Let’s admit it. There’s nothing more adorable and satisfying than splashing around in your fibreglass pool with your furry friend. After all, swimming is an excellent way to beat the heat for humans and our four-legged friends too, who need some cooling. While many dog breeds such as poodles and retrievers are natural swimmers, many are not. Even if your dog is of a natural swimming breed, it’s important to keep them under constant supervision when they are in or near the pool.
In this article, we have rounded up the top pet safety tips for pool owners that can help you keep your pets safe. Read on.
Teach Your Dog Swimming
Often many of us assume that our furry friends are naturally good at doggy paddling. It isn’t true for every dog breed. Some breeds such as Basset Hounds should never go in the water. If you are unsure whether your dog can swim or not, you need to try. Test the water slowly and stay close by to see how they are doing. You can either teach them swimming yourself or take the help of a dog trainer.
Get A Life Vest
If your dog is still learning how to swim, it makes sense to get them a life jacket for safety. For older dogs that may find it more difficult to stay afloat for longer durations, a life jacket can come to their rescue. Canines rarely fall into a pool by accident. They usually dive in because they love it and want to have fun. If you have a small pooch who tends to get nervous in the water, make sure they wear a life vest.
Never Leave Your Dog Unsupervised
This may sound quite obvious but still needs to be emphasised. If your dog spends too much time outdoors to relieve themselves or play, make sure they aren’t in the pool. Even if your dog is a good swimmer, it’s advisable to not leave them unsupervised around deep water. This includes river hounds and salty beach dogs too. Don’t allow them to swim too far away from you if you aren’t confident about their swimming skills yet.
Learn CPR
CPR can save lives – be it human or any other mammals, including cats and dogs. If there is an unfortunate accident, despite taking all precautions, knowing how to provide aid in the face of an emergency becomes crucial. Mammal CPR is the same for any species. Make sure you train yourself so you can take care of yourself, your family and your canine too in a near-drowning incident.
Have A Pool Exit
If your dog were to accidentally fall into your pool when you aren’t around, would they have an escape route to save themselves? Most small animals can find a way in and out of water bodies with ease, but this is something that dogs struggle with. There are special water ramps or doggy steps that you can get installed in your pool for easy exit of your canine.
Install Fences
If you don’t want to let your dog near the pool area when you are not watching over them, consider installing a fence around your pool. Make sure the height of the fence is enough so your canine can’t jump over it and head to the pool. The gate of the fence must be strong, so your furry friend can’t open it easily.
Consider A Pool Alarm
Pool alarms are great in letting you know when something falls into your pool. The level of your pool water changes and sends an alert to you, a signal that you can hear both inside and outside your home. If you are okay with letting your dog swim in the pool all by himself, you can get a sensor collar around their neck. This simply lets you know when the dog goes into the pool and their activity.
Watch Out for Signs of Illness
There are a few parasites that aren’t visible to the naked eye, but they can transmit waterborne diseases to our four-legged friends. If your dog has been enjoying regular swim sessions with you, we advise you to watch out for any signs of illness. The symptoms may range from a decrease in appetite and vomiting to diarrhoea, fever and lethargy. If you spot any of these symptoms, take your canine to the vet immediately.
Wash Up after Swimming
Wash or at least rinse your dog after they have enjoyed a splash in your fibreglass pool. This helps in getting rid of any bacteria that may have attached themselves to their bodies and may go undetected by the naked eye. Bathing also eliminates the risk of itchiness caused by debris or other contaminants present in the water. Lastly, it prevents chronic ear infections once you make sure your dog’s ears are clean and thoroughly dry.
Don’t Let Your Dog Drink Pool Water
Your dog may see your pool as a big bowl of enticing water to be gulped down whenever they feel hot. Don’t let that happen. Pool water tends to have bacteria, chemicals and other contaminants after regular use. It could pose health risks for your pets. Older dogs or dogs with a weaker immune system should be discouraged from drinking water from outdoor sources. Make sure you have plenty of drinking water to keep your dog hydrated and cool in the swim season.
It’s A Wrap!
Swimming is a great way to cool off your furry friend. We hope the above tips come in handy to keep your dogs safe this pool season. You don’t have to cut back on any adventures with your pet this summer if you just keep these simple tips in mind.
Looking to get a swimming pool newcastle installed in your backyard or upgrade the existing one? Have a look at our pool catalogue for some inspiration. Give us a call, and we would be happy to discuss your pool requirements to build the backyard oasis of your dreams.
