Should Dogs Be Allowed in the Pool? A Vet Settles the Debate

Summer is here, and that means it’s time to beat the heat. If you’re lucky enough to have a pool, you might be wondering if you can share swim time with your dog. Many dogs of all breeds and sizes love to swim. For some dogs, swimming taps into natural instinct because they were bred to help fowl hunters, pull in fishing nets, or rescue people from drowning. Other dogs just enjoy swimming because it’s fun!

As a dog trainer, with safety precautions in place, I’m all for letting dogs into backyard pools. I spoke with veterinarian Jolee Stegemoller, D.V.M., and she agrees. In fact, we would both love to add pools to our yards for our dogs. But for now, the closest my dogs are getting is a large “baby pool” that I bring out every summer for them to splash in.

Just like you wouldn’t allow a child access to a pool without constant supervision, the same should be true for dogs. Dogs should never be left alone in or near the water. “Dogs can slip or fall, and drowning can happen,” advises Stegemoller.

One of the most important safety factors is ensuring your dog can safely and independently get in and out of the pool. A dog can’t exit a pool on their own if it only has a ladder. And even for pools with stairs, the surface can be too slick for dogs to safely navigate. “Wet paws and claws are slippery on tile and smooth, wet concrete,” Stegemoller explains.

“Pools can be safer for dogs if they have a ramp to allow the dog easy access getting in and out,” Stegemoller advises. A portable pool ramp for dogs can be easily added to any swimming setup, and Stegemoller recommends using artificial turf on the ramp or around the pool deck to provide traction for dogs’ claws.

The first time you introduce your dog to your pool, be sure to guide them to the ramp or stairs to teach them how to use them. That way, you know for sure your dog knows how to get in and out of the pool on their own.

For safety, I recommend dogs wear a properly fitted dog life jacket when being introduced to the pool. Stegemoller agrees and notes that life jackets help increase doggy confidence: “Some dogs don't need them once they learn to swim, but others may always feel more comfortable with the life jacket on.” It gives you peace of mind as well.

Life jackets are especially important for older dogs or dogs who have health conditions. “Most dogs can swim with supervision, but dogs that have laryngeal paralysis, a disease that affects the dog's ability to protect the airways, or neurological disease that makes controlling their head difficult, should not,” advises Stegemoller.

Dogs with poor mobility should also not be allowed around a pool without a life jacket on. They are at higher risk for slips and falls that can lead to drowning.

My senior dog, Sirius, is a Newfoundland, a large breed of dog originally developed to save people from drowning and pull boats to shore. In her prime, Sirius was an extremely strong swimmer. But now, as a senior dog with a neurological condition that requires daily medication that can make her dizzy, I make sure she’s wearing a life jacket for any kind of prolonged swimming, just in case.

If your dog is wearing a life jacket, there is always a handle within easy reach to pull them to safety if needed.

If your dog is going to be joining you for pool parties this summer, you will need some extra commitment to grooming to keep your dog’s fur and skin healthy after swimming. “Dogs should be thoroughly dried after swimming. Otherwise, damp skin and fur can create a good environment for yeast and bacteria to grow,” Stegemoller advises. Drying dogs off right away can be time-consuming, especially for long-coated dogs, but it is really important for their health.

Stegemoller also recommends that dogs who swim in a pool regularly have their ears and skin inspected daily for any signs of redness or irritation. “I often have clients use a gentle ear cleanser after swimming to help reduce ear infections,” she says. “Pool chemicals can also dry out skin, so monitoring for itching, flaking, and redness is very important.”

If you notice any irritation, schedule an appointment with your dog’s veterinarian.

In addition to post-swim grooming, your pool will require extra maintenance if your dog swims in it. Keeping the pool clean and the chemicals balanced is essential for health and safety for both dogs and people. “This will help keep bacteria down to prevent people from being infected with bacteria like E. coli,” explains Stegemoller. You may also need to use a net to skim fur out of the pool to prevent it from clogging your filtration system.

While letting your dog into the pool can require a little preparation to ensure they can safely get in and out and to keep things clean, for many dog lovers, the opportunity to let their dogs swim at home is worth it.