As the temperature rises, taking a dip in the pool becomes the top priority of the day. Water activity, especially in the summertime, is not only what memories are made of, but also helps to regulate temperature and mood. And since our furry friends are as much a part of the family as Uncle Roger, who are we to deny them time to cool off too? While this is true, there are a few things to consider before letting Fluffy in the pool – don’t let those puppy eyes get you until you’ve read on!

Pet Health

Just as we would consider our health and swimming abilities before getting in a pool, it is important to do the same for your dogs (or cats for that matter). Many pets are attracted to swimming pools, both as a drinking- water source and out curiosity. A few things to consider include:

• Has your pet been unwell recently? This could include a wound that is healing, gastrointestinal disruption or an injury that may limit their swimming abilities.
• Can your pet swim? Treading water is difficult and can cause panic and lead to exhaustion. Even strong swimmers get tired, especially if they fall into a pool.
• Is the pool clean? A good rule of thumb is that if you wouldn’t swim in it, you shouldn’t let your pet either!

This is by no means an exhaustive list of things to consider with respect to your pets’ health and swimming. For more information, contact your local vet.

Contaminant Introduction

No doubt you will have seen signs at your local pool that tell you to shower before entering the pool. The main reason to shower is to wash away any remaining fecal matter to prevent it getting into the pool and making people very sick. Faecal matter (and vomit as well) contains viruses and bacteria that can cause gastroenteritis. This also applies to pets, as their paws can be carriers of various contaminants (just as their bodies can). From walking around their backyard or out and about at the local park or trail, their paws can encounter other animal faeces, debris, and waste. While this does them no harm (in being a carrier), this is one way it can enter bodies of water. Contaminants such as E Coli and Staphylococcus which can cause serious infections are both reduced by adequate sanitation levels in the water. However, the likes of Cryptosporidium is not. Cryptosporidium is a very serious water-born illness typically caused by ingesting water that has been in contact with human or animal faeces. It is important to note that Cryptosporidium is not limited to swimming pools, it can occur in natural bodies of water where a sewage leak or effluent run off occurs.

Unlike treating E Coli and Staphylococcus in swimming pools, Cryptosporidium is more resistant to chlorine, and can survive in treated pool water for long periods of time. For more information relating to the treatment of Cryptosporidium, please check out our article on Accidental Fecal Release (AFR) which highlights the different standards and guidelines relevant to each state or territory.

Additional to the state and territory guidelines, there are fines applicable in certain situations where deliberate misuse or abuse of facilities occurs. As an example, the City of Burnside (in South Australia) manages and monitors a wading pool. It is free to all in the community, is open through the summer, and attracts thousands of visitors annually. As a public facility, it is managed under strict guidelines in the interest of public safety – which includes dogs not being allowed in the water, nor within 20m of the pool off lead. As per the South Australian Public Health Act, “a person who owns or has the care or control of an animal must not allow the animal to enter a public swimming pool or public spa pool, with a maximum penalty of $1,250 if this is breached.” This is predominantly to reduce any contamination of the wading pool with animal matter thus mitigating any illness and extended closures to return the pool to local health requirements, but also to protect people from rouge, undisciplined dogs.

Ensuring harmful contaminants don’t enter the water is of the upmost importance for humans and animals alike.

Water Chemistry

Maintaining adequate disinfection in swimming pools is not only important for the health of the users but in public swimming pools and aquatic facilities, each state has minimum requirements set by health officials to ensure safe use. Just as showering before swimming is good to minimise faecal introduction, it also washes away sweat, makeup, body lotions and perfumes to name a few. The impact these invisible fluids have on the chemical balance of the water might surprise you. Allowing animals to swim in pools is much the same. If they are dirty, haven’t been brushed or have wounds or illness, it can introduce phosphates which can alter strength of disinfection in the water. This in turn can cause cloudiness in the water, scale on swimming pool accessories and even skin irritation when pH is also effected.

The importance of the pH level is linked to disinfection efficiency. Whether you have or are visiting a saltwater or chlorine dosed facility, if the pH is too high (very alkaline, due to contaminant introduction), the chlorine becomes less effective as it is overwhelmed by contaminants and cannot maintain optimal disinfection levels. Conversely, if the pH is too low (acidic), it can impact the comfort and safety for the users. Maintaining the pH level of the water is as important as the having the correct disinfection.

Testing pool water pH on site.

The typical rule of thumb is that one dog in a pool is equal to three humans in terms of debris, oils and dirt introduced; this gives you an idea of how much more pressure dogs can add to the chemical balance of a pool.

Regular testing of chemical balance is essential regardless of animal users, but it becomes more important when animals are introduced to the pool.

Our Adelaide based Service Technicians perform preventative maintenance on site

Filtration

No one likes a drain rat – you know, a fur ball or bird nest of hair in the shower, and of course this is also true of a pool’s filtration system. Dogs have a lot more hair than their human counterparts (including short-haired varieties), with loose hair ending up in the water and subsequently the filtration system.

The pool filtration system is made up of a few key components essential to keeping the pool crystal clear. The first is the skimmer box which catches the biggest debris, while also allowing smaller particles through. As the name suggests, it skims leaves, sticks, and bugs off the surface into a basket that can be emptied. This is the first location dog hair could get stopped.  Next is the pump. The pump is the heart of the pool plantroom – it pulls water from the pool into the filter, to provide and maintain circulation of water, just like the heart in our bodies. If enough dog hair gets past the skimmer box it could cause a blockage of the pump, resulting in poor circulation. This will mean water cannot circulate to be filtered, heated, and chemically dosed to maintain adequate disinfection and crystal-clear water.

Easily the most important part, the filter is removing microscopic particles and microbes to ensure the next step – chemical dosing – isn’t wasted on extra particles and can adequately disinfect the water for use. If the filter is clogged with dog hair, it won’t be able to adequately remove harmful microbes, and depending on the filter type and media, the creation of a ‘path of least resistance’ through the media will form which doesn’t allow for adequate filtering.

A basic swimming pool filtration photo. Courtesy of Aqua Leisure Pools and Spas.

Apart from not allowing animals in your pool, one of the easiest ways to minimise this is to give your dog (or cat) a thorough brush before entering the pool.

A schematic of a basic pool filtration system from Astral Pools

Special Events

You may have seen special events held like a ‘soggy doggy splash’, at a public pool, and knowing what you do now, wondered how and why a public pool would allow an excess of animals into their facility, given the applicable fines, pressure on the filtration system and likelihood of contaminant introduction. These events, most recently Paw Party held at Whyalla Recreation Centre in January 2024, and Waterworld’s Bow Wow Beach Doggy Day in September 2023 occur at one of the following times, due to a specific event,

• the end of the swim season (prior to winterisation),
• before the season starts or,
• immediately prior to closures for maintenance and renovation.

In the case of Whyalla Rec Centre, immediately prior to closure for renovation is an opportune time.

Just some of the happy dogs that attended Whyalla’s ‘Paw Pawty’

Conclusion

Ultimately, a well-balanced chlorinated or saltwater swimming pool is completely safe for dogs to enjoy. There are a few things to consider first, including,

• Filtration love: give your dog a brush (even short haired dogs molt),
• Minimise contamination: give your dog a bath to remove dirt and faecal matter,
• Health check: check for any wounds or cuts, and
• Supervision: Dogs get tired swimming too.

There is no reason a dog can’t enjoy a swim and it not have major implications on the chemical balance, filtration, or user health so long as care is taken prior to the event and/or the timing of the event is considered.

Lastly, a reminder to see your doctor or vet should any illnesses present after swimming.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is based upon the experience and knowledge of public and commercial swimming pool water treatment systems unique to Adelaide commercial pool builder Hydrilla Pty Ltd. This generic information should not be misunderstood as advice, and the reader is encouraged to do their own research and form their own opinions which will be suit their unique situation. Additionally, please consult your veterinarian for advice about your pet’s health, your GP should you become sick after swimming (with or without sharing your pool with pets), and your swimming pool service technician for all things chemical balance and filtration. This information is relevant to both commercial (public) swimming pools and aquatic facilities as well as residential (private) swimming pools. Lastly, seeking the services of an accredited aquatic consultant is essential.