Hello. Distasteful as it may seem, drinking from a toilet is not really any more harmful than drinking from a water bowl, if the following is strictly adhered to: 1. the toilet is used, it is flushed. 2. If there is no treatment of any kind added to the toilet water or to the water in the tank. (so the dog is not poisoned.) The bottom line, however, to end all your concerns is to insist that everyone who uses your toilet, close the lid after using, and/or restrict your dog's access to the bathroom. That is general information about a dog drinking from the toilet. To answer specifically about Hep. C is what is known as a blood borne pathogen. It is spread by blood, or by contact with the blood of an infected person. It is not spread by casual contact, not even between humans. A healthy person coming in contact with a person with Hep C, would be very unlikely to be infected, even by kissing or sexual intercourse. That particular disease does not spread in that manner. Here is a quote, taken directly from one of the Hepatitis information sites; "Hepatitis A can be spread by contaminated food and water, and hepatitis B and C can be transmitted through blood-to-blood contact. A single person may be infected with more than one type of hepatitis. Because of the risk of additional liver damage, people with hep C should talk to their doctor about getting a vaccination against hepatitis A and hepatitis B. Unlike A and B, there is no vaccine against hepatitis C." I hope that eases your mind but if you have more questions, just let me know. Patricia
Parrot C&onsultant
Published author, free lance bird behaviorist, adviser to the parrots at Sarasota Jungle Gardens.