Dogs and Your Swimming Pool

It comes as no surprise that statistics show most swimming pool owners are pet owners too. Pool owners love to enjoy their properties, whether they’re entertaining or just laying back for a Sunday barbecue with family and close friends – so it makes sense that they’d be the sort to open their homes up to companion pets too.

You’ve all seen the adorable YouTube videos of puppies playing happily in the pool and you’ve got visions of doing the same yourself – but is it really safe to let your dog swim in the pool?

Here are some things to consider:

First off – dogs are furry. You know that they track dirt into your home – and your carpets – they’ll track that same amount of dirt, fur and goodness knows what else directly into your pool. A dog’s coat can carry up to three times the detritus that a human being can bring into your pool water. And, it’s not just dirt, it’s insects, leaves, fecal matter and more.

That means you’ll be using more sanitizer and chlorine, for certain. The pool water will need more available chlorine to deal with the increased load.

You’ll generally need an increased rate of filtration for the same reason. If you’re seriously considering letting Fido swim with you, then you should consider:

• Variable speed pumps – to better handle the fluctuating load
• Large capacity cartridge filters
• Frequent skimming
• Testing pH levels more frequently

If you’re at the stage where you’re just looking to build, make sure you design for your situation. You’ll want to plan for adequately sized piping and plumbing for example.

How will the dog get in and out of the pool? There will be more wear and tear to fittings, slides and even the pool liner and deck from their claws.

Safety – short of keeping them inside, how will you keep the dog out of the pool when you’re not there? Once your pet has a taste of the good life and if he loves to swim, he’ll assume anytime is a good time to jump in.

Those claws can be hazardous to people as well as the pool lining, so make sure that anyone entering the pool with your pet knows to stay a safe distance away.

If you live in an area where you routinely find dead critters in your pool, remember that your pet is likely to drink from the water too.

Your home is your castle and your dog is your best friend, but there’s a lot to consider if you want to swim with your pet safely. We can help with suggestions for pool renovations, pool covers, safety issues or other services.

Contact Bremner Pool & Spa today for swimming pool service, swimming pool repairs, safety tips and maintenance. Free Quotes Available.

About Bremner Pool & Spa:
Established in 1981, Bremner Pool & Spa is one of the premiere swimming pool service companies in Scarborough, Toronto, the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and Durham Region. We operate 11 state-of-the art vehicles and offer a variety of high quality and eco-friendly products & services including swimming pool repair, openings, partial swimming pool openings, swimming pool closings, weekly pool and spa service, pool leak detection & repair, heaters, liners, pumps and more. As well, Bremner Pool & Spa complies with all City of Toronto By Laws for Pools, Hot Tubs and Spas.

Swimming pool services including openings, renovations, installations and maintenance throughout Toronto and the GTA including Ajax, Durham, East York, Forest Hill, Markham, North York, Oshawa, Pickering, Richmond Hill, Scarborough, Thornhill, Unionville, Vaughan and Whitby, Ontario.