With its coat of foam, the sea is beautiful… but also very salty. If your pooch swallows too much, his body receives an excessive amount of sodium. It will then draw water from the cells to restore its balance. Result ? Dehydration risks getting worse, when your dog was simply quenching his thirst!
Vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain can rear their heads. In more severe cases, excess salt can disrupt brain function, causing your pet to appear very tired, lose balance, shake, or have neurological problems. Sometimes seizures may also appear.
What to do if your dog has drunk sea water?
If your beloved furball has swallowed a few mouthfuls, give him fresh water as soon as possible, keep an eye on him for the next few hours and prevent him from lapping up the big blue one again.
But when a large quantity has been ingested and abnormal signs appear (great weakness, unusual gait, digestive problems, etc.), an emergency veterinary consultation is necessary. The professional will determine the course of action to take based on their condition.
Woopets' advice: how to prevent your dog from drinking sea water?
Before putting your towel on the sand, remember to bring a bottle filled with fresh water for your dog and offer it to him regularly during your outing (especially after games and swimming). You can also bring a travel bowl with a bottle of water.
If Medor approaches the waves to drink, call him back calmly, reward him if he obeys you and give him a drink. Over time, he will understand that he must turn to you to quench his thirst and not to the vast blue expanse before him.