Keeping Pets Safe Around Water

Most water mishaps with pets happen in ordinary places: a backyard pool left open, a river with a hidden current, a dam with a bloom you can’t quite read from the bank. The risk is rarely dramatic at first. It’s a quiet slip, a sudden gulp, a quick lap at the edge.

What follows can move fast — drowning, blue‑green algae poisoning, and even water intoxication can become an emergency in minutes to hours. The safest approach is simple: control access, supervise closely, and treat any odd behaviour after swimming as time-sensitive.^{1, 2}

Why water can be dangerous for pets

Many dogs enjoy swimming, and some cope well. Others tire quickly, panic when they can’t find an exit, or misjudge a drop-off. Cats are often cautious around water, but falls into pools, baths, and water tanks do happen — especially when they’re exploring at night, or when surfaces are wet and slick.

The other hazards are less obvious. Natural water can carry toxins (notably harmful algal blooms) and pathogens. Even clean-looking water can be unsafe after rain, heat, or low flow, when contaminants concentrate.

The main risks to plan for

• Drowning and exhaustion: weak swimming, cold water, currents, steep banks, and no clear exit points.
• Harmful algal blooms (including blue‑green algae/cyanobacteria): toxins can make pets severely ill after drinking, licking algae off fur, or sometimes after swimming in contaminated water.^{1, 2}
• Water intoxication (hyponatraemia): too much fresh water swallowed during intense play (for example, repeated retrieving in the surf or a pool) can dilute body salts and cause life-threatening illness.³

Fast safety checks before your pet goes near water

Think of water safety as a quick scan of the scene. You’re looking for the exit, the edges, and anything in the water that your pet might swallow.

• Find the safest exit (steps, a low bank, a ramp). Practise it once, on lead, before play begins.
• Avoid water that looks or smells “off” — scum, foam, paint-like streaks, green mats, or a strong odour. If in doubt, keep your pet out.¹
• Watch the edges: wind can push algae and contaminants into shorelines — exactly where dogs like to drink and wade.²
• Pack your own drinking water so your dog isn’t tempted to drink from lakes, dams, or puddles.

Keeping pets safe around pools, dams, rivers and the beach

Backyard pools and spas

Pools are deceptively hazardous: smooth walls, fatigue, and a pet that can’t locate the steps. If your dog has access to the pool area, treat escape like a skill, not a hope.

• Control access with compliant fencing and self-closing gates; don’t rely on a cover as a “lid”.
• Show your pet the exit (steps or ramp) every time they enter the pool area, then practise swimming to it.
• Supervise actively: if you’re not watching, your pet is not swimming.

Rivers, creeks and surf

Moving water adds two problems: drift and fatigue. A dog can look steady while being carried downstream. Waves can do the same, pushing a dog past the point where it can easily turn back.

• Keep first swims short and end them early, before tiredness shows.
• Avoid fast currents, steep drop-offs, and slippery rock shelves.
• Rinse and dry afterwards, especially ears and skin folds, and offer fresh drinking water.

Dams, ponds and lakes (especially in warm weather)

Still water is where harmful algal blooms often build. Blue‑green algae (cyanobacteria) can be deadly for pets, and you cannot reliably tell whether a bloom is toxic just by looking.^{1, 4}

Keep pets away from water that is discoloured, has surface scum, or looks like paint or floating mats. If your pet does get into suspect water, rinse them immediately with clean water and prevent licking, then contact a vet for urgent advice — do not “wait and see”.¹

Water safety for different types of pets

Dogs

Some dogs swim naturally; others sink at the back end or paddle inefficiently. Breed, age, fitness, coat, and confidence all matter. Even strong swimmers can get into trouble if the entry is easy and the exit is not.

• Introduce water gradually in a shallow, calm place.
• Use a lead near hazards (rivers, boat ramps, unfenced pools) until you’re confident you can recall and guide your dog out.
• Watch for water intoxication risks: repeated retrieving, biting at spray from a hose, or frantic play in waves can lead to swallowing large volumes of fresh water.³

Cats

Most cats avoid deep water, but they still fall in — particularly from narrow ledges around pools, baths, and water tanks. If a cat has outdoor access, focus on prevention: barriers and secure lids, not “teaching them to swim”.

Birds and small animals

Offer shallow, stable water dishes that can’t be tipped, and change water daily. For birds that bathe, use a shallow dish and supervise, especially in hot weather when they may bathe more often.

Life jackets and safety gear: what helps (and what doesn’t)

A well-fitted pet life jacket adds buoyancy and, just as importantly, gives you a handle to lift and guide your pet. It’s useful for small dogs, older dogs, brachycephalic breeds, first-time swimmers, boating, and any situation with currents.

• Fit matters: snug but not restrictive; your pet should move shoulders and breathe freely.
• Choose visibility: bright colour and reflective trim help in surf and low light.
• Look for a strong top handle to assist with lifting out at steps, rocks, or a boat edge.

Safety gear does not replace supervision. It simply buys time and control.

Training your pet to get out safely

The most valuable “water training” is not longer swims. It’s teaching a reliable exit.

1. Start on lead in shallow water.
2. Guide your pet to the exit point (steps, ramp, low bank) and let them walk out.
3. Repeat from slightly deeper water, always finishing at the same exit.
4. Practise in different light and conditions so the exit isn’t a one-place memory.

Indoor water safety (yes, it matters)

Indoors, the risk is usually a fall and a struggle to climb out — baths, buckets, fish ponds, and even toilets for very small animals. Keep bathroom doors closed where possible, use secure lids on aquariums, and don’t leave deep containers of water accessible to curious pets.

When something goes wrong: practical first aid steps

If your pet is pulled from water and is coughing, weak, disoriented, or unusually quiet, treat it as urgent. Breathing problems can worsen after the event.

• Get to a vet or emergency clinic immediately, even if your pet seems to “perk up” on the way.
• If you suspect harmful algal bloom exposure: rinse your pet with clean water and stop them licking their coat, then seek urgent veterinary advice.¹
• Consider formal first aid training so you’re not improvising under stress. Australian Red Cross offers veterinary-approved pet first aid education (note: CPR technique varies and professional guidance is recommended).⁵

Regular vet check-ups: the quiet prevention layer

Routine veterinary care won’t “teach” a pet to swim, but it does uncover issues that change water safety: heart or airway disease, arthritis, ear problems, reduced fitness, or neurological conditions. It’s also the right time to ask about your pet’s individual risks — including water intoxication, ear care after swims, and whether a life jacket is sensible for their build and health.³

References

1. CDC — Preventing pet and livestock illnesses caused by harmful algal blooms
2. ASPCA — Blue-green algae toxicosis: what you need to know to keep your pet safe
3. American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) — Water intoxication in dogs
4. Queensland Department of Primary Industries — Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) (animal impacts and prevention)
5. Australian Red Cross — Pet first aid (course overview and guidance)
6. American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) — Algae alert: understanding the dangers of blue-green algae for pets
7. Indiana State Board of Animal Health — Blue-green algae (companion animals)
8. Vetwest Veterinary Clinics — First aid tips (resuscitation overview and urgent care guidance)