Is It Okay For Dogs To Drink Pool Water?

Published On: Sunday, March 8, 2009

You may be wondering if it is safe for your dog to drink the pool water while frolicking in the pool. There are mixed responses to that question, but for the most part the consensus seems to be that if a dog drinks pool water and it’s only a small amount on occasion, it will not be detrimental to the dog. With that being said, a dog drinking pool water is not the most ideal situation and should be avoided whenever possible.

Chemicals in the Water
Pool water contains a variety of chemicals, including chlorine. While there is chlorine in the water that we drink, the levels do not compare to those found in pools. When a dog drinks pool water, they are ingesting more chlorine than is healthy, along with other possible chemicals. An occasional lap of water from the pool will probably not do any damage, but the dog should be discouraged from drinking pool water as much as possible.

Another reason it can be dangerous when a dog drinks pool water is that there can be bacteria growth, algae, insects, and other potentially harmful substances in the pool. When a dog drinks pool water that contains harmful bacteria or any of these other substances, they can get sick. Again, this usually doesn’t happen when just a small amount is ingested, but it is better to err on the side of caution.

It is probably safe to say that you should approach your dog drinking pool water the same way you would approach your child drinking pool water. If it’s unsafe for one, it’s potentially unsafe for the other. While dogs may be used to eating or drinking less sanitary items than the average toddler or young child, a dog drinking pool water is just not the best thing and should be discouraged whenever possible.

Always Have Fresh Water Available
The best way to avoid your dog drinking pool water is to keep a large bowl of fresh water near the dog pool or swimming pool and if you see the dog drinking the pool water, to gently scold them and bring them over to the bowl of fresh water so they know that it is available for them to drink. After a few times of being scolded or being led to the fresh water, the “dog drinking pool water episodes” should diminish to a point where they are not detrimental to the dog.

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