Do’s and Don’ts for dogs on the water
Story by Roxann Edsall
Photos by Richard Rybka
The lakes are soon to be alive again with the sounds of summer. Safe light each morning brings waves of fishing boats headed to that perfect fishing spot.
After breakfast, more boats race by, pulling tubes with squealing children bouncing with each wave. Ski and wake boats slice through the water, pulling those whose bodies can still afford the effort of skiing or wakeboarding.
Pontoon boats ease by, headed to a favorite swimming or picnic spot. If you look closely, you’ll see a dog or two in many of these snapshots of summer life on the water.
Life on the lake is full of fun opportunities for pups, but there are some dangers that pet owners should be prepared for. Protecting our four-legged, lake-loving friends takes some thought and planning before letting them loose for a day on the water. These pets add enjoyment to our lives, but they need us to help them stay safe.
The first, and most often overlooked precaution, is putting a life jacket on your dog anytime it is in or around the water. “All dogs should have a life jacket,” says Dr. Margaret Heath, a veterinarian with Pell City Animal Hospital. “Just because they can swim does not mean they won’t get tired or that they swim well. They can become exhausted easily.” This is particularly true, she adds, for small dogs who cannot swim as far or as quickly as their larger counterparts.
Dr. Heath also stresses the importance of keeping your animals hydrated. “Bring fresh water for them to drink,” she emphasizes. “Bacteria, like leptospirosis, in the water can affect dogs, just as it would a human.
Another common intestinal parasite, Giardia, is found in stagnant water and can cause intestinal issues.” Additionally, she adds, if a dog has open wounds and swims, bacteria can enter the body and cause illness. If your dog spends a lot of time in the water, Dr. Heath recommends getting it vaccinated against leptospirosis.
Another important step to protect your pooch is to make sure it is wearing a collar or harness with an identification tag. Dr. Heath recommends changing out wet collars or harnesses to dry ones as soon as pets are safely contained. “Wet collars and wet harnesses keep the areas they cover moist and can rub against the skin, leading to hot spots and sores,” she explains.
When the boat gets to the shore, pet owners should check the temperature of the dock and the asphalt to make sure it is not too hot. Dr. Heath offers the following guideline:
“Pavement, concrete and docks can be 30-40 degrees hotter than the air temperature, so on a hot, summer day, that can be significant. If you cannot place the back of your hand down on the pavement for more than 10 seconds, your dog should not be walking there. Try walking in any available grass.”
Dr. Heath also recommends wiping your dog’s paws to remove any dirt, irritants and debris from their feet once they are back on the boat or safely at home.
Shaded resting spots are important considerations for your dog as you play in and around the water. Having a safe, shaded place for them to be contained and allowing them to rest is a great way to include pups in family lake time. If you really want to keep them close by in the water, pet-safe dog floats are an option.
There are dog sunglasses and dog sunscreens available in many pet stores and online, if you want to be extra careful. Available in both spray-on and lotion applications, these sunscreens can be especially helpful for hairless or light-colored dogs, as they are particularly vulnerable to damaging ultraviolet rays. With sunscreens, Dr. Heath warns to make sure they are made for dogs and are PABA free and do not contain zinc oxide. “Sunglasses,” she adds, “could certainly benefit dogs with blue and other light-colored irises, as they don’t have the same protective pigment as do dogs with darker colored eyes.” The trick would likely be training your dog to leave them on.
Training your dog and restraining it while onboard your boat is critical to keeping your pup safe.
Allowing a pet to ride on the bow while the boat is moving is just not a good idea, stresses Dr. Heath. “Many years ago, we had a patient come into the clinic that had fallen from the bow and had a leg severed by the boat propeller,” she says, adding that, while he lived, many others have not been so lucky. “It’s unsafe not just because the dog may jump off, but because the lake conditions are unpredictable, as are other boats.”
As we welcome summer with all its fun, family moments, just remember to keep your best little furry buddy in mind. They’re a part of our families and count on us to keep them safe.
“Come on, buddy! Let’s go for a boat ride!”
Editor’s Note – Dogs on the lake can’t help but bring a smile to dog lovers everywhere. Join our new Facebook and Instagram group, Dogs Lovin’ LakeLife 24/7, and share your aquatic-loving canine with us!
