Warmer days ahead means your pet may intentionally (or unintentionally) end up in the water. If your dog or cat does end up in the pool or another body of water, you don’t have to worry about their swimming ability. Dogs and cats are born with the ability to swim!
The problem comes if the animal is unable to get out of the water. Steep pool sides and no close land (like if your dog jumps off a boat in the middle of a lake) means your pet may get tired before he can get out of the water. If your pet slips under the surface, he can breathe in water, damaging lungs and preventing oxygen intake.
- Get your pet out of the water. It’s best not to try first aid in the water, so use something long like a pool skimmer or rake to hook your pet’s collar and pull them in close.
- Get the water out of your pet’s lungs. The best way to do it? Hold your pet upside down if you can lift him. Give a shake, or have someone thump his rubs for ten seconds or so. If your dog is too big to lift, put him on his side and lift up his hindquarters. Stick a towel or a cushion underneath. Use the heel of your hand to administer a doggy Heimlich.
Lungs absorb water quickly, so if water doesn’t out right away, it probably isn’t going to come out. Don’t spend more than a minute trying to get the water out of your pet’s lungs.
- If your pet isn’t breathing, you’ll have to give artificial respiration. If your pet’s heart has stopped, you’ll need to do CPR.
- Dry your pet off and wrap him in a towel. You’ll want to check his temperature to know how chilled he got — most pets drown in water that’s colder than their normal body temperature. Don’t apply external heat — just wrap your pet in a towel or blanket and get him to the vet ASAP.