Can Dogs Swim Every Day? A Full Guide to Aftercare and Ear Infection Prevention

Can dogs swim every day? Mostly yes, but there's a right way and a wrong way to do it. Get it right and you've got a dog that's fitter, cooler and more worn out than a walk could ever manage. Get it wrong and you're looking at sore joints, a limp tail or an ear infection that ruins the rest of your summer.

Here's everything you need to know before your dog turns into a full time water dog this season. It pairs nicely with our other tips for keeping your dog cool this summer, and if you need inspiration for where to go, check out the best places to swim your dog in London.

Why swimming is one of the best things you can do for your dog

Swimming is low impact, high reward. It works the whole body without hammering joints the way running on pavement does, which makes it brilliant for dogs carrying a bit of extra weight or nursing dodgy hips.

It's also a proper workout. A dog that swims for ten minutes has done more cardio than one that's trotted round the block for half an hour. Add in the fact it cools them down in the process and you've got the perfect summer exercise.

Which dogs are actually built for the water

Not every dog is a natural swimmer, and that's worth knowing before you throw a ball into the deep end.

• Built for it: Retrievers, spaniels, poodles and setters. Webbed feet, water resistant coats and a build that just works in water.
• Struggle with it: Bulldogs, pugs, shih tzus and other flat faced breeds. Their short snouts make breathing while swimming genuinely harder, and their front heavy build means they tire fast and can start to sink. (If yours loves the water, a well-fitted life jacket isn't overkill, it's common sense.)
• Everyone else: Most dogs can swim with the right introduction and supervision, but confidence and fitness matter more than breed alone.

If you've got a flat faced dog who loves the water, a well fitted life jacket isn't overkill, it's common sense.

Puppies and older dogs need a different approach

Puppies can swim, but keep early sessions short, shallow and supervised. Their coordination and stamina aren't there yet, and a bad first experience can put them off water for good.

Older dogs often love swimming because it's gentle on arthritic joints, but fatigue creeps up faster than it used to. Watch for slower strokes, heavier breathing or a dog that's suddenly swimming lower in the water than normal. Fatigue and overheating often show up together, so it's worth knowing how to keep your dog hydrated in hot weather as well. If your senior has a heart or lung condition, check with your vet before starting a regular swimming routine.

Overexertion and limber tail, the thing nobody warns you about

Swim too hard, too long or in water that's too cold, and you risk something called limber tail, also known as swimmer's tail. It's a strain in the muscles at the base of the tail, often caused by using it hard as a rudder in the water.

Signs include a tail that hangs limp or sticks out and drops, reluctance to sit or squat, and a dog that seems generally uncomfortable or off colour. It looks alarming but most dogs recover fully with rest. If it happens, ease off the swimming and give your vet a call if it doesn't settle within a few days.

So, how often is too much?

For a fit, healthy dog that's used to swimming, daily sessions are generally fine. The key is intensity, not just frequency. A gentle paddle every day beats one exhausting, all out session followed by three days of stiffness.

For dogs that are new to swimming, overweight, elderly or managing a health condition, build up gradually and treat it like any new exercise. Start short, watch how they recover, and increase from there.

Aftercare, the bit most owners skip

The swim is the easy part. What happens in the next twenty minutes is what actually protects your dog's skin, coat and ears.

If your dog has been in the sea or a chlorinated pool, rinse them with clean fresh water. Salt and chlorine both dry out skin and coat if left to sit, and salt water in particular can cause irritation if your dog has any cuts or sensitive skin.

Drying your dog properly

A quick towel rub isn't enough, especially for double coated or long haired breeds where moisture gets trapped close to the skin. Damp coats sitting in warm weather are exactly the environment bacteria and yeast love.

• Towel dry thoroughly, working right down to the undercoat.
• Use a dryer on a cool or low heat setting for thicker coats if your dog tolerates it.
• Pay particular attention to skin folds, armpits and paw webbing where moisture likes to hide.

Coat type makes a big difference here too. If you're not sure whether a trim would help before beach season, our groomers cover it in should you shave your dog in summer.

Ear cleaning, the routine that actually prevents infections

Here's the part that catches most owners out. Dogs have an L-shaped ear canal, which means water that gets in doesn't just drain back out on its own. It sits there, warms up and turns into the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and yeast.

That's why regular swimmers need an ear routine, not just a quick check.

• Dry the outer ear gently with a towel after every swim.
• Use a proper ear cleaner designed for dogs, not water or cotton buds pushed into the canal.
• Clean ears after swimming sessions, not just when they start to smell.

Our Eli Natural Ear Cleaner is built exactly for this. It clears out moisture and debris without irritating the ear canal, and it's become a proper staple for our regular swimmers. Pair it with the Eli Odour Neutraliser if your dog's had a proper splash about and needs a full refresh.

Spotting the early signs of an ear infection

Catch it early and a swimmer's ear infection is a quick, easy fix. Leave it and you're looking at vet bills and a miserable dog. Watch for:

When it's time to see a vet

A bit of head shaking after a swim is normal. Persistent scratching, discharge, a strong smell or a dog that flinches when you touch their ear isn't. If symptoms don't clear up within a day or two of proper drying and cleaning, get it checked. Ear infections that are left untreated can spread and become a lot harder to shift.

The bottom line

Swimming is one of the best things you can do for your dog this summer, and yes, most dogs can do it daily. Just match the intensity to their fitness, dry them properly, and build ear care into the routine rather than treating it as an afterthought.

Booked in for a groom after all that swimming? Our team knows exactly how to handle salt, sand and chlorine soaked coats. Book now to let us sort the aftercare for you.

FAQs

Can dogs swim in cold water?
Yes, but cold water increases the risk of muscle strain and limber tail, especially during long or vigorous swims. Let your dog warm up gradually and keep early sessions shorter in cold conditions.

Should you wash your dog after swimming?
A rinse with clean fresh water is usually enough after a pool or sea swim. A full wash isn't necessary every time, but it's worth doing if your dog's been in particularly muddy or dirty water.

How do you dry a dog's ears after swimming?
Gently dry the outer ear with a towel, then use a dog specific ear cleaner to clear any moisture that's made it into the canal. Avoid cotton buds, they push moisture and debris further in rather than out.

Can puppies swim every day?
Puppies can swim regularly once they're confident in water, but keep sessions short and always supervised while their stamina and coordination develop.

Do you need to clean your dog's ears every time they swim?
If your dog swims regularly, yes. Their L-shaped ear canal traps moisture easily, and a quick clean after each swim is the simplest way to avoid infection.