Water Intoxication and Your Dog

Dogs and Water Safety

Let's talk about dogs who love water and how their love for water could be detrimental to their health.

I have a dog who absolutely loves swimming and playing in the water. Dana would spend all summer in the water if I let her, but because of this, I need to pay close attention to how much she's in the water and how much she's drinking. Although we all need water to survive, water can also become toxic if overdosed on. And dogs who play in the water or like to chase the hose stream, can swallow too much water too quickly and that can cause water intoxication. It's not incredibly common, but it can be fatal so I want to share some signs to watch for if your dog loves to play in the water and you want to be able to detect if they have water intoxication.

Some of the warning signs include

• Lethargy

• Bloating

• Vomiting

• Glazed eyes

• Pale gums

• Excessive drooling

• Dilated pupils

• Restlessness

• Loss of coordination (stumbling or staggering or falling)

• Difficulty breathing

Some of the ways you can help avoid this condition in your dog include :

• Limiting time in water

• Don't play Fetch in the water OR only play Fetch with flat items so the dog can close their mouth around it better and not swallow as much water while retrieving it.

• Always supervise your dog around water, often dogs who like to chase or bite at running water don't know when to stop and you need to intervene.

• Always have water available to drink so the dog won't feel the need to overindulge when they are around a full bowl.

If you suspect your dog has water intoxication, take them to the vet immediately.

Water intoxication can turn very bad very quickly. A dog can go from being full of energy to being unresponsive in 30-90 minutes. There's not much you can do at home to treat water intoxication, they WILL need to see a vet for their best chance at survival.

As a pet parent, knowing the dangers and signs helps you to prepare.