Dog will NOT drink out of plastic bucket - glass or toilet bowl ok! (lab, allergy)

[Billy_J]

I have a 5 year old Lab mix who I adopted at age 4. He will not drink water out of two large plastic buckets I have for both my dogs. (My other Lab mix regularly drinks out of these).

He has NEVER had a drink out of those plastic buckets (no matter how fresh the water), but will drink out of the toilet bowl or out of a smaller glass bowl. Also he will drink stagnant rain water off a tarp on the ground in the back yard - has nasty green stuff growing in it, etc.

Perhaps the plastic is keeping the dog away? Or prior training from the past owner? Or maybe because the other dog, who was here before I adopted him, drinks out of those ("her" bowls)?

Anyone know why the dog will not drink out of them?

[cottercutie]

Have you tried a stainless steel bowl?

[JrzDefector]

My father had a dog that had a mild plastic allergy. If she drank out of a plastic bucket too much, she would get a raw spot on her nose. Dad started using metal buckets.

[Driller1]

Smart dog....after the questionable plastics from China we switched to all stainless steel bowls.

[willow wind]

Some plastics leach smells and chemicals that dogs don't like. You have a dog with a sensitive nose.

We've used only stainless steel bowls and buckets and have no problems.

[Billy_J]

I'll bet that is it (Plastic smell). Now that I think of it, even I can smell a plastic odor if eating out some plastic bowls.

Thanks!

[Nanny Goat]

My cat wouldn't drink from the water fountain or use anything but Tidy Cat for her litter. They just have their own minds I guess!

[LuvABull.Denver]

Originally Posted by Driller1

Smart dog....after the questionable plastics from China we switched to all stainless steel bowls.

I agree with this 100%. Plastic is not good for a few reasons. One, is that the chemicals from plastic (petroleum) can leach into the water.

Two, is that bacteria grows faster in plastic than in glass or stainless steel.

You may want consider changing their bowl over. Just something to consider. I switched over from plastics years ago.

I would say you have a very smart dog.

[suzy_q2010]

I don't like to drink from soft plastic containers, either. Hard plastics are OK, but I prefer glass.

[Billy_J]

Update: I found a large 20 quart metal pot (aluminum). And both dogs are drinking out of that. So I guess it was the smell of the plastic as suggested above! Thanks.

FYI - I live alone and want large containers of water should I be in a car accident or whatever. Then the dogs will have plenty of water until someone can go to my house and take care of them.