How to Practice Pool Safety with Your Pets

We all know pool safety is important. The problem is, however, that with so many different factors at play, some aspects of safety can be overlooked. If we’re not careful, our pets can be the ones we neglect, especially if we have little children to worry about as well. With that being said, let’s look at how we can ensure the safety of our pets around the pool.

The first step necessary in making sure your pet is safe around the pool is to be aware of their swimming ability. Unless your pet is a fish, there is no guarantee swimming will come naturally to them. If they aren’t comfortable in the water, don’t let them go unsupervised. But, even if your pet is a capable swimmer, you’ll want to go the extra mile and make sure they can get out of the pool on their own.

Your pet may not be allowed in the pool usually, but accidents happen. So, give yourself peace of mind by practicing getting out of the pool with your pet a few times. If they have difficulty, you might consider purchasing a pet pool ramp to make it easier.

For example, our labradoodle has epilepsy. Once after a seizure, Cooper ran outside, blind and scared. We had removed our pool fence because our children were older and could swim like fish. But since the pool was open and Cooper couldn’t see, he fell into the pool one December night, and I (Kim) had to jump into the freezing cold water to save him. We soon learned how to care for him after an attack, kept him from going outside until he was able to fully recover, and chose a medication that helped prevent the seizures.

If you have a challenging and want to take extra precaution, you could also pick up a pet life vest. The important criteria here should be fit and visibility. If that sounds too impractical, a pool alarm is another great option. They even make pet collar alarm systems that sound off if they become submerged! Just remember this method is only effective with supervision. The alarm will only help as long as you are around to hear it.

Lastly, it is a good idea to learn pet CPR. Obviously, the goal is to avoid any accidents, but it’s best to have a backup plan too. This video should help you get started. Of course, we all hope we never have to use it, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. Hopefully, with these tips, you and your pet can continue to enjoy safe swimming!