I am starting Doggy Day Care for the first time and I am concerned about the water bowl spreading pathogens. My own dog contracted an illness last year that our vet believes to be transfer from a communal water bowl.
How is this preventable without constantly changing the water out? Do the bowls that have built in fountains help prevent this?
I'd suggest that you have to constantly change the water. That will reduce, but will not completely eliminate the concerns.
Even on the day when only your pets are home, if after a few hours you hold your dog's bowl right next to your eyes you may be surprised to see specs of dirt, pollen, dander, hair. Over time, you can improve your pet's health & reduce vet visits for a variety of conditions - just by changing the water bowl often and cleaning bowl with hot soapy water. Clean water availability is the most important essential need for optimal health.