Water Safety for Pets

Pool and Water Safety for Your Pet

               Hot weather has arrived in York County and that means pools will soon be opening and people will be spending time in and on the water.  Some dogs enjoy swimming and playing in the water, too.  If you’re sharing your pool with your pooch or if your dog is accompanying you to a lake or beach this summer, make sure she stays safe.  Here are some tips on water safety with your pet.

               Pools:  This is a sobering statistic: an estimated 5,000 pets drown annually in backyard pools.  As with children, never leave pets unattended around pools and make sure they have a safe way to get out of the water.  Instinct does not always kick in--some dogs simply can’t swim.  Use particular care with short-nosed breeds such as pugs or French Bulldogs. Dogs can accidentally fall into pools and may panic or become exhausted attempting to get out.  Pool covers do not protect pets—pets may mistake a cover for a solid surface and could become entrapped if they attempt to walk on the pool cover. Always supervise pets around pools and consider using pool alarms that sound if a pet falls into the water. Pool perimeter fences are also a must for child and pet safety. 

               Lakes: If your dog likes to dock diving, swimming or riding with you in a boat, be sure to practice water safety.  Know your dog’s swimming ability and remember that dogs can get too hot or too cold on the water just like people so watch out for heat stroke or hypothermia depending on the weather.  Get a life vest for your dog if you are boating or swimming in open water and make sure that your dog doesn’t swim too far away from you.  Make sure that you are able to lift your dog back into the boat if he accidentally falls in or when he is done swimming.  Practice lifting your dog out of the water in a pool or shallow area.

               The Beach:  Summer is prime time to visit our Atlantic coastal beaches and many people travel with their dogs.  Make sure your dog is not drinking too much salt water or eating sea creatures that have washed up on shore—these things can make your dog very sick.  Bring plenty of fresh water for your pup to keep him well hydrated.  Watch out for strong currents and rip tides which can pose a danger to both you and your dog.  Keep paws protected from hot sand, use a pet safe sunscreen on your dog and make sure you call it quits before your pet is exhausted.  Also provide a shady place for pets to rest.

               Final tips: A brief dip in cold water is not likely to cause a problems and hypothermia is less common in warm weather, but dogs can experience low body temps with prolonged swimming in cold water. Even if it’s hot outside, water temps can be much colder. Shivering, pale gums, stumbling, and collapse can be signs of low body temperature in dogs. If your dog seems to be too cold or seems overheated, get your pet to a cooler or warmer place depending on the situation and seek medical help, especially for heat stroke, if necessary. You may want to look up the name of a local vet or emergency clinic if you’re traveling out of town with your pet, especially if you’re planning to be near the water with your dog.

             If you plan to spend a lot of time near the water with your dog, you may want to expose her to the water early and teach her how to swim. Regardless of whether your dog is enjoying a pool, lake or the ocean, be sure to thoroughly rinse her off after she is finished playing for the day to remove chlorine, salt and other substances that could irritate your dog’s skin.  And remember, if your dog likes to play with a sprinkler or hose, make sure the water is cool before allowing him to play.  Hoses can get very hot in the sun and could scald your pet.

               Water sports and play can be a lot of fun for dogs and humans alike, but be smart and practice good water safety to prevent injury or accidental drowning.

               This blog brought to you by the Patton Veterinary Hospital serving York, Red Lion and the surrounding communities.

https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/pets-water-safety#1

 https://www.petplace.com/article/dogs/pet-health/risk-of-pet-drowning-on-the-rise/