How to Keep Your Dog from Drowning Unnecessarily

Posted at December 26, 2009

Estimates have the number of dogs and cats in North America at 58,000,000 and 62,000,000, respectively, and it's a painful truth that thousands of them are victims of accidental drownings annually. Due to the fact that many people do not report these drownings, there is no way to know exactly how many pets actually die this way. Although, 99 % of dogs can swim, we have a false sense of security when we see our dogs running and jumping in and out of the water at the lake or our back yard pool. A significant percentage of dogs and even some cats are only able to swim a little while before they become fatigued. With this in mind, these animals go into a panic state when they are unable to quickly find a way to get their paws on solid ground. This panic is what causes them to drown. But it is more than just a problem for pets, for loving pet parents will selflessly and without hesitation dive into a frozen lake or rapidly flowing river in an attempt to rescue their animal.

What ways can we prevent our pets from drowning? Here are a few valuable tips:

1. Never take it for granted that your dog can swim.

2. Keep a closer eye on a pet that is getting older. As they age, they are unable to swim as when they were younger.

3. Never toss a cat or a dog into the water. They will panic from the initial shock.

4. Obtain a pet life jacket or one of the canine flotation devices (CPD) for your pet. Ensure that they are wearing the device whenever they are close to the water. It is not uncommon for a pet to fall off of a moving watercraft or dock and not be seen.

5. Things like solar blankets and pool covers appear to be a solid surface for your pet. Remove them whenever possible when your pets are around the pool.

6. Install a pet safety gate near the pool area.

7. Be certain that your canine and feline friends cannot easily access a neighboring pool.

8. A pool alarm is a good idea for your pool or pond.

9. Don't let your pet play or walk near fast flowing water.

10. Do not allow your pet to go near frozen lakes & rivers.

There is a ton of guilt that comes from having to watch your pet drown, and a person can never fully recover from having to go through that experience. I highly recommend that you go out and inspect your property for any water hazards. Make your home and any vacation residences drown proof immediately, whether it's in the dead of winter or during the summer months. If your pet is going to be anywhere near water, make sure they are wearing a canine floatation device or pet life jacket.

Jake writes numerous articles on the dog life jacket and about the safety aspects of dog life jackets to keep your pet safe whilst near water.