Water safety tips for your pet this summer

Summer is fast approaching, whether your dog is a good swimmer or one who is simply terrified of the water, there are a few things to consider to keep them safe around the water.

There's nothing better than cooling off in a pool, lake or the ocean on a hot day, particularly if you wear a fur coat all year-round.

Unfortunately, our pets aren't aware of the dangers that water can pose.

A few precautions can help you ensure that your pet enjoys the water safely this summer. Can your pet swim? Unfortunately, not all dogs are natural swimmers. Some dogs, and most cats, don't even like the water. If you encourage your dog to enter the water without verifying swimming skills, you may need to perform an emergency rescue. Test and build your dog's skills by following these steps:

Encourage your furry friend to step into a few centimetres of water in a lake or kiddie pool. If you try the test in a lake, use a leash so that your pet can be quickly reached if necessary.

Pay attention to your pet's reaction. If it's positive, add a few more centermeters to the pool or venture a little farther in the lake. Use treats or a clicker to encourage your furry friend to venture into deeper water. If your dog strongly dislikes the experience, try again on another day. Forcing him or her into the water may only create a fear of water.

Evaluate your pet's swimming skills. If your dog seems comfortable, walk farther into the water until it's deep enough for your pet to swim. Your dog will begin paddling with all four paws if he or she can swim. It's a good idea to put a special pet life jacket on your pet before this step.

Never push your dog to swim, some dogs love the water while others loathe it. Patience and positive re-enforcement is what is required.

Even if your pet can swim, he or she may need a little instruction in making turns, rather than just swimming in a straight line. Keep your pet in a life jacket until you are confident that he or she has strong swimming skills.

If you live or play near the water, pet water safety is particularly important. The following are a few simple tips that can help prevent accidents and injuries:

Keep your dog safe around water this summer.

Always be vigilant. Like children, pets have a mind of their own and can get into trouble in a moment.

Keep the pool gate closed. Make sure that your pet can only get to the pool while supervised.

Consider a pool alarm that can attach to your pets' collars. If your dog or cat falls in the water, an alarm will sound in your home. Pool alarms are a good idea even if you have an indoor cat, since it only takes a second for a pet to slip through an open door.

Reduce the risk of your pet falling into the water by discouraging them from drinking the pool water. This could be as simple as keeping a bowl of drinking water by your pool, and bring a supply of fresh water when you visit the beach or lake. Drinking chlorinated pool water, dirty lake water, or salt water can also make your pet ill. Please contact your veterinarian if you have any concerns.

Always put a life jacket on your pet when you take him or her on a boat. If the boat capsizes, your pet may not be able to swim for a long period of time on his or her own.

If your pet does fall in the water, make sure they can get out. Consider buying a pet water ramp for your pool or boat. These plastic ramps allow pets to easily enter and exit the water.

At the beach keep an eye on the conditions. If the conditions are too rough, consider throwing the ball across the water and not out to sea.

Give your pet a bath after swimming. Bathing removes chlorine that can irritate the skin and bacteria from lakes, rivers and the ocean that can make your pet sick if licked. In the case of an emergency, please don’t panic. While a dog can drown very quickly, they will need you to act. Many great swimmers have been known to drown after panicking in water or becoming trapped.

So be aware and ready to act if required. If your pet has fallen in and swallowed large amounts of water and is now unresponsive, there are a few things you can do to help:

Make sure that you are safe while rescuing your pet. You can’t help if you also need rescuing.

Clear your pet’s airway and make sure their tongue is not blocking their throat.

Invert your pet so that they are upside down. You may need help if you have a larger dog.

Try and get your dog to vomit the water up by placing your fingers at the back of the throat.

Call an emergency veterinarian and tell them you are on your way and the condition of the animal.

These tips are all generally common sense, however, it only takes a moment for disaster to strike. From everyone at Baw Baw Paws, please enjoy the summer weather, and play safe with your pets near the water.

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