Can Dogs Go in a Pool? Summers come with so much fun and games. You know you can jump in the pool when you feel the heat. Pool parties are also ubiquitous in summer; people usually come with their dogs, too.
When your dog joins other dogs, you may wonder if it can get in the pool or if it should. This question clearly states that you are a new dog owner, and your dog has never been to a pool before.
Most of the time, dogs love getting in the pool, and sometimes they even hate it. However, it depends from dog to dog whether they like it or not. To find out, you must get your dog in the pool first to see whether your dog is enjoying the pool water.
Can My Dog Go In The Pool?
The answer to this question is absolutely yes! Dogs love swimming in the summer pool just as much as humans. They enjoy it even more when more dogs or other people enjoy the pool water.
But when talking about your dog specifically, you will first need to take it to the pool and introduce it to the water. You also need to learn if swimming is natural for your dog or if it needs to know.
Is The Pool Safe For Dogs?
Yes, pools are safe for dogs. Chlorine and saltwater are safe for dogs in most conditions. However, drinking too much pool water can be harmful. Dogs usually drink this water, which causes an upset gastrointestinal tract, leading to vomiting, oesophagal damage, and nausea.
It may even lead to water intoxication, which causes an imbalance of the electrolytes and can cause severe brain damage. So, it is essential to know what your dog is doing in the pool and how much time it is spending there.
Pool water contains chemicals that affect the skin and cause dryness and irritation. Sometimes, anger may appear later after getting out of the pool, and you may even notice flaking or other skin problems.
Protect your dog’s skin whenever it gets out of the pool. Visit your dog’s veterinarian whenever you notice any problems with its skin to eliminate unwanted issues.
How Dogs Can Affect Your Pool
Whenever a dog gets in the water, it brings in a considerable amount of debris equal to the amount three humans would bring. The pool water may also remove all the fallen or broken hair from your dog’s body, eventually affecting the filter.
Dog hair may spread germs and parasites in the water, which is terrible for other dogs and humans. Make sure that your dog is clean enough to get in the pool. This can only happen if you clean your dog regularly.
Dog nails are as harmful as dog hair. Dog nails can tear the plastic lining of the pool, so make sure that you keep your dog away from pools that have vinyl or plastic lining, or make sure to trim your dog’s nails whenever they grow. Keeps your dog away from damaging any tools and toys in the pool.
Safety Tips For Dogs In The Swimming Pool
Having fun in the pool is one thing, and staying safe is another. So, always ensure your dog is safe when having fun in the pool. Following are some safety tips for dogs in the swimming pool:
1. Teach Your Dog To Swim
To ensure your dog’s safety, you need to teach it to swim to prevent itself from downing or other swimming-related problems. As a beginner, your dog may be unaware of what to do with the water, so it is best to teach it the steps. Making little progress whenever you go to the pool is the best way to teach it.
2. Familiarize It With The Pool
Teach your dog all the essentials about the pool, such as its boundaries, steps, exit, etc. It will help your dog to understand what you are trying to tell it and learn your instructions quickly.
3. Teach It How To Get Out Of The Pool
Putting your dog in the water from the opposite sides of the exit and asking it to get out of the exit will help it learn how to get out of the pool correctly. In case of any emergency or accident falling in falling, your dog can easily escape through the exit point.
4. Comfort Is the Most Important
Introducing your dog to the pool water before teaching it how to swim is very important because it will help you realize whether your dog is comfortable in it. If your dog is uncomfortable, try different ways to make it like the pool water next time.
Dogs usually get comfortable after getting in the pool water two or three times. Sometimes, when other people or dogs are having fun in the pool and enjoying the pool water, dogs who hate it start enjoying it, too.
5. Keep A Constant Check
Dogs are like babies; you should never leave your baby alone in the pool. Always check on your dog whenever it is in the pool and stay somewhere close. Please do not leave it alone because it may even become conscious without you and panic in case of an accident.
Here are a few tips to make swimming safe for your dog:
- Start slowly: If your dog is not used to swimming, start by letting them wade in the shallow end of the pool.
- Supervise your dog at all times: Never leave your dog unsupervised around a pool.
- Rinse your dog with fresh water after swimming: This will help remove chlorine or other chemicals from their fur and skin.
- Dry your dog’s ears after swimming: This will help to prevent ear infections.
Conclusion
Getting in the pool is generally safe for dogs, but teaching them beforehand is the best option. But even if your dog knows how to swim, you must understand what it does in the pool to keep it safe from accidents.
Dogs can harm plastic or vinyl pools, but pools consisting of tile, gravel, or pebbles are entirely safe for dogs to use and enjoy. They are safe for both small and big dogs. In addition, make sure to brush your dog’s hair before allowing it to get in the water. It will keep your pool’s filtration process clean.
If the pool water affects your dog’s skin and causes any redness, flakiness, or dryness, contact the vet as soon as possible to eliminate skin problems or signs of damage.
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