Summertime often means water fun for pets and their parents, whether it’s at a swimming hole lake, or pool. However, nothing ruins the fun as fast as an unexpected accident. Whether you’re hiking, camping, or just hanging out in your backyard, if you plan on letting your pooch take a dip, it’s important to keep some safety tips in mind. Below, check out some best practices for taking a dip with your furry friend!
1. Teach your pet to swim.
It sounds obvious, but it’s incredibly important: Don’t take dogs into deep water if they don’t know how to swim. Stick to shallow areas if your dog is not a strong swimmer, and never just throw a dog in the water; they could panic and inhale water!
If you live near water and have a new puppy, get them started swimming early. Teach your dog or puppy slowly and carefully, and consider equipping weak or new swimmers with a life vest. A vest like this one is a great safety precaution and teaching tool!
2. Steer clear of stagnant water.
Stagnant water that’s been under the hot sun can literally be crawling with bacteria and dangerous pests that could cause your pet to become ill if they play in or drink it.
One threat to your furry friend is Leptospirosis, a bacterial infection that is transferred through infected dog’s urine or diseased wildlife and can be passed to humans as well. This infection can be common in Arizona, so check out this link for more preventative information.
Another risk is stagnant water mosquitoes, which breed in shallow, sitting water, and put your pet at risk for potentially deadly viruses such as West Nile. Remember to keep your pet well-hydrated so they are not tempted to drink unclean water.
3. Consider keeping dogs that can swim far on a line.
Just like humans, if a dog swims too far from shore they are at risk of getting tired and possibly drowning. Your pooch may not be great at following verbal commands, or may not hear you if they’ve wandered too far away. Supervise your dog at all times while in the water, and exercise caution with your overly-eager swimmer by attached a long cable or line to their collar, harness, or life vest.
4. Don’t forget to take frequent breaks and provide your pooch with plenty of water.
It may be easy to forget that your dog still needs to drink water even though they’re playing in it. They’re still in the hot sun, so heat safety should be practiced for you and your pooch. Give them ample opportunity to drink clean, cold water and set them up with some shade where they can take a break if they’ve been active under the sun.
5. Take care to prevent dry drowning and know the signs.
Dry drowning is caused simply by swallowing water that eventually aspirates into the lungs, the effects of which include coughing, difficulty breathing, and extreme lethargy. Symptoms may not materialize until hours or even days after playing in the water, which is why identifying the signs can be a lifesaver.
Once again, this is why it’s important to take breaks as you play in the water, and never submerge an animal if they’re unprepared for going underwater.
6. Be prepared to act fast after an accident.
Remember that even strong swimmers can panic when caught off-guard, leading to water inhalation. Do your best to prevent any accidents and know what to do if one occurs. It’s a good idea to have the numbers for your veterinarian and local animal hospital programmed in your phone and to make a call on even the slightest suspicion that your animal has inhaled some water. It could mean the difference between life and death for your beloved companion!