How To Bathe In The Pool With The Dog
If your pet loves water and you like to play and have fun together, you don’t have to wait to go on vacation. Nor is it mandatory to take it to the beach which, among other things, is not always close by. If you take the right precautions, swimming in the pool with your dog can become the best option for spending the summer.
Like humans, animals also suffer not only from diseases that affect the body. Many dogs can suffer from other conditions that affect the mind, such as depression. Therefore, you should always do everything possible to ensure that your best friend is happy, peaceful and having fun. Give it as much time as you can and you will ward off the ghosts of any psychological illness.
Bathing in the pool with your dog is a great option to train and share moments of joy with your pet.
Tips for swimming in the pool with your dog
Vaccines and pesticides in order
Preventing your pet’s health is essential to providing him with a healthy and peaceful life. If you decide to give him moments of joy in the pool, however, it is necessary to follow a series of precautions to ensure his health and that of others. For example, other people or animals playing in the same water.
Your dog’s vaccination card must be properly updated. We strongly advise you to administer the anti-parasite treatment a few weeks before taking the first bath in the pool with the dog.
Adaptation times
Adaptation is a process that does not happen automatically. If this is your pet’s first time swimming in the pool, let him adapt gradually.
Be patient and never force him to enter the pool. Each dog has different adaptation times and a better, or worse, relationship with the aquatic medium.
Try to calm him down, attract his curiosity, even using toys, to eliminate any fear and help him see the pool as something positive and fun.
Stay close to him and give him words of encouragement, speaking calmly and calmly.
Adequate levels of chlorine
Animals have a different tolerance to chlorine than humans. It is very important to check the level of this chemical before swimming with your dog in the pool. Furthermore, you must ensure that the swimming pool is for the exclusive use of dogs and owners.
The right amount of chlorine is essential to keep the water quality in the pool clean and high. It can eliminate up to 99% of fungi, bacteria and other aquatic parasites.
But be careful: too much chlorine (or other chemicals) can cause serious damage to pets’ health. For example, skin and eye irritation, as well as intoxication, if the dog drinks the water from the pool.
Never leave him alone
Even if you consider him strong and sturdy, your dog can suffer from temporary leg cramps or numbness. That is why it is very important to never leave it alone in the pool. Many instructors also recommend using the leash when swimming in the pool together. This way you can move it more easily if necessary.
Swimming pools adapted to dogs
Most amusement parks and summer camps offer dog pools. There are also spas and other structures designed exclusively for them.
It is possible that you yourself own a swimming pool in a house or cottage. Remember to always prepare a ladder to allow the animal to enter and exit comfortably.
Sun care and protection
Excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays emitted by the sun is harmful not only to humans but also to pets.
Know that sun creams for dogs have already been on the market for some years. If it’s summer and it’s hot, make sure your dog drinks a lot: hydration is another problem that shouldn’t be underestimated.
Near the pool, place a bowl with plenty of water and a shaded area.
Avoid feeding him while bathing
It is not recommended to feed the dog while bathing in the pool. It can cause digestive difficulties and cause vomiting. The advice is not to give the dog anything in the two hours before the bath. You will be able to eat food normally after a bath.
Beware of water in your ears
Dog ears deserve special attention. Especially the big eared breeds like Cocker Spaniel, Basset Hound, Ladrador and Golden Retriever.
Humidity and heat promote the proliferation of fungi and bacteria in the ear canal of dogs. That is why it is very important to dry the pet’s ears well with cotton or gauze.
Fresh water shower to remove chlorine
After swimming in the pool, you will need a good shower with fresh water to get rid of the chlorine. A tip that concerns both you and your four-legged friend.
After the bath, dry the animal thoroughly with a clean towel making sure that no part of the body or head remains wet. Otherwise, you will notice an unpleasant smell and favor the proliferation of fungi on the animal’s skin.
These tips and care are essential before, during and after swimming in the pool with your dog.
Main photo author: Simón Avilés.
