Labs & Water: Is There Such Thing As Too Much Water?

Labs and water go together beautifully and there are few things more enjoyable for a true lab-lover than seeing their dog swimming and playing in the wet stuff.

For labs, it can be next to impossible to keep them out of the water.

It’s in their genetics. The Labrador Retriever was bred to love the water and happily retrieve for their humans, but is there such thing as too much water for a lab?

Actually, yes. Labs are prone to an injury called “Limber Tail” that can be caused by prolonged swimming in cold water (and other vigorous exercise that is outside their usual daily routine). So, unless your lab is lucky enough to swim daily, all year long it’s important to make sure they don’t get too caught up in the fun and over-exert themselves.

It’s also important to know when it’s time to take a break. Watch your lab for signs of fatigue. Some labs have a stronger water drive than others, and especially for the big water-lovers, it’s important to tell them when they’ve had enough because they won’t always know when to stop.

How long exactly should you let your lab play in the water? Unfortunately, it’s not so clear cut. It depends on their age, health, weather, and a number of other factors. It’s best to talk to your vet about what would be best for your lab, specifically.

It’s also best to have consistency. We are all the most prone to injury when we haven’t exercised in a while and we start back up again. It’s important to keep this in mind for your lab. If they’ve been less active lately, make sure you ease them into swimming and work up to longer, more vigorous activity.

As always, check with your vet with any questions.