October 5, 2024, 6:10 am | Read time: 4 minutes
For dogs, puddles during walks often provide an opportunity to refresh and quench their thirst. However, owners should prevent this, as stagnant water poses health risks to the pet.
Anyone walking their dog has seen it happen: Suddenly, the animal stands in the middle of a puddle and enjoys a few sips of water. This is strongly discouraged. Drinking from puddles can be dangerous for dogs. The reason: Bacteria and contaminants thrive in stagnant water, warns Berlin dog expert and behavior consultant Nadja Kopp.
“Additionally, puddle water smells different from our tap water because it doesn’t contain chlorine. This makes it even more interesting for dogs,” Kopp continues. However, puddles and other stagnant waters are teeming with bacteria and contaminants that could be harmful to pets.
There’s always a chance that motor oil might mix into the water near parked cars. On country paths, washed-up fertilizers can pose health risks. Parasites and worm eggs from other animals’ excretions can also be ingested while drinking.
Initially, you might not notice anything, but within a few hours, severe diarrhea, vomiting, or other metabolic symptoms can appear. A worm or parasite infestation has more insidious consequences, which might not be immediately apparent if the dog only took a quick sip from a puddle during a walk. In any case, the animal should be taken to a veterinarian.
Also interesting: How much a dog needs to drink daily
Puddles Can Contain Potentially Deadly Pathogens
There’s also the risk of infection with pathogens, such as leptospirosis. This infectious disease is caused by bacteria known as leptospires. The bacteria primarily enter puddles and bodies of water through the urine of rats and mice.
In summer, high temperatures aid their rapid multiplication, but even as temperatures drop in fall, the risk remains. With more frequent and prolonged rain, the bacteria can survive in individual puddles for weeks.
Typical signs that a dog has contracted the disease include fever, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and vomiting. Nosebleeds and circulatory problems can also occur. Additionally, the mucous membranes may turn yellowish.
The tricky part about leptospirosis is that in some cases, symptoms are minimal. In such instances, the disease can be fatal if left untreated. Therefore, yellow mucous membranes are always a reason to visit a veterinarian. Blood or urine tests can then be used to check the pet for leptospires.
Danger from Puddles! Leptospirosis in Dogs
Feline zoonoses: Cats can transmit these diseases to humans
The Good News? There’s a Vaccine!
Dog expert Kopp offers some reassurance: “The leptospirosis vaccine is a mandatory vaccination for dogs, refreshed annually. While infection can still occur, the vaccine usually prevents severe illness. So there’s no need to panic if your dog drinks from a puddle. If the infection is detected early enough, pets generally have good chances of recovery without long-term effects,” Kopp explains.
If the dog hasn’t received this life-saving vaccine or if it’s no longer effective, leptospires are extremely dangerous for the animals. Vaccinating your dog is also in the owner’s best interest, as leptospirosis is a zoonosis—a disease that can be transmitted from dogs to humans. If you experience flu-like symptoms, you should see a doctor and inform them about your pet’s infection.
How to Prevent Your Dog from Drinking from Puddles
But how can you stop your dog from drinking from puddles? It’s important to always watch your pet and use a “no” signal to stop them. Nadja Kopp even advises always having an alternative for the dog, such as a bottle of clean water, which you can offer them. If you don’t have water with you, flowing water is a safer drinking alternative, as pollutant concentrations are usually lower.
And if your dog does take a few sips? Stay calm and monitor your pet closely. If they soon show typical symptoms like diarrhea or fever, visit a veterinarian immediately. With the information that puddle water might be the cause, the vet can quickly perform the necessary tests and treat the animal accordingly. 1
With material from dpa