Is Drinking Toilet Water Dangerous for Cats and Dogs?

It's not entirely unusual for pets, though the practice is a nuisance, to indulge in a little bit of toilet water. You're not alone if you count yourself among the ranks who forgot to close the bathroom door and were reminded by the sound of your furry friend lapping up the inner contents of the bowl. But is drinking toilet water dangerous for your pet?

It depends, as our friends at Vetstreet tell us, entirely on what contents are in the bowl. Household cleaning products used in toilet water can be dangerous for pets. But, surprisingly, most of what is in a freshly flushed bowl, which consists of fresher, cooler water, isn't that bad.

According to Vetstreet's Dr. Marty Becker, our furry friends almost prefer toilet water because it may actually be higher quality than what is currently in their bowls. Surprised? Most probably are.

Learn more about the specifics of whether drinking toilet water is dangerous for your dog or cat from our friends at Vetstreet. Along the way, learn other potential alternatives to curb the habit of your cat or dog digging into the toilet.