Please don't let your dog drink from water fountains archived

Um, why is someone's toddler more important than someone's dog? Who says the water fountains belong to the kids? Is there a sign on them that says something like "For use only by humans under the age of 18"?

Gonna assume that's a joke and let it roll.

Eww. Why would parents let their toddlers wrap their mouths around a faucet in an outdoor public water fountain? What about the birds and squirrels using it for water and no doubt pooping and peeing all over it? I think dogs are the least of your worries.

OK, let it roll. I just hope that you are not assuming that I would feel your child is more important to me than my cat.

I love animals but if I had the choice to save the kid who is causing me the most headaches at the moment or my dog, there is no question - kid wins hands down.

As for the water fountains, I suggest parents BRING water to Orchard Park for the reasons kthnry stated. Dogs are the least of your troubles.

And I for one, will NEVER EVER drink from that water fountain again.

Listen, just keep your dogs out of the fountains and let the chips fall where they may. I've never seen a squirrel in there. I see dogs all the time.

I see this constantly in Orchard park. I assume that it happens elsewhere as well. sometimes you just need a fountian for your kid to drink from. That's why they are there. and sometimes you can't stop a toddler from doing something before hand. Not sure what kthenry's techniques are.

Posted By: kthnryEww. Why would parents let their toddlers wrap their mouths around a faucet in an outdoor public water fountain? What about the birds and squirrels using it for water and no doubt pooping and peeing all over it? I think dogs are the least of your worries.

Exactly. I RARELY let my kids TOUCH water fountains for a whole host of germ reasons...the least of which being a dog's mouth.

And what if I, as a tax payer, want to offer my dog a drink out of the fountain? Are you policing now?? LOL

Quick, someone go get PennBoy! This is going to turn into more of a holy war than any of his inflammatory class- and religion-based threads.

kthnry....good call, above! rotflol!

bunch of wusses

Okay, so just to be clear, the basic position is: water fountains are gross anyhow, parents who let their kids use them are irresponsible; wildlife probably defecate in them; so we might as well let our poop-licking dogs slobber all over them. And if you let your kid take a drink, you are a bad parent. do I have that straight?

Please just keep your dog out of the water fountain. If you actually think there needs to be a sign stating that water fountains are for people, then there's nothing else I can say.

I really wasn't trying to start a controversy. To me, this is such an obvious issue that it defies explanation.

you're really fixating on the poop-licking aspect.

Indeed I am. Because last week I watched a terrier do exactly that and then lick the water fountain and that's what made me think about this and want to let people know it was a bad idea.

I've seen more toddlers play with poop than dogs. And I see a lot of dogs.

Just sayin'.

I forget the statistics about how many germs are in the average person's mouth, but it makes dogs look pretty good by comparison. At any rate, any child who's wrapping his mouth around the faucet is adding a total germfest to it also. So if someone else's kid is doing this, your child is picking up all THOSE germs. To say you're a bad parent if you let your kid do this is WAY overstating the case, but I would say it's much, much safer if you try to avoid it at all costs.

Now, back to the argument about whether we prefer dogs or children...

people, give her a break...jesus. the water fountains are for people...are they at dog height? is there a lower spigot? then use that.

people think they can just do whatever they want. F the next person.

in fact, they don't even consider the next person.

I strongly suspect there are lower faucets that are the right height for both small children and dogs. Otherwise, I can't figure out how both could access it easily.

Posted By: Oldstonepeople, give her a break...jesus. the water fountains are for people...are they at dog height? is there a lower spigot? then use that.

people think they can just do whatever they want. F the next person.

in fact, they don't even consider the next person.

AMEN!!! These people would argue anything. Such ********.

Keep in mind, though, when walking in the park on a hot summer day dogs have fewer options for getting some much needed water than your toddler does. They are also covered in fur and have very few sweat glands to help regulate their body temperature. Overheating can lead to some pretty serious and even fatal problems for dogs and they're not as adept at communicating their discomfort as your toddler probably is. And, as mentioned above, public water fountains are gross regardless of how many dogs are drinking from them.

I vote we let the dogs have the fountains and we bring some clean water for the kids. Who's with me?

Posted By: cmr252Keep in mind, though, when walking in the park on a hot summer day dogs have fewer options for getting some much needed water than your toddler does. They are also covered in fur and have very few sweat glands to help regulate their body temperature. Overheating can lead to some pretty serious and even fatal problems for dogs and they're not as adept at communicating their discomfort as your toddler probably is. And, as mentioned above, public water fountains are gross regardless of how many dogs are drinking from them.

I vote we let the dogs have the fountains and we bring some clean water for the kids. Who's with me?

If you were a caring pet owner, you'd carry water with you for the dog.

i see it the other way around, you should be bringing a bottle of water along with your walk with the dogs in extreme heat. you know, like a dogowner that cares about his animals. anyway, the fountains were made for people.

and i have dogs. very, very happy and healthy dogs.

By the way, I LOVE my dog but not as much as my kids.

Posted By: cfa reincarnatedIf you were a caring pet owner, you'd carry water with you for the dog.

exacccctly. and what's ironic is usually everyone would be for the children...but not when it comes to water fountains in parks.

:facepalm:

Posted By: PeggyCI forget the statistics about how many germs are in the average person's mouth, but it makes dogs look pretty good by comparison. At any rate, any child who's wrapping his mouth around the faucet is adding a total germfest to it also. So if someone else's kid is doing this, your child is picking up all THOSE germs. To say you're a bad parent if you let your kid do this is WAY overstating the case, but I would say it's much, much safer if you try to avoid it at all costs.

Now, back to the argument about whether we prefer dogs or children...

I think the number of germs in a dog's mouth is equivalent to a human's mouth... dog's mouths are not clean by any respect..... that's a myth.

I know it's a myth. I'm saying that any human's mouth has just as many germs as a dog's mouth. Meaning that tap isn't safe for anyone, even if the dogs are kept off it.

Ever try to get a dog to drink from a water bottle? There's a post now about how difficult it is...

And, of course any caring dog owner makes sure they have water for their dogs on hot days. Just like any caring parent brings water for their toddler and doesn't rely on them sucking down some fountain water in the park. But all things being equal, if I'm out of water and my dog is thirsty I'm not denying him a drink from the fountain because it's only for people. That's totally speciesist...

I find it kind of creepy that people are seeing a need to declare that they love their children more than their pets.

Posted By: PeggyCMeaning that tap isn't safe for anyone, even if the dogs are kept off it.

well, the water is ok, isn't it? you teach the kid how to drink without touching his mouth to the metal, so it bubbles or flows into your mouth. even my mother taught me that.

Posted By: drummerboyyou're really fixating on the poop-licking aspect.

I was just thinking the same thing:rolling:

Posted By: kindofbirdThen I see toddlers in there wrapping their mouths around the faucet.

that is just as gross in my opinion. i NEVER drink from water fountains. you never know what's been on them. carry bottle water or a thermos with you.