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 for granted that your dog knows how to swim.
2. Keep a close eye on your aging pet. They cannot swim as long or as far as they once did.
3. Never toss a cat or a dog into the water. They will panic from the initial shock.
4. Obtain a canine flotation device (CFD) or a pet life jacket for your pet. Ensure that they are wearing the device whenever they are close to the water. There are many times that a pet has fallen of a dock or moving boat without anyone knowing.
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. Keep your pets away from frozen lakes & rivers.
Seeing your pet drown and the awful guilt that is associated with it can be overwhelming and very difficult or impossible to recover from. I strongly encourage you to have a look around your property for obvious water hazards. Whether it is summer or winter, you need to drown proof your home as well as your vacation property NOW. 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 articles on the small dog life jacket and about the importance of a dogs life jacket when around water.
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