Many people bought a boat during the pandemic, and for some the first boat holiday with a dog is also waiting this summer. Here are some tips to help you get started. Cairn Terrier Billy is 12 years old. He is ready for a summer at sea with a life jacket. Photo: Herman Omland / news First and foremost, the dog must have its own life jacket, which should always be worn when you are on board. Although many dogs are good at swimming, they can also get tired. In the water, they can also quickly get cold. Therefore, it is nice to be able to pull them up in the boat after the handle on the back. Sunglasses The dog Cazan with sunglasses made for dogs. (archive photo) Photo: Arne Kristian Gansmo / news Although it both sounds and looks comical, this is real advice. General manager and veterinarian at the animal clinic Anicura in Skien, Camilla Aschehoug Krogsrud, explains why. – Sunglasses are important if you are in an open boat. The sun is shining and there is a lot of reflection from the water. They can actually cause serious damage to the eyes, just as they can become snow blind. This is important if they can not retreat into the shadows. Avoid salt poisoning Many dogs thrive in water. (archive photo) Photo: Wenche Lamo Hadland / news Many dogs love to swim and play in water. If you are going to the sea, there are a few things you as a dog owner must know. – One is that you rinse the dog in fresh water after it has bathed in the salt water. The salt can irritate the skin. I see many who get eczema and irritated skin, says Krogsrud. The second is to watch how much salt water the dog swallows. – Dogs swallow a lot of water when they bathe. Especially if they ravage a lot, jump, splash or swim. Salt poisoning is very serious. The consequences of a lot of swallowed salt water are serious illness that often starts with vomiting, low appetite or diarrhea. – I would go to the vet right away, because there may be signs of salt poisoning. In the worst case, it can be life-threatening, Krogsrud explains. Avoid slippery surfaces It can be difficult for the four-legged to move around on a boat. (archive photo) Photo: Rainer Prang / news – A slippery floor can be dangerous. Then it is great to have blankets or mats that you can lay around in the boat so that the dog does not slip, the veterinarian explains. If you do not know this, the veterinarian recommends cutting the dog’s claws before you leave. In addition, you can give it paw socks, to make it harder to slip. Seasickness Dogs can also become seasick. (archive photo) Photo: news If the dog is panting and clearly unwell, it may be because it is seasick. According to the Rescue Society, there are various ways you can make it easier for the dog to cope with the sea. – Avoid feeding the dog just before the boat trip. To a certain extent, problems with seasickness can get better with getting used to the sea, and often seasickness passes more quickly to animals than humans, the Rescue Society writes on its pages. Water The dog Ludvig looks out to sea in his life jacket. (archive photo) Photo: Private The dog must always be able to drink clean water in the boat. If the sea is rough, it can quickly get dirty with a traditional water bowl. The rescue company recommends buying a bowl with a swinging edge. The edge makes it more difficult for the water to splash outside when the sea is rough.
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Tips on how to take care of the dog during the boat holiday – news Vestfold and Telemark – Local news, TV and radio
