Can Dogs Swim In Pools? 4 Potentional Risks

Summer is here….if you own a pool, you have a quick refreshment during hot days. Many dogs love water and swimming, but what about a chlorine pool. Can you let your dog into a pool? Will chlorine hurt them? Allowing your dog into the pool is not a completely terrible idea, but it comes with some health considerations first. Stay with us and find out how you can make your dog use the pool without health concerns.

Should you let your dog into the pool?

In general, dogs can use pools and swim in them. So it is entirely up to you to make this decision. You must remember that not all dogs are good swimmers, and if you let your dog into the pool, you must always supervise them. There are some health concerns when we talk about dogs and pools, and here are the most important ones:

1. Drowning

If your dog isn’t a good swimmer, we assume you won’t let him into the pool alone. But drowning can happen even for dogs that know how to swim. The main problem with swimming pools is that dogs get to the edge and try to get out, and in some cases, they will not be able to. They will have a hard time recognizing where they should get out of the pool, and this is when accidents can happen. Your dog could lose its strength and start drowning.

WORLD DOG FINDER TIP: No matter how good a swimmer your dog is, you should always be around and supervise him when he is in the pool. That way, you can ensure that accidents don’t happen.

2. Water intoxication

If your dog ingests a large quantity of water, he could end up with water intoxication. This is a rare situation, but it still can happen. To prevent this, you should always supervise your dog, not allow him to drink from the pool, and provide constant fresh water near the pool for your dog to refresh.

3. Irritation

If your pool hasn’t been properly maintained, there could be a situation where your dog could end up with skin irritations. You can notice symptoms such as redness and itching.

Irritation can be prevented by:

Not allowing your dog in the pool after you see they got a reaction
Always bath them with clean water after swimming in the pool

RELATED: Best Dog Pools

4. Chemicals

Chemicals for maintaining the pool are extremely dangerous, and your dog shouldn’t have access to them. You must store them properly and keep them away from your dog. If your dog, however, ends up ingesting some of these chemicals, you should immediately call your vet and rush to the nearest vet clinic. This is an extremely dangerous situation, and your dog will need emergency help.

Is chlorine safe for dogs?

Chlorine in the pool water shouldn’t harm your dog if he doesn’t do anything out ordinary. When your dog finishes swimming, give your dog a quick rinse with clean water to remove any potential chemicals.

Also, never allow your dog to drink out of the pool because, in this case, chlorine can harm your dog and cause poisoning. Also, chlorine tablets should be kept far away from your dog, so he can't reach them. In case of ingestion of chlorine tablets, you should seek vets’ help as soon as possible.

If your dog loves to swim in your pool, you can choose non-chlorine chemicals for your pool, thus making a safer environment for your pet.

Swimming pools safety

Not all dogs know how to swim, and nothing is wrong with that. It is up to you to provide your dog with a proper introduction to swimming before you decide to let him into the pool on his own. You should never force your dog to enter the pool if he doesn’t want to. Take step by step and allow your dog to slowly get used to the pool.

For starters, you can use a life vest for your dog to ensure that he will not drown and to get the best experience from swimming in the pool. That way, it will be much safer to let your dog in.

dog near the pool

TIP: Dogs shouldn’t be allowed to use a pool alone since if something happens, there will be no one to help them. Because of that, pool access should be prohibited for dogs when they are alone.

Swimming with your dog in the pool can be a fun and entertaining experience if you follow all the precautions.

RELATED: How to Teach a Dog to Swim?

Conclusion

Deciding if you should let your dog into the pool is up to you. Pools are safe for dogs to swim, but you should be aware of the potential risks of letting your dog use the pool. If you are a responsible dog owner, your dog can use the pool, and you will watch for any potential problems that can affect your dog. That way, you and your dog can enjoy swimming in the pool during hot summer days.

World Dog Finder team

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