Is swimming safe for young dogs?

Not all dogs enjoy swimming, but for those who do, it’s a great form of exercise and mental stimulation! However, you’ll want to be aware of the risks that come with taking a dip and how you can protect your puppy bestie.

Health benefits of swimming for young dogs

Swimming is a great form of cardiovascular exercise for your dog. It helps to build muscle while being gentle on your dog’s joints. Swimming is a good option for dogs with orthopedic conditions (arthritis, hip dysplasia). It’s also helpful for dogs who need to shed some pounds without putting unneeded pressure on their joints. It’s good exercise on a hot day, too!

For dogs who enjoy water, swimming is also a good form of enrichment. You can consider playing fetch in the water or trying dock diving to make the experience even more mentally stimulating.

Risks of swimming for young dogs

There are three main risks to be aware of when your dog is swimming.

Contraction of infectious diseases

Your dog may contract an infectious disease while swimming, especially if they drink the water or swim with an open wound. Two diseases to consider include leptospirosis and giardiasis. While you can protect our dog from leptospirosis by vaccinating them, preventives do not currently keep dogs from contracting Giardia. Giardia causes diarrhea, vomiting, decreased appetite and weight loss.

Drowning

Your dog should never be allowed to swim unattended. Drowning can occur if the dog gets in the pool and can’t get out, becomes exhausted while swimming or gets pulled along by currents or riptides. It can also occur if a dog is allowed to walk out on ice and falls through. You should also pay extra attention to flat-faced (brachycephalic) dogs, like bulldogs or pugs, who may tire more quickly while swimming. 

Wound infections

Your dog shouldn’t go swimming with an open wound or a healing surgical incision. The water can introduce bacteria that lead to wound infection. For surgical incisions, this can cause the incision to break open (dehisce), which would require reparative surgery.

Other risks to be aware of include hypothermia if the water is cold, electric shock if there is lightning present and gastrointestinal upset if the dog is allowed to drink water. Make sure you’re aware of wildlife in the water, as well, such as snakes or jellyfish.

• Don’t ever let your dog swim unattended. Dogs can safely swim in pools, lakes and the ocean if monitored by their human family.
  
• Make sure the water is a comfortable temperature. Cold water can contribute to hypothermia. 
  
• Don’t let your dog go out on ice or swim during thunderstorms.
  
• Check the water conditions. Your dog shouldn’t be swimming in fast-moving rivers or in the ocean when there are riptides or large waves.
  
• If you have a pool, install stairs or a ramp that your dog can climb to get out of the pool. It’s a smart idea to place a tall fence around the pool to keep the dog from getting in the water unattended.
  
• Put a life jacket on your dog if they’re going on a boat or in a large body of water such as a lake.
  
• Bring your dog’s own drinking water. You should avoid letting them drink water from pools, lakes, rivers or the ocean.
  
• Wash your dog off after swimming to remove salt or pool chemicals.
  
• Keep your pet up to date on their leptospirosis vaccine. Drinking contaminated water is one of the main ways your dog could get infected.
  
• If you’ll be going to the beach, make sure your dog is on parasite preventives. Hookworms can enter your dog’s body through the skin and are common on beaches frequented by dogs.

If your puppy isn’t a water lover, here are a few other ways to stay healthy and active.