Summer vacation with a dog. There are a few things to consider: for example, protecting your dog from hot sand or asphalt to avoid unpleasant paw burns. However, even more dangers can lurk in the water. Therefore, be sure to follow our tips for dogs and swimming. First, swimming is good for your dog, as it trains their muscles and joints and the cool water provides a welcome refreshment and lots of fun in the summer.
Can all dogs swim?
In principle, dogs, like humans, can learn to swim or instinctively stay afloat. Sometimes you have to help your dog overcome their fear of water; if they absolutely don't want to go in the water, please don't force them. A ball that (accidentally) lands in nearby water during play has proven effective for getting them used to it. Or you can go into the cool water with your four-legged friend. However, make sure your dog isn't overheated from playing beforehand or from strong sun, as rapid cooling can then affect their circulation. Important tips for dogs in the heat and how to recognize and react to heatstroke can be found in our article "Our Top Tips for Dogs in Heat".
The same applies to a full stomach: your dog should not go swimming immediately after eating. Also make sure that your dog does not swim for too long, as it is very strenuous for them. If they've had enough, you can usually tell by them slowing down or looking strained. Since dogs often tend to overestimate themselves and don't know when to stop, you should then take them out of the water.
Caution! There are also dogs that should not swim:
- Dogs suffering from fever, an infection, wounds, inflammations, or heart disease
- Puppies under six months old
- Dogs with a heavy body and relatively short paws, such as Basset Hounds
- Dogs with a very flat snout (e.g., Pugs, Bulldogs, etc.)
Note: never leave your dog unsupervised in the water and find out beforehand whether their breed should or can swim at all.
Examine the water your dog wants to swim in carefully beforehand
Often you can tell with a close look whether the water in a lake is murky: are dead animals floating on the surface or does the water look oily? Then it's better to avoid this body of water. It is likely stagnant water. The danger: other animals leave urine in it, and if they are infected, your dog can also get infected. Or the water is poisoned in some way, which can also harm your dog. The same applies to blue-green algae, to which many dogs are allergic and which can lead to diarrhea or skin problems.
Note: avoid stagnant water or bodies of water where you wouldn't voluntarily bathe. You should also definitely heed warnings about strong currents.
What you need to consider when your dog swims in the pool
When splashing or swimming in the pool, it is even more important that you are present and supervise your dog. Also, make sure that you change the water regularly so that no bacteria are present. Do not use cleaning tablets or chlorine tablets or similar against bacteria (see section on chlorinated water below), as these will add chemicals to the water.
Rule of thumb: fill the pool with fresh water in the morning and empty it again in the evening. Also, make sure that the bottom of the pool is non-slip so that your dog can move well, and that the material is dog-friendly and will not be damaged by normal use, scratching, etc. Ideally, instead of a typical children's paddling pool, use a special dog pool. These are available in several sizes, also for your dog.
Make sure your dog doesn't swallow too much water
Especially in the water while playing and swimming, dogs may swallow a lot of water. In the worst case, this can lead to hyperhydration, also known as water intoxication. This disrupts your four-legged friend's electrolyte balance. The result: even more thirst. A vicious circle. Due to increased water intake, the sodium content in the body decreases, which leads to the kidneys ceasing their activity, storing fluid in the body and no longer excreting urine to maintain salt balance. In the worst case, cardiac arrhythmias or pulmonary edema can occur. This applies to water from lakes and oceans as well as pools, sprinklers, and other sources.
Note: make sure your dog doesn't overdrink to avoid water intoxication.
Dogs in saltwater or chlorinated water, what are the dangers?
The water in the Baltic Sea, North Sea, Mediterranean Sea, and many other popular vacation areas contains salt. This saltwater is usually not a problem for your dog during short swimming sessions. However, if your dog is more sensitive, contact can lead to irritation of their eye mucous membranes. Dogs that swallow a larger amount of saltwater while swimming usually react by vomiting.
The same applies to chlorinated water in outdoor pools or swimming pools. In some cities, at the end of the outdoor pool season, there is a special swimming day for vaccinated dogs, where no chlorine is added to the water. If your dog accidentally bathes in chlorinated water and swallows the water including the chemical, this often causes diarrhea.
Note: supervise your dog in saltwater and do not let them swim there for too long or drink water. Chlorinated water should be taboo.
Swimmer's Tail: What it is and how to avoid or treat it
First, swimmer's tail is a little-understood condition that occurs in some, mostly untrained, dogs, usually after intense swimming in cold water. It manifests as paralysis of the tail due to overexertion, meaning your dog can no longer move their tail as usual and experiences severe tail pain. The tail stands up a bit at the base and then hangs limply, and sitting down or defecating is more difficult for the dog due to pain.
If you recognize these signs, you should definitely go to your vet. The vet will usually prescribe pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory medication, which helps relatively quickly. You can also promote healing with warmth at the base of the tail. There are also animal physiotherapists who know suitable techniques. Once swimmer's tail has subsided, there are usually no lingering effects.
Note: make sure your dog doesn't overexert themselves while swimming.
How to care for your dog after swimming and bathing
If your dog is already soaking wet anyway, you can treat them to a suitable grooming session after swimming. Be sure to use a re-fattening dog shampoo, as this ensures that the protective, natural fat film on your dog's skin can be renewed. Before shampooing, you should brush the coat again to remove any foreign objects and to free the coat from knots and mats. After rinsing off the re-fattening dog shampoo again, dry your dog thoroughly and let them dry completely under their cozy blanket or in a warm place.
What experiences have you had with your dog while swimming? Do you have any special tips about dogs and water? We look forward to your comment.
