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Many dog owners regard their pet as a part of the family. It
means when the human family jumps into a public pool; their dogs
jump into the water as well. Richer people construct personal
swimming pools and all members of the family-human and
canine-frolic in the water for hours on end. Swimming is a fun
activity. It should be kept safe. One precaution to take is to
put a cover over the pool when nobody is swimming in it. This
will keep the artificial waterbody safe from dead rodents and
birds. It is not uncommon to see snakes swimming in an unattended
pool.
Dogs are dirtier
Dogs are dirty creatures and they bring three times the
pollutants as humans into the pool. If you have multiple dogs,
then you should put more chlorine in the water. Any dog how much
well-trained it is, will introduce fecal matter into your pool.
Other contaminants like body oils and dirt will also float in the
water. The quantity will be more if your dog likes to hunt or
play outside. Any animal which goes outside the house will have
some quantity of fecal matter on its body. This fecal matter
helps in the transmission of E.coli, Hepatitis A, Cryptosporidium
and other Recreational Water Illnesses (RWIs). Since all human
swimmers ingest some amount of pool water, you will fall sick if
you swim in them. A germ introduced into the water will quickly
contaminate other swimmers. As a human, you will suffer from a
number of diseases and ailments like diarrhea, upper respiratory
problems, along with ear and skin infections. Do not forget to
rinse off your dog after a swim in the pool. The skin of a dog is
similar to a human and they can suffer from rashes, infections,
and irritations among many others.
Closed pools and infection
If you want to take your dog to a public swimming pool, then do
not do so. A majority of swimming pools are essentially closed
systems. In plain language, the used water passes through the
filtration unit and flows back into the same pool. As per laws,
the public pool must refresh the water every eight hours. If you
live in a gated community, the common pool must be refreshed
every 24 hours. If possible, do install variable speed and
2-speed pumps. Doing so will save a considerable sum of money in
the form of chemical bills and utility bills. The water will be
appropriately filtered too. When installing filters, install
bigger capacity cartridge ones. The addition of a skimmer will
catch a majority of hair strands in addition to skimming the
water surface in the most effective manner. Only a small amount
of electricity will be consumed when combined with a variable
speed good quality pump.
Are Chlorinated Pools Safe For Your Pet?
As the temperatures rise in the summer and your furry friend is
in the mood for summer swimming, you might find asking yourself –
Is it okay for my pet to go for a swim in the family pool? It is
only natural for you to wonder whether it is possible for your
pets to get chlorine poisoning. Read on to know all about it.
What exactly does chlorine
do?
When you add it to the water, chlorine breaks down into
hypochlorite ion and hypochlorous acid. These chemicals oxidize
the microorganisms that are present in water by breaching their
cell wall and destroying the structures inside. If you don’t add
chlorine to your pools, they will turn black or green due to the
buildup of bacteria and algae in the water.
Is it toxic for pets?
The hazards of exposure to chlorine are dose dependent. Pool
water has very diluted levels of chlorine and is unlikely to end
up poisoning you or your pet. From the standpoint of risk
management, your pet is much more likely to fall ill from dunking
in a stagnant pool of water, or from a lake that contains unknown
microorganisms like amoeba.
Chlorine tablets
However, chlorine in its concentrated form poses a risk to both
people and their pets. If you have chlorine tablets, make sure
that you store them in their original containers. Keep it away
from the reach of children and pets. Chlorine gas can be
poisonous if inhaled accidentally, and direct contact with
concentrated chlorine can damage both the eyes and the skin. It
is not usual for a cat or a dog to ingest the tablets as their
scent is very unappealing, but better be safe than sorry.
What are the risks of your
pet’s exposure to chlorinated water?
Consuming chlorinated water can irritate the GI tract, but beyond
that it does not cause any major issues. If your pets swim in
chlorinated water for a long time, they will exhibit minor
symptoms of sensitivity like itchy skin or red eyes. Pools that
have high chlorine levels can irritate the airways due to the
release of chlorine gas, especially if the ventilation is
poor.Frequent swimming in chlorinated water can lead to ear
infections. While you might wonder if it is because of the
chlorine, recurrent infections result from damp ears and not from
the chlorine. Your pet’s vet can recommend
a drying solution to clean the
ear
of your pet after swimming if he is prone to recurrent
infections.
Are there alternatives?
Bromine is the most common alternative to chlorine for spa and
pool use. It is less pungent and the side effects are not as
severe. While it has milder properties, it is also more expensive
than chlorine and less stable when exposed to sunlight, making it
a bad choice for outdoor pools. Talk to a pool care professional
to know if bromine is a good choice for your pool.
Know How to Include Dogs in the Pool Area
Know How to Include Dogs in the Pool Area
Pet parents can have an easier time than dogs beating the summer
heat when the temperature climbs into the upper 90s, such
as taking cold showers or turning up the air conditioning.
But most canines are left to pant heavily and slurp water from
their
dog bowls
to cool themselves down after a long day.One Maryland city
decided to throw the area's dogs a bone to relax and avoid the
September humidity.The Baltimore Sun reported that the
Westminster Municipal Pool in Carroll County hosted its second
Pooch Pool Party on Sept. 3, 2014. The event was open to dogs of
all sizes and ages, allowing them to experience a swim in
the public pool or lounge around the swimming area. For some, it
was their first time ever taking a dip."I don't think she knows
what to do!" said Valerie Witt, as her Goldendoodle Gracie edged
along the water near the side of the pool to the steps. "She's
all puppy. She has boundless energy."However, other canines felt
more comfortable frolicking in the water, such as chocolate
Labrador retriever Nyla. She jumped straight into the pool once
her owner, Christopher Orwig, tossed her toy in.While granted
unfettered access to the local swimming area, the pool did
include a few rules to ensure safety of all the dogs. All canines
were checked for current rabies tags and owners were told that
overly aggressive pooches wouldn't be allowed to participate.
Other than those stipulations, pups were free to enjoy the open
areas around the pool, playing fetch and running with one
another.To prepare for the event, the city closed the swimming
area on Labor day and cleaned the entire pool before and after
the dogs' arrival. The chlorine levels were closely monitored the
day of the party, as the chemical needs to be very low so as to
not harm dogs.
Bringing dogs into the pool
area
Although it may not be for everyone, many families can enjoy
letting their furry friends join in on pool time. According to
Cesar's Way,
swimming is one the best physical
exercises for dogs
and can be psychologically calming as well. Therefore, it's
suggested that owners swimming with their four-legged companions
can be mutually beneficial.However, it's important to know the
pros and cons of allowing your pet into the pool. River Pools and
Spas explained that
swimming areas with vinyl
liners
are out of the question for pet parents. The family pooch's
nails can tear into or puncture the structure, potentially
leading to major leaks and high maintenance expenses. Yet,
fiberglass and concrete pools are rarely going to get damaged by
a dog. In addition, depending on the size of the dog, a
sufficient number of steps might be required to ease entries and
exits.The chemical components of the pool water are also
important to the safety of the family canine. Too much chlorine
can cause eye irritation,
dog ear infections
and discoloration of the fur. Today, saltwater systems are
becoming increasingly popular among pool owners. These types of
chemicals are less harmful to both dogs and humans alike,
producing a low level of chlorine that's easier on the
skin.Owners might also be concerned about the state of their
filtration systems, as dog hair is much harsher on filters than
human's. However, by simply upping the frequency of their
maintenance, pet parents can ensure that their dog enjoys the
pool without causing any significant damage.Allowing your dog to
swim in your pool will ultimately be up to your own discretion.
But by joining
PetPlus
, pet parents can have access to discounted accessories that can
help keep their canines cool during the final weeks of summer.
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