05/19/2025
Top Five Ways to Keep Your Dogs Safe Around Pools
The heat is on, and everyone is feeling it, including your pets. Right now, your backyard pool looks pretty inviting, especially when they see you in it. After a raucous romp or an afternoon sunbathing by your side, your pup may be tempted to jump in or take a refreshing drink. But not so fast. Before your dog plays around the pool, ensure you’ve covered your bases – like having a dog life-jacket available whenever your dog is around any water.
Pools are for Swimming, NOT Drinking: Keep a bowl of fresh water outside near the pool and make sure your pet knows which place is meant for drinking. Although small amounts of chlorine may not hurt your pup (like what you may inadvertently swallow while swimming), anything in excess can be dangerous. The pool is definitely not a water bowl for pets to drink from.
Make Sure Your Dogs Knows How To Swim: Believe it or not, the doggy paddle isn’t necessarily instinctive to every dog, and you don’t want to find out too late your pup doesn’t know what to do. Like with children, it’s best to get in the pool to supervise and guide their attempts as they learn to swim.
Give Them a Way Out: When working with them in the water, show them how to get out safely and make it part of the swimming practice.
Keep the Gate Closed or Pool Covered When Not in Use: Dogs love to play outside, and accidents happen. Just as a child could inadvertently fall in, so can a dog. If your dogs play outside alone, ensure the gate is closed, or the pool is covered.
Always Supervise Your Pets Around Water: Just as you would watch children around water, your pets should also be supervised in case of an accident.
