Pool Care Tips from a Pool-Loving Dog

Hi, I'm Max. I love tennis balls, belly rubs, and long, splashy dives into my humans’ pool. There’s nothing like a cool swim on a hot day — trust me, I’ve got a thick coat! But here’s the thing: as much as I adore pool time, I’ve learned (okay, I was told) that having a dog in the pool is kind of a big deal. So, I’ve sniffed out the best practices to help all my fellow furry swimmers and our beloved humans keep things safe, clean, and paw-sitively fun. If you don't like cleaning the pool yourself, and who can blame you, call your local Pinch A Penny for a pool service quote! Then you'll have more time to play with your own dog-o in the pool!

Dog in a Pool? Here's Why I'm Like Three Humans in One

Yep. That’s right. According to science-y human stuff, one dog in a pool is like tossing three humans in there when it comes to the mess we bring. Dirt, dander, hair, even a little, uh... "residue" from nature’s call. It’s all in our fur. So before I even cannonball in, my humans give me a good brushing. It helps a lot with the hair — less clogging for the filters, less floating fuzz. Win-win.

Dog Hair in the Pool Filter? Here's How My Humans Deal with It

When I swim, my hair goes everywhere — in the skimmer basket, the filter, the deep end... So my humans use something called a “skimmer sock” to catch my shed before it wreaks havoc on the pump and this stuff called "Natural Pool Enzyme" because apparently they think the pool needs a little help breaking stuff down after I'm done swimming. I have to admit, I do love to roll in dirt, so I can't say I blame 'em. They also skim the pool after I’m done (because I shed like a boss), and clean the filter way more often.

Pro tip: get them one of those automatic pool cleaners. Less grumbling, more fetch.

Keeping your dog happy and healthy in the pool

• Is Chlorine Safe for Dogs? What I’ve Learned the Slurpy Way: Is pool water okay to drink? Not really. I’ve done it (don’t judge me), but it made my tummy... rumbly. My humans now leave out fresh, clean water nearby to keep me hydrated. And while pool chlorine is safe-ish in human doses, if the water smells super strong, it’s time for a test — I’m not trying to come out of the pool with red eyes and itchy paws.
• Preventing Dog Ear Infections After Swimming: Golden ears + pool time = perfect storm for ear infections. That's why, after every swim, my humans rinse me with clean water and dry my ears really well. If I shake my head like a maniac afterward, it means I approve.
• Life Vests for Canine Swimmers: Okay, it’s a little embarrassing, but I sometimes wear a doggie life vest. It helps me stay afloat when I’m tired or if the water’s deeper than I expected. And hey — it’s got a handle on top so my humans can hoist me out like a suitcase. Genius!
• Teach Your Dog Where the Pool Steps Are: I’ve been trained to find the pool steps. My humans even put a giant plant near them so I can spot my exit. If you’re a pup reading this (or a human who loves one), make sure your dog knows how to get out safely. It’s the most important thing!
• Why Supervised Pool Time is a Must for Dogs: No solo swimming, ever. I don’t care if I’m a pro at the doggy paddle — I need eyes on me at all times. And if there are kids around? Even more supervision. We get excited, we slip, we bump into each other. Better safe than sorry.

Pool time is awesome — like, tail-wagging, tongue-hanging, zoomies-afterward awesome. But it also comes with responsibilities for both of us. So if your dog loves swimming like I do, make sure you’ve got the right setup: strong filtration, frequent cleaning, safety protocols, and lots of love. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I hear a splash... and that means it’s time for ME to dive in and for YOU to stop by your local Pinch A Penny!

Stay safe, stay clean, and keep wagging,