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As a pet parent, you’ve probably seen your dog eat and drink many strange things. Remember that fish head your dog was determined to eat at the beach? He didn’t want to give it up, and then you had to reach in and get it out! Yuck!
Some dogs have been known to even drink urine, including human urine! Why on earth would a dog drink human urine? Well, actually, there are several reasons that could cause a dog to do something like this. But is it safe for a dog to drink human pee?
Has your dog drunk human pee? Are you worried the human pee will make your dog sick? If so, then you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary when a dog drinks something like this.
In this article, we’ll take a look at what could be in human pee and whether it can make a dog sick. Let’s get started!
What’s in Human Pee?
It’s important to remember that urine is a waste product. It contains things the body says it doesn’t need. But what’s in human urine?
Normal human urine typically contains salt, water, electrolytes (potassium & phosphorus), urea, ammonia, creatinine, and uric acid. However, it’s also possible for human pee to contain blood, medications, and more.
Some people believe urine is sterile, but that’s simply not the case. Urine can contain all kinds of bacteria and pathogens.
But what happens if a dog drinks human pee?
Human Pee & Dogs
Is human urine safe for dogs to drink? The answer really depends. Generally, it’s not a good idea for dogs to drink human urine. Even your own or your family’s urine could carry something harmful to the dog.
Another problem is that human urine may contain excess medications. For instance, if a person is taking meth, some of this will come out in their urine. If a dog drinks human pee that contains meth, this can be very deadly for the dog.
Urine also carries pathogens and bacteria that can make a dog sick.
What’s more, if a dog drinks human pee from the toilet, he could be exposed to chemicals that are present in the water. Some people use chemicals in toilet water to keep it clean and odor-free. These chemicals could make a dog very sick if ingested.
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Ask a Vet Live NowWhy Do Dogs Drink Human Pee?
There are several answers. For one thing, the dog may be thirsty. If they don’t have access to clean water, a dog will drink any liquid, including human pee.
In addition, the dog may simply be wanting a drink, not necessarily with the intention of drinking human urine. He just happens to drink some if the urine hasn’t been flushed down.
Next, a dog may drink human pee due to boredom. And sometimes, a dog may have an underlying health issue that causes him to drink urine.
What to Do If Your Dog is Drinking Human Pee
If your dog drinks human pee on a regular basis, then it’s best to take him to the vet. A checkup is in order to see if your fur baby has any underlying health issues. If not, then your canine companion may need some obedience training to break this very bad habit.
To keep your dog from drinking human pee at home, it’s a good idea to keep the bathroom door closed, too!
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Tom
Tom has always loved to write since he was little - he wanted to be either a writer or a veterinary doctor, but he ended up being a professional writer while most of his works are based on animals. He was born in San Francisco but later moved to Texas to continue his job as a writer. He graduated from the University of San Francisco where he studied biotechnology. He is happily married and a soon to be father!
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