It is an unfortunate fact that dogs can suffer from a wide range of health problems, even from things that humans may not expect. One of those unexpected things is pool water. It is not uncommon for well-meaning owners to allow their dog to drink from the pool, only to find out that it can be extremely dangerous. In this blog post, we will discuss the risks associated with drinking pool water and answer the question of whether it is possible for a dog to die from drinking pool water. We will also look at the potential symptoms of drinking pool water and discuss ways to prevent this from happening in the future. It is important to understand the risks associated with letting your dog drink pool water, as it could be the difference between life and death for your beloved pet.
Find food that fits your pet’s needs
Good luck keeping a water-loving dog out of a pool if you own one. You might be concerned about how safe your pool is for your dog, particularly if they enjoy sneaking drinks on hot days. Continue reading for information on salt water pools and dogs, including whether or not dogs can drink pool water and whether or not chlorine will harm them.
Your dog will inevitably ingest some water while swimming and playing in the pool. If your pool is properly maintained, the chlorine levels should be low enough that your dog won’t get hurt if they occasionally swallow a small amount of water. When a dog decides that the pool is a giant drinking bowl, problems arise.
If your pup starts lapping up chlorine pool water to quench their thirst, it can irritate their gastrointestinal tract and cause stomach discomfort and vomiting, as well as esophageal irritation and erosion, says The Spruce Pets. While this sounds bad, its not as dangerous as what might happen if your dog were to swallow improperly treated water thats loaded with algae, bacteria, parasites and other illness-inducing microorganisms.
Keep plenty of fresh water nearby for your dog, and if you see them drinking from the pool, tell them to stop. Keep your dog away from the pool entirely if you chemically shock it until all the chemical levels are back to normal.
What About Salt Water Pools and Dogs?
While salt water pools typically have lower levels of chlorine than fresh water pools, if your dog consumes a lot of chlorine, it can still cause digestive problems. But the amount of sodium your dog might consume is more hazardous. While the sodium content of salt water pools is lower than that of the ocean, too much of it can still be harmful to your dog and possibly cause salt water poisoning. Like in chlorinated pools, your dog won’t get hurt if they swallow some water while swimming, but they shouldn’t be allowed to drink it. You should always have fresh drinking water on hand for when your dog gets thirsty, whether you’re at the beach or the pool.
If your dog consumes just a few mouthfuls of salt water, its likely that the worst theyll experience is diarrhea, says American Kennel Club. However, ingesting much more than that could lead to serious complications and salt water toxicity, which could prove fatal. Drinking too much salt water can seriously dehydrate your dog and cause electrolyte imbalances that can result in vomiting, seizures, brain damage and kidney damage. Besides vomiting, diarrhea and seizures, other visible signs of salt water poisoning may include:
Find out how much pool water is too much
You may have noticed your dog slurping up some pool water during the hot summer months and wondered if it was safe for dogs to do so.
To find the answer, we spoke to Dr. Andrea Y. Tu, medical director of Behavior Vets NYC in New York City about what pet parents should know about dogs and chlorine.
FAQ
Can a dog die from drinking too much pool water?
Drinking too much water can cause death, brain damage, and heart failure. Although water poisoning is fortunately rare, it’s important to be aware of the risk. The most common instances involve dogs who drink too much after playing or exercising and swimming dogs who consume too much water.
Is chlorine poisonous to dogs?
Dog Swimming Safety In general, chlorine is safe for your pet as long as they are taken care of both before and after swimming.
How do I get my dog to stop drinking pool water?
Putting fresh water in your pet’s water dish outside of the pool is the best way to stop your dog from drinking pool water. If you watch your pet carefully and notice that they are drinking a lot of water or urinating a lot, you should force your dog to leave the pool.