What to Know About Your Dog and Your Pool
Your pool can be a great source of entertainment and exercise for your dogs while helping them keep cool. Keep reading below to find out why a free water test is one of the most important things you can do to keep your furry friend–and pool–healthy and safe.
A single dog in a pool is equivalent to 3 or more people.
People often underestimate the impact their furry family members have on their pool’s water balance. When your dog goes for a swim, he raises your pool water’s pH and uses up chlorine faster than a human. In addition, their fur will introduce more contaminants into the water than people typically bring in. Fur tends to trap all kinds of particles, including dirt, dander, bugs and other pests, and even poop. Because of this, animals have small particles of fecal matter stuck in their fur. This fecal matter contaminate the pool’s water, which can lead to the transmission of Recreational Water Illnesses such as E. coli, Giardia, Hepatitis A and Cryptosporidium.
Fur can clog up filters and equipment.
Just like how humans shed 100-200 hairs each day, dogs also shed their hair, especially in the summer time. Even hypoallergenic dogs experience some shedding, but if you have a dog with a long coat or double coat, you are probably already aware of just how much hair comes off them. When dogs swim in the pool, hair they have shed will get into the water. And as your pool filters your water, it will get into and potentially clog your filter and other pool equipment. If you don’t check your equipment regularly, it may impact your filter and pool pump’s ability to clear out contaminants.
Here’s how to keep your dog safe
The most important you can do for your pool and family’s health is regular water testing and keeping your pool properly balanced. Water testing should be conducted at least biweekly, and weekly during pool season when it’s in use more frequently.
Proper pool maintenance greatly reduces the risk of several recreational water illnesses, because E. coli will be broken down by EPA-registered sanitizers such as chlorine if levels are maintained correctly. Therefore, inadequate sanitizer levels increase the risk for disease transmission by needlessly exposing healthy swimmers to pathogens that should be killed by the sanitizer.
By routinely checking your water in a routine water test, you can make sure your chlorine levels are the right level to kill pesky E. coli and other germs and render them harmless. Luckily, Poolwerx offers water tests for free! Give us a call or stop by to learn more.
Extra tips to keep your dog safe
1. After getting your water test, keep your pool properly balanced to kill off E. coli, other pathogens and pests. Keep your water safe for canine and human swimmers alike!
2. Conduct regular pool maintenance and check your filter and equipment regularly.
3. Regularly clear out your skimmer basket and scoop out any large debris that your dog may bring in.
4. Not all dogs are great swimmers! Keep a close eye on pets in the pool. Accidental pet drownings sadly do happen.
5. Make sure there is fresh water available. While generally safe, letting your dog drink pool water is not a good idea and can lead to GI discomfort!
