Water Safety for Dogs – A Must Read

Now that warmer weather is here, your dog may want to get adventurous outdoors. Having dogs around water can be fun and entertaining, but it is essential that you practice some simple safety tips. Take a peek below at tips for water safety for dogs that you should keep in mind when enjoying the outdoors this year. These tips can help prevent accident and injury.







1. Protect them from pests.
Water typically means mosquitoes and other biting insects are around, so be sure your dog is wearing a something to protect them from bites. Be careful to not spend prolonged amounts of time in water at dusk when these critters are at their worst. Check with your vet if your dog is going to be swimming in lakes and streams in your area to ensure that they have the protection they will need. In some areas that means getting the Lepto vaccination and in others it means you need to know what to watch out for. Your vet should be up to date on what is going on in your area so they can help you protect your pet. Heart worm Medication and Flea and Tick prevention are vital for any outdoor Spring and Summer Play.

2. Be careful with chemicals.
If your dog will be enjoying the family pool, be sure the chemicals you use in it are being used correctly and safely for pets (ask at he pool center or speak with your pool person). You want to avoid any irritation that could result from swimming in such water. Be mindful of what day you or your pool person is putting chemicals in the water and try to have your dog avoid the pool for the next 48 hours to give the chemicals time to fully integrate into the water. If you have to shock your pool wait at least a week before going back to swimming just on the safe side.

3. Always supervise them.
Just like children, dogs should not be left alone around water. While many have a natural instincts to swim, they could still become injured or drown. Always supervise your dog around water. I always teach my dogs to swim from a very young age so that if they do happen to fall in the pool or other water they know what to do in order to get out. Some dogs are easier to teach such as Labradors, Spaniels, and Retrievers while dogs like Rottweilers need to be taught to keep the back of their body up out of the water or they tend to sink and it is more difficult for them to swim around.

4. Be familiar with the area.
Don’t allow your dog to go into bodies of water you are not familiar with. You never know what hazards may be in the water (physical or chemical) so it is best to avoid them. If you are going to be vacationing this summer call a vet local to the area and speak with their staff about what you can expect and what you should come ready to prevent.

5. Don’t forget to bathe.
After enjoying the water, always give your dog a good bath. Clean away any debris or chemicals they may have been exposed to. After enjoying the pool a quick hose off will do the trick if water activities are on the agenda for the next day but if you plan on going for a walk or playing in the yard instead using soap is a good idea to wash away the chlorine so your pets fur doesn’t bleach out. If you are playing in a natural water source it is best to wash completely daily to avoid parasite and other bugs.