Everyone into the pool and for many pet parents that means Fido and Fifi, too! If you want to spend time in the pool with your pups, there is really no reason you can’t. You will want to let the pool contractors from Seahorse Pools & Spas in Fort Worth, Texas know because they may need to adjust the water chemistry to account for that. There are at least 7 ways to keep dogs safe around the pool, but you can ask us for more insight if you’re curious.
Pools are terrific for dogs for fun and exercise and a great way for them to spend time with the family. Remember not all dogs are great swimmers and not all dogs love the water. Don’t force them in if they don’t want to, let them enjoy the fun from the safety of the deck.
7 ways to keep dogs safe around the pool
Here are our best and easiest tips for dog safety in and around the pool.
- Never leave them unattended.
- Teach your dogs to wear a life vest and even if they are great swimmers, put the vest on them to keep them safe in case they get tired and can’t get out of the pool.
- Don’t let the deck get cluttered with dog toys and make sure all dog toys are taken out of the pool when you’re done swimming. Don’t tempt your dog by keeping the toys in there.
- Get a dog first aid book, understand it and be prepared in case of an emergency.
- Get a ramp and teach your dog how to use it to get into and out of the pool. Mark the ramp with a flag so your dog has a vistual to swim toward. Use positive reinforcement to train him to use it.
- Rinse your dog off once he gets out of the water to get the chlorine and chemicals off his body.
- Know how fit your dog is because a dog who is out of shape can struggle to swim just as a person who is out of shape will. Keep swim time short until your pup is back in shape — in fact, swimming is a great and no impact way to help her exercise.
It’s always nice to be able to have Fluffy or Fido around the swimming pool when you’re enjoying time with your family, just make certain you do it responsibly!