Pet Water Safety: Staying Safe at the Pool, Beach, or Lake 

Heading to the pool, beach, or lake can be a wonderful form of exercise and a great way to help your pet cool off on a hot day. Just be mindful of water safety to ensure your adventures don’t end with a visit to the ER.

How to Safely Introduce Your Dog to the Water

Even though everyone has heard of the “doggy paddle,” not all dogs automatically know how to swim. It’s important to introduce your dog to the water slowly to help them get comfortable. Just as you would with a child, you’ll need to help your pet learn to swim.

• Start in a Shallow Spot: Stay at the edge of the water and allow your dog to play by chasing a ball or toy in the shallow water.
• Don’t Force Your Dog into the Water: Throwing a pet who doesn’t want to swim into the water can be traumatic and may discourage them from wanting to get in the water again.
• Get in the Water with Your Dog: When your dog starts paddling with their front paws, lift their hind end to help them understand how to float.
• Keep Your Dog Close: When your pet first learns to swim, keep them on a leash so they can’t stray too far from you.
• Check the Water Temperature: Make sure the water temperature isn’t too cold. Pets can get hypothermia just like humans. If the water is too cold for you, it’s probably too cold for your pet as well.

Not every pet enjoys swimming. Most cats, for instance, dislike being in water. Certain dog breeds are also less suited for swimming. Breeds with shorter snouts, such as Pugs, and those with larger bodies and short legs, like Bulldogs, don’t do as well in the water. While they might swim to survive, they probably won’t do it for fun.

Protect Your Pet from Drowning

Be vigilant with your pets around water, just as you would with a child. The most important pet water safety precaution is your watchful eye. Most cats will naturally avoid water, but they could accidentally fall in. Even dogs that enjoy swimming should never be left unattended around water.

• Give Breaks: Swimming can be very tiring, so your pet needs rest just like humans do. A tired pet is more likely to drown.
• Keep Your Dog Close: Pets don’t know how to conserve energy and will keep swimming until they are too tired. If this happens, you want to be nearby so you can reach them quickly.
• Learn How to Give Pet CPR: If you regularly have your pet around water, take the time to learn this important lifesaving technique.
• Remember Your Own Safety: A large dog that is panicking in the water could interfere with your swimming, especially if you are smaller or not a strong swimmer. Make sure you are safe before jumping in to rescue a pet.

Even after your dog is out of the water, there can be risks if they have accidentally inhaled water. “Dry drowning” or “secondary drowning” occurs when pets get too much water in their lungs, which can affect them hours or even days after they are out of the water. The water in the lungs can lead to inflammation, infections, and even death. Keep an eye on your pet for signs like lethargy, coughing or hacking, or difficulty breathing. This is especially important if your pet had a near-drowning incident where you had to pull them from the water.

Invest in a Life Jacket for Your Pet

Life jackets are great for teaching your dog to swim. However, it’s always a good idea to use one for puppies, senior dogs, short-legged/long-bodied breeds, and when heading out in a boat or deep water.

A life jacket should fit snugly, just like for humans. Measure around the base of your dog’s neck, the widest part of their ribcage, and the length of their back (from the base of the tail to the neck). The jacket should fit just below their neck, snugly but without restricting their breathing. You should be able to fit two fingers between the vest and your dog.

When choosing a life vest, look for bright colors to help you keep an eye on your pet while they are in the water. You’ll also want a vest with handles on the sides or top, which can help you pull your pet out of the water more easily.

Keeping Your Pet Safe Around Pools

A backyard pool is fun for your family, but it can also present some potential issues for your pet.

• Limit Access: Be sure to put a fence around your pool so your pet cannot fall in or jump in on their own. You may also consider investing in a pool alarm that will alert you if the water is disturbed by your pet (or anyone else) falling in.
• Make it Easy to Exit: Your pet should be able to enter and exit the pool on their own. Since pets cannot climb a ladder, you should have broad, slip-free steps or a ramp that are easy for your pet to use. Practice showing them how to get out using the steps.
• Don’t Drink the Water: To your pet, the pool may look like a giant, refreshing bowl of water. However, the chlorine and other chemicals can make them sick, even in small amounts. Always have fresh water available for your pet to drink.
• Watch the Pool Cover: Ensure the cover is completely off and secured out of the way so your pet cannot get trapped underneath it.
• Keep an Eye on Pool Toys: These bright-colored toys may look like they were made just for your dog to play with, but if your dog loves to chew, they could easily ingest a piece of a plastic or foam toy, which could get lodged in their throat, stomach, or digestive tract.
• Safely Store Pool Chemicals: Be sure to store your pool chemicals in a safe spot that your pet cannot access.

Keeping Your Pet Safe at the Beach or Lake

When spending time with your dog at the ocean, lake, pond, or river, it’s important to take extra safety precautions. What may seem like a great playground for your pet can also harbor hidden dangers.

• Beware of Algal Blooms: It is not safe for your dog (or you) to be in the water if there are algal blooms and blue-green algae are especially dangerous. Red tides can be caused by various plant-like organisms and are typically found in salty coastal waters. These blooms produce toxic chemicals that can be present in the water, marine life, and even released into the air. Exposure to these toxins can cause neurological and respiratory issues. Blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, are most often found in fresh water during warmer weather. The water may appear pea-green or have a slimy surface. Contact with this toxic substance can lead to neurological issues, liver damage, or even death.
• Don’t Drink the Water: Natural bodies of water can contain bacteria, algae, or parasites that can cause diseases in your pet. Ocean water is salty, and if your dog drinks too much of it, they can become dehydrated. In large quantities, salt poisoning (hypernatremia) can occur, which can have serious neurological impacts. Always ensure you have fresh water available for your pet to drink.
• Check for Items Washed Ashore: Fish, including jellyfish, or other creatures that have washed up onto the shore may look like a tasty treat to your dog, but they can contain bacteria or parasites and may also sting or bite. Additionally, keep an eye out for broken shells, which can pose cutting hazards.
• Be Aware of Fishing Areas: It can be difficult to see fishing lines that could entangle your pet. Stray fishing hooks can puncture their skin. Keep curious pets away from the tackle box, as bait can be a tempting snack, and small fishing gear can be intriguing for dogs who like to chew. Swallowing these small items could lead to a gastrointestinal blockage.
• Keep an Eye on Currents: Rip currents can run both parallel and perpendicular to the shoreline and can affect even the strongest swimmers. These strong currents can quickly carry a person or dog far from shore. Rip currents aren’t limited to the ocean; they can occur in any large body of water with breaking waves, such as the Great Lakes. Try to stay in calmer water, away from big waves or boats that may be leaving large wakes.

Don’t Let Sun, Sand, or Water Dampen Your Fun

As you prepare for your outdoor adventure, remember that your dog can get sunburned, too. This is especially important for hairless or thinner-haired pets. Make sure to use a sunscreen formulated specifically for them.

Once you wrap up your water adventure, rinse your pet off to remove any pool chemicals, salt water, or sand, which can irritate their skin. Finally, be sure to dry their ears. Water in the ears is a perfect breeding ground for bacteria, which can lead to ear infections.

If you’ve encountered any of these water hazards or suspect your pet may be experiencing signs related to a recent adventure, be sure to contact your veterinarian or visit your nearest MedVet.

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