Keeping your dog safe around water
Read our water safety checklist for a safer splash and a happier dog.
Jump to section...
Swimming can be a refreshing and enriching bit of exercise for water-loving pooches, especially during hot weather. But if you're in doubt about the safety of a swimming location, keep your dog out. Even water that looks safe and calm can pose hidden risks to our four-legged friends, such as strong currents, parasites, and blue-green algae. It's also important to make sure that your pooch is a confident swimmer and has reliable recall before letting them go for a splash.
Five water dangers
Watch our short video to learn more about five key dangers dogs face in water:
1. strong currents
2. hidden hazards
3. the body of water is inaccessible
4. fatigue
5. blue-green algae.
Use our checklist before your dog enters any natural water this summer. A few simple checks can help prevent serious incidents.
308 incidents
involving dogs in water between 2021 and 2025.
Data from the RNLI reveals 308 dog-related incidents happening in water between 2021 and 2025 – that’s over one incident per week on average. Around one-third occur during the summer months, whilst additional data from the Canal & River Trust also shows dog-related incidents reached a five-year high in 2025, increasing by 39% compared to the previous year.
Think before they swim
Our research of 2000 dog owners shows that while 74% dog owners felt confident identifying whether a body of water was safe, only 35% correctly recognised that no type of open water should automatically be considered safe.
Remember that dangerous incidents can happen in any body of open water. Before letting your pup show off their doggy-paddle, follow these steps:
Pre-Swim Checklist
- Water quality – is it clear, clean and free from pollution?
- Current strength – is the water calm or fast-flowing?
- Exit points – can your dog easily get in and out?
- Presence of algae – look out for green scum or blooms.
- Presence of other wildlife – are there animals that may react to your dog?
- Nearby warning signs – follow any local advice.
- Depth – is it suitable for your dog’s size and swimming ability?
- Surroundings – any steep banks, slippery surfaces or loose rocks?
Common water risks for dogs
- Strong currents – Can sweep dogs away quickly.
- Blue-green algae – Toxic to dogs if swallowed, or if drank or licked from contaminated fur. Skin contact can cause skin irritation.
- Reservoirs – Steep sides, deep water and hidden drop-offs.
- Canals & canal locks – Strong currents, deep water and moving boats.
- Water intoxication – Drinking too much water can lead to illness or worse.
- Hidden underwater debris – Can cause injury or entrapment.
- Exhaustion from swimming – Even fit dogs can get tired.
- Difficulty getting out of water – Steep or slippery banks can trap dogs.
- Saltwater ingestion – Can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and dehydration.
- Other wildlife – Swans, otters or seals may attack if threatened.
- Leptospirosis - This can be spread through infected rat urine; dogs should be vaccinated against it and avoid high-risk areas.
How to identify safe swimming locations
- Look for calm water with gradual entry and exit.
- Avoid fast-flowing rivers, weirs and deep reservoirs.
- Check for local advice and lifeguard presence where available.
Know when to say no - if anything doesn’t look right, choose a different spot. Your dog’s safety is more important than a swim.
How to recognise exhaustion
While your dog is swimming, it's important to look out for these signs of exhaustion:
- Heavy panting
- Slow movement
- Resting head on water
- Loss of enthusiasm
- Struggling to swim or stay afloat.
If your dog is showing any signs of exhaustion while swimming, get them out, encourage them to rest, and dry them down.
After the swim
After your dog has finished their swim, make sure to:
- Rinse your dog to remove salt, algae or pollutants
- Check ears and coat for irritation or debris
- Check for any wounds
- Offer fresh water in small amounts
- Dry and encourage them to rest in the shade.
80% dog owners
would get in the water to save their dog.
Safe rescue techniques
80% say they would enter the water themselves to rescue their dog if it got into difficulty, despite the serious risk to their own lives*. We strongly advise against this, and recommend calling 999.
As dog lovers, it's completely natural to want to jump in and rescue your dog, but in an emergency emotion can quickly outweigh reason. We urge owners to never enter the water if it's not safe to do so, as this could put both you and your dog at even greater risk.
Instead, look for nearby rescue equipment, such as a lifebuoy ring, flotation device, long lead or stick, to help your dog without putting yourself at risk. Keep calm, and call your dog to you if possible.
If your dog gets into difficulty at sea, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. The RNLI treats pets the same as it does people and will always help where they can.
Know when to say no: If anything doesn’t look right, choose a different spot. Your and your dog’s safety is more important than a swim.
- Never put yourself in danger
- Call 999
- Call your dog to you
- Use a long lead, stick or flotation device
- If needed, throw something that floats
- Keep calm and reassure your dog.
Blue-green algae and dogs
Blue-green algae can pose a serious health risk to dogs.
Blue-green 'algae' is group of cyanobacteria, not actually algae but gets this name as when it clumps together it looks like algae. Not all types are dangerous, but it’s impossible to distinguish this by looking at a body of water, so it’s safest to keep dogs away from any water that looks suspicious.
Identifying blue-green algae
- Most common in stagnant, non-flowing fresh water e.g lakes, ponds, rivers. Hot weather can also cause the bacteria to grow rapidly.
- Can be difficult to spot unless there an obvious 'bloom' or clumping of the bacteria: can look like a blue-green sheen on the surface of water.
- Other signs include; foul odor, scum on surface of water, green or brown flakes on water surface, paint like discoloration (green/brown ), foam around edges of water bodies, dead animals can be seen in water if blue-green algae is in high concentrations e.g dead fish in ponds.
Keeping your dog safe around blue-green algae
- Take notes of warning signs around water bodies, keep dogs on a leash if any suspicions.
- Contains toxins that are highly poisonous and often fatal to dogs (can also cause illness to humans), toxins cause organ damage particularly affecting the liver and nervous system.
- Dogs are at risk if they swim in or drink from contaminated water, also if they get the algae on their fur and then ingest it when grooming themselves (so keep away from water's edge altogether for suspicious water).
- Possible symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea, seizures, weakness/collapse, drooling, breathing difficulties. If any of these are seen after swimming then seek vet advice immediately.
If your dog comes into contact with a body of suspicious blue green algae water: don't let them lick their fur, rinse them thoroughly with clean water, take them to the vet immediately.
Natalie's story
Natalie Pike, Manchester City football presenter, suffered a devastating loss on a seemingly regular walk in 2018, describing the incident in her own words she shared:
"Losing Silva changed the way I think about water forever. It happened on a walk we'd done hundreds of times, in a place I believed was completely safe. The water looked calm, there were no obvious warning signs, and I never imagined there could be a hidden current beneath the surface. Like many owners, I thought dogs were natural swimmers, especially young, healthy dogs like Silva. I now know that's simply not always the case. If sharing Silva's story encourages just one person to stop, check the water properly and think before letting their dog in, then something positive can come from our heartbreak. No family should have to experience the loss that we did simply because the danger wasn't visible."
Losing Silva changed the way I think about water forever... No family should have to experience the loss that we did simply because the danger wasn't visible.
Natalie Pike, Manchester City football presenter
Related advice
For further guidance about keeping your dog safe during the warmer months, read our hot weather and beach safety advice.
Caring for your dog during hot weather
Keep your dog happy and healthy in warm weather with our advice for safe fun in the sun.
Keeping your dog safe at the beach
Beaches are a wonderful place to enjoy with your dog. Before heading out, check out our beach safety tips.
* An online survey was conducted by Ripple Research among 2,000 dog owners across the UK. Fieldwork took place between 12th - 17th June 2026. Ripple Research is a Market Research Society (MRS) Company Partner and, as such, data has been collected adhering to MRS and ESOMAR guidelines to ensure ethical and accurate data collection.