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When a dog’s thirsty, he will usually drink any water that’s available. He may drink from his water bowl, the toilet, or other sources! But what happens if a dog drinks rusty water?
Has your dog drunk rusty water? Are you worried the rusty water will make him sick? If so, then you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary when your dog drinks something like this.
In this article, we’ve put together some information about rusty water and whether it can make a dog sick. Let’s get started!
What is Rusty Water?
Rusty water is water that contains rust. The rust comes from metal that has oxidized and fallen into the water. Metals such as steel and iron can rust. When this happens, the rust may be swept into a puddle or container when it rains. The rainwater can flow over the rust, removing it from the metal, leading to rusty water.
Rust forms when the metal is exposed to water and oxygen, which causes the metal to corrode. The metal is being destroyed, and the sign is a red, crusty layer on different areas of the metal. It’s possible the entire piece of metal becomes corroded and rusts.
Rusty water may have a brownish or reddish color. What happens if a dog drinks rusty water?
Rusty Water & Dogs
A small lick or two of rusty water will not make your dog sick. However, a larger amount of rusty water could make your fur baby sick. The problem is that larger amounts of rusty water can be toxic and lead to iron poisoning. While dogs do need iron to be healthy, too much can make them very sick.
Iron Poisoning Symptoms in Dogs
You may notice these symptoms if your dog has iron poisoning from drinking rusty water:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain & swelling
- Loss of appetite
- Seizure
- Rapid heart rate
- Lethargy
- Hypotension
- Jaundice
- Fever
- Muscle tremors
- Shock
- Organ failure
- Collapse
If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, then it’s time to call the vet. This is an emergency. Don’t wait to see if your dog’s symptoms improve or worsen. He needs help now.
Be sure to let the vet know your fur baby has drunk rusty water and about how much he drank. Also, tell the vet about what time this happened.
The good news is that dogs treated promptly have the best chance of making a full recovery. After your fur baby is home from the vet, he will need some time to recover. Be sure to follow the vet’s care instructions and let them know of any issues that may arise. Then take your canine companion for the follow-up visit to make sure he’s recovering in the right way.
Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Licensed vets are available 24/7 to answer your questions. No need to worry about your furry family member.
Julie
Julie is a graduate of the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, where she studied Animal science. Though contrary to the opinion of her parents she was meant to study pharmacy, but she was in love with animals especially cats. Julie currently works in an animal research institute (NGO) in California and loves spending quality time with her little cat. She has the passion for making research about animals, how they survive, their way of life among others and publishes it. Julie is also happily married with two kids.
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