When rainwater hits earth, it comes in contact with several contaminants or chemicals that aren't safe to drink. If you are near a chemical plant, the rain could contain all the chemicals they are putting out into the air. Water that comes off of your roof could come in contact with tar or bird feces.
Dogs will usually be tempted to drink from puddles because that water smells different. Unlike the city tap water, rainwater doesn't have chlorine. This can make puddles more interesting and just “tastier” than the water your dog might be drinking at home.
Rain Buckets
Rain is clean water so it's safe to drink, right? Wrong. Or at least you need to be careful about galvanized rain buckets. Galvanized containers are coated in zinc, which is toxic to cats and dogs in high concentrations.
Unable to seal their cheeks completely, there is no way for a dog to suck up water. Conversely, humans have "complete" cheeks, and we drink by creating negative pressure, allowing us to suck water into our mouths and down our throats.
Just like humans, seasonal changes including thunderstorms, heatwaves, dark skies, wind and heavy rain can all affect your dog's behaviour. According to previous research conducted by the PDSA, a third of dog owners noticed their pet feeling sad during the colder months of the year.
Keeping your dog clean and dry
If you won't be bathing them straight away, have a towel on hand to dry off the rainwater so that they don't get too cold. Keep a towel in the car so that if it starts raining when you go out for the day, you can dry your dog before they get in the car.
Rain, snow, heavy fog, going for a swim—any form of dampness that soaks through the fur can quickly chill a dog even if the air temperature is mild.
If your dog has a healthy immune system, they likely won't contract a serious disease from a shared water bowl. However, puppies, senior dogs, and dogs with compromised immune systems are more at risk.
Whilst rich in beneficial nutrients, like calcium and proteins, cow's milk is not a healthy option for your pooch at any age. Cow's milk contains a sugar called lactose, which dogs lack the necessary enzyme for digesting. Ingesting cow's milk can therefore cause digestive discomfort and possibly excretion issues.
Alcohol must be kept out of the reach of dogs because it can cause severe poisoning. Poisoning may cause symptoms such as seizures or breathing difficulties that need hospitalization and supportive care. Dogs can be poisoned by alcoholic drinks, but did you know they can be poisoned by yeast, too?
Take your dog for a walk in the rain. Sooner or later, the urge for them to potty will come, so be patient. It may be tough at first, but your dog will get used to the rain, and the time it takes for them to go potty will gradually shorten.
Taking your dog out in the rain
Going outside in the rain WITH your dog is important. Pull out your umbrella, the bigger the better, and take your dog outside on a leash to where he likes to go potty. Shelter your dog with an umbrella to help him stay dry.
Because their ears are so sensitive, the sound of the rain can be overwhelming for a pup. While the odd drizzle likely won't have too much of an impact, a heavy rain spell can leave them feeling anxious and restless. For many puppers, this is why the answer to the question of, “do dogs like rain?” is often “no”.
Rainwater can carry bacteria, parasites, viruses, and chemicals that could make you sick, and it has been linked to disease outbreaks. The risk of getting sick from rainwater may be different depending on your location, how frequently it rains, the season, and how you collect and store the rainwater.
Change in barometric pressure.
Dogs with thunderstorm phobias can often sense a drop in barometric pressure that accompanies these storms, says Wendy Hauser, DVM, an on-staff veterinarian and VP of Veterinary Relations for ASPCA Pet Health Insurance.
A dog with excessive thirst may be dehydrated due to an infection, illness or even medication. It's important to look for other signs and symptoms that your dog may be experiencing an underlying condition leading to excessive thirst or dehydration.
Don't worry—cheese is not toxic and is completely fine for most pups. However, some dogs can be lactose intolerant, meaning their body does not react well to dairy products. But even if your dog isn't lactose intolerant, it's still a good idea to keep their cheese consumption to a minimum.
Yes, dogs can eat bananas. In moderation, bananas are a great low-calorie treat for dogs. They're high in potassium, vitamins, biotin, fiber, and copper. They are low in cholesterol and sodium, but because of their high sugar content, bananas should be given as a treat, not part of your dog's main diet.
Eggs are not only a perfectly safe food source for dogs – they offer much in the way of nutritional benefits. Aside from being rich in protein, eggs are also a great source of linoleic acid, Vitamin B2 and B12 and water-soluble Vitamin A – all of which are wonderful for your dog's skin and coat.
Ultimately, if you want to --go for it! However, as the others said, keep an eye on temperature and on your dog's skin. Even for us humans, the water --especially the warmer the temp --can be drying. You may simply need to add a skin supplement to your dog's diet, or be certain that it's an occasional occurrence.
Conclusion. Dogs put their paws in the water bowl because they are hot, bored, reacting to a reflection, looking for attention, prefer moving water, are compulsive, or just because they are puppies.
Importantly, be careful not to overwash your dog as this can strip the natural protective oils in their coat and lead to skin problems. Dogs have a natural 'doggy smell', especially after getting wet. So if your dog has this normal odour, bathing can usually wait. Instead, give them a good brush to freshen up.
Scientists now know that dogs experience multiple sleep stages during a standard sleep cycle, and during REM sleep (rapid eye movement), they dream just like we do, complete with twitches and whimpers.
There's no problem walking a dog in the rain - but a few tips will make sure that they stay happy and healthy. Daily exercise is an essential part of keeping our dogs happy and healthy, even when the heavens open and you need to don the waterproofs.
Keep it stocked with warm blankets in the winter and cool towels in the summer. Never leave your dog unattended for long periods of time, this includes overnight. If something happens to your dog such as heatstroke or hypothermia, the longer it goes unattended the worse it will be for him.