Just like for people, swimming is a great form of exercise for dogs. It relieves stress, cools dogs off in the summer heat and is just fun to do. No matter what kind of water activity you and your dog are enjoying, there are some safety precautions you should be aware of. The number one thing is to make sure your dog can swim. Contrary to popular belief, not all dogs can swim. Even the dogs who can swim can become fatigued, cramped or hypothermia can set in. Some dangers are more about where the dog is swimming. Several years ago, there were some dogs who died in Northern US from swimming in ponds and lakes that contained blue-green algae.
Overall, ponds and lakes are great places for dogs to swim because they don’t have to fight tides or currents. But there are some dangers to be aware of. Underground obstacles such as debris humans have thrown away (old appliances, etc.) or rotting trees under the surface can trap a swimming animal. Another danger to be aware of. Lakes and ponds in neighborhoods, parks and golf courses may have chemicals in them to ward off algae and some of those chemicals can cause skin problems, neurology problems and liver damage to your dog.
Residential lakes and ponds may also have other chemicals such as herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers. Obviously these are dangerous for your dog to swim in and ingest. Bodies of water that have lots of motor boats on them may have a high concentration of motor oil and gas in them.
Using a dog life jacket on your dog will help you while boating or on the dock. If your dog falls in the water, the handles on the life jacket will make it easy to retrieve your dog from the water. Bring fresh water for your dog to drink when going on outings around water. Don’t let your dog drink the water from the lake or pond.
If you are at a pool, make sure it has steps and show them to your dog so he/she caneasily get in and out of the pool. Do not leave your dog alone around bodies of water. Always supervise your dog, even if he/she is wearing a dog life vest. Keep your pool in your own backyard covered when you aren’t using it. Make sure the chlorine in the pool is not bothering your dog’s eyes and skin.
Keep your dog from drinking the chlorinated pool water. The chlorine levels are higher than tap water.
Hose your dog off after a swim in the pool. If you take your dog to the ocean, make sure he is wearing a flotation device (life jacket) and keep an eye on him. The undertow and currents can sweep your pet away very quickly. Don’t allow your dog to go out very far in the ocean. If you are throwing a ball or stick for them, try to throw it in very shallow water.
Keep an eye out for jellyfish.
If your dog gets red, itchy bumps on his skin, he may have been bitten by sea lice. As with other bodies of water, do not let your dog drink the sea water. Bring some fresh water for him.
Don’t let your dog get too tired in the water. Specially with pups or older dogs that tire easily.
After swimming in the ocean, hose off your dog to get the salt off of him. Salt can irritate the skin. Clean his ears too after a swim and make sure they are dry to lessen the chance of bacterial ear infections. It may seem like so many deterrent and things to watch out for when letting your dog swim, that it just isn’t worth the trouble. If you have a dog that loves water, buy a kiddie pool for the backyard and let him play in that. Some dogs enjoy playing in sprinklers too. But if you do let your dog near larger bodies of water, be sure to heed the cautions listed above and always have your dog wear a life vest. Life jackets for dogs can save your dog’s life.