As the summer months approach, it’s important to remember that our furry friends love to cool off during those hot months but can sometimes get tired from swimming too much. More importantly, we may not realize it but swimming pools cannot just be harmful to us or our children, but can also cause injury or death to your beloved animals. If a pet unexpectedly falls or jumps into a pool their natural instinct is to head to the nearest edge to try and climb out. This edge may be near, but can be very slippery or even impossible for a dog to lift itself over. In this instance, your pet can become fatigued and exhausted which can lead to great panic. Pets also are typically not able to climb the vertical ladder that may be in the deep end, which leaves one or maybe two exit routes. Lastly, it’s not all negative, swimming with your pets can be enjoyable and a great source of exercise for your pet. Chewy.com and other pet stores offer really great pool toys for pets as well.
For all our animal lovers, take a look at these tips and make sure to practice them with your own pets.
- Never leave pets unattended around a pool.
- Fence your pool with a secure gate, and never leave your pet inside the fenced pool area unsupervised.
- Make sure pets can get out of the pool. If a dog jumps or falls in and doesn’t know how to get out without help, it may panic and drown.
- Not all pets are excellent swimmers, so if water is a big part of your family life, introduce pets to water gradually.
- Try not to let pets drink pool water. Chlorine and chemicals used to keep pools free of algae and contaminants can cause pet health problems, such as dry mouth or gastric distress.
- Be mindful of pet swimming precautions and consider safety products available to ensure your pet’s safety. The chlorine can also irritate your pet’s eyes or skin, so limiting exposure can be key.
- Remember, life vests are available for all sizes of animals for those that are not as strong as swimmers.
Happy and safe swimming to you and your furry friends!
