Pool Safety for Dogs: How to Prevent Pool Danger for Pets

While our canine companions love a splash around the pool or beach, it’s essential we take all the necessary precautions to keep our pooches safe.Summer is upon us and families are ready to have some fun in the sun with their backyard pools. There’s a lot of talk about pool safety for children which is fantastic, but we think it’s important to make a special effort to discuss pet safety as well. Pool safety for dogs in particular is hugely important, and many worry about the danger of their pet drowning in swimming pools. If you have pets at home and a backyard pool, we highly recommend investing in pool safety devices to prevent danger. Without further ado, let’s go over swimming pool pet dangers and how to prevent them.

How to protect your dog from dangerous pool situations

Dogs and the pool can be a fun-loving summer combo as long as you make sure your dog stays safe. A well-balanced chlorinated or saltwater swimming pool is completely safe for dogs, so don’t stress if your pup decides to jump in for a swim – however, make sure you keep an eye on them at all times, even if they are a well-practiced swimmer.

How to prevent your dog’s skin from being irritated

Pool safety for dogs is about more than teaching them to swim in case they fall in. Redness or skin irritation can occur when your dog goes into the pool, as the chemicals in the water may react with your dog’s skin (especially the longer they stay in the water). For ultimate protection, ensure you:

• Take your pet to the doctor if the condition worsens.
• Bathe your dog after every swimming session.
• Restrict them from going into the pool if they have previously had an allergic reaction.
• Dilute the pool’s chemicals (within a safe and hygienic capacity) so your pets can have fun.

How to prevent accidental drownings

The danger of a pet drowning in swimming pools is enough to distress anyone, and even turn off some people from installing a pool in the first place. Accidental drownings are only common when families leave their pets unattended. Just like children, they need constant supervision when they are near or inside the pool. To prevent drowning, you can:

• Train them to exit and enter the pool using a ladder or stairs.
• Train them to swim so they know how to handle the water pressure.
• Supervise them when they are in the pool.
• Install a pool safety fence, so that they have limited access to the pool.
• Get them a fitted life jacket.
• Have a pool cover when your dog is outside that will be able to support the weight of the dog.

How to prevent water poisoning

Water poisoning or water intoxication can happen when a dog swallows too much water. As a result, the sodium levels in their blood become diluted. Preventing water poisoning is a key issue when it comes to pool safety for dogs, so make sure that you:

• Keep a bowl of fresh water outside the pool for them to drink.
• Keep an eye on them and take breaks for when your dog needs to urinate.
• Encourage a break after every 10 to 15 minutes to eliminate the risk of swallowing too much water.

How to prevent bacterial infection

Dogs can get dirty easily, and without proper hygiene, even adults and kids get sick pretty quickly. If you are sharing a pool with your pets, it will be necessary for you to take extra measures when it comes to cleanliness. To limit the likelihood of bacterial infections you can:

• Clean the filter regularly.
• Brush your dog’s hair before sending them in the water to minimise hair shed.
• Clean the pool after every use.
• Maintain the pH levels of the pool.

Keep Your Dogs Safe

A backyard pool provides limitless opportunities for you to have fun with your family. When it comes to your pets, you don’t need to pull back on the fun as long as you take the extra steps to make the experience for them a safe one. Pool safety for dogs doesn’t have to be stressful or difficult to implement. Follow our tips for swimming pool pet dangers and how to prevent them, and keep any relevant safety devices handy so that you can make happy summer memories with your family pooch.

Pool Safety for Dogs – Frequently Asked Questions

Are swimming pools dangerous for dogs?

Not necessarily – dogs and the pool make a great pair. Swimming pools are not dangerous for dogs so long as they have proper supervision and adequate safety measures are put in place.

Can pool water make dogs sick?

Prolonged sessions of swimming may put dogs at risk of water poisoning, which can disrupt sodium levels in the body. It is recommended to take short breaks between sessions.

Should you let your dogs in your pool?

Sharing a pool with your dog is not dangerous, provided you have taken all the measures that keep you and your dog unaffected.

Is it OK for dogs to swim in chlorine pools?

Swimming in a well-balanced chlorine pool should eliminate risks. However, it is not healthy for your pets to drink the water. As long as they are swimming and not drinking the water, they should be okay.

Want to learn more about installing your very own pool? See our range of fibreglass pools.