MIAMI, July 18, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As the summer season blazes on, many families with pets find themselves cooling down in a pool, ocean, or lake. While many people assume dogs are natural born swimmers, a recent petMD.com poll revealed that more than 25% of respondents' dogs do not know how to swim. To help pet owners keep their dogs safe this summer, petMD.com has pulled together the top 5 pool safety tips for dogs.

1. Invest in a Dog Life Vest: If the dog you own has short legs or is lightweight, making sure he wears a life vest in the water is critical. To a dog that cannot swim or is not a strong swimmer, being able to stay afloat can make being in the water a less traumatic experience.
2. Take Care of Senior Dogs: As dogs age, their ability to swim may become affected by their health. Whether they are losing their vision, prone to seizures or aging gracefully, never let a senior dog swim alone, and be sure to consult your vet prior to any water activities.
3. Learn Dog CPR: Although Dog CPR may sound unusual, it is responsible for saving many pets' lives. Just as you would want to properly administer artificial respiration or CPR to your children, knowing how to for your dog is equally important.
4. Fence Your Pool: If your dog spends time outside unsupervised, fencing in your pool is a tried and true method of protecting him from pool-related accidents. If unseemly posts and metal bars aren't your style, invisible or underground fencing can help you keep your pool looking great without sacrificing your dog's safety.
5. Teach Your Dog to Swim: While some dogs take to swimming right away, others like the English Bulldog can't swim at all. Making sure your dog knows the swimming basics can greatly increase his chances of surviving any water-related accident.

Media Contact: Kelly Lange, 610-234-4114, klange@pet360.com

About petMD.com

petMD is the leading online resource focused solely on the health and well-being of pets. The site maintains the world's largest pet health library, written and approved by a network of trusted veterinarians. petMD was founded to inspire pet owners to provide an ever-increasing quality of life for their pets and to connect pet owners with pet experts and other animal lovers. petMD is a subsidiary of the Pet360 family of brands, which also includes www.Pet360.com – a highly personalized & engaged community dedicated to simplifying and enhancing pet parenting, www.PetFoodDirect.com – the most complete pet food and supply retailer online, and www.NationalPetPharmacy.com – a fully certified, full-service pet pharmacy delivering pet meds, vitamins and comprehensive pet health and wellness products. For more information, visit www.petMD.com.

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