Keep Furry Friends Safe by the Pool

The pool is an excellent place to spend your summers. There's the sun, the toys and the refreshing drinks with the tiny little umbrellas. Oh, and lest we forget — the water! However, pools can also be dangerous for our dogs. Not all dogs are good swimmers and some breeds like the bulldog may even drown if left unsupervised around a pool. Here are five great tips to help prevent such a tragedy from happening to your dog.

Always Supervise Your Dog
Accidents happen, and even if your dog can swim, it’s never a good idea to leave him around the pool unsupervised. Make sure that the area is fenced in with a fence that your dog can’t jump over, squeeze under, or push through. Bring your dog with you when you’re done swimming for the day, and close and lock the gate.

Introduce Your Dog to Water Slowly
Before you let your dog dive into the pool, make sure that he’s a strong enough swimmer to navigate the water. Take the time to slowly introduce your dog to the water, and make sure that you’re right by his side in case he needs help.

Get Your Dog a Life Vest
If your dog will be spending a lot of time swimming, then it’s a good idea to get him a canine life vest. This is particularly important if your dog isn’t a strong swimmer.

Provide Fresh Water
When you’re hanging out poolside with your dog, be sure to provide him with clean, fresh water to drink. Your dog may try to drink the pool water, which is unhealthy for him and should be discouraged. Be sure to present your dog with his water bowl and encourage him to drink from that bowl only.

Wash Your Dog Off
After your dog is done swimming, take some time to wash him off. The chlorine from the water can irritate his skin if not removed. If you’ll be washing your dog regularly during the summer, then make sure to use a gentle shampoo, such as an oatmeal-based shampoo, to keep your dog’s skin from drying out.

Have a great – and safe – time with your dog this summer!