LITTLE ROCK — We have a mixed-breed dog (he’s part fish, I think) that really likes to swim. He jumps into ponds, lakes, streams ... just anything with water. We draw the line at our neighbor’s pool. We’d like to know if there are any water safety tips for dogs. Our dog looks sort of like a Labrador retriever but he’s a bit smaller.
Many dogs take to water naturally and yours sounds like one of those. Swimming can be great fun and a good way to cool off on sweltering summer days, but there are things you can do to make sure it’s also a safe experience.
Here are some tips gleaned from dogtopics.com, PetPlace.com and the American Association for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (aspca.org).
Before letting your dog into a lake, river or pond, check for algae and scum that could make your dog sick if he ingests the water. Also look for strong undercurrents (in rivers, especially) that can drag a dog underwater. Check for steep muddy banks that a dog might have difficulty climbing, particularly when he’s tired after a longswim.
Buy your dog a life vest and make sure he wears it. Even strong swimmers can get into trouble in swiftly moving water or when they get tired, so a life vest offers him a little more protection and could give youextra time if he needs rescuing.
Life vests in a variety of styles and sizes are available online and in stores. Many have handles on the top that make it easier for an owner to get a grip on a dog in the water.
Don’t leave your dog unattended when he’s in the water.
Rinse your dog off as soon as possibleafter he’s out of the water to remove any algae, dirt, parasites or debris from his coat. If he’s been in a swimming pool, rinse him to remove chlorine that can irritate his skin.
Dry the dog’s ears; damp ears are a breeding ground for bacteria and yeast spores.
Make sure your dog has plenty of clean water to drink and try to keep him from drinking water from ponds and lakes that might contain harmful bacteria.
Another thing to consider during summer fun is protection from the sun. Dogs can suffer the same sunburn symptoms as people: burning, peeling, blisters (they can even get skin cancer). The American Animal Hospital Association (healthypet. com) recommends using a water-resistant sunscreen formulated especially for dogs.
There are many brands of canine sunscreen, among them Doggles, which also sells sun goggles for dogs, Epi-Pet Sun Protector and Nutri-Vet.
Apply sunscreen to the tips of the ears, around the dog’s lips, bridge of the nose and any areas lacking pigmentation.
Do you have a question about pets? We’ll get you an answer from an authority. Send your question to Rhonda Owen, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, P.O. Box 2221, Little Rock, Ark. 72203 or e-mail
Family, Pages 38 on 06/30/2010