It is summer once again and pool parties are frequent, and some pet dogs love to swim. Swimming can give canines many health benefits like coping with arthritis, post-surgical recovery, limb problems, extra pounds or simply extra energy.
"Swimming is a great form of exercise for dogs, especially when it is blazing hot outside and the pavement is too hot on their paws," said Natalie Lindberg, a registered veterinarian technician and owner of The Total Dog, a canine swim and fitness center in Oceanside, Calif. "Dogs can exercise in water without overheating."
But there are certain things that you need to consider when swimming in the pool - especially that there are dogs that would go potty inside it! For pools that are exclusive for dogs, add bromine to sanitize it.
It is also important that dogs are safe while swimming, which is why you have to teach your dogs how to enter and exit your pool. One way to ensure safety is to invest in floatable doggy ramps or stairs because they could drown if they can't figure out how to exit the pool. Do not leave your dogs alone in the pool and install a doggy-proof gate so your dog cannot access the pool when you can't supervise them.
Provide a canine life vest to make sure your novice dog swimmers will stay afloat. Aside from that, you have to protect them from the sun's ray by applying a pet-safe, waterproof, quick-drying and non-greasy sunscreen.
Do not wait for your dogs to get tired swimming which would increase its risk of drowning. End the activity before the dog gets very tired. Also, it would be a plus if you take pet first-aid classes where you can learn how to perform canine CPR, rescue breathing and how to save your drowning pooch.
Active dogs would definitely love to swim in the pool but always make sure that they are safe. When the right safety measures are observed, your water-loving canines could benefit from exercising in the water.
