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Experts unleash water safety tips for dogs
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Ensure your dog's water outings are safe and fun.
The arrival of warm weather signals fun vacations with your favorite canine pal. In search of a destination where your dog can make a splash – literally?
Whether the body of water is an ocean, lake, pool – or even a tub -- the health benefits are immense for dogs coping with arthritis, post-surgical recovery, limb problems extra pounds or simply, extra energy.
“Water therapy is a good aerobic exercise, particularly since the water provides resistance,” says M. Christine Zink, DVM, PhD, a veterinary pathologist and professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland. She conducts canine sports medicine seminars worldwide and is the author of Peak Performance: Coaching the Canine Athlete (Canine Sports Productions). “People are becoming more aware of canine rehabilitation and the important benefits and parallels to human rehabilitation.”
Water also offers a natural buoyancy, far kinder on dogs than long walks on concrete sidewalks or arduous hikes on rocky terrain, adds Marty Becker, DVM, a veterinarian in Bonners Ferry, Idaho known as “America’s Family Vet” and co-author of Fitness Unleashed (Three Rivers Press) with Robert Kushner, MD.
“If you face a mismatch – having a hyper dog who needs a lot more exercise than you do – wading and swimming are ideals options,” says Dr. Becker. “With the right safety measures, your dog who needs to burn off more calories than you can benefit from exercising in water.”
Picking a body of water safe for your dog is the first step. Avoid rivers with strong currents or keep your dog on a long line, advises Dr. Zink.
“Avoid water that is stagnant or that has algae on it and beware of dogs jumping into stick ponds, where broken branches and stumps may be lurking under the water,” she adds. “Never let your dogs swim in small ponds constructed to drain water from housing developments. They contain a lot of chemicals, such as those used to treat lawns.”
Dr. Becker adds another doggy water no-no: ponds at golf courses.
“If you take a microscopic look at what lives in these ponds, it would freak you out,” he says. “Lots of parasites live in these ponds.”
No matter where you dog makes a splash, always rinse him off in clean water. For regular water lovers, book an appointment with you veterinarian to have your dog receive vaccines to protect against parasites and giardia.
Rely on positive reinforcement – aka small treats and heaps of praise – and gradually build up your dog’s introduction to water activities. At the beach, start with fun walks along the shore on the hard, wet sand. Have your dog get his paws wet with you.
Give your dog lots of time to play around in shallow areas and bring floatable toys and treats that float.
Most importantly, know when enough is enough. End the water workout before your dog becomes overtired. After all, some dogs are such pleasers or so motivated by fetching balls that they won’t stop, become exhausted and be at an increased risk for drowning.
Advises Dr. Becker, “Look for signs like your dog breathing heavily or seeming to sit lower in the water or taking more time to come back. These are signs telling you to stop and let your dog rest.”
Swimming offers a great way to exercise for the both of you.
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