Swimming & Pool/Water Safety

  • Dogs & Swimming

  • Mark The Pool Exit

  • Steps

  • Ramps

  • Flotation Vests

  • Swimmers Tail

  • Water Intoxication

  • Salt Water Poisoning

  • Red Tides

  • Algae Blooms (Toxic to Dogs!)

Just as with children it is recommended to fence off the pool to help prevent accidents and supervise both children and dogs when around water. But a barrier is not a guarantee that a dog won’t gain access to a pool. Not every dog is safe around a pool. While most dogs will instinctively make a paddling motion in water only some dogs are natural swimmers, others can be taught to swim, and still others are not built for swimming. “Dogs that aren’t designed for swimming include “top heavy” breeds – those with large chests and small hindquarters. Short muzzled dogs, including the brachycephalic breeds, and dogs with very short legs also don’t do well in water.”

“Dogs with significant muscle mass or very little body fat are less buoyant and must work harder to stay afloat, as do older dogs who tire easily, or arthritic dogs. Some dogs are just poor swimmers, bobbing vertically in the water, splashing so much with their front paws that they can’t see where they’re going. Even athletic, accomplished swimmers can struggle in the water when fatigue sets in after a full day of water play.”

Even dogs belonging to breed groups known to be good swimmers and natural water dogs can have structural deficiencies that make swimming difficult so they may avoid anything to do with water.

  • Short neck pg 48

  • Long neck   pg 48

  • Ewe neck     pg 50

  • Slipped hocks  pg 122

  • Narrow or pinched nostrils  pg 44

  • Water Dogs structure pg 145

“Structure in Action” is an excellent resource to evaluate your dog’s structure.

We should never throw a dog into the water so they “learn” to swim and/or “get out” of the water. A dog that panics is not likely to learn anything more than we cannot be trusted. Older dogs and overweight dogs are at a greater risk due to the physical challenges of getting out of the water trying to climb out at the edge and not at a step or ramp. If there is not a set of dog steps or dog ramp clearly visible to exit a pool it’s a good idea to place something that is clearly visible at the exit points to help a dog locate the exit fast should they fall in.

Dogs that do not have dew claws are at a disadvantage getting out of the pool. The dew claws provide extra grip to pull themselves out.

Mark The Pool Exit

Dogs exposed to water should learn how to get out of the water so they don’t panic in or around water. But this needs to be done carefully so we don’t overwhelm the dog and lose their trust. Giving complete step by step guidance here is not realistic. But generally speaking I would start by teaching the dog at the exit of the pool/water to walk away immediately. After that was patterned maybe 6 times i would place the dog’s rear feet in the water and immediately (1/2 second) lead the dog out of the water on a leash without pulling. I would patterned this about 6 times and then place all four feet into the water and immediately (1/2 second) lead the dog out of the water on a leash without pulling. This is all done is a calm and upbeat manner without trying to “correct” a dog’s behavior. If we get our part right the dog when given a choice will not avoid us after this short training session.

To assist dogs with safely getting out of the water there are two primary options, steps and ramps.

PM6 STEPS

SKAMPER - RAMP LARGE

Portable & Simple Ramp Option

Portable & Simple Ramp Option

MADE IN THE USA

MADE IN THE USA

WaterDog Adventure Gear ramps are sold through amazon and ebay. For the best price purchase directly form the company’s website. https://getwag.com/dog-pool-ladder/ A nice feature of their ramps is that the steps are yellow provide more contrast for dogs. (See Dogs Vision)

The offer a variety of pool, boat, and water ladders for dogs.

Skamper-Ramp large

Eliminate accidental drowning and keep unwanted critters and pests out of the pool. The Skamper-Ramp allows for an easy exit out of the pool for dogs.

Made from high quality HDPE plastic that's durable,heavy duty and lightweight.

  • Chemical and UV resistant. Will not yellow or crack.

  • Safe for vinyl or concrete pools, in or above ground.

  • Great for bulkheads, boats, floating docks, etc.

  • Made in USA.

The Skamper-Ramp is made by GAMMA2 the makers of Vittles Vaults. GAMMA2 makes a quality product here in the USA and are highly recommended. The Skamper-Ramp can be purchased at PetsWarehouse or amazon.

Ezydog DFD™ X2 Boost

Ezydog DFD™ X2 Boost

Ezydog DFD Dog Life Jacket

Limber tail syndrome is also called swimmers tail “occurs most often after swimming, but can also happen after a day of intense exercise, including hunting or other outdoor activities. Any activity in which your dog is using his tail a lot can trigger a limber tail.”

“If your dog has this condition, it can look like her tail is actually broken. However, the damage isn’t actually to the bones of the tail, but to the muscles. It’s a muscle injury typically brought on by overexertion of the tail.”

“While a limp tail can indicate an actual fracture, spinal cord injury or other problem, with limber tail, the onset is sudden – the dog’s tail was fine one minute, and then after swimming or intense exercise, it wasn’t. Sudden onset is a good indication your dog is suffering from a muscular condition that is temporary.”

“Generally speaking, limber tail syndrome resolves by itself within a week or so. However, if your dog is hurting, I recommend proteolytic enzyme therapy for pain management. Homeopathic aconitum and arnica are also great remedies to expedite healing in these situations.”

https://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2016/03/27/pet-tail-injuries.aspx

Water Intoxication

“It’s possible for any dog to ingest too much water, but hyponatremia is most often seen in water-loving canines that spend hours at a time in the pond, pool, or lake; dogs that constantly lap up water or bite at it while they’re swimming; and dogs that inadvertently swallow water as they dive for toys.”

Signs of water intoxication

  • Vomiting

  • Pale gums

  • Nausea

  • Dilated pupils

  • Excessive drooling

  • Bloating

  • Staggering

  • Loss of coordination

  • Glazed eyes

  • Lethargy

“Water intoxication progresses very quickly and can threaten your pet’s life, so if he’s been playing in water and begins to show one or more of the symptoms listed above, you should seek veterinary care immediately.”

https://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2015/09/16/water-intoxication.aspx

Saltwater Poisoning

“Hypernatremia, or saltwater poisoning, is another potentially fatal condition that can develop in canine companions who spend time at the beach consuming too much saltwater. Symptoms of saltwater poisoning include increased thirst, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, disorientation, tremors, and seizures; if you suspect your dog has consumed too much saltwater, seek emergency veterinary care immediately”

https://www.barkandwhiskers.com/2024-04-03-hyponatremia-in-dogs/

Red Tides

What is a red tide?

“In simplest terms, a red tide is a "bloom” of phytoplankton. Phytoplankton are microscopic, single-celled plants that occur naturally in our coastal waters. A “bloom” occurs when a particular species of phytoplankton begins reproducing rapidly, resulting in millions of cells in each gallon of water. Not all phytoplankton species produce visible blooms. Red tides are caused by a particular group of phytoplankton called dinoflagellates, which seem to prefer warmer and calmer waters.” [1]

Are all red tides toxic?

In California the majority of red tides are not caused by species that produce deadly toxins such as domoic acid and the paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins. Sometimes, however, phytoplankton blooms are formed by toxin producers. Therefore it is best to be cautious and assume that a bloom is toxic until you can learn more. Also see the information below on the health hazards of red tides. [1]

[1] https://caseagrant.ucsd.edu/extension-outreach/facts-and-resources/red-tides-in-california

Harmful Algal Blooms https://www.sccwrp.org/about/research-areas/eutrophication/harmful-algal-blooms/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/red-tide

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