Swimming pool owners should take the necessary steps to ensure their swimming pools and spas are safe. We often think about safety for children and people who can’t swim. But swimming pool safety is important for pets, too.
Be that as it may, our four-legged friends are still at risk for drowning or hurting themselves whenever they are browsing around your swimming pool in your yard. This is why you should have a separate plan in place to ensure your swimming pool safety plan is suitable for your furry friends in addition to your family members.
After all, for most people, pets are a huge part of their family unit. We care deeply about their well-being and ensure they’re always taken care of. We pay close attention to their food, medications, exercise, play, and even get them little sweaters and booties to keep warm in the winter. So not putting them at risk around your swimming pool is something most pet owners should be adamant about.
With that said, not many pool owners have a comprehensive swimming pool safety plan. They either don’t take the necessary precautions to protect their pets or are using the wrong techniques. Luckily, we here at The Pool Butler are dedicated to helping pool owners make their pools a safe environment. That goes for people and pets.
Being Mindful Of Your Pet’s Ability To Swim
Pool safety for your pets begins with paying attention to your pet’s ability to swim. While some pet owners may think this ability is natural for any pet, in all actuality, most pets don’t know how to swim unless they are trained.
No matter the breed or how many times you’ve practiced swimming with your pet in the past, you should keep in mind that a dog’s swimming ability is greatly diminished during the evenings (as they lose the ability to see clearly) and as they age.
You should also never leave your pet near your pool alone. Vigilantly supervising your pet while outside is the best way to prevent accidental drowning.
Ensuring Your Pet Knows How To Get Out Of The Swimming Pool
Regardless of if your pet is allowed in the swimming pool or not, you should practice ways for your furry friend to get out of the pool in the rare case it should fall in.
To ensure your pet is prepared to exit your pool in the case of an emergency, you should practice an escape plan multiple times per day until you feel comfortable enough in the dog’s ability to do this on their own.
For added safety, you can also purchase a pet pool ramp. The ramp makes it easier for your four-legged pal to escape the pool if they become tired while swimming or fall in by accident.
Additional Ways To Get Your Pet Out Of The Swimming Pool
In addition to practicing how to get out of the pool on their own, you should also implement additional methods for helping your pet escape a swimming pool. This includes practicing the “come” command, which can encourage your pet to get out of the pool whenever the command is spoken. A little extra practice can prevent swimming pool playtime from becoming dangerous if your pet should grow tired while swimming.
You could also invest in a life vest designed for pets. Just be careful when putting the vest on your pet that it is not too tight, as this can be life-threatening.
Installing A Swimming Pool Safety Fence
For pool owners with children or pets that roam around outdoors, a swimming pool fence is an excellent investment. In fact, in many places, including all of Metro Atlanta, pool fences are required by law.
While no safety precaution is full-proof, a safety fence can effectively prevent accidental fall-ins and drownings as they are installed around the perimeter of your swimming pool to create a barrier while children and pets are playing in your yard.
Considering An Alarm For Your Swimming Pool
As with baby monitors, there is a wide range of special alarms available for your swimming pool. The alarm can alert you to a dangerous situation when you’re not near your pool, and some can even send warnings to your phone.
Some pool alarms are triggered when something over a certain weight (typically over 15 pounds) has fallen into your pool. The warnings can make all the difference should your pet or child accidentally fall into your pool without supervision.
It’s important to note that while alarms can be extremely beneficial in these situations, they are only as effective as those who hear them. Nothing can protect your pet and children more than supervision.
In emergencies, most people know that CPR can save a life. But did you know that there is also a technique to perform pet CPR? It’s a good idea to research this method before an emergency can arise, as it could save your pet.
While these tips can certainly keep your pets safer around your swimming pool, you need to combine safety measures with close supervision.
If you want to learn more about keeping your swimming pool as safe as possible, feel free to contact The Pool Butler today. Our company has been serving Atlanta and surrounding communities for many years with the best swimming pool maintenance, cleaning, and repair. That’s why we have such extensive knowledge when it comes to swimming pool and spa safety.
To see what some of our past customers are saying about their experience with The Pool Butler, please visit our testimonials page.