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Monday, April 24, 2017

Swimming Pool Safety for Your Pet Dog

With so many online videos of dogs swimming in pools, one might assume that there’s nothing wrong with letting your pet canine take the plunge. That said, although swimming offers plenty of benefits for your four-legged friend, certain precautions must be taken before you unleash your dog to the water.

The dangers

If your dog can swim, it’s okay to let him swim, just be sure you keep an eye on him at all times. When he gets out, check his eyes and skin for signs of itchiness, redness and other signs of irritation. These may indicate an imbalance in your pool chemicals, or that chlorine or some other pool chemical is affecting him negatively. Saltwater pools are better for dogs in general than chlorine pools.

Pool surfaces and equipment

If you own a vinyl pool, it’s best to not let your dog swim altogether, as the material is highly susceptible to damage from your dog’s claws. Stronger pool materials, such as concrete and fiberglass, are better options for swimming dogs, so upgrade your pool with the help of Orange County pool builders if you must. Be prepared to perform pool maintenance more frequently when you let your dog swim in the pool regularly.

Keeping him safe

Your dog should never swim without you, but if you can’t supervise him the entire time, make sure he knows how to get out on his own. To keep him afloat, you can equip him with floaters especially made for pet dogs. After the swim, rinse him thoroughly to remove the chemicals from his fur. Leaving them on can remove natural oils from the fur and dry out the dog’s skin.

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