Dog in the pool

[TravisBlanchard]

I was just wondering if the chlorine or any other chemicals commonly found in a pool would harm a dogs eyes or dry out the skin or coat etc... and what age do they generally begin to swim around? Thanks, ps. never had a rotti but will be getting one soon, it probably shows.

[CleasMommy]

My dogs have always swam in our pools, and never seemed to have a problem. Not sure if there is a possibility of them having a problem with the chlorine or chemicals, but in my experience they've always been fine.

[Janus'sMom]

I think they have other products that you can use in the pool to substitute the chemicals and chlorine. I do think it dries out their skin. I'd still rinse them off with the hose after a swim.

[abbiesdogs]

I have quite a large pool, I also have quite a large rottie, the two do not go together. I thought when we bought a house with a pool it would be great exercise for the dogs, ha ha they both hate it. Lottie (the rottie) even fell in last year and we thought it might start her wanting to swim, not a chance but we did hose her down to get the chlorine off. (she hates the hose now too) good luck when you get your rottie.

Abbie

[Nishasmom]

I often groom dogs who 'live' in the pool. The ones I see a problem with are long hair dogs (mostly goldens)...they get nasty skin and a dried out coat. I would rinse him off and keep his ears dry...I often hear of people putting 'swimmers ear' in their dogs ears to prevent infection.

[TravisBlanchard]

thanks for all the help, much appreciated.

[Janus'sMom]

Nishasmom... would cotton balls be ok to put in the dog's ears? I read somewhere a long time ago that you should put cotton balls in their ears when giving them a bath to keep water out. What's your oppinion on that?

[Nishasmom]

I don't really see it as necessary...when bathing try your best not to get water in the ear. They usually shake out their ears if water gets in them. As for cotton balls while swimming, I would not. It seems like it would trap water in (when the ball gets wet), also, they probably wouldn't stay in.

[Janus'sMom]

OK, thanks for the info Nishasmom

[jlaack]

Bromine is a safer cleaner for dogs than chlorine. The swim therapy centers we have used disinfect with it over other chemical cleaners.