Want to invite your dog into the pool but worried about how the chlorine or salt will affect their skin and coat?
Good news! Clean, properly maintained swimming pools are generally safe for pets. Provided that your dog doesn’t have a skin infection, open wounds, or sensitive skin, feel free to include the whole family in your next dip.
Like us, dogs require some prep and aftercare when they come into contact with chlorine (or any body of water). Here are a few tips to keep your swim session fun and safe for your canine companion.
We’ve all ignored a “Please Shower Before Entering” sign at our public pool, but for dogs, a pre-swim bath is essential.
Washing and brushing your dog thoroughly before they jump in keeps the experience hygienic for everyone. It will also prevent dirt and hair from disrupting your pool’s chemistry and clogging your filter.
2. Keep Pool Chemicals BalancedWhether you have a saltwater or chlorine pool, it’s important to make sure the chemicals are within acceptable ranges before inviting any member of your family in for a dip.
Saltwater pools have become increasingly popular thanks to their lower levels of chlorine and softer water, but they still have the potential to irritate skin if they become unbalanced. The more time you or your dog spend in the pool, the more the hypochlorous acid strips the skin of its natural oils. Limit swims to a sensible amount of time, and avoid going in immediately after adding chemicals.
Swallowing a little chlorinated water is all part of the experience — and safe in small amounts. However, if you notice your dog has started lapping up the pool water, remove them immediately and offer them something else to drink.
It’s a good idea to discourage dogs from drinking any water that they’re swimming in. Too much chlorine can lead to an upset stomach, but lake water can contain harmful bacteria and parasites. Saltwater is especially dangerous. Dogs who swallow too much are at risk of sodium toxicity — a life-threatening neurological emergency.
Whether you’re in your backyard or headed out for a day on the lake, make sure that you have enough clean water to satisfy your dog’s thirst so he doesn’t look elsewhere.
Dogs have relatively poor depth perception, made worse by distortion underwater. When your dog dives for a toy or tries to grab one out of the pool, they can easily misjudge the distance and get injured.
Scrapes, head trauma, and chipped teeth from accidentally clamping down on the filter or pool ladder instead of a toy are surprisingly common summertime injuries. Play it safe and keep your pet’s favorite rope outside of the pool.
Some dogs are natural swimmers, but that doesn’t mean it’s safe to leave them unsupervised. Solo swimming is inadvisable for human adults, so it only makes sense that we should keep an eye on our pets in water.
Keep swim sessions to a reasonable length, take breaks, and watch your dog for signs of exhaustion. Even healthy, water-loving dogs can tire out suddenly. Especially if you’re in a situation where you can’t quickly and easily remove your dog from the water, consider outfitting your pet with a lifejacket.
Water isn’t for everyone. Your dog’s breed is a pretty good predictor of whether or not they will be an enthusiastic swimming companion, but personality is also a factor.
In general, dogs with long, dense bodies and shorter legs may feel uneasy in water and require close monitoring if they do decide to take a dip. Keep a watchful eye on breeds like:
If your dog isn’t feeling it, don’t insist. Trying to force an enjoyable water-based experience can backfire and make bathtime harder.
If water gets trapped in the inner ear for a long period of time, dogs and humans alike can develop swimmer’s ear. Bacteria in improperly maintained pools or natural bodies of water can enter the ear canal and multiply, causing painful inflammation.
While swimming in clean water can reduce the odds of an ear infection, some dogs are simply prone to them. If your canine friend has long, floppy ears like a basset hound or cocker spaniel, it may be difficult to completely dry out their ears after a swim. Chronically irritated ears can lead to complications like hematomas, so at-risk dogs may be better off lounging by the pool than jumping in.
Letting chlorinated water dry on your skin and hair is just as uncomfortable for your dog as it is for you. Whether you’ve spent the day at the pool or in the ocean, remove any left behind chemicals or minerals when you’re done for the day.
Rinse your dog with fresh water to keep their skin and coat healthy. Remember to dry them thoroughly, especially between skin folds and toes. A little extra attention will keep their paws healthy and yeast and fungus at bay.
At Falls Village Veterinary Hospital, a Raleigh, NC veterinarian, dogs, cats & their families deserve the best. In fact, we specialize in delivering warm, compassionate care that reminds our clients and patients how unique and important they truly are. We provide complete veterinary care including dentistry, laser therapy, surgery, and more. Call us today!
