Summer has arrived, bringing the perfect opportunity for pet parents to indulge their furry friends in outdoor adventures and playful activities. While the heat may seem daunting, pet parents can be assured that this season is here to offer a safe environment for their Dogs to explore and make lots of memories.
As you plan your pet’s summer activities, prioritize swimming among the top five activities. Swimming keeps your Dog refreshed and is great for them to stay relaxed, and active during the warmer days ahead. Swimming is one of the best forms of exercise where you can indulge your dog more in comparison to other physical activities. So, try to take your Dog for swimming at least twice a week (30 minutes to 1 hour) and see for yourself, how it helps them to keep their mind active and their body healthy. This blog will highlight the things that pet parents should consider if they are taking their Dogs for swimming and how swimming as an activity will benefit a Dog’s health overall.
Things to consider If you are planning to take your Dog for a swim:
- Though Dogs are natural swimmers, anything new out of the blue will panic them as it does to us. So, when you take your dog for swimming, you need to make sure that there is a trainer available at the pool to assist your Pet. If not, you can accompany your Dog to teach the initial moves until they get comfortable in the water. Tag along with them for a while as that will boost their confidence to swim independently.
- Check the venue well in advance. Go to the venue by yourself and check if it is a pet-friendly venue. Ensure that the water is clean enough for your Dog to swim without any traces of algae found in them. Drinking such contaminated water can be fatal to your Dog.
- Not all Dog breeds are comfortable in water. Mid to large-size Dog breeds swim with ease while short and heavy dogs like dachshunds, bulldogs, etc might not find it comfortable to swim. They might need extra care, and attention and someone needs to be around them all the time while they swim.
- Also, it’s a matter of will issue. Not all dogs love to swim. So, if your dog is showing any signs of hesitation, be there for him/her till they get comfortable and take the process very slowly. Do not toss them off in the water as that will end up being a bad memory for them. Remember, it’s just like teaching a kid how to swim. Don’t force them but guide them. Forcing your Dog will make them panic and the whole experience might not turn out well for your Dog to go into water again.
- Before your Dog swims in the water, go by yourself and check if the swimming pool/ water body feels safe for them to swim in terms of the depth.
- Once they start swimming, make sure to supervise them all the time. We just can’t leave them and expect them to come back by themselves post-swimming. Remember, not to make them swim for too long and keep a check all the time to ensure they are feeling safe.
- To keep them motivated and involved, you can add a few plush toys in the water. This will keep them focused on playing and they will feel less anxious if they are in waters for the first time.
- If your Dog is a senior one, stay beside your Dog all the time. By this, they will enjoy swimming as a pack activity and you will get to spend time with your buddy.
- You could also ensure your Dog is accompanied by other canines in the pool. This will also make feel better and comfortable.
- After the swim session, ensure to rinse your Dog with clean water to make sure all the chemicals that might be in the water are washed off.
- Once your Dog is done with swimming, ensure to dry him/her properly with a dry towel. Clean their ears and paws to prevent any infections.
Benefits of Swimming for Dogs:
Most of the Dogs learn swimming quickly and they start loving it. If your Dog loves swimming, here are the reasons why you need to take him/her often as that will benefit them in many ways.
- Swimming is the best exercise for their joints due to their movements. If your Dog is having a joint problem, swimming can benefit them. Swimming is the best prevention for joint issues.
- Swimming improves their motion range and flexibility.
- Swimming will help dogs to be alert and stay high in their cognitive functions. It will keep them mentally occupied in the moment.
- Swimming helps to regulate their body temperature and keeps them away from sunstroke. If you can choose a venue that is human and pet-friendly, you both could have fun together – pack time!
We hope you and your furry friend have a delightful summer together filled with joyous moments and unforgettable adventures.