Is it safe for dogs to play in water?
Brant McLaughlin
2025-07-28 01:16:08
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Swimming is an excellent form of exercise for many dogs, especially on a hot summer’s day. Water intoxication happens when a dog swallows excessive amounts of water. Owners may not realise it, but swimming or playing in water for a long time increases the risk of their dog becoming ill from water intoxication. Even water-based activities or games – such as throwing a ball or toy in a river for your dog to retrieve or playing with water from the garden hose – can cause them to swallow too much water and fall ill. Water intoxication in dogs is a real threat, but owners shouldn’t stop dogs from swimming or playing in water. Swimming and playing in the water are excellent forms of exercise for dogs, not to mention great fun! Limit the time a dog spends in water to prevent them from swallowing too much. Never leave your dog unsupervised when in water.
Constance Brown
2025-07-25 13:33:43
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Dogs should not be prevented from spending time in the water, but there are some situations and scenarios that you should be aware of no matter where you take your dog to swim. Dogs love to swim in most cases, but they are not always prepared for the possible threats to their safety that can crop up in this environment. Be sure as well that you take new puppies and new dogs out with other dogs on a leash for their first outing. Experienced dogs will often be quite brave and swim into deep water or water with a current. Your inexperienced dog might not be ready for this much of a challenge and could get into trouble. Never let your dog or dogs swim without you having an eye on them. Just like with children, dogs that are swimming alone can get into trouble and might drown. If you are not sure about the current in a location or the depth of the water, you need to use caution when sending your pet out to swim. It can be easy for your pet to get caught up in an undertow or strong current and end up in serious trouble or even drown. Most of the places where you will want to take your dog to swim are not places where your dog should be drinking. Saltwater is bad for your dog, and lake or river water could be contaminated with protozoa or chemicals.
Christiana Wiza
2025-07-17 01:50:06
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If their dogs are wet, they must be cool, right. The answer is maybe, but are we looking at the big picture. Are we looking at the hazards that come with fun and water. Water-based activities include swimming in the sea, swimming in lakes, retrieving toys from lakes, swimming in rivers, and biting at water that comes out of hoses. Swimming in the sea Firstly, on a hot day the sand can get extremely hot and uncomfortable. Secondly, you need to know about the times of the tide on the beach you are using, especially for the more confident canine swimmers that travel away from the shoreline. There is also the risk of your dog entering a rip tide which could be very serious. Thirdly, some dogs drink sea water, this can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and dehydration.
Are all water activities out of the question, Absolutely not. Just be sure to know the facts, do your research, know what to look for, and remember to keep the activity calm.
Lempi Cartwright
2025-07-08 05:10:13
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It's important to be careful around any body of water – the sea, lakes, rivers, reservoirs and swimming pools. Not every dog is a water baby. Dogs with short legs – like Corgis – or short noses – like Pugs – will find the effort of swimming really hard work. Even some dogs that are built for swimming just won’t enjoy going out of their depth. Never leave your pet unattended around water, even if they're a strong swimmer. Don’t push them to do anything they don’t want to and let them take to the water at their own pace. If they decide swimming isn’t for them, that’s fine – there are plenty of other ways they can get exercise and cool down. Picking the right swimming spot is crucial, as some places are much safer for a doggy dip than others. Good swimming spots include lakes, dog-friendly beaches, and slow moving rivers, but it's essential to check for any dangers in the water and be aware of other people using the water. Places to avoid include canals, reservoirs, fast flowing water, flooded rivers, and rough seas, as they pose significant health hazards and dangers to dogs.
Theo Berge
2025-06-27 14:04:44
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When walking your dog in areas with water sources, like a river or loch, it's important to follow safety guidelines to keep your furry friend safe. If this area includes open water, such as a loch or river, it throws up potential risks for your animal. Avoid throwing sticks or balls near water for dogs. Always keep an eye on your dog and don't let it enter the water if it's older or tired. If your dog loves the water, keep it on a lead and make sure you have control to prevent it jumping into hazardous or unsafe areas. Remember the wet riverbanks, steep edges or jagged rocks can make it hard for a dog to scramble out. Even dogs that like swimming can usually only swim for short bursts. Dogs can experience cold water shock too. If your dog has struggled in the water, it may have inhaled water and should see a vet immediately.