At ten weeks, most puppies can start swimming as long as they have been gradually introduced to water. By the time they are six months old, puppies are strong enough to swim in deeper water and can start learning how to
. However, not all puppies are ready to swim at ten weeks old.
When you bring home a new puppy, there are a lot of things to think about. One of these questions is when it is safe for a puppy to swim. Many people want to take their puppy swimming, but it is important to know when it is safe for your puppy to get into the water. It is not only important for the safety of your puppy but also to ensure their health and well-being. In this blog post, we will discuss how old should puppies be before they go swimming and the potential risks associated with taking them too soon. We will also provide tips on how to introduce your puppy to the water safely and provide information on the potential benefits of swimming.
Can Puppies Swim in Chlorine Pools?
If the swimming pool has the right levels of chlorine, it’s usually safe for your puppy’s health.
The safe level of chlorine to swim in is a pH 7.2 to 7.8 and a free chlorine concentration of at least 1ppm.
A minimum of 3 ppm should be used in hot tubs and spas.
Some dogs, particularly puppies, may be sensitive to chlorine.
The eyes, nose, and ears are among the delicate body parts that chlorine may harm.
The biggest risk is an ear infection. Long-eared dogs are more vulnerable, including the Basset Hound and Beagle
After swimming, dry and clean your dog’s floppy ears to ensure that no water has gotten inside of them.
Additionally, it’s crucial that you limit how much time your puppy spends in the pool. Some puppies who spend more time in a chlorinated pool show signs of irritation.
Pool and ocean water can both cause puppies’ skin to become dry and flaky.
Taking a shower after swimming will help your puppy stay safe in a chlorinated pool by washing off the chemicals.
Additionally, you want to prevent them from consuming chlorinated pool water.
This can cause an upset stomach including vomiting and diarrhea.
No. Puppies should not swim in lakes. For puppies that are only two months old or younger, it may result in drowning.
Puppies should only learn to swim in a kiddie pool or the bathtub. They can swim in deeper water as they get older and gain more swimming experience.
But lakes are a big no-no, even for adult dogs.
Here are some additional justifications for keeping your dog out of lakes:
Although blue-green algae isn’t actually an algae, it contains cyanobacterial strains that can be harmful to our dogs.
Due to higher temperatures and less rain during the summer, these are more frequent.
If a lake’s surface is covered in scum that resembles motor oil, the lake is likely overrun with algae.
Signs of blue-green algae poisoning in puppies include the following:
Don’t confuse blue-green algae with red tides. Certain types of algae called “red tides” tint the water red.
Red tide toxins frequently spread through the air, which is incredibly dangerous.
Lakes have unpredictable water temperatures. Keep in mind that your dog will become more exhausted when swimming in colder water.
Control your dog’s lake activity if they are capable of handling the depth of the lake and you can ensure that the waters are free of blue-green algae.
Always keep an eye on your dog and be prepared to assist them if they require it.
Large lakeshores can develop rip currents, so keep an eye out for your puppy at all times.
You and your puppy could be carried away by these hazardous water currents, drowning and dying as a result.
Despite their innate knowledge, puppies have a lower chance of swimming against rip currents and can therefore have a lower chance of surviving rip currents.
In addition to swimming in the lake, there are other lake activities that can harm your puppy.
For instance, if you were fishing while they were swimming, your fishing rod’s hook might have gotten stuck in their mouth or nose. Or they could get tangled in the line.
Keep sinkers out of your puppy’s reach because if your puppy ingests them, they could cause lead toxicity.
Don’t forget to keep your puppy away from salmon because it contains a worm and a type of bacteria that can cause salmon poisoning.
Signs of this disease include:
Be extra careful with puppies when they are swimming. Here are some safety tips to consider.
Don’t Let Your Dog Drink Pool or Ocean Water
Puppies can generally drink a small amount of pool water without harm, especially if the chlorine concentration is not too high.
Take note that the safe chlorine level for pools is about 1-3 parts per million (ppm).
Because of the osmotic effect, which causes the intestines of your dog to become dehydrated, ocean water is less safe. This results in vomiting and diarrhea.
This diarrhea occurs quickly and can cause short-term kidney damage to your puppy.
When you see your puppy drinking the water, it is preferable to stop them. Before and after a swim session, make sure they have access to plenty of fresh water to drink.
Ask your veterinarian if your puppy is ready to begin swimming lessons. They’ll most likely say that you should start them young.
However, they will also advise you to take safety measures, particularly if your dog is not a natural swimmer due to their breed.
Your veterinarian might also prescribe preventatives to help you avoid getting sick from swimming
For instance, puppies who enjoy being outside may benefit from the Leptospira vaccination. Lake, pond, and swamp bacteria could cause leptospirosis.
If left untreated, it can quickly result in kidney organ failure.
After swimming, wash your puppy to remove bacteria that gets caught in their fur.
Additionally, this will shield them from chlorine or saltwater-induced dry skin and fur.
Give them a good shower because these chemicals may also make them itchy.
To prevent ear infections, your dog should get a bath after swimming. Make sure your puppy’s ears are clean and dry after a dip by learning how to do so.
If you don’t at least rinse your puppy off after swimming, they might start licking their body to groom themselves. Then, they will swallow any nasty or toxic components.
Give Your Puppy a Life Vest
Get your puppy into a life jacket even if they seem to have been born with the ability to swim.
Puppies don’t have perfect coordination yet. They might drown, become exhausted in the middle of the water, or get swept away by a current.
They can easily stay above the water with the aid of swimming equipment.
For assistance choosing a dog life vest and other swimming equipment, consult our buying guide.
FAQ
Can I take my 8 week old puppy swimming?
In fact, it might help her discover the enjoyment of water at a young age (although it really depends on each dog whether or not she develops a love of the water). Long-nosed puppies as young as 8 weeks old can be taught to swim in a small, shallow body of water, according to Dr. Wooten told The Dodo.
Can 7 week old puppies swim?
The puppies take their first swim at the age of seven weeks. When puppies this young learn to swim, supervision is essential. Because mastiffs struggle to swim, we always keep one hand under the belly. This is done as a socialization exercise to show them that they are resilient and to gain their trust.