Swimming and splashing in the summer sun with your pets can be a great time for the whole family. However, all that fun calls for certain precautions — in and out of the water. Below are some water-safety tips to keep your furriest family member safe at the pool, beach or any water source.
First, it’s important to understand that not all animals can swim. What’s more, it only takes seconds for disaster to strike and a pet to drown. While it may seem as though dogs are natural swimmers, only some breeds are suited for the water. In fact, certain dog breeds are in particular danger of drowning due to body structure or facial anatomy. The dogs most at risk include Pugs, Bulldogs, Dachshunds, Pekingese, Boxers, Basset Hounds and more. Of course, any pet could be trained to swim with enough time and patience.
After all the fun is done, you’ll need to give your pet a bath. Just as you shouldn’t let pets drink dirty or chlorinated water, you also shouldn’t let them dry and go for days covered in it. Plus, they could get sick from licking it off. Don’t you take a shower to keep your skin healthy and comfortable after swimming? The same goes for your pet.
Want to learn more about the do’s and don’t’s of swimming with a pet? Check out the accompanying resource for more information.
Graphic created by Pool Troopers, a provider of pool cleaning services in Phoenix