As scientists raise the alarm over toxic pesticides entering rivers and streams, pet owners are being urged to think more carefully about what’s in their dogs’ drinking water.
A growing body of evidence suggests that fipronil – a widely used ingredient in pet flea and tick treatments – is ending up in waterways after washing off animals or being flushed down drains, raising environmental and health concerns. Scientists say fipronil is extremely toxic to aquatic life and can persist in the environment long after use, even though it has been banned from agricultural use for its impact on wildlife.
A recent article in The European retired vet and environmental campaigner Dr Ueli Zellweger raised the alarm on the issue.
He said: “As a veterinary surgeon, this troubles me deeply. And as a citizen, it alarms me. As someone who has spent years watching the decline of insect life in our countryside and the collapse of aquatic ecosystems in Exmoor and beyond that once seemed resilient, I can no longer ignore the connection.”
England’s waterways have been found to contain fipronil and other pesticides at levels known to harm insect life, fish and the broader ecosystem. Evidence shows that fipronil and similar chemicals are entering rivers and lakes when pets that have been treated with topical flea products are bathed, swim in water, or when owners wash bedding or hands after application.
While the immediate focus of that concern has been on aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity, some pet wellbeing advocates say the issue highlights an additional question for owners: what’s going into the bowls when pets drink tap water sourced from potentially contaminated supplies?
“Pet parents understandably want to protect their dogs from fleas and ticks. But when we begin to see some of these same compounds appearing in our rivers and potentially even in drinking water systems, it invites a wider conversation about what our pets – and we ourselves – are exposed to every day.”
OxyPet produces oxygen-rich spring water for dogs and other pets, designed to support greater oxygen availability, superior hydration, and well-being. The company says that while tap can contain trace chemicals, including pesticide residues, depending on the source and treatment processes.
Lindsey John Taylor, Co-Founder of OxyPet, said: “When there are known pollutants in waterways that could pass through conventional filtration systems, pet owners may want to think about the quality of hydration they’re offering their animals – particularly breeds that are already vulnerable, like flat-faced dogs.”
Research published in environmental science journals has found that fipronil and imidacloprid – another common insecticide – are present in high proportions of water samples in English rivers, sometimes at levels above chronic safety thresholds for aquatic invertebrates.
“We know that these chemicals were banned from agricultural use because of their impact on bees and freshwater habitats,” said Karla Pearson, a director at OxyPet and founder of NO BULL Just Natural Health For Dogs. “But when similar compounds used on pets are showing up in waterways, it gives owners pause. It’s not just wildlife that can be affected – if these compounds get into public supply, this affects our best friends too.”
Karla, whose own journey into pet health began with her French Bulldog Betty’s struggles, says the discussion around water quality is especially relevant for dogs with compromised breathing or recovery needs. “For brachycephalic breeds, hydration quality matters. Their bodies work harder to cope with oxygen demand and recovery, and anything that supports better circulation and hydration is worth considering.”
The UK government and environmental agencies are taking steps to understand and reduce the presence of these chemicals in rivers and drinking water catchments, including communication strategies and research into environmental impacts.
Experts are also urging pet owners to use flea and tick treatments judiciously, based on actual need rather than routine use, to reduce environmental input of these agents.
While the debate over the best way to balance animal health, pest control and environmental protection continues, companies like OxyPet say they hope more pet parents will think holistically about pet wellbeing – including the quality of water dogs drink every day.
“I’m not here to tell anyone what treatments they should or shouldn’t use. Lindsey John says. “But it does make you think more carefully about what chemicals our dogs are exposed to every day, especially when it comes to the water they consume.”
