Is It Safe To Let Dogs Swim In Pools?

Wondering if it’s safe to let dogs swim in pools?

We answer that question and plenty more in this post.

Your swimming pool is a great spot to cool off and get your daily dose of exercise. And if you have a dog, you’ve probably thought about letting them take a quick dip.

But naturally, there are a few important questions to consider when it comes to letting dogs swim in pools. From whether or not it’s safe for the dog, to what effect it has on the pool system.

In this post, we answer these questions and more.

Is it safe to let dogs swim in pools? 

Yes! The pool is a healthy source of exercise for dogs of all ages. It provides a low-impact workout that keeps your dog cool. Which is why most dogs swim in pools in the first place.

Because if you’re a dog, a giant tub of cold water is way more appealing than the usual walk. Especially on a scorching hot summer day.

Caesar Milan, the Dog Whisperer, has a similar opinion:

To me, swimming is one of the best exercises for a dog physically and is psychologically calming. So I like to encourage people to swim with their dogs. So I actually think it’s great that your dog wants to swim and enjoys it.

Caesar Milan

With that said, there are still a few important points to consider regarding your dog’s safety.

Pet Safety

Even though most dogs are natural swimmers, they should still be introduced to your pool at a comfortable pace.

Some pups start doggy paddling within minutes while others may need help getting the hang of it. (If your dog isn’t a natural swimmer, you may want to consider a dog life jacket or other pet pool safety products)

Once they’re comfortable navigating the waters, you’ll have a hard time keeping them out!

But what’s most important is supervising all of your pup’s swims.

Just like a person, a dog can accidentally swallow a bit of pool water every now and then. And it’s not certain how they’ll react.

So we encourage you to go ahead and jump in the pool with your dog from the start.

You can keep an eye on them while you both get a great workout. And you may even get to play a few games of fetch.

But to revisit the topic of swallowing pool water…

What if my dog swallows pool water?

If you see your dog drinking chlorine water, don’t panic.

Why?

Because it’s a myth that chlorinated water is harmful to swallow. In fact, most tap water contains an amount of chlorine similar to pool water — sometimes even more. So as long as your pool water is properly balanced, drinking it is technically just as safe are drinking regular tap water.

This means that dog chlorine poisoning isn’t really something you have to be too worried about. (Assuming they’re not munching on chlorine tablets)

But we’re not suggesting that you stick a straw in your pool and go to town. Nor should you allow your dog to freely drink pool water.

Sometimes there may be a strong concentration of chemicals in the water, which won’t settle well in your dog’s stomach. And although extreme reactions are rare, it’s still important to make sure your dog isn’t treating the pool like a water bowl.

To stop your dog from drinking pool water, try giving them a full water bowl before swims.

Getting out of the pool

Dogs swim in pools for hours on end if you let them. But eventually, your dog will get tired and want to get out. So make sure they know where to exit, and how to exit.

Some pool owners install steps or ramps that are easy for pets to use. But a lot of pools only have a ladder or two, which means teaching your dog how to get out is important.

Whether it’s climbing the ladder, or climbing out of the shallow end. Make sure your dog knows how to exit the pool.

It’s also a good idea to hose them off when they get out of the water. Because just like people,  a lot of chlorine exposure can sometimes irritate and cause dry skin.

[Broken pool ladders or equipment? A pool repair service can help]

Dogs and pool equipment

So by this point, we can all agree that swimming can is a safe and healthy form of exercise for your dog.

But does letting dogs swim in pools damage your pool equipment?

Not really. But allow us to explain.

Will dog hair damage my pool filter?

No, dog hair will not directly damage a pool filter system. Pool filters are designed to catch a full range of debris, from leaves to microscopic bits of hair and dirt. But there’s still something important to remember.

Dogs shed. A lot.

And although dog hair won’t directly damage your filter, it can still accumulate fast, and eventually, clog it up. This affects pool water circulation and forces the filter to overwork.

Luckily, the easiest solution is to regularly check on, and clean out your filter as needed. Cleaning the skimmer and pump baskets more often is also a good idea.

[Want to keep your pool clean and make pool maintenance easy? Learn how to make the perfect pool care schedule]

You can also use skimmer socks. These are quite literally socks that slip over your skimmer baskets to improve filtration and prevent the escape of debris. They also stop fur from clumping up outside of the basket.

Overall, just be mindful of how much your dog sheds, and maintain your filter system accordingly.

If you do notice some circulation issues, it could mean that it’s time to clean out or replace your filter media.

Here are some posts on that:

How To Clean/Replace a Sand Filter

Cleaning/Replacing a Cartridge Filter

How To Clean/Replace a DE Filter

Will dog hair damage my pool heater?

Pool heaters receive water straight from your filter. Water that has already been filtered and purified, making it perfectly safe for the heater to use.

So just keep your filter in good condition, and cast the rest of your worries aside.

Of course, if you do experience unrelated pool heating problems, you can always call a pool heater troubleshooting service. They’ll work with you to diagnose your pool heating problems, and offer you the best solution. (And services like pool heat pump repair are much more affordable than replacing a unit)

Let the pups swim!

We hope this article helps you. When it comes to letting dogs swim in pools, here are the most important points to remember:

• Always supervise your dog’s swims
• Rinse your dog off after swims (be sure to dry off their ears)
• Clean out and maintain your filter system often
• Keep your pool water balanced
• When your pool is under maintenance,
  check out a public dog swimming pool

And of course, what would this post be without a classic dogs in pools video?

Dog in pool video