Great Safety Tips For Pool Owners With Dogs!
Your pool and pets are sources of joy in your life, and the furry friends want to be included in every activity and will pout if you don’t allow it! The good news is you can take them out for a swim in your pool and it is safe to do so.
But dogs are like children that never grow up, you will have to take a few precautions to make the fibreglass pools completely safe for them.
What To Do Keep Your Furry Friends Safe!
Not All Dogs Can Swim!
We know that wild animals instinctively learn to swim when in a body of water but this might not be the case for your dog. Some breeds are better at it than the others and in most cases, you will have to teach them from scratch. This does not mean your dog will do the same.
Dogs with large chests like the bulldog and boxer have trouble keeping balance and small dogs can be overpowered by the waves in the pool. Also, if your dog has a flat face then it might run out of energy quickly in the pool. So it is best to start them off with a vest and see where it goes. Some dogs enjoy the pool while others don’t.
Teach Them Slowly
As is with any skill, practice makes perfect. You will have to teach your dog to swim and how to go about in the water. Not only that you will have to also make sure that they practice regularly for some time.
It can take some time for them to get the hang of it but you will see a lot of joy in the process too. Let them explore the water and if they are not ready do not force them, an anxious dog is not easy to teach.
Life Vest
There are life vests designed particularly for dogs and you should invest in one if you want your dog to enjoy the pool too. It will take time to get adjusted to the vest but once they do you will see them having fun.
It is important as not all dogs can swim easily and most have to be thought how to swim. A nervous dog in the pool can get fatigued easily so a life vest takes some burden off them. Since they’ll be floating no matter what they start enjoying the pool more.
Finding the right size vest might take a bit of trial and error at first but once you get the right size order another one of them asap. Some local stores might also have most of these in stock and you can try on the various sizes there.
Don't Let Them Drink The Water
The water in the pool is not suitable for drinking and causes many health problems in humans and dogs alike. Train them so that they do not drink the water from the fibreglass pools and also keep an eye on them at all times.
The chlorine content along with the other chemicals can make it highly toxic for animals. If they ingest water, try to see the vet immediately. Also, ask the vet what to do when it happens if it is happening a lot. Older dogs have a much more compromised immune system, so it is in your best interest to keep an eye on them.
Vet's Opinion
Given your pet’s health, your vet will be able to tell whether your doggo is healthy enough for swimming or not. If your dog has had a history of illnesses then it is best to avoid this activity. But you can ask the vet for preventatives and other medication.
These will differ from area to area but most active outdoor dogs are given the Leptospira vaccine. It is to prevent the onslaught of bacteria that lives in bodies of water for long times. If infected and left untreated it can lead to kidney failure.
Also, get your dog vaccinated for ticks and Lyme infections. Pool water is not as sanitary as you think and your furry buddies will need some meds to ward off any contaminants. With these shots, your dog will be able to enjoy the pool in no time.
Watch For Illnesses
See if your dog gets sick after using the pool. If such is the case then you will need to look at the root cause of the problem. Pool water can be cleaned and rid of all organic matter if you use chlorine. But chemicals can have an adverse effect on the body of the dog.
If your dog gets lazy or has diarrhea/vomiting after its swim sessions then take your dog to the vet and troubleshoot the problem. You will also find what is causing the illness and how you can eliminate it.
Algae Is Not Your Friend
Algae is found in stagnant water bodies and your pool is no exception to this invasive species. It reduces the oxygen content of the fibreglass pools but also is harmful to your furry friends. It can get stuck in the fur of your dog and then, later on, cause problems.
Consumption of algae in most cases is lethal and if you see something green and swampy in your pool close it off and buy some algaecide ASAP. It’s not easy to spot but once you see it you should get rid of it quickly.
Wash Your Dog
As you shower before entering the pool and after getting into it, the same should be done for your dog. Wash the fur baby after it has had a pool session and you will be able to avoid a lot of problems.
Pool water can cause ear infections too, and once your dog grooms itself it might ingest something from the water. This is why it is important to wash them off when you are done with frolicking in the pool.
Your pool is an all-inclusive space that has a special place for your dog too. But if you take these steps you make it a safe experience for them and let them enjoy the pool to their fullest!
