When purchasing a lake home with your dog in mind, there are several considerations that should come into play, both for the safety and comfort of you and your dog. First, consider the topography as it pertains to navigability for your dog. Does the backyard lend itself towards accommodating a nice, fenced area? Partially shaded is ideal. If so, be sure that there is some way to secure the fence near the water as well to prevent unsupervised swimming. Another option is to have a gated area on your deck so that your pup can enjoy outdoor space without venturing too far from the house.

For safety at the dock, consider installing a ramp or stairs so that your dog can get in and out of the water easily. Since materials sitting in the water can quickly become slippery, scrub them off regularly for less of a slip risk for you or your dog. Taking your canine companion on the boat? Be sure to get a dog life jacket. While there is no law mandating that dogs must wear life jackets while on boats or near water, the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources strongly recommends the use of canine life jackets to enhance safety. They advise that a dog life jacket can help keep your dog safe if it becomes fatigued while swimming, gets caught in strong currents, falls overboard, or has a medical condition that could increase their risk of drowning.

If your dog spends lots of time outdoors, you’ll want to be aware of any wildlife hazards, whether seasonal or permanently indigenous to the area. Large birds can prey on small dogs unattended outdoors, and snakes can also be found near any body of water, especially in the summertime. Use pet-safe snake repellent for the yard or moth balls.Another safety hazard to

be mindful of is water quality. Found not just at Lake Anna, but almost all freshwater bodies of water at certain times of year is the harmful blue-green algae bloom, which is toxic to dogs. If your dog wants to swim during this time, take caution to boat to an area not affected by the algae bloom, and offer your dog fresh water in a bowl before letting him or her swim so that there is less chance of them drinking loads of lake water. Another alternative is to get your dog a baby pool for the yard, filled with refreshing water from the hose.

Inside amenities you’ll want to consider include: durable, non-slip waterproof flooring to accommodate wet or muddy paws, and maybe even a custom dog wash! If you’re building new construction or have an area in your utility room or garage that could be converted to a dog shower, you could give your furry friend a bath right there.

Thinking of making your lake house available for short-term rental? Owners who offer pet-friendly accommodations get more bookings. Many families enjoy vacationing with their pet, especially to destinations that are driving distance.

Last but not least, you’ll want to locate the nearest veterinary care for routine or emergency care. Lake Anna Veterinary Hospital is a full-service veterinary practice located here in Mineral, Virginia, experienced in performing a wide range of procedures, ranging from routine spay and neuter surgeries to advanced orthopedic and soft tissue operations, as well as wellness care for all dogs and cats. There are also emergency vets located within 40-45 minutes. You’ll want to make a list of the closest ones in the event of an after-hours emergency. We hope you and your pet stay safe here at Lake Anna!

Tiffany Hazelwood

Tiffany Hazelwood has a degree in Journalism from the University of Richmond is a full-time Real Estate Broker with Lake Homes Realty, a lake-focused real estate firm, where she serves as the Anchor Agent for the Lake Anna market. She has been a licensed realtor since 2008 and has been specializing in real estate here at the lake since 2016. She has enjoyed writing the real estate section for the Lake Anna Breeze™ since 2019. In her spare time, Tiffany enjoys jet-skiing and boating on the lake, traveling with her boyfriend, Tom, and time with their 3 dogs.