Swimming

For many German Shepherd Dogs, swimming tops the list as their favorite activity. Not only is swimming an excellent exercise for the dog, but it also keeps them cool, fit, and toned. And with the hot summer days of August and September ahead, no doubt many of us will be making trips to our favorite swimming spots with our dogs.

sanswim2

While swimming may be fun, it can also be a potentially dangerous activity. Hazards such as underwater debris and toxic algae blooms should make handlers think twice about taking their dogs to just any spot to swim. Before you pack up your dog and head out to the lake, river, or beach, check out some of our tips below for ensuring a safe swimming session with your dog.

Water Choice

Salt or freshwater? Freshwater is recommended, particularly since dogs do swallow quite a bit of water as they swim. Ingesting salt water can cause vomiting and dehydration, and excessive ingestion of salt water can cause severe neurological problems, including seizures and brain swelling. Additionally, ocean waves and currents can also make swimming difficult and dangerous for a dog, so if you are headed to the ocean, it may be wise to keep your dog on the beach and not out in the surf.

sanswim5
sanswim6
sanswim3
Underwater Hazards

Look before you let your dog leap! Take a brief scan of the entry and exit points of the water, and keep an eye out for hazards such as broken glass bottles, torn aluminum cans (very sharp!), fishing hooks and lures, and debris just under the water that can catch a paw or impale a leaping dog. Many dogs love to charge into the water, and if you plan on throwing sticks or toys out into the water for your dog to retrieve, you want to ensure there is nothing hiding under the surface that can hurt your dog as he blasts through.

Excess Water Ingestion

Most dogs ingest some water while they swim, but dogs who bite at the water or are retrieving objects in the water will swallow a great deal more than a dog who swims with their mouth closed. If the dog ingests too much freshwater within a period of time, a dangerous and potentially deadly condition known as water intoxication can occur. This causes excessively low sodium levels in the dog’s body; sodium is necessary for proper nerve impulse transmission, blood pressure regulation, and muscle function, and low sodium levels will create problems in all three areas. The excess water also causes cells to swell, including cells in the brain.

Signs of water intoxication in dogs include a loss of coordination, staggering, lethargy, vomiting, bloating, glazed eyes, and excessive salivation during or after a trip to the water. In severe cases, the dog can collapse, lose consciousness, fall into a coma, have seizures and breathing difficulties, and can even die.

sanswim7
sanmisc31

Water intoxication can be prevented through careful monitoring of your dog’s swimming activities. Take periodic breaks to rest your dog during water play and to allow his body to process the ingested water before it reaches a dangerous level. Encourage him to urinate in a safe and out-of-the-way area to help flush the water out of his system. Consider bringing along a canine electrolyte solution that can be offered periodically to help maintain electrolyte balance (do not use zero calorie human “electrolyte” drinks made for humans, as some of these artificial sweeteners are toxic to dogs! Use a supplement specifically for dogs if an electrolyte solution is needed.).

Remaining mindful and conscientious about swimming your dogs–even if they are just swimming at home in the pool–will help ensure that this activity remains safe and enjoyable for all.

sanswim11

25 Comments

  1. folorentorium March 7, 2019

    I like what you guys are up also. Such smart work and reporting! Keep up the excellent works guys I?¦ve incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it’ll improve the value of my web site 🙂

    http://www.folorentorium.com/

  3. seguros de camión July 22, 2019

    That is very fascinating, You’re an excessively professional blogger. I have joined your rss feed and stay up for in the hunt for more of your wonderful post. Also, I have shared your site in my social networks!

    http://segurosmedicosmiami.com

  9. Crave Canada September 15, 2019

    Thank you for any other informative web site. The place else may I am getting that kind of information written in such a perfect way? I’ve a venture that I am just now operating on, and I have been on the look out for such information.

    https://www.cravecanada.com

  11. this link September 19, 2019

    I’m not that much of a internet reader to be honest but your sites really nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your site to come back in the future. Many thanks

    https://levelextreme.net/de/sarms

  13. Parbriz Passat September 21, 2019

    Hmm is anyone else encountering problems with the images on this blog loading? I’m trying to figure out if its a problem on my end or if it’s the blog. Any responses would be greatly appreciated.

    https://parbriz-auto-bucuresti.ro

  14. click here September 25, 2019

    I haven’t checked in here for a while because I thought it was getting boring, but the last few posts are good quality so I guess I’ll add you back to my daily bloglist. You deserve it my friend 🙂

    http://methyltestosterone-kaufen.bulletize.com

  17. look at more info October 4, 2019

    The root of your writing while appearing reasonable originally, did not sit very well with me personally after some time. Someplace within the sentences you managed to make me a believer but just for a while. I however have a problem with your leaps in assumptions and you would do well to help fill in those gaps. In the event you actually can accomplish that, I could surely end up being impressed.

    http://trenbolone-hexahydrobenzylcarbonate-kaufen.bulletize.com

  23. immobilienbewertung chemnitz October 14, 2019

    I enjoy you because of every one of your hard work on this web page. Kate delights in going through internet research and it’s easy to understand why. My spouse and i learn all relating to the lively medium you present reliable thoughts through the website and even improve response from some other people on that situation then our favorite simple princess is actually studying a lot. Take pleasure in the remaining portion of the year. You are always performing a powerful job.

    https://www.schneider-immobilienbewertung.de/immobilienbewertung-chemnitz/

  24. keresőoptimalizálás October 18, 2019

    An interesting discussion is worth comment. I think that you should write more on this topic, it might not be a taboo subject but generally people are not enough to speak on such topics. To the next. Cheers

    https://premiumlinkepites.hu/

Leave your comment