Water Matters: Dogs Need Clean Water Too!

Local recreation enthusiasts and dog lovers Jim and Louise Sprowls say that clean water is not only important to them but to their beloved dogs as well. Their three dogs, Charlie, Ruairi, and Tague, not only need the clean water to drink, but they need the clean water to bathe and swim.

From their walks on the trail, to their walks along Lake Erie, the three cannot seem to stay out of the water. Charlie loves to swim, Ruairi enjoys bobbing for apples in the fall and Tague adores splashing around! This is fun when the water is clean but what if it’s not? One problem that could arise for the dogs is toxic algae. During the hot summer months, when dogs especially enjoy cooling off, there can be an over-growth of algae. One particularly dangerous blue-green algae is called cyanobacteria. This can be fatal to dogs, livestock and even humans if it is swam in or drank. Symptoms can range from skin irritation, vomiting, nausea, motor weakness or respiratory and muscular paralysis (1). This is a serious issue but is just one of the dangers that could be lurking in unclean and unhealthy water.

IMG_4598.JPGDogs can also become ill by drinking water contaminated with E. coli bacteria similar to how people are affected by E. coli. While this is rare, it can happen, and dog owners should be aware of where their pups are swimming.  To learn where you and your pup can safely swim this summer visit our Swimmable Waters page.  We’re testing popular swimming locations around the watershed for E. coli weekly and make the data available on our website and on the Swim Guide so that you can make informed decisions about where you and your pooch can safely swim.

Jim and Louise recognize the importance of doing their part to keep water clean. They have properly designed their dirt drive way to decrease the amount of sediment that runs off into our streams, they don’t use chemicals on their lawn so there is no chance of runoff into their pond and they always pick up after their dogs along with any trash they see while on hikes with the dogs. They help to ensure the purity of their water for themselves and their pets by taking steps to help curb water pollution.

IMG_0329When asked for one piece of advice on how others can help protect the water, Jim and Louise responded, “Everyone lives downstream from somebody, so we all rely on that person upstream to do the right thing.” Protecting the water is everyone’s duty so that Jim, Louise, Charlie, Ruairi, Tague and everyone else can continue doing the things that they love safely.

(1) “Safety in the Great Outdoors.” The Association of Professional Dog Trainers. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2015.