Urgent warning to all dog owners taking their pooch swimming this summer

With Scots seeing scorching weather up and down the country this week, and the Met Office even forecasting temperatures above 30C, many dog owners will want to treat their pets to a lovely swim in a nearby loch or a trip to the beach to cool down. But experts are warning owners to be aware of one rule to remember before taking your dog for a paddle.

Chris Maxted, director of motorhome dog gate supplier Dog-G8, is warning dog owners to be cautious this summer, as taking your pet swimming just after applying their flea or tick treatment can lead to your dog ingesting contaminated water. The experts’ recent survey of over 100 dog owners revealed that one-third were unaware that their dogs should avoid swimming or bathing for several days after applying spot-on parasite treatments.

The ‘two-day rule’ for dog owners advises that pups aren’t taken for a swim up to 48 hours after their parasite treatment is applied, or it risks washing off and harming the environment. The washed-off treatment can contaminate the water, posing further risk to your dog if they swallow or drink any.

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Chris explains: “Dog owners should wait at least 48 hours after applying flea and tick spot-on treatments before allowing their dogs to swim.

“This waiting period is important because pesticide levels are highest on the dog’s coat immediately after application.

“Swimming too soon can cause these chemicals to wash off into rivers, lakes, and ponds, posing a serious threat to aquatic wildlife.”

Exposure to pesticides is not only harmful for the environment, but can have drastic consequences for your pooch.

The expert continues: “Besides environmental harm, dogs themselves may be at risk if they swim too soon after treatment.

“The pesticides can wash off into water, and if dogs ingest too much treated water, they may experience water intoxication or pesticide exposure. Following the recommended waiting times protects both pets and the environment.”

And it’s not just spot-on treatments that can cause issue for your paddling pooch, but some flea or tick collars can cause equal harm.

Chris adds: “Owners using flea and tick collars need to carefully follow the manufacturer’s advice about swimming and bathing, as some collars can leave toxic residues on surfaces or continue to release pesticides.

“For dogs that swim regularly, oral tablets are often a better choice since they don’t wash off into the environment.”

Other risks of taking your dog swimming include toxic blue-green algae, which grows rapidly in the summer, and hidden currents.

The expert recommends avoiding canals and reservoirs when taking your dog swimming, as these areas often pose hidden hazards.

Always supervise your pooch while they’re in the water, and assess the conditions before allowing them to splash around.