Playing in water makes for a great activity on hot summer days! It allows your pup to stay cool and hydrated while still getting their energy out and having fun. While it is great that your dog loves water, it is also important to be aware of the risks involved in water play, and make sure you can keep your pup safe while they are swimming this summer!

Take Breaks

Swimming is a great form of exercise but it is significantly more tiring for your dog than other forms of exercise such as running. Just 1 minute of swimming can be the equivalent to 4 minutes of running. This is especially important to keep in mind if you are playing fetch with your dog in the water. Your pups may not realize that they are getting fatigued due to the excitement of the toy. Make sure to take breaks where your dog is kept out of the water and allow them to fully recover before resuming play time and swimming.

Life Vest

If you didn’t know already, they make life vests for dogs of all sizes! If your dog is new to swimming, or you will be around the water for a long period of time, having your dog in a life vest can be life-saving. If your dog gets tired while swimming or is unable to swim while in the water, the life vest will help keep their head above water. Even if your dog is a strong swimmer, having them in a life vest won’t hurt. If you are doing water activities such as kayaking or paddle boarding with your dog, having them in a life vest will help keep them afloat if they fall into the water and are disoriented.

Water Intoxication

Did you know that it is possible to drink too much water? While it is important for your dog to stay hydrated, especially in the warmer months, you don’t want them to ingest too much water. This can be easily done while swimming, especially if your dog is retrieving a toy from the water. If you notice your dog acting a little sick after a day of swimming, they may have swallowed too much water and are suffering from water intoxication and it is best to get your dog to the vet for treatment. Taking breaks while swimming and using a life vest are all good ways to help prevent your dog from drinking too much water while swimming. 

Management

If you are near a pool or other body of water, you will want to come up with a management system to ensure that your dog doesn’t have unattended access to the water. Even if your dog is a great swimmer, there are dangers in leaving a dog unattended in a body of water. Some dogs have trouble regulating themselves and will swim longer than they have the energy for, creating a major safety hazard. Using baby gates, pool fences, or other methods of containment are all good options for keeping pets, and even kids away from bodies of water when they can’t be carefully supervised.