Pool and Water Safety for Your Pet

Pool and Water Safety for Your Pet

Many dogs enjoy swimming in pools, lakes and at the beach just as much as their pet parents do.  If you’re sharing your pool with your pooch or if your dog is accompanying you to the beach this summer, make sure she stays safe.

               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.  Some dogs simply cannot or will not swim.  Use particular care with short-nosed breeds such as pugs or French Bulldogs. Dogs can accidentally fall into pools and may become panicked and exhausted attempting to get out.  Always supervise pets around pools and consider using pool alarms or alarms that attach to the pet’s collar that sound when a child or pet falls into the water or keeping pets away from pool perimeters with fences. 

               Lakes: If your dog likes to dock dive, swim or ride with you in a boat, canoe or kayak on one of York County’s many lakes, 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.  Also make sure that you can lift your dog back into the boat if she accidentally falls in or when he is done swimming.

               The Beach:  Summer is prime time to visit our Atlantic coastal beaches and many people travel with their dogs.  Keep pets safe in the surf by making 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.  Make sure to bring plenty of fresh water for your fur baby 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 pet’s paws protected from hot sand, use sunscreen on your dog and make sure you call it quits before your pet is exhausted or have a shady place for pets to rest. 

               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 any water within the hose 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.  Summer safety is a must with our pups!

               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/