Dogs new to water may panic and drown

We generally think dogs are natural swimmers, and indeed most dogs instinctively know how to swim. However, for dogs not often exposed to water, their first swim may cause nervousness. Some dogs become confused after entering water, and due to nervousness, may drown. Even dogs that know how to swim can drown if they have never swum before. Once a dog is found drowning, immediate rescue should be performed to prevent accidents.

First, invert the dog's head and body to drain some water they may have inhaled. Then clear the dog's mouth and nose of water, mud, and other debris. Keep the dog's mouth open by prying it apart. Next, check if the dog has spontaneous breathing; if it does not, lay the dog flat while keeping the head and neck lower. Proceed with artificial respiration; we will explain the methods below.

Artificial respiration can be divided into two methods: the compression method and the blowing method:

1. Compression Method: Restore breathing by pressing the lungs

First, check if there is liquid or foreign objects in the dog's airway. Open the dog's mouth and pull out the tongue. Then place both hands on the rib cage and press down to squeeze air out of the lungs, then immediately release, allowing the chest to spring back, inflating the lungs to draw air in. If there are foreign objects in the airway, the pressure may cause the dog to cough out the foreign matter or liquid. Repeat this action once every 5 seconds.

2. Blowing Method: Humans typically use mouth-to-mouth blowing, but since a dog's mouth is large, this is impractical. Normally, air is blown into the dog's nose.

Blow air into the dog’s nose when assisting breathing

First, clear saliva, blood, vomit, or any foreign matter from the dog’s mouth and nose. Then place the dog’s tongue back into the mouth and close the mouth using your hand—take care not to let the dog bite its own tongue. Next, slightly lift the dog’s head to ensure unobstructed breathing. The rescuer blows air into the dog’s nostrils. Because the dog's mouth is wide open, it must be firmly closed to avoid air leakage. After several breaths, pause to observe the dog’s reaction. Continue until the dog gradually regains breathing, then stop blowing and promptly take the dog to the hospital for further treatment.

Artificial respiration is essential during rescue, but it is unnecessary if the situation is not severe. For small dogs, hold them with the head down to drain water; for large dogs, lift their hind legs and position them head down and rear up, while gently patting the back to aid water discharge. If possible, immediately administer diuretics or drugs to relieve pulmonary edema and provide oxygen—these treatments generally require hospital care.

Warm up before swimming to prevent cramps

Additionally, dogs whose hearts have stopped should first receive cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). If driving to the hospital, CPR can be performed en route, with professionals taking over upon arrival. Although most dogs are natural swimmers, extra caution is needed for first-time swimmers. Always supervise dogs nearby and allow them time to adjust, as initial nervousness is common. Once relaxed, dogs can swim freely. Also, like humans, dogs should perform warm-up exercises before swimming to avoid cramps.