It's so hot, you wouldn't send a dog out. Many owners think a good bath would be nice. But not all water is the same. Where should you (not) go, and how can you prevent infections in their fur?
Dangers of Water
Many dogs love water. They often wallow in every puddle or even take a mud bath in a proper natural swamp, much to the delight of their owners. However, many dangers lurk in natural waters.
- Bacteria. You won't know they are there, they can come from decomposing fish, pond sludge at the bottom, or anything unpredictable. They often cause inflammation, such as external ear canal infections.
- Cyanobacteria and algae. You might spot these in the water. Usually, the water turns green. If a dog drinks it, it can release toxins that cause allergies, diarrhea, and muscle weakness in the body.
- Parasites also spread in water. For example, Giardia or tapeworms.
- Toxins – for example, water under a parked car may contain windshield washer fluid, which is lethally poisonous to dogs.
- Diseases – one of the most well-known is leptospirosis. It is mainly transmitted by rats when they urinate in water that the dog then drinks. There is a vaccine against it, but it may not always be 100% effective.
Can dogs swim?
Most can. But there is still a small percentage of dogs who simply cannot swim – they lack confidence, don't enjoy water enough to overcome their reluctance, or perhaps have had bad experiences in the past. If you want to encourage a dog to learn to swim, it's like with people. A positive first experience is important; support them, show them support, and give them time to find their own style. Maybe they'll splash with their front paws or be interested in dunking their head underwater. Or maybe they won't want to at all. Let them be.
Tip: If you plan to take your dog to the sea, give them a freshwater bath after every swim in saltwater. For example, with BurburPRO professional shampoo.
Swimming is the hardest sport
If your dog loves to swim, don't overdo it! While coordinating movements underwater can be easy on the joints, it is one of the most demanding sports for muscles.
Even after a few meters, untrained furbabies can run out of strength and may start to drown.
Therefore, it is always better for the dog to have a life vest with a handle on top, which you can use to grab the dog in case of emergency and help them. Never let your dog out of sight in the water!
And most importantly, do not let your dog swim in a human swimming pool. Firstly, in most of them, they have no easy way to get out, and drinking chlorinated water can cause them unpleasant problems.
How much water is safe?
For dogs who love water and would do anything for it, also monitor the amount they drink daily. Playful dogs who jump after a ball or water toy for the millionth time or catch water from a hose all day can easily cause water intoxication. This is due to too much water drunk, resulting in a life-threatening brain swelling, where every minute counts.
So how do you cool down a dog?
Finally, a few tips on how to relieve your dog in tropical heat. Dog seniors and sick dogs with heart conditions suffer the most from heat.
- Let your dog choose a place to rest. Maybe they'll dig a hollow in the cool soil under a bush, maybe they'll sprawl on the tiles, or maybe they'll prefer to lie somewhere you wouldn't expect. Definitely don't confine them to limited spaces and certainly don't confine them with a cooling pad they can't get off.
- Don't cool them down with water in a shocking way. Instead, simply apply a damp towel to their paws and neck.
- You can try dog ice cream. Sometimes, all it takes is spreading meat paste on a licking mat and putting it in the freezer, or you can fill and freeze a puzzle toy…
- Sometimes a running fan can also provide relief to your companion, allowing them to pant with their tongue out.
In short, everything in moderation! And enjoy swimming safely by the water. Summer isn't over yet,
