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Be careful with this when vacationing on the beach with your dog: it can cause severe poisoning

Szénási Szimonetta

2024. July 12 - Photos: Getty Images Hungary

More and more dog owners are deciding to take their pets with them on vacation. However, special caution is needed when vacationing by the sea!

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A beach vacation is a real dream: taking a dip in the cool waves is a refreshing activity during the heatwave, both pleasantly tiring and relaxing. It’s no wonder your pet also enjoys splashing around. However, salt water can be dangerous for your dog. The following symptoms are warning signs.

Swallowing Salt Water Can Be Fatal

Seawater in small amounts is harmless, but if your pet ingests too much, it can lead to poisoning. Salt water can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs, and in more severe cases, it can trigger seizures or even result in death.

The reason for this is that large amounts of salt can cause dehydration in animals, just as it does in humans. When a dog consumes too much salt, its body tries to correct the imbalance. The cells release water to balance the high salt level in the blood, which can cause your pet to become dizzy, lethargic, and confused.

If the salt level in the blood becomes too high, the muscles stiffen due to the loss of moisture, leading to the mentioned tremors or seizures. If the dog does not receive fresh drinking water in time, the symptoms can worsen, and in the worst case, the animal may die from salt poisoning.

The following symptoms warn of trouble:

  • too much urination;
  • extreme thirst;
  • unusual behaviour, confusion, unsteady walking;
  • lethargy;
  • vomiting diarrhoea;
  • muscle stiffness;
  • convulsions, seizures.

How to prevent the problem

If you go to the beach with your pet, always have enough drinking water for both of you. Offer water to your dog approximately every 30 minutes. Even a few sips can help rehydrate the body. If your dog has swallowed too much salt water and shows any of the listed symptoms, consult your veterinarian as soon as possible, especially if their condition does not improve or worsens!

Algae poisoning

Freshwater bodies are not entirely safe for dogs either. Blue-green algae that appear in them can also cause poisoning. The symptoms are similar, and it can also lead to life-threatening conditions for the dog, with even a small amount of contaminated water being sufficient. Therefore, never let your pet drink from lakes.

Puddles and publicly placed water bowls can harbor parasites in stagnant water, while pools can be unhealthy due to various cleaning agents. Therefore, only the fresh water you bring is safe! Furthermore, do not forget the risk of drowning, which requires you to be extra vigilant with your dog in the water.

How to keep your pet cool in the summer? Here’s a good option we recommend.

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