|
Dogs are reliable pals that love to spend quality time with their owners, no matter what they are doing. In fact, short of visiting the veterinarian, dogs would love to follow you anywhere you go, which is why homeowners with pools might find that their dogs will hop right into the water after them. The truth is that dogs love swimming! It is a fun form of exercise for humans and dogs alike and feels especially refreshing in warm weather. But is it safe for your dog to swim in your pool? Unfortunately this article cannot answer if your particular dog can handle a fun swim in the pool; that is up to you and the veterinarian. What will be discussed here is whether your pool can handle a dog. Swimming pools are built for human swimmers, after all; dogs are another story. Before you need a pool cleaning service in Atlanta to care for your pool, read on to find out what types of pools are not dog-friendly, how to care for a pool after a dog swims, and whether swimming with your dog is advisable at all. Dog-Friendly Pools First of all, you should be aware of whether or not your pool can handle your dog diving in for a swim. Vinyl-lined pools, for example, are simply not prepared to handle canine swimmers because the pools are prone to scratches, punctures, and tears—damage that will contribute to leaks and mold problems. Even well-trimmed dog claws can be a nightmare for vinyl. Fiberglass and concrete pools, though, should be dog-friendly. If you have a tile-lined pool, you may want to be aware of how prone the tiles are to showing scratches. A dog cannot tear through a tile wall or floor, but some aesthetic problems could result. Next, you should consider how dog-accessible your pool is. Dogs with short limbs like corgis and dachshunds might not be safe in deep water, and older or arthritic dogs may need a series of steps or even a ramp leading them gently into the water. Dog-Friendly Chemicals If your dog likes to swim, you ought to be aware of what exactly they are swimming in. If you swim in chlorine, you are probably aware that you should rinse or shower off after leaving the pool, lest skin irritation, dryness, or hair discoloration take effect. Your dog, though, does not understand the effects of chlorine and may experience some side-effects, especially if they are tempted to drink the water while they swim. On the other hand, salted pools are completed dog-friendly because they will contain low levels of natural chemicals. In fact, many pool owners will specifically install a naturally salt-chlorinated pool because of their pet compatibility. Dog-Friendly Filters Pool experts say that when a dog swims it is equivalent to about 50 human occupants. Why is that? Even short-haired dogs have much more hair that humans do! Like a shower drain, a pool's filter can become clogged by excess hair, reducing the filter's capability and potentially leaving your pool water a soggy, filthy mess. Fortunately, not even a long-haired dog can damage or destroy your pool's filter. You will simply need to have the filter cleaned more often. Do not worry about having to replace your filter; simply hire pool cleaners to service your system regularly and remove any furballs or grime the filter could not sort out. All in all, you should be fine swimming with your dog, provided that they are capable of swimming, your pool is scratch-resistant, the water is free of harsh chemicals, and you have the filters serviced by a pool cleaning service in Atlanta to keep them clean. If your pool meets these requirements, you can enjoy endless hours of fun, exercise, and—best of all—bonding time with your furry friend.
Related Articles -
pool, cleaning, service, Atlanta,
|
