Blue-Green Algae: What Dog Owners Need to Know

“Time and again, dogs die in the warmer season because they drink water contaminated with blue-green algae. But blue-green algae can pose a danger not only for dogs but also for humans, especially small children. To warn of this danger, the health and construction directorates have jointly created an information page on this topic. In addition to general information, it contains behavioural recommendations to avoid incidents, as well as a warning poster. The website can be accessed via the short URL zh.ch/blaualgen .(...)

(...) Blue-green algae occur everywhere in our waters. It is not possible to continuously monitor all bodies of water in the canton and to keep a constantly up-to-date overview of mass occurrences of blue-green algae at the water surface. The situation can change locally and within a few hours. Bathing bans or barriers at the lake shore are therefore not effective. The only possible protection against blue-green algae is to follow the behavioural recommendations listed under zh.ch/blaualgen . (...) Via the QR code shown there you reach the blue-green algae information page. (...)”

(Source: email from the Veterinary Office, 13 June 2022)

Algae bloom in August 2011 on Lake Greifen. Source: AWEL