Dogs And Pool EquipmentMany people ask, “Can my dog get in the pool?” Or, “Is pool water safe for my dog?” The answer is yes, and no. Dogs in swimming pools are hard on the filter, chemistry and equipment. Dog hair can clog a skimmer or pump basket very quickly. Especially a hairy dog. Clog a pump basket on a 2 HP pool pump, and let it run for an hour or so, and you have an expensive repair. Many people let their dogs swim in the pool. Some pools are built just for dogs, with easy exit ramps or steps. If you have a dog, and he or she wants to take the occasional dip, that’s OK. The longer the hair on your dog, the more it will shed, and clog the baskets and filter. Dog hair can also get behind the baskets and clog the pump impeller. Use Filter Savers skimmer basket liners, they will help keep hair from getting where it shouldn’t. So, if you allow dogs in the pool, be sure to monitor all baskets and filters to make sure the dog hair is not clogging anything.Pool Dogs And SafetyJust like you would watch a child, you need to watch your dog in the swimming pool. If a dog gets a mouthful, or eyeful of pool water, he can become disoriented and confused, causing panic. Panic in a pool can mean drowning. Make sure you have taught the dog where the pool steps are, and the swimout or love seat, if there is one. Dogs don’t do too well on pool ladders, so since pool steps are not visible at water level, put a potted plant, or some other landmark near the steps, so your pooch can find them easily. Be Sure You have a Skamper Ramp. The Skamper Ramp is a pool ramp attaches to the pool deck, and dips into the pool for an easy exit point for any animal. Frogs, mice, chipmunks and yes even dogs have all been saved by The Skamper Ramp. Click here for a video demonstration of the Skamper Ramp. Also remember. Dogs can get sunburn. If your dog spends a lot of time outdoors, ask your veterinarian about sunscreen. Most dogs take to water naturally, and some don’t. If you own a home with a pool, and you have a dog, get the dog acquainted with the pool, and teach him how to swim. Yes, swimming lessons for dogs. It’s easy, and with a few treats, you’ll have Lassie swimming, and comfortable in the water in no time. If there is an emergency, make sure you know some animal rescue steps, just in case.Dog ResuscitationIf disaster strikes, and your dog begins to drown, respiratory arrest may occur, and usually occurs before cardiac arrest. The heart may continue to beat for several minutes after the breathing stops. Artificial respiration, or rescue breathing, must begin immediately to save your dog's life. If the heart stops, chest compressions must be given right away to keep the blood pumping. Artificial respiration and chest compressions given together are called cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR. Here are some lifesaving instructions from peteducation.com.Artificial RespirationIf your dog has gone into respiratory arrest, begin artificial respiration immediately.1.Lay your dog on his side on a flat surface.2.Be sure your dog has stopped breathing: watch for the rise and fall of the chest, feel for breath on your hand, look at the gums - they will turn blue from lack of oxygen.3.Check the airway - it must be clear. Extend the head and neck. Open the mouth and look for a foreign object. If an object is blocking the airway, grab the tongue and pull it outward. If this does not dislodge the object, use your fingers, pliers, or tongs to grasp it. If the object cannot be reached or pulled out, use the Heimlich maneuver. Do not mistake the small bones in the throat for a foreign object.4.Once the airway is clear, begin rescue breathing.5.With your dog on his side, lift the chin to straighten out his throat.6.Use one hand to grasp the muzzle and hold the mouth shut.7.Put your mouth completely over the nose and blow gently; the chest should expand. Blow just enough to move his chest (blow harder for large dogs, gently for cats and small dogs).8.Wait for the air to leave the lungs before breathing again.9.Continue this, giving 20 breaths per minute (one breath every three seconds), until your dog breathes on his own or as long as the heart beats.10. Continue to monitor the heartbeat.CPR For DogsAround the pool, there is always the possibility for disaster. If you find your dog unresponsive, check for a heart rhythm, If there is none, Jump to action.For Small Dogs (under 30 pounds)1 Lay your dog on her side on a flat surface.2.Place the palm of your hand on the rib cage over the heart. Place your other hand on top of the first. (For puppies and kittens, put your thumb on one side of the chest and the rest of your fingers on the other side.)3.Compress the chest about one inch. Squeeze and release rhythmically at a rate of 80 to 100 compressions per minute.For Medium & Large Dogs (over 30 pounds)1.Lay your dog on her side on a flat surface.2.Place one hand on top of the other over the widest portion of the rib cage, not over the heart.3.Keeping your arms straight, push down on the rib cage. Compress the chest ¼ of its width. Squeeze and release rhythmically at a rate of 80 compressions per minute.4.Continue CPR until your dog breathes on his own and has a steady heartbeat.Is Pool Water Bad For My Dog ?The biggest myth about pool water is “the chemicals” or “the chlorine”. Properly adjusted pool water is perfectly harmless. I live in the Washington area, and the water we get comes from The Army Corps Of Engineers. In the summer time, the water from the tap has a chlorine residual of 4.0 to 6.0 PPM of chlorine. A properly balanced swimming pool maintains a chlorine reading of 1.0 to 3.0 chlorine, so it could be better for your dog to drink from the pool than the faucet. There have been reports of dogs getting sick after a good swim. It really doesn’t have anything to do with “pool water” Just too much of anything can make anyone sick, however, heavy pool use by dogs will drastically reduce the chlorine level in the pool. If the chlorine drops below 1.0 PPM, then the next step is a chlorine reading of 0.0 PPM. Always keep a 3.0 reading, and ALWAYS shock the pool when your dogs are done swimming. A pool without sanitizer or chlorine is dangerous for anybody, even your dogs. If your dog ingests non sanitized pool water, it can get sick. Warm, non chlorinated pool water is a bacteria factory. Vomiting, diarrhea, fever and even death can happen. Always keep a fresh bowl of water on the pool deck for your dog, and rinse your dog off with a hose after every swim.“Pool Dog” Check List1) Make sure your dog knows where the pool steps are.2) Keep the chlorine level at least 3.0 PPM. Don’t let it drop below 1.0 PPM3) Never allow the dog into the pool area without supervision.4) Teach your dog to swim.5) Clean your baskets and filter on a regular basis. If pressure decreases, clean the impeller.6) Install a Skamper Ramp.7) Learn doggie first aid.8) Put a plant, or other landmark on the pool deck by the steps.9) Provide fresh drinking water pool side.10) Make the dog rest every few minutes. Swimming is tiring.11) Have fun. Nothing can make a day at the pool more fun, than a happy, healthy pooch.
The only exceptions to the pool water not being a problem for dogs to drink are in saltwater chlorine generator (SWG) pools where the 3000 ppm salt levels are high and in pools that have borates (usually around 50 ppm) from products such as Proteam Supreme (Plus). The recommended borates level is at the No Adverse Effect Limit (NOEL) for male dogs if they drink cups to a quart of pool water every day -- first symptoms are smaller testicular size. So teach your dog to drink from a fresh bowl of water instead of from the pool.
Great article for pool owners with dogs. I have received a lot of feed back about how well the PoolSkim does on removing dog hair before it enters the filtration system. The video on my website, www.poolskimusa.com will show how it works.
Practice Dog Safety. Everyone with dogs and a pool should have a copy of your "Pool Dog" Check List..
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Practice Dog Safety. Everyone with dogs and a pool should have a copy of your "Pool Dog" Check List..