Dogs can get Giardia after swallowing water contaminated with the parasite. Keep your dog from drinking bird bath water. If your dog has ongoing diarrhea or vomiting, contact your veterinarian and mention any outdoor water it has drunk.
How Infection Can Happen
Giardia is an intestinal parasite, not a bacterium. An animal can become infected after swallowing water contaminated with Giardia from feces. You cannot tell whether bird bath water is contaminated just by looking at it.
For wider guidance, see our bird bath water depth, material and pet safety guide.
Routine Cleaning Is Not Giardia Disinfection
For routine cleaning of our painted bird baths, we recommend one part white vinegar and nine parts water, a soft brush and a thorough rinse. Do not use this routine as a Giardia disinfection method.
If Giardia contamination is suspected, keep animals away from the bath and ask your veterinarian what disinfection is needed. Contact us before applying a disinfectant to our painted finish. A taller pedestal does not guarantee that a dog cannot reach the water.
Keep Your Dog Away From the Water
Provide fresh drinking water in a clean bowl and supervise your dog near the bird bath. Do not rely on the height of a pedestal bird bath alone to stop drinking.