My 12 yr old Bichon Pixie started drinking out of the toilet about 2 months ago. About that time I started to use bottled spring or distilled water. Her 9 year old daughter Peanut, is not drinking out of the toilet. Pixie's teeth are not good, and I feel the tap water I was using for the past 5 years with the fluoride gave her flourosis. We keep the top down on the toilet but then she will lick the drops of water from the shower. I was reading some articles online that said the bottled water is just as bad as the tap. I went back to the tap water but she still makes a bee-line for the bathroom. There is always plenty of fresh water for her to drink. She does have some allergies as she sneezes and coughs some times, but other than that she eats well and is active. Why would all of a sudden a dog start to do this, is it doggy instinct that the urine water might be good for her?

I'm not sure, but I do know that it's not urine water until you urinate in it, at least not where I live.
Maybe because it's cooler always being refreshed.:confused:

Lots of dogs actually like drinking from the toilette or the shower stall, the water is cooler, and is always running, that could be something that appeals to her. You can try one of those trickling water bowls. It could be the difference between the tastes in water, at 12, I probably wouldn't deny her a certain type of water.

Do you brush your dogs teeth? They do have specific doggy tooth paste, but at 12, she may not be too responsive.

My dogs love toilet water. They will drink from there first before they drink from their water bowl.

As long as you don't use any type of cleaners in the bowl such as the clip ons, there really isn't much to worry about. Toilet water is always colder and (I know gross!) fresher due to new water being exchanged out all day. Lol

I was told by my vet that dogs don't have tooth problems the say way people do. Basically, if there are tooth problems, its because the teeth are just weak. Drinking tap water wouldn't harm her teeth... Brushing teeth is completely an industrial created thing.. Give a dog a bone.. Chewing on bones is what naturally cleans teeth.

I'd go with one of the trickling water bowls like Bella suggested.
They have a little motor inside them and the water constantly runs down the side of a 'hump' in the middle of the bowl, most dogs love them.

I'm a little curious as to how a little Bichon is getting its head all the way in the bowl :eek:

The bottled water vs tap is pretty much a personal decision, there are so many stories and articles that support both sides. Me personally, my dogs just get water out the tap.

My dog recently started doing this to, I think it is because of the heat we have been having he is trying to get the cold water.. I think it is discusting, but he enjoys it..