A TikTok video shared by a veterinary nurse has gone viral after she warned dog owners against this common habit – even though it’s tempting to do in hot weather
With the warm weather hitting the UK this week, thirsty pups might be tempted to drink out of water bowls left outside. But a vet nurse has dropped a bombshell warning dog owners to steer clear.
“Don’t let your dogs drink from communal water bowls whilst out on a walk!” said Jade in her 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.”
Jade said these water bowls can become petri dishes for dangerous germs. “They can often be a source of contamination and can spread infectious diseases,” she warned, flagging up potential illnesses that can be passed on like kennel cough, leptospirosis, and the canine papilloma virus.
Jade added: “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 highlighted that these bowls can spread parasites like tapeworm, roundworm, giardia, and lungworm – the latter often due to slug attraction.
“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.
She concluded with a recommendation: “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.”
Reacting to her advice, one TikTok user commented: “My dog never drinks out of these bowls anyway I think she knows there’s something wrong with them.”
Another person was shocked: “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!”.
Someone else shared their approach: “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!”.
Yet another TikTok user suggested: “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.”
And an another chimed in: “I always carry a travel bowl and fresh water but I’ve never thought about this before. Good advice right here.”
How to keep dogs hydrated during hot weather
To keep your dog well-hydrated in hot conditions, aim to time your walks when the sun’s not at its peak – think crack of dawn or as dusk falls.
Ignore shared drinking spots; instead, bring your own supply of water with a portable bowl during walkies.
Make regular pit stops every 10-15 minutes (or more frequently on hot days) to let your dog sip some water. Let them set the drinking pace, but watch out for them gulping water too quickly as it might upset their tummy.
Look for cool, shady retreats for breaks along your route and allow your doggy to chill – overheating can lead to dehydration.
Any pet health worries should be taken seriously – contact your vet if you have any concerns.