Is it Safe for Your Dog to Swim in the Pool?
If you’re anything like us, you want your dog to go anywhere and everywhere they can with you. This includes a nice swim in your pool, of course. The summertime heat in Jacksonville makes custom pools irresistible for everyone in the family (including the ones with four legs). The question of the day still remains. Is it totally safe for pets to swim in saltwater or chlorine pools? Let’s find out.
Sanitation is the Main Concern
It’s no secret that dogs carry around more dirt, debris and bacteria than clean humans. Even the cleanest pup still contains about three times as much contamination as a human.
We hate to say it, but that cute furry friend of yours 100-percent has traces of fecal matter in their fur. When your pup swims, this bacteria gets into your pool water and raises the pH. To keep your pool free of diseases like Hepatitis A and E. Coli, it’s important to balance the chemicals often.
At the end of the day, disease outbreaks in your pool caused by pets are rare. Allowing animals into your swimming area just makes maintenance that much more important. Stay on top of sanitation to prevent skin irritations, swimmer’s ear and more.
Monitor Your Pup’s Reaction to the Pool Water
Custom pools can be either chlorine or saltwater — it’s totally up to you. Your animal’s skin is actually pretty similar to your kid’s skin. When it comes to levels of sensitivity, keep this similarity in mind when you let your pup jump into the pool.
Rinse your dog off with clean water after their swim sesh and check Fido’s body for rashes, infections and irritations. Don’t forget to check your dog’s eyes for any signs of irritation, such as dryness or redness.
Understand the Effect of Dog Hair on Pool Equipment
If your dog is a shedder, the swimming pool might not be the best place for them to cool off. Most dog hair is so fine that your pool skimmer just can’t catch it. Unfortunately, all of that excess hair will end up in certain parts of the pump and/or filter.
The lint pot in your pool pump is the most likely location where you’ll find the hair. The way you remove hair from these different pool parts depends on the type of filter you have (DE, sand, cartridge). If you plan on letting your pup swim in the pool, let the Florida Luxury Pools team know from the get-go. We can help you select the right equipment to process the excess hair and debris.
Custom Pools are the Perfect Way to Cool Off
These Jacksonville summers can be rough. Make it through the heat and humidity this year with a custom pool right in your backyard. We can’t think of a better way to keep the kids, pups and parents happy!
Are you ready to design your perfect pool? Florida Luxury Pools is here to help. Reach out to us today to get started.