Courtesy of Pet Talk
With temperatures topping 100 degrees it is officially time to cool off. Summer time is time to get to the pool or lake for relief and fun in the sun. While we all know that water safety is crucial for ourselves and especially for children, it’s also important to keep our pets safe around water as well.
“The good news is that all pets instinctively know how to swim,”
says Dr. Mark Stickney, Director of General Surgery Services at the
Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. “However, it is still important that you monitor them and watch for any hazards they may encounter.”
Although pools can be a great way for both pets and owners to cool off, they can be harmful if not used and monitored properly.
While you might be watching your pet while they are swimming with the family, it is important to make sure that there is no way they can get into or fall into the pool unsupervised.
One other hazard are pool covers. If a dog unwittingly walks onto a pool cover it can get tangled in it and drown.
While chlorine levels in pools are typically safe for both humans and pets, chlorine can cause some eye irritation and discomfort.
Lakes present similar risks as pools with regard to water safety, but a few extra precautions are necessary when taking your pets on a boat. It is very important to have a special life jacket that is made for a pet because a lifejacket made for a human will not fit correctly and could get tangled around a pet’s legs or neck.
Spending time with your pets in the water is a great way to have fun
and beat the summer heat. With a few precautions and a lot of supervision you can make sure it is a fun and safe time for everybody.