Last updated: October 2026
Most Labradors would spend half their life in water if you let them, and their coat is built for it. But regular swimming creates specific care needs, and skipping them is what causes the common problems: ear infections, hot spots, sore paws and itchy skin. The short version is that after every swim you should dry the ears, rinse off salt or dirty water, towel-dry the dense undercoat (especially the belly and armpits), check the paws, and keep your Lab out of any water that looks green or scummy.
Ears: the most important thing to manage
Ear infections are among the most common reasons Labs see the vet, and swimming is a significant contributor. A Lab’s ear canal angles downward before turning toward the eardrum, so water that gets in sits in a warm, dark space instead of draining freely. That’s ideal for bacterial and yeast growth. VCA’s guide to outer ear infections explains how this develops.
After every swim, gently dry the ear flap with a towel and use a dog-specific ear drying solution so any water in the canal can evaporate. Don’t push cotton buds into the canal, as they drive debris deeper and can damage the lining. Signs of an infection developing include head shaking, scratching, redness, dark discharge, a smell from the ear, or flinching when the ear is touched. Any of these means a vet visit, because untreated infections get harder and more expensive to clear. My guide to ear infection signs and safe home care covers what to look for, and why Labradors keep getting ear infections explains what’s going on if they keep returning.
Hot spots and damp-coat skin problems
The Labrador’s outer coat sheds water well, but the undercoat holds moisture. A damp undercoat left for hours, especially in cool weather, causes the classic wet-dog smell, can chill your dog, and occasionally leads to a hot spot (acute moist dermatitis), where moisture trapped against the skin lets bacteria take hold.
A hot spot typically appears quickly as a red, moist, sore patch, sometimes oozing, that your dog licks or chews at. Don’t try to treat it with human creams. It’s painful, can spread fast, and usually needs a vet to clean it and prescribe treatment. To prevent them, towel-dry thoroughly after every swim, paying particular attention to the belly, armpits and between the back legs, where the undercoat is thickest and dries slowest. A microfibre dog towel works much better than a standard bath towel.
Regular swimmers don’t need a shampoo bath after every swim. A fresh water rinse is enough unless they’ve been in something contaminated, and frequent shampooing strips the natural oils that give the coat its water resistance. My guide on how often to bathe a Labrador goes into more detail.
Paws: what to check and why
After swimming, check between the toes and around the pads for debris, grit and irritants, and for softening from long water exposure. Pads that are repeatedly soaked and dried can crack and become sore. A thin layer of paw balm after drying helps in dogs who swim a lot.
If your Lab swims in the sea, rinse the paws and coat with fresh water afterwards. Salt residue irritates the skin and encourages paw licking. Chlorine from a treated pool isn’t acutely dangerous in the amounts dogs usually meet, but rinse that off too. Also stop your dog drinking sea water, as swallowing a lot can cause vomiting and diarrhoea.
Water quality: what to watch for
- Blue-green algae: found in warm, still fresh water, mainly in summer but occasionally year-round. Water that looks green, scummy, foamy or like pea soup or paint should be avoided entirely. You can’t tell by eye whether a bloom is toxic, so the safe rule is to stay out. Toxins can be fatal even in small amounts, and a dog can swallow them by drinking or by licking their fur afterwards. Signs include vomiting, drooling, tremors, seizures and collapse, sometimes within minutes. There is no antidote, so if you suspect exposure, rinse your dog and go to a vet immediately. Petlog’s blue-green algae guide has more detail.
- Stagnant water: carries a higher bacterial load than moving water, so it’s more likely to cause gut upset or skin issues.
- Rivers, canals and water near towns: can contain sewage overflow or run-off, and in some areas the bacteria that cause leptospirosis. Rinse thoroughly after any swim in questionable water, and ask your vet whether the leptospirosis vaccination is advisable for your dog.
A quick after-swim checklist
- Rinse off salt, chlorine or murky water with fresh water.
- Towel-dry the coat thoroughly, especially belly, armpits and groin.
- Dry the ear flaps and apply a vet-approved ear drying solution.
- Check between the toes and the pads.
- Don’t let your dog lick or chew at one spot. Check it.
- Keep them warm until they’re fully dry, particularly in cool weather.
When to see a vet
- Any sign of ear infection: head shaking, smell, discharge or pain.
- A moist, red, painful or spreading patch of skin.
- A rash that doesn’t settle within 24 to 48 hours of rinsing and drying.
- Vomiting, drooling, tremors, weakness or collapse after swimming. Treat this as an emergency, especially if the water was green or scummy.
This guide is general advice, not a diagnosis. If you’re worried about your dog’s health, ask your vet.
Common questions about Labs and swimming
How often can a Labrador swim without skin problems?
With proper aftercare, most Labs can swim daily. The problems come when the aftercare is skipped: wet ears that aren’t dried develop infections, and damp coats develop odour and occasionally hot spots. Swimming isn’t the problem, the aftercare is what matters.
My Lab has a rash after swimming. What should I do?
It’s most often contact dermatitis from something in the water (algae, chemicals, bacteria) or a hot spot from moisture trapped in the coat. Rinse with clean water, dry the coat completely and monitor it. If it spreads, your dog seems uncomfortable, or it hasn’t settled within 24 to 48 hours, call your vet.
Do Labradors need ear drops after swimming?
A dog-specific ear drying solution after each swim is a sensible precaution for regular swimmers, particularly dogs with a history of ear infections. These are different from drops that treat infections, so ask your vet which to use.
Is it safe for my Lab to swim in summer heat?
Swimming helps keep a Lab cool, but hot weather brings its own risks, including algae blooms and overheating on the walk there and back. My hot weather safety guide covers the temperature side.