Should I Allow my Dog to Swim in the Pool?

We, like many people, consider their dog as part of the family. So naturally, your pet becomes a swimmer and happy pool user like you. But is it okay to allow your dog to swim in the pool? Here are some tips for keeping your swimming pool healthy when your pet joins the family fun.

Sanitation Issues

An average dog is equal to three humans. Your dog naturally introduces fecal matter to the pool along with oils, dirt, and anything else they roll around in, or from scratching - especially if they mostly stay outside. This is one reason why more chlorine is needed than normal.

Animals in general always have small particles of fecal matter stuck in their fur or to their paws. Add this to germs from other swimmers and it is easy see how pool water can be contaminated if not properly disinfected.

When Pets Swim Your Pool Needs Increased Maintenance

Filters need to be cleaned on a regular basis as part of normal pool maintenance. But this especially needs to be done during the summer months when dogs and heavy swimmer loads occur. Be sure to disassemble DE (diatomaceous earth) filters completely, wash grids thoroughly, and re-charge the skimmers with the appropriate amount of DE, depending on the filter size. Cartridge filters should be taken out and cleaned thoroughly as well.

Dog hair ends up in the skimmer baskets and pool pump pot and must be emptied on a daily basis. When these are not emptied, it will cause little or no pool circulation and at worst, can cause the pool equipment to fail.

Keep Pool Chemicals Balanced

Keeping pool chemicals balanced is a challenge for pools that pets swim in. Even though you are diligent about checking chemicals, it could be your pool needs a specialty treatment, which can be determined by your pool service company or taking a water sample into your local pool store. Be sure to tell them you have pets that swim.

Pool chemicals should be routinely checked and balanced weekly. After a heavy swimmer load with or without pets, it's always a good idea to shock your pool with two to three pounds of granular chlorine. This is only recommended for a white plaster pool - never on colored plaster.

Each day you should look at your pool to see if the water is circulating, if the pool water is clear, and if you can see the bottom of the pool. If your pool is cloudy, be sure to check chemicals to improve the water quality before anyone or your pets go swimming.

If you need help with your swimming pool chemicals or you have issues with your pool equipment, call the professionals at Sterling Pool Service at 888-973-0274. We are glad to help!