How Much Pool Water Can A Dog Drink?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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In general,

taking the occasional drink of pool water is unlikely to cause harm to a dog

. In fact, humans inadvertently drink small amounts of pool water while swimming and rarely experience issues. However, your dog should not use the pool as a primary drinking bowl.

Can chlorine pool water hurt dogs?

According to the CDC,

chlorinated water is safe for both humans and dogs to drink in concentrations up to 4 milligrams per liter

. The recommended level of chlorine in pools and tubs is 1-3 milligrams per liter, so your dog should be fine if they ingest some of the pool water.

How do I stop my dog from drinking pool water?


Consider a muzzle

.

A well-fit basket muzzle should allow your dog to drink (and pant, which is important if she’s working hard while swimming). That said, muzzles do make drinking a bit more difficult. Letting your dog swim with a comfy muzzle on is a great way to stop her from drinking so much water that she pukes.

Can dogs drink pool salt water?

Dogs Drinking Salt Water

Dogs love the beach, but playing games of fetch, chasing waves, and swimming can all lead to a thirsty dog who consumes salt water. In most cases, a few mouthfuls of salt water may only cause diarrhea.

Consuming large amounts of salt water, however, can be fatal

.

What happens if a dog drinks too much pool water?


Water intoxication

is when a dog swallows too much water and the sodium levels in the blood become too diluted. While this is rare, it does happen and if not promptly treated, it can be fatal. For saltwater pools, there is also an increased risk of salt poisoning if your pet drinks a large amount of the water.

Why does my dog drink so much pool water?


Chlorine and other chemicals

Pools have chlorine and algaecide in them, which stop germs and bacteria from growing. If a swimming pool didn’t have these chemicals, the water would be green and even worse for your dog to drink. These chemicals won’t usually cause problems in very small amounts.

How often do dogs drown in pools?

Your backyard swimming pool isn’t always a safe place for your dog: according to the Pool Safety Network,

around 5,000 family pets drown every year

in backyard pools. It is important that you take precautions to stop your dog from going near your pool unsupervised.

Can pool water give dogs diarrhea?

If your catch your dog drinking pool water, they will probably not experience anything more than a gut upset.

In rare cases, this could be accompanied by some vomiting and diarrhea

which shouldn’t last any longer than 48 hours.

Is chlorine or salt water pool better for dogs?

When it comes to how pool water impacts your pets skin and fur,

saltwater pools are generally safer than conventionally chlorinated pools

because it’s missing all of the added chemical byproducts that make the water have more caustic qualities

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What type of pool is best for dogs?

The most pet-friendly pool types


Fiberglass pools

are awesome for pets. Dog claws won’t tear or puncture the strong, durable gelcoat. It also won’t hurt the dog’s joints. Concrete pools are an okay option.

Is drowning painful for a dog?

So the authors conclude that drowned animals suffer the discomfort and pain of hypoxia (low oxygen) and anoxia (no oxygen) long before the narcotic effects of CO2 kick in, if they kick in at all, before the animal’s death.

How long can a dog swim before drowning?

A healthy adult dog can probably swim

20 minutes

before drowning but the real number greatly depends on your dog’s fitness level, breed, and age.

How long before a dog drowns?

These symptoms, called near drowning or submersion syndrome, can take

as long as 24 hours after the original incident to manifest

. 1-3 ml of water per kilogram of your dog’s weight will cause near drowning, while 4 ml per kilogram or more will result in immediate death by drowning.

Kim Nguyen
Author
Kim Nguyen
Kim Nguyen is a fitness expert and personal trainer with over 15 years of experience in the industry. She is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and has trained a variety of clients, from professional athletes to everyday fitness enthusiasts. Kim is passionate about helping people achieve their fitness goals and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.