If you’ve ever been out on a walk with your dog and spotted a public dog drinking bowl, you might be tempted to let your dog drink from it. It might seem pretty convenient but is it safe? Shared dog bowls may harbor pathogens that can make your dog sick, even if those dogs share a home. So, should dogs drink out of shared water bowls?

Should Dogs Share Water Bowls?

Dogs need water, especially in the heat. It’s important to keep them cool, make sure they have regular access to water, ensure they stay hydrated, and also for you to know the signs of heatstroke in dogs to help keep your dog safe.

When it comes to dogs sharing water bowls, there isn’t necessarily a black-and-white answer. It depends on a few factors, like the quality of water, how clean the bowl is, the age of your dog, the health of your dog, the other dogs sharing the bowl, and more.

You can bring your own water and a portable bowl when you go out and about. But, sometimes a shared bowl may be the only source of water available; provided there are no obvious issues with the water, it’s better to let your dog get the hydration they need than to keep your dog from something they need.

3 Risks of Dogs Using Public Water Bowls

There are a few risks to keep in mind when your dog uses a public water bowl. You’ll find these public water bowls at cafes, restaurants, outdoor festivals, and parks. Since there’s no way to determine whether a bowl is clean, you’ll need to make a decision, and pretty quickly if your dog is thirsty. Here are a few of the risks of dogs using public water bowls:

1. Contamination

When a dog bowl is shared by multiple dogs, germs are inevitable. For unknown reasons, some dogs will splash around in a water bowl and some have even been known to pee or poop in their bowls. Needless to say, some water bowls are absolute germ receptors. Even dogs who don’t make their bowl a playground can bring germs into a bowl.

When multiple dogs share a water bowl, these bowls are contaminated by saliva, bacteria, and viruses. This can lead to the spread of disease or viral and bacterial infections, especially with highly contagious infections like giardia, parvo, dog flu, etc. Dogs with compromised immune systems are much more susceptible to these infections or viruses.

2. Hygiene

While it’s nice that public places provide water bowls for dogs, these bowls may not be cleaned frequently or properly. When water bowls are not properly cleaned or sanitized, bacteria and pathogens can build up. And stagnant water can be the perfect breeding ground for harmful microbes.

In addition to potential upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea, and other symptoms you should never ignore in your dog, your dog can pass on these harmful germs to other dogs or even humans. Drinking out of an unsanitized water bowl is especially dangerous for dogs that are sick or have a compromised immune system.

3. Territorial Behavior

Another potential reason why dogs shouldn’t drink out of shared water bowls is territorial behavior. This is especially important when in an area with other dogs, like a dog park. Some dogs can be very territorial over food and water (resource guarding) and this may be a cause of aggression in dogs towards other dogs while drinking. When this happens, it can create unsafe conditions for dogs and owners alike.

If your dog tends to exhibit this kind of territorial or resource guarding behavior, it’s probably wise and safer to pack your own water bowl and water and let your dog drink farther away from other dogs. You may want to keep your dog away from the communal water bowl so they don’t trigger any altercations.

Can Dogs in the Same Home Share Water Bowls?

Dogs that live in the same home can safely share water bowls, but there are a few things to keep in mind first. If any of your dogs show any signs of illness, be sure to give them their own separate water bowl until they are healthy again. This helps cut back on the likelihood of your other dogs becoming ill as well.

It’s also very important to keep their water bowl clean and sanitized daily. Pathogens and microbes can build up in the water, especially if it’s stagnant. Either cleaning the bowl daily or replacing it with a new bowl can ensure fresh and clean water for your dog.

However, it may be best to ensure that each dog has their own water bowl to eliminate any problems with herms or sharing. It may be helpful to set up a feeding station for your dogs complete with water bowls for each dog.

So, should dogs drink out of shared water bowls? It all comes down to your discretion. If your dog is hot and needs water and a shared bowl is your only option, it can be worth it. But in other cases, separate bowls are probably the safer option.