The first thing that comes to mind when someone mentions “vacation” is swimming. There are tons of activities to do with your dog this summer, but swimming is the main highlight for fur parents.
Many enjoy bringing their pets to the beach, lake, or river to have fun and swim with them. But in every fun thing we do, there is a danger that we tend to forget because our mind is too hazy from all the excitement. These are the safety guidelines you must know when taking your dog to a swim day:
1. Know your dog’s capacity – Not all dogs know how to swim. It is a must to know if your dog knows how to swim or if they’re having difficulty staying afloat. If your dog is a small pup, bring a life jacket for dogs to ensure their safety in the water.
2. Let them wear a life vest – Pet owners should bear this guideline, especially if your dog is a small one or a big-chested breed like bulldogs (bulldogs have a hard time staying afloat). You might want to get them a vest if they are still practicing swimming.
3. Don’t push your dog too hard – Many dogs are oversized jumpers in the pool or oceans, but some are not. When it’s their first time, make sure to take it easy as they might get nervous. Let them follow you in shallow water before bringing them to deep waters. Praise your dog to encourage them!
4. Keep an eye out for warnings and beach closures – Search for beaches that don’t have any advisories regarding harmful organisms at the beach. Be alarmed for warning signs on the beaches you want to visit.
5. Don’t let your dog drink from the ocean, lake, or pond waters – Contaminated waters (ponds and lakes) are dangerous to your dogs since they have many bacterias or organisms that might harm your dog. Ocean waters can make your dog sick, and there is a strong possibility they might vomit or get diarrhea. You must only give fresh water to your dogs to keep them dehydrated and active.
6. Get advice from your vets – You must be ready to bring preventatives (a medicine used to prevent an illness from occurring). Ask your trusted vets about what kind of preventatives to bring on your trip to ensure your dog’s safety.
7. Keep an eye for signs of illnesses – After getting advice from your vets, you should ask them about the symptoms your dog might show if they are sick. Watch for waterborne diseases caused by parasites, and visit the nearest vet clinics if the situation worsens. Here are some symptoms you need to watch out for after taking your dog for a swim:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Weakness
- Decrease in appetite
- Fever
- Lethargy
8. Bath your dog after swimming – Dogs should also have a bath like humans. It would be best to wash off the sands stuck in your dog’s fur. Afterward, you must clean and dry their ears to avoid further infections.
Additional Guidelines
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- Don’t forget your dogs in the water because you’re excited about your next trip. Please don’t leave them alone in the water!
- You must know the basics of canine CPR. In cases like this, our first response is to trust our instincts and call for help, but it should never be like that always. Take some classes about canine CPR, Chest Compressions, and Mouth-to-Nose Resuscitation to avoid any death and save your pet’s life.
When taking your dogs on a summer vacation, there is some information you must know before planning or booking a flight this summer together with your pet. Here are six tips about traveling with your dogs by Vetster that you should jot down in your journals. Be prepared when you’re planning to visit a foreign land because you might never know if something happens. Be a responsible fur parent, everyone!
Preparedness when traveling with your pet is a must. You will only need minutes to read some guidelines, hours to get advice from your vets, and days to take classes about your pet’s safety. Don’t be selfish, and think about the life you’re bringing with you. Have a safe traveling!
