swimming for dogs safety tips

Safe Swimming For Dogs Plus Summer Safety Tips

When the temperatures rise, many pet parents think about the benefits of swimming for dogs. It’s a great way to keep dogs cool and in shape. However, there are many canine dangers lurking in the waters, including indoor pools, backyard pools, lakes, and oceans.

One minute of swimming is the same as four minutes of running in dogs1. Dogs who are out of shape, aren’t fond of water, or get scared can easily drown.

Every year, dogs die in water for a variety of reasons, including accidental drownings. However, there are many dangers lurking in water. If you are consider swimming for dogs as a seasonal, health-related, or year-round activity, read our water safety tips first.

Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I am also an Etsy and Chewy affiliate.

Is Swimming For Dogs A Safe Activity?

Yes, taking your dog swimming can be very safe if you and your dog are prepared and your dog enjoys it.

Not all dogs innately love to swim and are not natural born swimmers in the water. Though many dogs enjoy swimming, but some cannot swim, and others may hate the water.

Never force a dog to swim. If your dog is near a pool or body of water, ensure he or she has a life vests or life jackets. Never rely on the life vest so much that you leave your dog unattended.

When it comes to swimming, dogs can be categorized in one of the following three categories:

  1. Dogs who can swim with a natural ability;
  2. Dogs who are not able to stay afloat/survive in water;
  3. Dogs who can be taught to swim and enjoy the experience;

Never force a dog to swim if he or she shows signs of displeasure/not liking it. You can still take your pooch along on a boat, to the lake, or beach with certain precautions in place, as noted.

What Are Dangers That Dogs Who Swim Face?

Whenever you are around a body of water, even a kiddie pool, never leave your dog unattended. Here are the some of dangerous of dogs who swim and how to prevent a tragedy:

Accidental Drowning

A man and his dog drowned in Canada when the dog jumped into a fast-flowing creek2. Accidental drowning causes thousands of canine deaths each year, which is why precautions can save lives. Strong currents can pull even the most skilled canine swimmers away.

Even water breeds like Spaniels, Retrievers, and Poodles can drown despite being bred to swim. I know many Cocker Spaniels, including some I’ve owned, who despised water activities.

All backyard pools should have a fence, gate, and a safety pool cover that is able to withstand 485 pounds per 5 square feet. Always cover your spa or hot tub, too.

Put a fence around your entire pool if you want your dog to stay out of it. Depending on where you live, there are local and state ordinances in place regarding the minimum pool fence height, such as 48 inches high.

Purchase a reliable pool alarm system that senses motion in the water and will alert you. This is a must have for families with dogs and kids.

A life jacket is a must-have when it comes to dog water safety. My favorite canine life jacket is the Hurtta Life Savior which is ideal for swimming, rehab, boating, or just hanging out near the water.

life jacket for dogs

Water Intoxication

I’ve been to many pet-friendly beaches with my Cocker Spaniels over the past 30+ years. I cringe when I see pet parents throwing tennis balls in the ocean for their eager dogs to retrieve. The same holds true for dogs who drink from a hose, sprinklers, the family pool, or fetch balls from a lake.

While I encourage beach fun, if a dog swallows too much water, he can die from water intoxication. Too much saltwater ingestion can cause vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, dehydration, tremors, seizures, and even death.

Water intoxication robbed Jessie Weninger of her dog. Her Border Collie loved to swim3, but on this particular day, the dog consumed too much water while swimming and later died. This can happen to any dog, so it’s best if you prevent the problem.

If playing in the ocean, let your dog take breaks and be sure he or she drinks clean water from your own source.

Pool Chemicals and Water Bacteria

What you can’t see can hurt you and your dog, especially dogs who swim. Lakes with algae on the surface can be toxic, so avoid them at all costs. Giardia is another waterborne illness, so proceed with caution in letting your dog go into bodies of water.

If a body of water appears dirty, stagnant, contains debris or trash, do not let your dog swim in it. Pool bacteria and pool cleaning chemicals can cause issues, too. Keep chemicals out of your dog’s reach, including chlorine tablets and mixtures safely locked up in a shed or similar storage area.

Bacteria can be found in oceans, lakes, rivers, and can be very toxic to animals5.

Cold Water

Hypothermia can sneak up on a dog if he swims or jumps into cold water. Dogs who are not acclimated to cooler temperatures can easily become a victim. This can lead to muscle cramps, exhaustion, and a visit to the emergency veterinarian before conditions worsen.

Skin Irritation

Pool chemicals, bacteria, or chlorinated water can lead to itchiness, skin irritation, and dryness of your dog’s skin. Rinse your dog’s coat off after they swim just as you see people rinsing off after swimming in the ocean. Talk to your veterinarian if you see any ongoing skin issues.

PRO TIP: I keep Zymox shampoo and leave-in conditioner on hand and froth my dog with it year-round.

Lethal Landscaping and Toxic Plants

Have you seen cocoa mulch in big box and home improvement stores? It’s downright dangerous to dogs. Used in gardens and businesses, proceed with caution even if you do not use it, as someone around you probably does.

The mulch comes from the cocoa plant, and yes that is the same plant that gives us chocolate and cocoa powder. Not only can dogs get very sick, but the caffeine and theobromine in the cocoa mulch are very toxic. In fact, cocoa mulch is potentially more dangerous than milk chocolate. Get your pet to an emergency veterinarian if any sort of ingestion occurs.

Plant Patrol

Don’t expose your dog to seemingly innocuous spring pet poisons like:

  • Tulips
  • Daffodils
  • Lilies
  • Crocus
  • Lily of the Valley

One of the pet insurance health agencies states that these are some plants are reported to be toxic to dogs, cats, or rabbits:

  • Bittersweet
  • Azalea
  • Caladium
  • Clematis
  • Crocus
  • Day Lily
  • Death Camas
  • Easter Lily
  • Ferns
  • Foxglove
  • Hyacinth
  • Iris
  • Lily of the Valley
  • Morning Glory
  • Oleander
  • Rhododendron
  • Tiger Lily
  • Tulip

There are many other poisonous plants…many of which may be in your household or garden right now. Proceed with caution.

dogs in car

Hot Car Dangers For Dogs

Never leave your dog in a closed vehicle on a hot day. The temperature inside a car can rise to over 100 degrees in a matter of minutes. Not only is he/she susceptible to heatstroke and/or death but also theft. UV rays are as harmful to pets as they are to humans, even in an air-conditioned car.

Seasonal Dog Joint Dangers

Dogs are generally less active or even become couch potatoes (don’t we all) in the colder months. It takes time to go from very little exercise to let’s play outdoor mode! 

One of the most common tears in a dog’s leg is that of the cranial cruciate ligament, CCL, sometimes called ACL. We know this because we have dealt with two ACL tears and surgical repairs in our dog.

Many times, a veterinarian will perform an in-office “drawer test” on the dog suspected of an ACL tear. It is a manual manipulation of the knee joint by a veterinarian.

Here’s our Everything Guide to ACL Injuries that will help guide you and your dog if an ACL tear is suspected.

Other Dog Water Dangers and Summer Safety Tips

Jellyfish

“I have friends that took a trip to the beach last year,” dog mom Nanette Roberts, says. “Unfortunately, during a morning stroll, their fur baby stepped on a jellyfish that had washed up on shore. Never even considering the possibility, they were unprepared and had to make an emergency run to the store. Now, they are prepared and always have the “Jellyfish Kit” on hand, when going to the beach.”

Jellyfish present a real and present danger if you take your dog to the beach. Knowing what to do in an emergency situation is important. Here’s what to do if your dog is stung by a jellyfish.

cocker spaniel
Coffee the Cocker gets a jellyfish toy to help cheer up during his post sting period.

Blastomycosis

If you’ve never heard of it or tried pronouncing it, I beg you to be aware of this condition that nearly stole the life of my friend’s dog.

This nasty, often fatal disease is a fungal infection that develops when a dog breathes in spores from moist soil, rotted wood, mold, or damp places like sandy areas.

I am seeing more and more dogs being diagnosed with blastomycosis, including two dogs in Wisconsin, a state known for its moist soil. Both dogs have been battling the condition for over a year.

Signs of blastomycosis in dogs include:

  • Coughing
  • Enlarged lymph nodes
  • Lameness
  • Fever
  • Poor appetite
  • Cough
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Skin lesions

The Merck Veterinary Manual reports that about 85 percent of dogs have respiratory involvement with blastomycosis.  

My friend Lon Hodge, wants all dog parents to be aware of blastomycosis as it nearly took his beloved service dog, Gander, twice.

“Watch your dogs closely when they are near a beach, especially in the Midwest and Northwest,” Lon shared. “Keep a close eye on them after they have been in the woods and anywhere near decaying wood. It is a horrible ailment. It destroys lungs, eyes and creates all manner of organ damage in humans, and in pets.

Because of Gander, and the fact that they missed the diagnosis several times before he became dramatically ill, veterinarians in the Wisconsin area routinely ask their patients if they can check for blastomycosis, if other things have been ruled out.”

service dog gander
Gander and our Dexter having guy talk

Standing Water

Never ever ever let your dog drink standing water, as this can cause Leptospirosis (Lepto) disease. Left untreated, your dog can die.

Lepto is transmissible when your dog comes into contact with infected water or soil or comes in contact with urine from a domestic or wild animal carrying the disease.

A common scenario is your dog is out for a walk, sniffs or places his snout near vegetation or grass where an infected animal urinated. If your dog drinks from a body of water that is contaminated with Lepto, he will contract it.

Signs of Lepto infection include loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, sluggishness, and either a decrease or increase in the amount of urine produced.

Although it is often treatable if caught early, a large percentage of dogs will have permanent kidney or liver issues. Don’t let your dog drink from puddles, lakes, rivers, etc and be cautious about walking on moist soil or in areas where wild animals may relieve themselves.

Fact: Periods of heavy rainfall can make Lepto easier to spread4.

Ice Cubes and Dogs

Ah, the great Internet urban myth. I’ve seen headlines like:

“Ice Cubes Can Kill Your Dog!”

Um, no, not really.

In a report for ABC News, Dr. Tina Wismer, medical director at the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center, reports this is totally false.

“This is not true,” says Dr. Wismer. “Dogs do not bloat from drinking ice water on hot days… They can be given as treats or put in the water bowl. Some behaviorists even recommend freezing toys or treats in ice for dogs to chew on.”

Why the rumors about dogs and ice cubes then? Everything you read online is not true: Surprise surprise! There are dangers with ice cubes and dogs that include:

  • Allowing dogs to chew ice cubes and the possibility of the cube(s) getting lodged in the dog’s throat;
  • Dental damage to teeth due to chomping on ice;

Note: Eating or drinking too fast can cause bloat in dogs, and that is with or without ice.

Water Bowl Slime

Did you ever rub your fingers around the inside rim of your dog’s water bowl? If you feel a slimy substance there, you’ve got a problem. Clean your dog’s water bowl daily with warm water and dish liquid.

A stainless steel or ceramic bowl are best for your dog. Either way, a clean bowl makes for a healthy dog. That slimy substance you feel is a biofilm that basically holds bacteria together so that it clings to the inside of your dog’s water bowl.

Bleachhhhh.

Just keep the bowl clean with daily scrubbing. Hot water doesn’t cut it: You need to actually clean the bowl with a pet-friendly cleaner: You know, like dish liquid.

Toilet Water

Ah, the dreaded porcelain castle. Keep the lid down. Dogs should not be drinking from a toilet. It’s an age old joke and fodder for Internet memes, but toilet water can harm or kill a dog. Why?

Well we defecate and urinate into it, so there’s that. Toilet water is dirty and any cleaning chemicals in the bowl or tank get into the water and make it worse.

Did you know some people put antifreeze in their toilet during the colder months so the water does not freeze? Antifreeze and dogs are a lethal combination.

Public Water Bowls

You might think it’s awesome to see pet-friendly businesses, hotels, or neighbors leaving out bowls of water for passing dogs. Think again.

The National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) reports pet bowls are the fourth germiest place in a home.

Dogs should never drink from a community water bowl. Dogs can contract diseases like Giardia, lepto, coccidia, E. coli, salmonella, and even intestinal worms from shared water bowls.

Just say no to communal water bowls and carry your own bowl and water supply for your dog. Here are some of our favorite water bowls for dogs.

Shaving Your Dog’s Coat Too Close

It is helpful to keep your dog’s fur and nails trimmed during the summer months, but shaving dogs too short for the summer can actually predispose them to sunburn and make them more prevalent to heatstroke. I

Instead keep on with regular grooming of your dog and manage the coat. Coats that are kept well-brushed and mat-free allow for good air circulation through the hair, which in itself can actually have a cooling effect.

Think about a dog whose hair is matted and unkempt. The hair prohibits air circulation and does little to help cool the body. Brush your dog daily.

Hot Pavement On Paws

It is a myth that a dog’s pads protect them from all elements of weather. Though a dog’s pads contain much fatty tissue that does not freeze as easily as other tissues, protection against scuffing, burning, scraping, cutting, and hot damage is crucial in summer months

Here’s everything you need to know about dog paw care including the best paw products to use.

Pro Tip: Musher’s Secret is a barrier, food-grade wax for dog paws/pads that acts as an invisible boot. Developed in Canada for sledding dogs, apply a thin coat on pads and between toes, weekly. It dries in seconds and does not stain, is nontoxic, non-allergenic and priced starting at $12, depending on size. Good on hot pavement, sand and sand burn, snow and ice, salt and chemicals.

Sunburn

Whether outside of sitting in an air-conditioned vehicle in the sun, dogs can get sunburn.

Vet-recommended sunblock and in-car sun shades will keep your dog safeguarded en route and during your stay. A dog’s coat protects them in the summer and provides warmth in the winter, so use caution in grooming. short hair, white fur, and pink skin, can sunburn.

Read our article on dog sun protection and products to help.

Heatstroke

Dogs need year-round exercise but be cautious about how and when you exercise a dog in the warmer months. Dogs are people pleasers, so they will not generally let their pet parent know when they have had enough.

Early morning or after sunset are general times to use when exercising a dog, but be cognizant of the humidity, temperature, and other environmental factors before proceeding.

Signs of heatstroke in dogs include rapid and heavy panting, excessive drooling, rapid heart rate, bright red gums and tongue, dry mucous members, and progressing to vomiting, diarrhea, and lack of coordination. It’s best to prevent heatstroke, slowly cool your dog down, and proceed to an emergency veterinarian if your dog is affected.

Fluoride in Water

This is a growing concern in the water supply. Fluoride added to our water supply is a neurotoxin to dogs that affects brain development, bone strength and might disrupt hormones. They say that osteosarcoma, which can be caused by fluoride, is the most common primary bone tumor in dogs, occurring in over 8,000 dogs each year in the United States.

So what can diligent pet parents do?

Dogs Naturally Magazine recommends pet parents consider distilled water or installing a reverse osmosis system. Avoid toothpaste with fluoride, and if feeding your dog fruits and vegetables, try to obtain organic produce that is organic.

PRO TIP: Keep your dog’s teeth clean by brushing them regularly. We love CET Vanilla-Mint toothpaste. Here’s what to do if your dog hates his teeth being brushed.

Giving your dog access to clean, filtered water is key. We all want our dogs to live longer, healthier lives. I raise my sparkling water bowl to you and your dogs!

Did we miss any water dangers? Let us know how you keep your dog healthy year round in the comments below. We love and encourage our readers to bark back!

Dog Summer Bonus Tips

Here are 25 things to do with your dog in the summer.

Resources

1 http://k9aquaticcenter.com/about-the-center/the-benefits-of-swimming/

2 https://www.newsweek.com/horrendous-man-drowns-trying-save-dog-fast-flowing-creek-1801776

3 https://www.albernivalleynews.com/news/victoria-dog-owner-warns-others-of-water-intoxication-after-dogs-death/

4 https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/riney-canine-health-center/health-info/canine-leptospirosis

5 https://www.tcpalm.com/story/news/local/indian-river-lagoon/health/2019/07/12/water-hazards-for-pets-dogs/1675991001/

Dog water dangers

47 Comments

  1. My dog Ty almost drowned once falling into a pool. He is one of those dogs that can swim a few feet and then sinks! I don’t let him near water without a lifejacket.

    1. We’ve always had pools and cockers. Before letting them near the pools I always brought them into the pool, while holding them. Once in the water, I took my arms out from under them to see if they could swim. Once they swam, I made sure to guide them to the stairs so they could find their way out.
      My 3rd cocker sank like a rock, he could not swim. Obviously, I was surprised but happy I took the time to test his skills. He loved the water so we got him a life jacket which he wore while out by the pool and would enter the pool if we were swimming.
      My current cocker swims like a fish❤️

  2. We must be very careful since French Bulldogs are top heavy we could sink
    Lily & Edward

  3. Great article! Your dog needs to have a bath after swimming in the lake or pool. Do not let them drink lake or pool water. Especially lake water. I am going to check out the S’Well bottles. Thanks!

    1. I wish I could work for S’Well I love them so much. And they really do work – we got ours about a month ago and use them extensively. Good point on the bath after swimming in a pool or lake, Sharon.

  4. We give Lucy and Jack bottled water when traveling or at campgrounds in our motor home. Love the collapsible bowl, big thanks to you.

    Very good article.

    1. Awww thanks for saying that. I love keeping the collapsible bowl in the Dexter travel bag – and we keep a spare in the glove compartment in the car. See you soon!

  5. I hate jelly fish – got stung myself earlier this year and still have a mark. I’ll have to read those tips. I have seen a few Pugs that can swim online but find it very dangerous as they already have trouble breathing and they are so top heavy. Kilo is nervous around water and strangers so I would never force him. He went to the beach, and to a lake recently on a leash and put one toe in both times. He has a nice special life jacket from NeoPaws that fits his funny body shape for this summer. I did not know about fluoride issues from drinking water but makes sense as we have special toothpaste for Kman.

  6. We recently started giving all of the animals filtered water. As for a stainless steel bowl, for some reason — and I am sure it’s the noise no one in our house will drink from one. I do love ceramic bowls, too! Great tips and I hadn’t even considered some of the dangers. Very eye opening!

    1. We are a ceramic bowl household, too…when we travel we take the collapsible ones. See you soon!

  7. We live in Florida..and this time of year there is always standing water which brings its own set of hazards…snakes, alligators, etc. We don’t live near the beach though so my dogs rarely go.

  8. Giardia! Parasites in dirty water, or even water that looks clean.

    I always have a big 2 gallon container of water in my car and a collabsible dog dish, so bringing water isn’t an issue for us. However sometimes they get to water before I can stop them and they both have in the past gotten giardia. I’m now ever more paranoid to avoid this nasty parasite so I try to be more diligent, I still can’t always stop them from drinking the water but we know the signs and symptoms!

  9. Swimming pools!! When I do home visits for the rescue and there is a pool, I ask if the potential family members intend to let the dog in the pool. If they say yes, I caution them that they must teach the dog how to get out of the pool. One volunteer shared with me that she learned this the hard way. Her dog drowned because it couldn’t figure out how to get out. I also ask how they are going to secure the pool. Beware of pool covers. Dogs will walk on them thinking it’s solid and then start sinking. I discovered this when one of my fosters walked onto the pool cover when we were doing the home visit. She started sinking and couldn’t get out because she got tangled in the material of the cover. That is when I discovered how much my heart beats dog, I was ready to jump in after her if I couldn’t grab her. Luckily, she was within reach!

  10. I haven’t taken my dogs to an ocean beach, but I have a feeling that Theo would try to eat a jellyfish if he saw one. I imagine that would be really bad news for him.

    We like a ceramic bowl for water and stainless steel or puzzle toy for food. I’ve wondered about the fluoride in our water, thanks for the information.

    We do have a pool, but it is above ground and our dogs can’t climb up the ladder on their own, so that is one less thing to worry about. (Also the ladder is not left on the pool when it is not in use.)

  11. Well, since I hate to even get my feet wet we don’t worry about the dangers in water. But, when I was young mom did take me to the beach to make sure I could at least swim, but she did it gradually, and kept me on a leash and close to her to make sure. But this is a lake, not the ocean, so we don’t have to worry about nasty jelly fish. And yes, you can’t take for granted dogs and being safe in the water. Taffy does love the water though, of course. Love Dolly

  12. I have several water fountains in the house for the girls and it’s a challenge to clean them often enough. I could have one bowl for them to drink from, but I believe that having bowls throughout the house encourages them to drink more water.

  13. Thanks for sharing all these, especially the ice cube and toilet water. So many owners don’t realize these simple maybe almost ‘endearing’ habits their dogs like can often be really really dangerous.

  14. It’s winter here in New Zealand but in summer there are often warnings about toxic algae in simming holes and at slow river edges. Dogs can be in real trouble from the algae – amazing to me as a cat owner whose cat’s HATE water 🙂

  15. Never heard of that long b-word disease! Scary! I wouldn’t have allowed them to anyway (just for the gross, brown water and algae factor), but now I have a better reason not to allow the dogs to swim in the ponds in my neighborhood. Don’t think I could ever let them in deep water without a life jacket on either.

    This is a fantastic list!

  16. Great list. I would add one more: blue-green algae. If a dog goes into a lake with this, it is a guaranteed death sentence. They can die within minutes of ingesting. 🙁

  17. Great article, Carol! I always get so grossed out at the slime film on Rugby’s water dish, but now I’ll know to be extra careful in keeping the bowl itself washed out with that dog friendly cleaner….you know…dish soap!! We also give him filtered water and he’s not a fan of ice water either! He doesn’t mind the occasional ice cube, but cold water from the refrigerator is what he seems to enjoy most.

  18. Katie and I grew up as puppies on the North Sea, so we drank salt water and have no problems with it, but almost all dogs get a case of the runs if they drink it and it happens like minutes after drinking salt water. Make sure your dog doesn’t drink ocean water if they weren’t brought up on it as they will get sick and dehydrated out there on the beach. We saw it happen to dogs all the time since we lived in a popular resort town.

  19. Both of our dogs steer clear of the swimming pool, which is a bummer in the summer but also a blessing in disguise, because if they liked it, my whole house would probably smell like wet dog all summer long!

    I’d add that when it’s hot out, it’s super-important to keep a lookout for the signs of dehydration. A dog who likes to swim still might not be drinking enough water to keep hydrated.

    Heat stroke is very serious and can be fatal if not caught and treated right away. Look for thinks like a purplish, swollen tongue, bloodshot eyes, heavy drooping, and heavy panting. A trick I like to use is to gently grab a handful of neck skin, and observing how quickly the skin returns to the dog’s frame. It should happen almost instantly. If the skin seeps down slowly, that’s a big warning that the dog is dehydrated and could be close to heat exhaustion.

    1. Good idea. We do the hydration test year round. Good to know, even for dogs who may have diarrhea or vomiting.

  20. Terrific topic, Carol! With most water-related activities, moderation is key. As you know, my Golden Retriever, Tanner, swims almost every day. I have to have him take breaks, whether in our pool or at the beach. A tired dog pants more and will take in more of the water he swims in when panting.

    I’d like to add to your ocean safety comments, as I live on a lake. Same precautions here. Despite Tanner’s extreme swimming ability, he always wears a PFD (personal floatation device) in the lake or the ocean. Undertows can sweep a dog out quickly when playing fetch at the beach. If a flotation device is not available, be sure to use a super long training leash (25 ft) attached to a strong, well-fitted harness. This will allow the owner to assist if Fido is unable to swim back in without help. Going in after your dog in water over your head is probably not going to end well. Be proactive!

    Keep up the good work. Holler if you’re in my area. We’d love to see you!

  21. We have never taken the boys to the beach but it is on our Bucket List. Neither of them has ever tried to swim but they might enjoy walking along the edge of the water. I am a fanatic about washing their food and water bowls. Drool makes for nasty drinking water. LOL!

  22. Great advice. We don’t live by any body of water so at least I don’t have to worry about that. I hate the slime bowls get so I have many, many bowls so I can always grab a clean one for every meal.

  23. Wow, so much great information for dog parents. So many things for them to be aware of. I’ve only recently been allowed out in the yard under strict supervision. I don’t think you’ll catch me around a lot of water any time soon. At least I hope that’s not on mom’s bucket list for us!

  24. My two labs absolutely live up to their reputation as water loving dogs – except for bath time 😉 But my pit bull definitely does not seem to be a fan of the water. She doesn’t mind standing at the edge of a lake or pond but has yet to venture in with her canine siblings. Instead she just stands on the sideline barking at them to come back to shore and play with her! We’ll see what happens this summer. I’m hoping she enjoys it a bit more. We do have ceramic food and water bowls and, in Colorado we don’t have to worry about jellyfish but we do have lakes and ponds so we’ll have to be a bit more careful.

  25. Such a great lineup of information! One point that I think is incredibly important, and that I’m glad you shared, is that not all dogs who CAN swim, enjoy swimming. I’ve seen folks trying to force their dogs to swim, when it was clearly indicating it did not want to do so. I, obviously, shared my two cents at the time, but this post will hopefully help to inform many more folks about this and all the other water related dangers!

  26. I would include Pythiosis on this list, or even dedicate an entire post to raise awareness. In the South it is often referred to as “swamp cancer”, and claimed the life of my dog Milo 3 years ago. There is a wonderful facebook community under the group name “Pythiosis” that has a wealth of information on the disease, as well as the contact details for Dr. Bob Glass who has developed an immunological serum that can treat it.

  27. Thanks for these warnings! I was familiar w/ most of these but not water intoxication or Blastomycosols. My Husky always tries to drink ocean water and water from creeks & lakes. I’m always on guard when we have outings near water.

  28. Great info, thanks so much for sharing! As a mom of three canine babies (although the youngest is larger than I am…) I always appreciate the “heads-ups.”

  29. good information. i have well water. but also keep lots of bottled water, i always take my water and their own water bowl to dog events. i never let them drink out of community water bowls or have water from the sink b/c of the fluoride.

  30. Great post ! thanks so much for sharing! I’m so lack of caring skill for my dog. It’s so useful for me since I just take my Ginny home. I dont have any experience for caring those cutie. Thanks for sharing 🙂

  31. Thanks Carol for these important reminders. Sadly our cocker boy died from a dry drowning. Just like you said in your article, it’s not a good idea to throw the ball in the ocean. Apparently he inhaled the salt water, which caused osmosis. His lungs started to fill up with water, and his heart wasn’t strong enough to pump the water out. He had a heart murmur. This happened about 7 years ago and we are still devastated. As you all know, it’s like losing a child. Stay safe my Cocker families ❤️

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