08/29/2025
Swimming is an excellent form of exercise for many dogs, especially on a hot summer’s day. But did you know that swallowing too much water in a short space of time can lead to water intoxication in dogs – a rare but potentially fatal condition?
Owners may not realise it, but swimming or playing in water for a long time increases the risk of their dog becoming ill from water intoxication (sometimes known as water poisoning). Even water-based activities or games – such as throwing a ball or toy in the lake or ocean for your dog to retrieve.
Over time, the dog’s kidneys can usually sort out the sodium and water levels. But if a dog’s brain cells swell, it can quickly lead to irreversible brain damage before they have the chance.
The signs or changes in behaviours you should look out for in your dog (after they’ve been spending time in the water) include:
Staggering or loss of coordination
Tiredness
Weakness
Bloating
Vomiting
Passing large amounts of clear urine
Dilated pupils or glazed eyes
Excessive salivation (drooling)
In severe cases of water intoxication, a dog may have difficulty breathing, collapse, have a seizure, or fall into a coma.
Prevention is key:
Limit the time a dog spends in water to prevent them from swallowing too much.
Give them time to rest with regular breaks to allow the body’s natural fluid balancing system time to manage any excess intake.
Avoid tennis balls and other rounded toys; instead, opt for flat toys, which allow your dog to close their mouth around it tighter avoiding excessive water intake.
Consider training your dog to wear a flotation vest to keep them above water.
Never leave your dog unsupervised when in water.
