Can My Pets Share A Water Bowl?

In your multi-pet household, there’s nothing cuter than catching your pets snuggled up in the same bed, sharing toys, and even drinking from the same water bowl at the same time. But have you ever wondered if it’s truly okay to let your pets share a water bowl, or if each needs one of their own?
The short answer is: “yes, but….” Here’s what you should know if your cat and dog, or multiple pets of the same species like to share their water.

Do Pets Like To Share Water?
Most cats and dogs are at least somewhat protective of their resources. They may fight over food, treats, toys, and even attention from their favorite humans. Some pets also can become protective of their water bowl, too, and may not like it when they have to share it with other pets. Or, they may be afraid to drink water when your other pet is near the bowl.
If there’s any chance of a power struggle in your home, especially if your pets haven’t lived together longer, make sure each dog or cat has a private water bowl to prevent behavioral issues.

Can Pets Get Sick From Sharing A Water Bowl?
For most healthy pets, sharing a water bowl is relatively safe. But for those that may carry a contagious disease, it could be a way for them to pass harmful pathogens to one another.
Internal parasites can be passed through a shared water bowl. Tapeworms, for example, can enter a pet’s mouth when they groom themselves after defecating. From there, the tapeworm larvae can and up in the water bowl next time they take a drink.
Kennel cough, a respiratory infection caused by the bacteria Bordetella bronchiseptica, can be passed between pets who share a water bowl, too.
To minimize the chances that your pets will make one another sick, make sure they’re taking their flea, tick, and heartworm preventatives on time, and keep them up-to-date on vaccines as recommended by your veterinarian.

Keeping A Shared Water Bowl Clean
It’s important to wash and refill water bowls daily, regardless of whether or not your pets share. But when you have multiple animals drinking from the same bowl, they’ll introduce bacteria from their mouth with each sip, even if they’re healthy.
Standing water, with the addition of each of your pets’ saliva and naturally occurring bacteria, will quickly start to develop a sticky substance called biofilm. Biofilm is that slimy goo that you might notice when you’re washing the water bowl. This goo allows bacteria to flourish.
Yeast, mold, and bacteria like e.coli are everywhere in your pet’s environment, in and on their bodies, and of course, in their bowls. An overload of pathogens from an infrequently washed water bowl can lead to illness, including bladder infections, kidney infections, periodontal disease, and infections of the digestive tract.
Your pets’ water bowl should be disinfected, not just rinsed or washed, once or twice each day. To sanitize, run the bowl through a dishwasher or scrub with hot, soapy water. It’s best to have at least two bowls to cycle through so your pets always have a clean water source.
Water fountains are a great choice for multi-pet households. They keep the water circulating to reduce bacterial buildup even with multiple pets, and both cats and dogs love them