Take Preventive Measures to Protect Your Pet
Water Safety Tips for Pets
It’s estimated that thousands of family pets die in drowning incidents each year. These tragedies are largely avoidable if precautions are taken—and implementing safety precautions is not a difficult task.
Pool Safety Tips for Pets
“Most preventive measures are common sense,
” says Dr. David W. Reinhard, a consulting veterinarian for VPI Pet Insurance.
There are some basic rules you can follow to prevent pool tragedies. First, teach your pet where the steps in the pool are located, in case he falls in or gets in trouble while swimming, Dr. Reinhard says.
Even pets that are experienced swimmers can sometimes panic if they accidentally fall in the pool. Pets that are too small to use steps should not be allowed in the pool. Here are some other helpful strategies:
- Install a fence around the pool.
- Install a pet ladder in the pool.
- Always supervise pets around the pool.
- Remember, pool covers are NOT a form of protection. Covers can be deceptive to pets, as they look like a solid surface.
- Familiarize your pet with water at a young age; don’t assume he can swim.
- Consider purchasing a pool alarm system. These float in the pool and go off when there is a disturbance in the water.
- Take your pet to the veterinarian immediately if a near-drowning or water injury occurs.
Water Safety Away from Home
“There are differences between moving water on rivers versus the ocean versus a backyard pool,
” says Dr. Tina Swan, a veterinarian who specializes in emergency care. Dr. Swan suggests pet life jackets for these situations. The life jackets should be worn even if a pet is simply near a body of fast-moving water.
If you’re taking your pet to the beach for the first time, keep him on a leash while he’s near the water. Once he becomes familiar with the ocean, follow the leash rules as posted on the beach.
Concerned pet owners can also enroll in a pet CPR class. Ask your veterinary clinic about pet CPR classes in your area.