A few tips. I'm a huge proponent of letting your dog free drink, which means leaving water out for them all day, and letting them drink as they need. Having said that, you should still monitor how much water your dog consumes.
A good rule to go by is 1/2 to 1 ounce per pound is about the average. That's not an exact science, but a good number to keep in your head.
Too little water can lead to the obvious; kidney stones, dehydration, etc. To much water can be a serious medical problem in the kidneys and should be looked at by your vet. Plus it can lead to other problems such as stomach bloat, and other kidney problems.
Now. Dogs will be dogs. They are going to drink a little more or a little less, and they are ok. But if your dog is drinking 5 gallons of water in a day, they need to be checked out.
So what's safe for your dog? Toilet water? Bath water? Lake, stream, river, pond water? Your dog is pretty safe drinking most water. However, do not, I repeat, DO not let them drink am standing water.
Water in the toilet is standing water, but it's recycled regularly. Pond water, you should probably never let your dog drink. Standing water can carry bacteria and can give your dog Giardia. This will make your dog very very sick, and a vet visit will be required to get your pup better.
Giardia is a single-celled parasite that lives in your dog’s intestine. It infects older dogs but more frequently infects puppies. Dogs become infected when they swallow Giardia that may be present in water or other substances that have been soiled with feces.
Many dogs infected with Giardia do not get any disease. Giardiasis, the disease caused by Giardia infection, usually results in diarrhea. Having giardiasis for a long time can cause weight loss; poor condition; and even death.
So let your dog have fun, drink and be merry. But, keep your dog out of places where the water might not be the best. Hope this was a useful read.
Thanks,
-Maligator Kennels
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