In summer we are more eager to do outdoor activities. If you are a nature lover and enjoy taking your dog with you everywhere, surely you have already planned a trip to the river. This is a fantastic idea! Of course, you must take a series of precautions so that both you and your pets enjoy without risk.
Unlike other countries, in Spain there is no law that regulates the visit of dogs to rivers. That does not mean, far from it, that you should not inform yourself in advance about the river rules. In addition, if you go on a route through the mountain, you must know in advance the level of difficulty. Nothing to expose your dog to unnecessary risks!
On the other hand, you will have to watch your dog so that it does not disturb other users. In summer, excursions to the river are very frequent, so you must take into account the time of year in which you go. If what you are looking for is a bit of calm for your furry to roam freely, you should go to the outskirts or think of a little-traveled river.
Yes of course! As we said, taking precautions is a great idea. Dogs love nature as much or more than we do, and you are sure to have a great time watching your furry swim or wallow in the dirt.
Nor is it, far from it, about forcing him to swim if he does not want to. Let him enjoy himself in his own way and slowly dip into the water if he feels like it. Remember that many dogs do not like swimming and there is nothing wrong with it.
As we always say from Muy Pets, prevention is better than cure. So you should take into account the following recommendations if you go on an excursion with your furry:
- Remember sunscreen. If the temperature is very high, your furry could burn or suffer a heat stroke. Be careful!
- Give him clean, fresh water. In this way, you will prevent them from drinking from the river itself, where there could be harmful substances. Take a portable waterer!
- Use pad protectors. Think that both stones and sand can be at a high temperature, so your skin could suffer burns.
- Keep an eye on the environment. Unfortunately, many people leave garbage in the fields or the river. You must observe the area and remove those objects that could harm your dog.
- Avoid deep areas. Even if your dog is an expert swimmer, it is best to bathe in an area where the water does not cover him completely.
- Think about the others. Your furry is probably a sweetheart and just wants pampering, but not all people enjoy dogs. Avoid disturbing others!
- Don’t force him to swim. It may sound like common sense, but some owners give their dog a “nudge” to force him to swim. This is not good at all and can cause trauma.
- Dry it when finished. After a nice day on the river, you should rinse your dog with clean water and dry him well. Don’t leave dirt on your friend’s skin!
You probably don’t have to go far to find a dog-friendly river. But if you are looking for a different place this summer, here are some suggestions. Your furry is sure to enjoy a lot!
- Eresma River, Sierra de Guadarrama. It is a natural place where you can cool off with your furry. In addition, it is a quiet place since there are no specific areas for bathing.
- Alberche River, Pelayos de la Presa. It is a great place to go with the dog. It has tables for lunch and large shaded areas to rest.
- Junta de los Ríos, Otívar. It is the meeting point between Río Verde and Río Negro, hence its name. It has waterfalls and natural pools to bathe with your pet.
- Purón River, Llanes. To discover this river, it is best to start the route from the source in Purón. You can enjoy nature while your dog splashes in the water.
- Fraile River, Bircorp. This river with crystal clear waters is great for hot days with your furry. Of course, some sections are necessary to swim. You must take it into account!
