PET BEHAVIOR

Why Does my Dog Drink Toilet Bowl Water?

3 minutes
Apr 11, 2022

Dogs are scavengers and naturally search out food and water. Their ancestors were scavengers and that particular trait continues to be exhibited in our modern day dogs. Have you noticed your dog interested in the garbage? Sniffing the food you’re cooking? Finding food in random places your children may have dropped? This is part of their scavenging.

The toilet bowl is no different

If your dog is thirsty and the toilet bowl is available, he will enjoy a drink from the toilet. Even if there is a bowl of water in another room, he still prefers the toilet bowl water.

Why Does my Dog Prefer the Toilet?

The toilet bowl water is actually often more sanitary than their regular bowl of water. The toilet bowl water is continuously replenished and often a fresh, cold water source. Your dog prefers cold water, just as we do, to normal room temperature water which would be found in their water bowl.

Water from a plastic or metal bowl can also taste like the bowl it is in. So, your dog is essentially choosing clean, flowing water over stagnant, room-temperature water.

Drinking from the toilet bowl is often a concern for pet parents due to the fact that we use chemicals to clean the toilet bowl. If you are using natural, organic cleaning materials, the toilet bowl should not harm him in any way.

How Do I Prevent my Dog from Drinking out of the Toilet?

Drinking from the toilet bowl is often a concern for pet parents due to the fact that we use chemicals to clean the toilet bowl. If you are using natural, organic cleaning materials, the toilet bowl should not harm him in any way.

Well, the only true way to keep your dog out of the toilet is to make it inaccessible. If you do not feel comfortable with your dog drinking from the toilet for any reason, keep the bathroom door closed or close the toilet bowl.

Protect your Pup with Dog Insurance 

Looking for more ways to keep your pup happy and healthy? Consider investing in a dog insurance policy with MetLife Pet Insurance.1  Our dog insurance policies can provide the coverage and care your furry family member deserves.  Get your free quote today.

Keep your Dog Healthy

Coverage in 3 Easy Steps

Nothing in this article should be construed as financial, legal or veterinary advice. Please consult your own advisors for questions relating to your and your pet’s specific circumstances.

1 Pet Insurance offered by MetLife Pet Insurance Solutions LLC is underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company (“IAIC”), a Delaware insurance company, headquartered at 485 Madison Avenue, NY, NY 10022, and Metropolitan General Insurance Company (“MetGen”), a Rhode Island insurance company, headquartered at 700 Quaker Lane, Warwick, RI 02886, in those states where MetGen’s policies are available. MetLife Pet Insurance Solutions LLC is the policy administrator authorized by IAIC and MetGen to offer and administer pet insurance policies. MetLife Pet Insurance Solutions LLC was previously known as PetFirst Healthcare, LLC and in some states continues to operate under that name pending approval of its application for a name change. The entity may operate under an alternate, assumed, and/or fictitious name in certain jurisdictions as approved, including MetLife Pet Insurance Services LLC (New York and Minnesota), MetLife Pet Insurance Solutions Agency LLC (Illinois), and such other alternate, assumed, or fictitious names approved by certain jurisdictions. 

L0424039450[exp0426][All States][DC,GU,MP,PR,VI]