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Should You Let Your Dog In The Pool? Experts Say “No”

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Should You Let Your Dog To Swim In Your Pool?

People love their dogs and man’s best friend fits right in around the home. Consequently, many feel that their swimming pool is a natural extension. After all, your dog enjoys the rest of the backyard; therefore, why should the pool be off limits?

While your pool may be a welcome and inviting retreat for guests and members of your family, bringing your dog in for a swim may not necessarily be a good idea according to experts.

Myth – All Dogs Are Natural Swimmers

One thing is true, dogs in general, are usually pretty good at swimming. Some breeds such as the Labrador are even considered great swimmers. However, it’s a myth that all dogs can swim. Just like people, some are better at it than others. In general, there are a few dog breeds that are not very proficient at swimming at all.

Some dog breeds like the English Bull Dog are ill-suited for the pool and are not natural swimmers.
Some dog breeds like the English Bull Dog are ill-suited for the pool and are not natural swimmers.

Some Dog Breeds Have Trouble Swimming In The Pool

While the Basset Hound, Boxer, Bulldog, Dachshund, Pug, and Pekingese are some of the most popular dogs; these breeds typically have more difficulty when it comes to swimming. This is due to their anatomy and facial structure which is less suited for swimming than their canine cousins. While dogs who are not proficient by nature can be trained to swim, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they will truly enjoy it.

Reasons To Keep Dogs Out of The Pool

  • Animal fur can clog your pool filter and make maintenance more difficult.
  • Sharp nails and claws can damage your pool liner or interior finish.
  • Not all dogs can swim.
  • Dogs are more sensitive to chlorine.
  • 1 Dog = 50 People in the swimming pool which makes sanitization harder.
  • Dogs can easily drown when unattended.
  • Recreational Water Illness can be easier transmitted.
If you love your dog, the best advice is to keep them out of your swimming pool or at least take precautions they will be safe.
If you love your dog, the best advice is to keep them out of your swimming pool or at least take precautions they will be safe.

A startling statistic is that over 5,000 pets drown in swimming pools each year. Consequently, the swimming pool may actually impose more of a danger than a benefit when it comes to your pet. Dogs also have the potential to “dry drown” which can happen when they get water in their lungs while swimming. Issues like inflammation, infection and other problems can arise up to a week later. This can happen even with dogs who are proficient swimmers during horseplay in the pool. What most experts usually recommend for those water-bound pups who enjoy the pool is that they wear a life jacket suitable for dogs. The American Kennel Club recommends this both in the pool as well as around natural bodies of water.

Letting Your Dog Swim In Rivers & Lakes

Allowing your dog to swim at the lake or river may also be a potentially bad call. A lesson that pet owners in North Carolina learned last month when a toxic algae bloom killed several dogs that had been swimming in Jordan Lake.

When dogs drink from or just swim in contaminated water, they might become poisoned according to the ASPCA. Blue-green algae can cause severe brain or hepatic damage if consumed.

Water Sanitary Issues of Swimming With Dogs

We’ve discussed the health and well-being of dogs when it comes to pools as well as safety concerns, but what of the water sanitary issues that come from allowing pets in the pool? Is it safe for family and guests to swim in the pool with dogs?

“Having just one dog in the pool is the same equivalent of having a raging pool party with 50 people,” said Cole Daasnes of Poseidon Pool Service, “Dogs typically carry dirt, oils, and bacteria in their fur and paws which really have no place in the pool. This is in addition to their fur which can clog your filter and make it tougher to keep your pool clean.”

Dogs in The Pool: Health & Safety Issues

Pet owners who enjoy swimming with their dogs should be aware of the safety and maintenance issues. Keeping the pool clean for swimmers after a pet has been in the pool should be of top priority. Dogs do not have the same control over their bodily functions that people do and may urinate in the pool. They also frequently have fecal matter clinging to their fur which can contaminate the water and lead to Recreational Water Illnesses (RWI’s) such as E. coli, Hepatitis A, Cryptosporidium, and Giardia.

While the water may be safe to swim in, experts say to make sure your dog does not drink the water in your swimming pool.

When weighing the pros and cons, there are reasons why some pool owners allow their dogs to swim in their pool. While swimming is a fun and healthy activity, dogs are liable to enjoy a safer recreational activity like just being allowed to play at the park or going for a walk.

Alternatives To Consider

If you are going to allow your pet in the pool, consider purchasing a pool float for dogs that allows them to keep you company poolside without actually getting in the water. Some folks have even built pools specifically for their dogs to enjoy separately from the one the family uses. Another good idea is to purchase a pool alarm that will notify you if your pets accidentally get into the swimming pool.

Best Advice When Swimming With Dogs

While we’re a big fan of man’s best friend, the best advice is don’t, and for all of the aforementioned reasons. If however, you do insist on swimming with your dog, shower immediately after and make sure to bathe your dog as well. Also never throw your dog into the pool, it can shock them and cause them to immediately

Chemically Treat Your Pool After Dogs Swim

It’s always a good idea to give your swimming pool a liberal dose of shock after dogs swim in it, the same as you would after a large pool party. Remember to keep your chlorine around 1-3 ppm and keep your pH and alkalinity balanced.

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Pool News coverage brought to you by Pool Magazine's own Marcus Packer. Marcus Packer is a 20 year pool industry veteran pool builder and pool service technician. In addition to being a swimming pool professional, Marcus has been a writer and long time contributor for Newsweek Magazine's home improvement section and more recently for Florida Travel + Life. Have a story idea or tip you'd like to share with Pool Magazine? Email [email protected] your story idea.

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Landslide Damages Homes, Destroys Swimming Pool in California

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Landslide Destroys Home, Damages Swimming Pool in California

A landslide wreaked havoc in Sherman Oaks early Wednesday morning, causing millions in damage and virtually destroying one homeowner’s swimming pool. The catastrophe unfolded at around 3 a.m. following reports from residents in the 3700 block of North Ventura Canyon Avenue, who noticed downed power lines and a large tree fallen into a backyard, as detailed in a press release by the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Upon arrival, firefighters encountered a significant portion of the hillside had shifted downward, endangering at least three homes and inflicting heavy damage on another under construction. Video footage captured by OnScene.TV revealed a gaping crack splitting through the backyard of one residence, with a section of the home visibly tilting to one side.

While no injuries were reported, several individuals were evacuated from at least one home, with firefighters resorting to pumping water out of a swimming pool to alleviate additional strain on the hillside. Unfortunately, part of the pool and home ultimately collapsed down a 30-foot cliff destroying another residence that was still under construction.

Responding to the crisis, the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety initially deemed one home unsafe, red-tagging the structure. However, their assessment later extended to two homes deemed unsafe and a third severely damaged, marked with a yellow tag. Ongoing drone surveys by firefighters aim to assess the extent of the damage and potential risks.

At present, the exact cause of the landslide remains undetermined, according to LAFD spokesperson Nicholas Prange. Requests for comment from the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety went unanswered.

Authorities seized the opportunity to remind residents of the necessity for year-round emergency preparedness, emphasizing the looming threats posed by wildfires and heavy rainstorms capable of triggering landslides.

The unfortunate incident follows March’s heavy precipitation in Southern California, with Sherman Oaks experiencing 1.95 inches of rainfall over March 6th and 7th, as reported by the National Weather Service.

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BofA Downgrades Latham Group Citing Weak Pool Construction Market

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BofA Downgrades Latham Group Citing Weak Pool Construction Market

Latham Group (NASDAQ: SWIM), a prominent player in residential swimming pool construction, faced a setback as Bank of America downgraded its stock due to concerns over sluggish new pool construction and increased decrementals.

With the downgrade, SWIM’s stock plummeted by 23.78% during pre-market trading on Wednesday, settling at $2.50, marking an 11% dip below its 200-day simple moving average.

Bank of America revised its recommendation on Latham Group stock to Underperform, slashing the price target from $4.50 to $2.60.

Tieleman Movable Floors

In its 2024 guidance announcement, SWIM projected revenues between $490M and $520M, falling short of the consensus estimate of $533.09M. Similarly, adjusted EBITDA guidance ranged from $60M to $70M, representing an 8% to 35% decrease compared to previous expectations.

The downgrade stems from a sluggish start to 2024, subdued projections for new pool construction, operational challenges leading to deleverage, and constrained free cash flow.

Management anticipates a 15% year-over-year decline in new pool construction for 2024.

These developments contrast with the optimistic sentiment among some sell-side analysts, who maintain a Buy rating on SWIM with an average price target of $3.54.

Scott Rajeski, President and CEO, stated, “Latham navigated a very difficult market environment in 2023. We successfully implemented cost reduction programs and lean manufacturing initiatives that structurally reduced our cost basis, while maintaining our investments in future growth. These cost reduction programs improved margins as the year progressed and we expect they will enable us to considerably expand margins and overall profitability once volumes recover. At the same time, we increased productivity and efficiency for our dealers, developed new fiberglass pool models, and invested in digital tools that have enhanced the consumer’s pool buying experience. As a result of these actions, Latham is positioned for meaningful market share gains as overall industry conditions improve.”

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Fluidra Launches €20 Million Venture Capital Fund – Fluidra Ventures

The company will invest €20 million in tech-based startups that offer emerging solutions that can enhance the pool and wellness sector.

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Fluidra Ventures

Fluidra, a global leader in connected equipment and solutions for the pool and wellness sector, is launching Fluidra Ventures, a €20 million corporate venture capital fund (CVC) investment to lead innovation in the sector.

The CVC will invest in each startup with the potential to revolutionize the industry on a global scale through their solutions, with a special focus on the United States and Europe. The goal of this first three-year phase is to build a solid portfolio of startups through investing in innovative companies.

The CVC will target startup initiatives that enhance efficiency, connectivity, sustainability and safety in the swimming pool and wellness business, leveraging IoT, computer vision and robotic solutions. It is looking for startups that add value to the pool and wellness sector with innovative business models, fostering direct customer interaction through sales, subscriptions and other channels. The CVC has already invested in Coral Smart Pool, a technology company aiming to transform the pool experience through Artificial Intelligence (AI) with an initial focus on pool safety.  

Skimmer

Fluidra Ventures will also invest in companies that innovate in engineering and science to advance materials and products that deal with swimming pool manufacturing, efficiency and maintenance.

Four segments and eight strategic guidelines

The fund is focused on four different segments — Commercial, Residential, Wellness and Mass Market—and has an investment thesis that covers eight strategic guidelines, from connected pools, resource optimization, digital platforms, innovative materials, security systems, personalized experiences, robotics and innovative consumable products.

Fluidra Ventures is fueled by Fluidra Lab, Fluidra’s open innovation division, and any startups that want to submit their proposals can send their investment pitch decks to [email protected]. Offering more than just investments, Fluidra aims to leverage this initiative to become the top strategic collaborator for the most innovative startups with the tremendous benefits that being an industry leader brings, such as: resources, scale successful business models, expertise, experience, and sales options.

“This initiative joins several others that we have at Fluidra to promote innovation in our industry. This is why here at Fluidra Ventures we’re excited about the transformative potential that this venture will have for the pool and wellness industry, driving forward innovation, sustainability and technological advancement”, said Eloi Planes, Fluidra’s Executive Chairman.

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