Water can be a great source of fun for you and your dog this Summer, but there are safety precautions to keep in mind while you are having fun. Whether you are at a beach, pool, or lake, here are some dog water safety tips to keep the fun times going.
General Water Safety
- Don’t assume that all dogs are natural-born swimmers. While some breeds take to swimming faster, most dogs will need to be taught how to swim.
- Don’t force your dog to go into the water if they don’t want to.
- When learning to swim, start at a shallow area of water and keep them leashed.
- Get into the water with your dog, and never leave them unsupervised in a body of water.
- Use a life jacket for your dog, especially for smaller breeds.
- Keep the experience stress-free so they are not deterred from water in the future.
- Rinse and dry them off after being in a body of water. Seawater in particular can irritate you dog’s skin and fur.
- If your dog wears a flea collar, remove it before getting into the water to avoid its active ingredients being washed away.
- Avoid ear infections by thoroughly drying your dog’s ears after after having been in the water.
- Learn canine CPR.
Beach Safety
- Be cautious of riptides and currents
- Ocean water can cause dehydration and upset your dog’s stomach. Make sure that they don’t drink ocean water and keep fresh water to keep them hydrated.
- Don’t let your dog eat fish or other critters that have washed up on shore as this can upset their stomach as well.
Pool Safety
- Show your dog how to get in/out of the pool using the stairs or ramp
- Check the water temperature beforehand to make sure it isn’t too cold for your dog.
- When not in use, keep the pool covered and secured to make sure your dog cannot get in.
Lake/Pond Safety
- Stay away from water with blue-green algae. According to the Cornell Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center, blue-green algae can cause “shock, liver failure, respiratory arrest and even death can occur.”
- If you are on a boat, put a life jacket on your dog.
- Keep fishing gear out of reach from your dog.
Written by Vincent M.
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