drinking water

I have a collie who has a fresh bowl of drinking water which never runs dry,
yet when I take him for a walk as he comes into the drive he will drink the
water out a small pond (3 feet diameter) that must have water that is
undrinkable and over a year old. We have a cat that also does this. Why?

Rocky...

He's probably thirsty. The question is why are you letting them
do this?

I would have thought fresh water to be better.

Rocky...

I agree.

S S...

But I still wonder why both the cat and the dog try and drink this in
preference to fresh.

Michael A. Ball...

I think it is because, to them, the chlorine stinks--even when we can't
smell it. But I'm merely speculating.

Mirelle...

I was thinking about chlorine and other pollutants in the water as I
read the post.
Try using reverse osmosis or distilled water.
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S S...

He will drink tap water its just at every opportunity he will go for the
stale. The tap water here (scotland) although probably got chlorine in it is
good tasting (to humans) and isnt like some places where it is filtered and
used several times (eg london). Maybe I am missing something and the dog is
`saying` "this stale water is actually better quality than that S... out of
the tap....you dont fool me!

BluHeelrTX...

May be speculating.

Both of my dogs prefer to drink from the muddy and algae filled pond on
the back of my lot (when I let them out) than the constantly refreshed
washtub that is available to them all day long. The tub is fed by my
water well - no chlorine or any treatment at all. The pond is fed
mostly by rainfall and some by the well.

_______________________
When I die, I want to go where dogs go!

Mirelle...

Me too !