Pets In The Pool: Pet Safety & Pool Clean Up

Arizona summers aren’t just hot for people - our pets feel the heat too. For many dogs, jumping into the family pool is the perfect way to cool off, play, and spend time with their humans. But as a pool owner, you may wonder whether pool water is safe for your pet and what all that fur, dirt, and splashing means for your pool.

The good news is that dogs can generally enjoy a properly maintained swimming pool safely. A few extra precautions—and a little additional pool maintenance - can help protect your pet while keeping your water clean, clear, and ready for everyone to enjoy.

Can Dogs Swim in Chlorinated Pools?

Yes, most dogs can safely swim in a properly maintained chlorinated pool. The chlorine levels used to sanitize residential swimming pools are relatively low when the water is properly balanced.

However, dogs can experience skin or eye irritation just like people. After swimming, rinse your dog with fresh water to remove chlorine and other pool chemicals from the coat and paws. Dogs that swim frequently should also be monitored for dry or irritated skin.

And remember: water that looks clean isn't necessarily properly balanced. Regular water testing and professional pool cleaning service can help ensure chlorine, pH, and other important chemistry levels stay where they should.

Are Saltwater Pools Safer for Pets?

Saltwater pools are still chlorinated pools - they simply generate chlorine from salt in the water rather than requiring chlorine to be added in the traditional way.

For pets, a properly maintained salt water pool isn't necessarily "safer" than a properly maintained traditional chlorine pool. Both can generally be enjoyed safely with supervision. However:

• Saltwater can dry out skin and paws more quickly.

• Rinsing your dog after swimming is still recommended.

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If you're considering switching your pool, learn more about salt water pool conversion and salt cell installation and whether a salt system makes sense for your family.

Pet Safety Around The Pool

Knowing how to swim doesn't automatically make a dog pool-safe. Pets should always be supervised around swimming pools, even if they're experienced swimmers.

Make Sure Your Dog Knows How to Get Out

One of the most important things you can do is teach your dog where the pool steps or exit are.

A dog may be perfectly capable of swimming but panic when it can't figure out how to climb out. Practice entering and exiting the pool with your pet so they know exactly where to go.

A visible pet pool ramp can provide another reliable exit, particularly for:

• Older dogs

• Small or short-legged breeds

• Dogs with mobility problems

• Inexperienced swimmers

A properly fitted canine life jacket can also provide additional support for dogs that aren't strong swimmers or tire easily.

Watch for Fatigue

Swimming is exercise, and dogs can tire more quickly than their owners realize. Older pets, puppies, dogs with mobility limitations, and inexperienced swimmers may need frequent breaks.

Don't assume that because your dog loves swimming, it knows when to stop.

Keep Pool Chemicals Out of Reach

Never let pets near stored pool chemicals. While properly balanced pool water is generally safe for swimming, concentrated pool chemicals are not. Ingesting chlorine tablets can cause poisoning.

Chlorine tablets, liquid chlorine, acid, and other pool chemicals should always be stored securely where pets and children cannot reach them. Never leave open chemical containers near the pool.

Don't Forget About Pool Covers and Gates

Don't assume a pool cover automatically makes the area safe for your pet. Depending on the type of cover, an animal that walks onto it could potentially become trapped or have difficulty getting back out.

Preventing unsupervised access is one of the best safety precautions you can take. Pool barriers and properly functioning gates can help keep pets away from the water when no one is around to supervise them.

Protect Your Dog's Ears, Skin and Paws

Pool safety doesn't end when your dog climbs out of the water.

Dogs that swim frequently can be more susceptible to ear problems because moisture becomes trapped inside the ear. Dry your dog's ears after swimming and talk with your veterinarian if you notice redness, odor, excessive scratching, head shaking, or other signs of irritation.

Rinsing your dog's coat and paws with fresh water after swimming can also remove residual chlorine or salt and help reduce dryness and irritation.

Arizona Pool Decks Can Get Extremely Hot

It’s not just the water temperature you need to think about, it’s the surrounding surface. Concrete, travertine, and pool decking can become dangerously hot in Arizona summers.

Before letting your dog run around the pool:

• Check the surface temperature with your hand.

• Provide a shaded area for breaks.

• Keep fresh drinking water nearby.

• Avoid prolonged outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day.

• Rinse paws after pool time to remove chlorine, salt, and debris.

Also pay attention to your pool's water temperature. During prolonged periods of Arizona heat, swimming pools can become surprisingly warm. Swimming is still physical activity, so dogs need shade, drinking water, and opportunities to rest even when they're spending time in the pool.

How Does a Dog Affect Your Pool?

Dogs bring more into the pool than their favorite tennis ball.

Fur, dander, dirt, body oils, and other organic material enter the water every time your pet swims. These contaminants have to be removed by your circulation and filtration system and can increase chlorine demand.

How much extra maintenance your dog creates depends on several factors:

• The size of your dog

• Coat length and type

• How much your dog sheds

• How frequently your pet swims

• Whether multiple dogs use the pool

• How much dirt and debris they bring into the water

• The size and condition of your pool's filtration system

A small, short-haired dog that occasionally swims may have very little impact. Multiple large dogs swimming every day can create a noticeably greater maintenance burden.

How to Keep Your Pool Clean When Pets Swim

Dogs bring a lot of joy - and a lot of fur. Pet hair, dander, and oils can strain your filtration system and throw off your pool chemistry.

In addition to fur, dogs introduce:

• Organic waste

• Body oils

• Dirt and phosphates

• Extra nitrogen (which consumes chlorine)

A few simple habits can make pool maintenance considerably easier.

Before Your Pet Swims

• Brush your dog first. Removing loose fur before your dog enters the water means less hair for your skimmer and filter to collect.

• Give your dog a quick rinse. Washing dirt, dust, and other debris from the coat and paws prevents it from ending up in your pool.

• Check your water chemistry. Heavy pool use - whether from people or pets - can increase sanitizer demand.

After Your Pet Swims

• Skim floating fur and debris.

• Empty your skimmer and pump baskets.

• Vacuum debris from the bottom as needed.

• Check water circulation.

• Monitor phosphate levels more closely.

• Test chlorine and water chemistry after periods of heavy use.

• Check filter pressure.

• Clean the filter more frequently when necessary.

Pet hair is extremely fine and can slip past standard skimmer baskets. Using skimmer socks or upgrading filtration helps reduce microscopic buildup that clouds water over time.

If you notice that your filter is clogging more frequently, water circulation has slowed, or the pool remains cloudy, your filtration system may need additional attention. Read What Pool Owners Need to Know About Pool Filters for more information about filter cleaning, maintenance, and replacement.

When Does Your Pool Need Extra Attention?

There’s no reason your furry friends can’t enjoy pool time safely - it just takes a little extra care and cleaning. So grab a ball, throw on the sunscreen, and enjoy some splash time with your four-legged family member.

If you notice any of these, it’s time to bring in the pros:

• Reduced water flow

• Frequently clogged skimmer baskets

• Rapidly rising filter pressure

• Cloudy or dull-looking water

• Increased chlorine demand

• Algae beginning to appear

• Excessive pet hair returning to the pool

Don't automatically add more chemicals whenever something looks wrong. Cloudy or green water can have several causes, including poor circulation, filtration problems, or unbalanced water chemistry.

If your pool turns green, read How to Clean Green Pool Water & Get Back to Swimming or have a pool professional diagnose the problem before it gets worse.

When to Call a Pool Professional

If pet hair is constantly clogging your filter, your water stays cloudy, circulation has slowed, or keeping the chemistry balanced has become a struggle, it may be time for professional help.

Sunset Pool Care provides dependable pool cleaning service in Chandler, Gilbert, and the surrounding East Valley. We'll help keep your water clean, your filtration system working efficiently, and your backyard ready for every member of the family - even the furry ones.

Contact Sunset Pool Care today to request weekly pool service or help with a pool that's struggling to keep up with your favorite swimmer.

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Brent Knoll, Pool Care Expert

Brent has more than 20 years of experience helping Arizona homeowners keep their pools clean, safe, and running efficiently. He specializes in pool maintenance and equipment repairs, and shares expert advice to help homeowners with practical pool care tips that help prevent costly repairs and extend the life of their pool.