To Swim or Not to Swim: A Guide to Dogs in Pools

Just like humans, dogs can enjoy the advantages of swimming as a low-impact total body workout, offering excellent exercise for joints and limbs. In this aquatic realm, age is no barrier, making it a suitable activity for both playful pups and senior dogs in need of gentle rehabilitation. As we explore the health perks, it’s important to acknowledge that not all dogs are born water enthusiasts. Breeds vary in their swimming abilities, with some taking to the water effortlessly, while others may need encouragement and training.

Read on as we navigate the waters of doggy paddling, exploring the pros and cons, breed considerations, safety measures, and the potential impact on your pool’s chemistry and cleanliness. Whether your canine companion is a natural swimmer or a hesitant spectator, understanding the nuances will help you create a safe and enjoyable swimming experience for your four-legged friend.

Benefits of Swimming

there are many benefits of getting your dog in the pool

Just like for people, swimming for dogs is a great, low-impact total body workout. Swimming is easy exercise on your pet’s joints and limbs, which is terrific for both young pups and aging dogs alike. Swimming pools can be a fun place to play with the family in the water, or a rehabilitation method for a dog recovering from a procedure.

According to PetMD, “From a preventative perspective, hydrotherapy is good for fitness, body condition, and a great source of aerobic exercise that is low impact on the bones and joints. It is a great tool to help your dog stay in optimal shape.”

Swimming pools are also a great way for your pup to cool off on a hot summer day. It’s always best to make sure that the water isn’t too cold or too warm as to not shock your dog as this can frighten them. From an exercise perspective, warmer water is better for your dog’s muscles to help promote a full range of movement and blood flow, which allows them to warm up quicker and prevent muscle spasms.

A fit dog is a healthy dog that is less susceptible to injuries in the long run. It’s even better if part of the fitness routine can be part of family bonding time while everyone is having fun in the pool.

Not All Dogs Are The Same

dog swimming in the pool

It’s a common misconception that all dogs instinctively know how to swim. Some dogs are better equipped to swim based on their physical builds than others, and some dogs have had bad experiences that have made them scared of water in general.

Certain dog breeds can swim like a pro almost instinctively, some dogs can be trained to swim, and some dogs are just not meant to be amphibious. Dogs born to swim, like Labradors, generally have strong limbs, longer snouts, and are bred to swim to retrieve ducks and waterfowl for hunting purposes. Some of them even have references to water in their names, like the Portuguese Water Dog!

On the other side of things are dogs like Bulldogs, Pugs, and Dachshunds. Their short legs simply can’t perform a strong doggie paddle and they struggle to create enough thrust to keep them on the water’s surface. Breeds with short faces like bulldogs or pugs have trouble keeping their snout out of the water. Smaller dogs may enjoy swimming but it is important to be aware that smaller dogs can get colder faster in chillier pool water or can panic by becoming overwhelmed from being in the pool.

Is Chlorine Bad for Dogs?

One of the obvious concerns dog owners have when debating whether or not it is safe for their dog to swim in a swimming pool is chlorine and other pool chemicals. While chlorine can irritate a dog’s eyes or sensitive nose, just like humans, a dip in the pool for an hour or so on a sunny day is harmless.

Just like humans, it is a good idea to rinse your dog before and after swimming. Rinsing beforehand removes shedding fur, dirt, and any other debris or contaminants on your dog. And rinsing your dog off after swimming helps remove pool chemicals from their sensitive coat and skin. And keep a fresh bowl of drinking water around for the dog near the pool to cleanse the throat. This also helps prevent your dog from drinking gulps of water in the pool because of thirst.

What About Saltwater Pools?

Saltwater, pool chemicals, and sunscreen all pose a threat to your pet. Excessive time in saltwater is never good for humans, and the same is true for dogs. Symptoms of salt poisoning, known as hypernatremia, include vomiting and diarrhea. Hypernatremia can become worse and cause seizures, depression, incoordination, and brain swelling.

Can I Teach My Dog How to Swim?

Your dog won’t be able to learn the backstroke, but you can help them become a stronger and more comfortable swimmer. Swimming is great exercise for dogs, and nothing is better on a hot summer day. Teach your dogs how to exit the pool using the stairs or the swim out. A reward may help them remember, and you may have to show them more than once.

Things to Keep in Mind

Keep the following information in mind when considering letting your pooch in the pool. And remember, safety is always the number one priority whenever people or your four-legged family members are in the pool.

Hair and Nails

be cautious of your dog's sharp nails in the pool

They say a dog is equivalent to about 50 people in the pool at one time. Crazy, huh? Notwithstanding, although dog hair and such is harder on a filter system, by no means are they known to do damage either. Your strainer basket will do most of the heavy work and you may need to do some extra skimming the following day once the hair settles. All-in-all, dog hair is a manageable byproduct that most pool owners find to be a minor inconvenience to letting their dog share in the joys of pool time.

Another concern that many pool owners initially have is whether or not their dog will scratch or tear their vinyl liner. If your dog is tall enough to stand on the pool floor, their nails are not known to damage the liner.  Most dogs try to exit the pool the same way they came in, so scratching at the sides of the pool wall is not something that typically occurs.

While your vinyl liner may not have cause for concern, swimmers, especially younger swimmers should be be aware of your dog’s nails. This may seem like common sense but I’ve seen it happen numerous times and no one is necessarily at fault in this situation:  an eager child or person approaches the excited swimming dog as is scratched as they are approached. The dog’s swimming reflexes naturally create the same scratching or digging movement for their legs, and this can be compounded by the excitement of approaching a loved one in the pool.

Drinking Pool Water

prevent your dog from drinking pool water

You probably can’t train your dog to not drink pool water, but if your dog loves to drink the pool water and then develops tummy problems, you could try reducing chemical levels by adding a mineral purifier like Nature2 or Frog. Some dogs may learn from the experience, and avoid drinking pool water, but not all.

It’s inevitable that your dog will ingest a little bit of pool water, but if your dog is incessantly drinking the water, it may be a good idea to limit their swim time. Keeping a big bowl of fresh water nearby could help prevent them from drinking the pool water. Occasional drinks from a well-maintained pool are not harmful to most dogs but dogs with heart disease, kidney disease, and those eating salt-restricted diets should never drink from saltwater pools.

Ear Infections

Last but certainly not least of our pros and cons list for letting your dog swim in your pool is the increased potential of your dog getting an ear infection. Swimming pools, no matter how well maintained, can be home to bacteria or other infection-causing germs that could create problems in your dog’s sensitive ear canals.

However, a little effort can go a long way to protect your pup’s ears from infections by simply cleaning and drying their ears thoroughly immediately after a swim with a cotton or wool towel. An extra-preventative measure would be to use HappyTails deodorizing ear wipes around the ear canal after a swim.

It’s always a good idea to use a gentle, weekly ear cleaner to clean your dog’s sensitive ears but it’s especially important if your dog is a regular swimmer. This can help remove any dirt, salt, or other pollutants that can build up over the course of a week.

Tips for Dogs in the Pool

  • Dogs are not natural swimmers, and may tire easily.
  • Keep your dog in the shallow end and keep an eye on him.
  • Don’t throw your dog in the pool, or drag them in by the collar.
  • Have your dog enter and exit using steps or stairs.
  • Water should be balanced and chlorine level should be low.

Is it OK for a dog to swim in the pool?

  • If your pool is vinyl lined, sharp claws could damage the vinyl.
  • Dogs in the pool may cause your pH to rise.
  • Dogs in the pool can add Phosphates and Nitrates to the pool.
  • Hairy dogs can clog up a pump basket fairly quickly.

It’s OK to have your dogs swim in the pool. If they enjoy it, why not? You should limit their time in the pool however, by blowing the whistle for a break every half-hour. During this time offer drinking water and a shady spot to relax. And, perhaps some encouragement for your dog to use the bathroom. Make sure that the chlorine level is under 1.0 ppm, high chlorine levels are irritating for many dog’s skin.

There are many great benefits to encouraging your dog to swim with you in your pool!  Putting your dog’s comfort and safety first should always be your primary objective and always go into it knowing that not all dogs are meant to swim, not all dogs like to swim, and some dogs just need the proper training to learn how to swim.

16 thoughts on “To Swim or Not to Swim: A Guide to Dogs in Pools

  1. Deborah Colmorgen

    My young standard poodle loves to go in the pool with us. Unfortunately his claws get us accidentally. What kind of paw covers are safe and good for swimming.

  2. i have two labs that love to swim however one is very aggressive to the other in the pool. ( the youngest very aggressive to the oldest) to the point i have to jump in and save the oldest on two occasions. i dont think the youngest knows he will hurt the other but im not sure how to fix it

    • Jen Sweeney

      My dog was doing this to my granddaughter! Very scary but we got something like a water gun sprayer thing the we just fill with pool water and when ever he gets aggressive we spray him.
      Now we just have to pick it up and he backs off-
      He got the point pretty quick! Hope this helps

  3. Mike Negra

    We have a 50lb Border Collie that loves the pool She retrieves her Kong toy a maximum 10 times a day with joy! Our pool is 4 years old and our pool company is again recommending we drain the pool due to our dog swimming in the pool They are saying the chlorine demand test is showing we would need to add 68 bags plus. We drained it 2 years ago for the same reason but we aren’t agreeing. Have you ever heard of the need to drain the pool due to a dog swimming? This demand is being delivered at the beginning of the season. We have a automatic cover. Could that cause the issue? Thanks for your opinion.

    • Hi Mike, I have heard of some arabic cultures that would drain a pool if a dog went swimming, but in your case no. And, I don’t even know of a ‘chlorine demand’ test. 68 bags? No, no – no need to drain the pool. If the pool is green, just balance the pH and shock the pool, brush it well, vacuum to waste… Dogs are not the cleanest, and they can bring in phosphates, nitrates and bacteria into the pool, plus that beautiful border collie fur… but if you keep good water balance, and shock it weekly, there’s no reason to think the pool unsafe, or chemically unmanageable.

  4. I have an in-ground pool with vinyl stairs the width of the pool. I also have a 125lb lab who loves to swim. As he exits the pool, his weight is doubled as he grips the liner on the pool stairs to push out and has punctured my liner in multiple areas. Envision a polar bear exiting the pool. I have spent countless hours researching and trying to come up with a solution to prevent further punctures. One solution we came up with, is we have purchased the large vinyl pool stair mats (blue vinyl mat that sits under an above ground pool ladder)and cut to size of the stairs. We glued two mats together for weight, so they do not float and it has worked. However, its now time to replace the mats as they have worn out, discolored and folded up around the edges. Has anyone come up with a solution to cover in-ground pool vinyl stairs to prevent dog punctures? Not looking for nail trim options or a ramp. I am looking for something that covers all three steps/width of my pool, heavy enough to not float away and works with salt water pool. I tried shower mats but it took 20 mats and the suction cups were not strong enough and ended up floating away.I was thinking of purchasing bar mats and cutting to size, but i am not sure they will cover the width of the stairs. What do dog owners use to protect and cover their in-ground vinyl pool stairs?

    • Hi KB – there is nothing on the market sold to address the need. Bar Mats or door mats or shower mats, all good ideas. You could glue something down, directly onto the vinyl, could just be a thick piece of vinyl, with a lot of vinyl glue. Maybe one of our readers has another solution?

  5. Swimming Dogs What No One Tells You About It! - DogsJar.com

    […] One of the obvious concerns dog owners have when debating whether or not it is safe for their dog to swim in a swimming pool is chlorine and other pool chemicals. Just like humans, it is a good idea to shower (or hose) off after swimming so that the chlorine doesn’t dry out their skin and fur8. […]

  6. JODI HANSEN

    Hi. My problem is my 2 yo newfie. We just bought a house with a pool and everytime we get in it Major gets all worried. If we jump in the pool or swim a lap Major will jump in and basically swims to us then we end up holding him. He nearly drowns us in the deep end. Hes so protective of us he freaks out if we get in our pool. I dont know what to do.

    • that is so cute! problematic, but cute! maybe some dog experts have some advice…

      • I had a Standard Poodle and we went for a swim. Everything was going very well until his facial expression went from happy to SHOCK. He realized his feet were no longer on the ground. I saw his expression and swam right to him and he held onto me for dear life.

        We has a conversation ad I told him to relax…and eventually his breathing returned to normal and so did his swimming.

        But I had to laugh when I saw the shock on his face….
        He was a love…

  7. I have an 8 month old Rottweiler who is pool crazy. All she wants is to be in the pool at all times. If I close doors so she cannot go to the back of the house she whimpers and continues to look for a way out. She actually jumped through an open window the other day! I’m Exhausted! What do I do????

  8. Greg Miller

    It’s a proven fact that dogs will raise your PH significantly. I service over 55 pools a week and I can tell you it’s true.

  9. Pool cleaner

    There are lots of misconceptions out there about dogs and swimming pools. I own 2 dogs and they both love the water. I’ve never had any problems with my filtration system or any scratches on the pool surface. I think swimming is great for dogs, especially if you live in a warm weather Texas. Great read!

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