Raising livestock generates 14.5 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions that are very bad for the environment. Forests help lower the risks of sudden climate change and also tone down the impacts from natural disasters. Livestock farming creates a huge carbon footprint and has a very high global warming potential.

Although nitrate is present at low concentrations in manure, manured soils can contain significant amounts. This is because the ammonium from the manure is converted to nitrate by soil microorganisms through the nitrification process.

Land application: Raw (untreated) manure applied to land contains nitrogen in the form of organic compounds and ammonium. Dryer manure from feedlots and poultry litter will also contain some nitrate-N.

Nitrate is found naturally in a variety of vegetables, including broccoli, cauliflower, collard greens and root vegetables. The human body can convert nitrate into nitrite.

High quantities of nutrients in water from industrial crop fertilizers and animal waste cause excessive aquatic plant growth — a process known as “eutrophication,” which, in turn, causes “hypoxia,” or water that is low in oxygen. Harmful algal blooms (or HABs) occur when aquatic algae grow rapidly out of control.

The improper management of livestock wastes (manure) can cause surface and groundwater pollution. Water pollution from animal production systems can be by direct discharge, runoff, and/or seepage of pollutants to surface or ground water.

Runoff from a feedlot may transport large quantities of organic matter, nutrients and pathogens. If feedlots are not managed properly, uncontrolled runoff from beef cattle feedlot pens may pollute public waters, thus may pose a risk to aquatic life, as well as recreational and drinking water.

How many animals are killed by water pollution every year? It is estimated that 100 million animals die each year due to water pollution. Moreover, 1,000 species of marine animals are affected by ocean contamination.

When livestock is concentrated, the associated production of wastes tends to go beyond the buffering capacity of surrounding ecosystems, thereby polluting surface waters and groundwater.

1. Eritrea: 80.7% lack basic water services.
2. Papua New Guinea: 63.4% lack basic water services.
3. Uganda: 61.1% lack basic water services.
4. Ethiopia: 60.9% lack basic water services.
5. Somalia: 60% lack basic water services.
6. Angola: 59% lack basic water services.
7. Democratic Republic of the Congo: 58.2% lack basic water services.

While human waste is treated in municipal sewer systems and subject to strict regulation, animal waste is stored in open ponds (called lagoons) or pits and is applied untreated as fertilizer to farm fields. The millions of tons of manure produced on the largest concentrated animal feeding operations in 2012.

Animals that drink water from dirty ponds die all the time The truth is that animals get sick and die all the time from drinking bad water. This kind of hiding behavior in animals is referred to as terminal burrowing. Even humans have been found to exhibit this in cases of gradual hypothermia (Source).

Wild animals rely on the same dirty ponds or streams to quench their thirst. Regular consumption from the same or similar source will help animals ‘get used’ to the dirty water and develop a sort of resistance against certain bacteria in it. Over time, their immune system adapts and builds endurance.

Humans can, but you probably shouldn’t. People who have always had clean water will have immune systems that are less adapted to it than someone who has always drunk from lakes, but it is just as the body hasn’t had a lifetime of exposure to the microbes so its less well equipped to combat common waterborne diseases.

Leptospirosis, what it is and where it comes from Lepto is a disease that is frequently contracted by dogs drinking from standing water, such as puddles or ponds. A dog with Lepto will become extremely sick and can sometimes be fatal. This disease is a bacterial infection that enters your pup’s bloodstream.

One of the common causes of diarrhea in dogs worldwide is giardia, a ubiquitous single-celled protozoan parasite. Giardiasis is transmitted by a fecal-oral route, meaning that the parasite is swallowed in food and water (think: puddles, lakes and streams) contaminated with feces.

These nasty species love living around water or may be in feces that have infected the waterway. Protozoans such as Giardia and cryptosporidium come to mind and can cause sickness. Usually, it shows as diarrhea, but your dog may be sensitive to these parasites and may vomit after drinking.

Pets need constant access to clean water – water should be changed at least once daily. Keep your pet’s bowl fool and make sure to fill with fresh water every single day. It’s also important to keep your pet’s water bowl clean.

As a rule of thumb, remove the food and water bowls about two-to-three hours before bedtime. So, if your lights-out time is at 11 p.m., a puppy should have no food or water after about 8–8:30 p.m. This gives you a chance to take him out for a one last potty break before settling in for the night.

Dog-friendly drinking alternatives like alcohol-free dog beer, wine and prosecco and health tonics and herbal tea for dogs (minus the caffeine) are treats.

Food and Water Dishes Should be Washed Daily If your dog eats dry food, bowls should be washed once per day, after the final meal of the night. For dogs that consume wet or raw food, it is necessary to wash and sanitize the bowls after every meal.

Clean pet dishes after every meal and clean or replace water dishes daily. Use stainless steel or ceramic dishes for pets; plastic bowls can get scratches or nicks that are breeding grounds for bacteria. And don’t let your pet lick your plate.

In basic terms, whisker fatigue is simply over-stimulation of the sensory system of the whiskers. This overload of stimulation can make your cat feel stressed out or appear agitated. Some of the most common symptoms of whisker fatigue include: refusal to eat or drink from their usual dishes.

In short, it is best to avoid washing dog bowls with human dishes in the dishwasher as it is a matter of health and safety. Just keep them away from the dishes your family uses and always, always wash your hands after you handle anything pet-related: food, dishes, or even the pets themselves.

“Both food and water bowls for dogs and cats can harbor a variety of germs and bacteria such as Salmonella and E. “These bacteria can cause illness in both pets and people. The young, elderly, and the immunocompromised are especially at risk from these pathogenic bacteria.”

Because cats are not feces eaters (coprophagic), humans are unlikely to become infected by parasites from their cats. Giardia and Cryptosporidia are immediately infective so potentially could be transmitted by a lick.

However, plastic bowls are generally not recommended for many dogs. Bowls made of plastic can be easily chewed or scratched by your dog, leaving places for bacteria to build up. Additionally, some dogs may develop an allergy to the plastic, resulting in a mild skin reaction on the chin or face.

Many people choose plastic pet food bowls because they are readily available, inexpensive and come in lots of colors and sizes. However, a plastic bowl might not be the best choice for your pet’s food bowls. Stainless steel bowls are unbreakable, durable, dishwasher-safe and easy to keep clean.

Plastic Cat Bowls Cannot be Fully Sanitized Along with the potential danger of BPA and other chemicals leaching out of the bowl into your cat’s food, plastic cat dishes also harbor bacteria which can put your cat’s health at risk. Many cat owners do not clean their pets’ food and water bowls frequently enough.

Can cats get tired of eating the same food? Yes, cats can get bored of eating the same type of food every day. That’s one of the reasons why Whiskas recommends mixing up your cat’s food with part wet food and part dry food.