to seek out better tasting alternatives. A porcelain toilet can offer just that.

This preference may also be primal. Most animals in the wild, including canines, instinctively seek out running water. It is not only often cleaner than stagnant water but tastier, too.

Though our lovable pets may not be quite ready to run with the wolves, some of those natural instincts remain. The running water in your toilet might be triggering their attraction to the bowl.

Can a dog get sick from drinking out of the toilet?

Why Do Dogs Drink Toilet Water?

That’s a great question! Our fur babies have many habits we just can’t understand. Whether they have a taste for things that died a few months ago, love to roll in smelly things, or have a penchant for eating the poo from the kitty’s litter box, dogs seem to be very non-discerning when it comes to ingesting things.

This, of course, also applies to toilet water. Why does a dog go for toilet water? One of the attractions could be the fact that the water in the toilet runs frequently. For a dog, this is an indicator the water is fresh and clean, rather than dirty and stagnant. Yes, it’s toilet water, bur your dog’s natural instincts may drive him to drink water that’s fresh.

Another reason is that the water is easily accessible. If your fur baby is tall enough to drink out of the toilet, it could be a matter of accessibility and convenience.

In some cases, there may be no obvious answer. Dogs may just prefer toilet water for their own reasons!

Problem with Toilet Water: Germs & Cleaning Agents

Your fur baby could face getting sick if he drinks toilet water on a regular basis. This is especially the case if you don’t clean the toilet very often. Your fur baby could be lapping up E.coli and other nasties! You may rethink getting kisses from your dog after this!

The other issue is if you use those colored liquids or tablets that help keep the toilet fresh and clean. These products can contain toxic chemicals such as bleach. Other harmful chemicals in these products can also include sodium peroxide, sodium hypochlorite, and hypochlorite salts. These chemicals can be toxic for your fur baby.

What Should You Do If Your Dog Ate Toilet Bowl Cleaner Tablets?

Tablets or any cleaning product that has yet to dissolve in water will put your dog’s life at risk.

These products are not so toxic anymore, but they are incredibly caustic. Dogs can have bad chewing habits and you may catch them chewing on these tablets.

When the cleaner is caustic, your dog will show symptoms right away because the product will start burning their mouth and throat. They could be drooling, coughing, and having trouble breathing.

If that’s the case, remove them immediately and bring your pet to the veterinarian because this is a medical emergency that requires prompt intervention.

There are many alternatives to these toilet bowl cleaning products and among them, you can also find a few pet-safe toilet bowl cleaners.

If you need to keep using caustic products, make sure to store them away from your pet and lock the bathroom while you’re cleaning.

FAQ

What happens if my dog drank toilet bowl cleaner?

Just as you might see should your pet ingest any sort of household cleaning product, symptoms might include things like vomiting, trouble breathing, diarrhea, coughing, and irritated eyes.

What if a dog drinks toilet water with bleach?

Pets who have ingested a small amount of color-safe bleach will usually vomit a few times and then return to normal. If your dog or cat drank some bleach and is drooling but not vomiting, you want to encourage him to drink to rinse off any bleach that is still in contact with the lining of his gastrointestinal tract.

Can toilet bowl cleaner hurt a dog?

Pets who have ingested a small amount of color-safe bleach will usually vomit a few times and then return to normal. If your dog or cat drank some bleach and is drooling but not vomiting, you want to encourage him to drink to rinse off any bleach that is still in contact with the lining of his gastrointestinal tract.

Is blue toilet water safe?

Pets who have ingested a small amount of color-safe bleach will usually vomit a few times and then return to normal. If your dog or cat drank some bleach and is drooling but not vomiting, you want to encourage him to drink to rinse off any bleach that is still in contact with the lining of his gastrointestinal tract.