Water safety is important for people and pets this summer. Make sure to follow these safety tips before heading out for some water fun. 
- Determine if your dog likes water. It is important to know if you own a water dog or not. Just like people some pets are scared of the water. Do not force your dog – not every dog knows how to swim.
- Do not leave your pet unattended while they are playing in the water. Just like people they should not swim alone.
- Temperatures and heat from the sun can be more intense around water. Your dog can experience heat stroke or sunburn, so make sure they have plenty of water to drink and shade. If you are at the beach, check the sand temperatures. The excessive heat from the sand can cause blisters, so water down the sand before your pet walks on it.
- Purchase a PFD (personal flotation device) or life jacket for your dog and make sure that it is appropriately sized for your pet. Accidents can happen to pets too and they need to be protected. Check out a PFD in action. http://youtube/4NZkYav7e5o
- Whether your dog will be swimming in a pool or the ocean it is important to rinse them off when they are done. The chlorine and salt water can cause skin irritations (hot spots) if it is not properly rinsed off.
- Have plenty of drinking water available for your pet. Don’t allow your pet to drink water from pools, ponds, creeks or the ocean. Ingestion of chlorine and salt water can upset their stomach and cause diarrhea. Ingestion of water from creeks and ponds can also make your pet sick as some contain parasites.
Safety should come first with any activity. Make sure you follow the safety tips when enjoying some water fun with your pet.
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