Investing in a dog pool can be smart option, especially if you have a small dog and for whom the in ground pool may not be suitable. Today, there are a variety of dog pools in the market, and this DogAppy post will brief you through different types of dog pools along with some self-cleaning tips.
Did You Know?
Portuguese water dogs are known to be super swimmers due to their webbed paws. Many fishermen were known to take this breed along for fishing.
There are many dog breeds that can’t swim for various reasons; however, dogs generally love to swim, especially in the summer. Like humans, they too love to take a dip to cool off. Swimming is not necessarily an innate ability for dogs, and if you are teaching your pet canine to swim, you may require a customized pool.
Swimming for dog
Swimming can be really beneficial for your dog, as it tones its body, and a strong, toned body helps increase immunity against injuries sustained during other physical exercise. Besides, swimming can be a great stress-reliever for dogs too, they can release their pent-up energy. In fact nowadays, there are canine hydrotherapy sessions that help injured canines to recover faster.
So if your dog is a swimmer or simply loves the water, we have the low-down on the various types of pools available in the market.
The Bone Pool
We all know that dogs generally love a bone, but have you ever heard about the bone pool? Yes, you guessed it right, it’s a pool in the shape of a bone, Many pet owners are of the opinion that normal kiddie pools are not safe for their pets, as they have sharp edges, that can cause injuries. Many times, these kiddie pools are made up of materials that dogs can easily chew. However, a bone pool is made of a chew-resistant material that contains a special additive, which makes it UV resistant. It’s slightly more expensive than your normal pool, but its worth the money. It’s pretty light weight and can last up to a year or so, depending on the usage.
Stock Tank Dog Pool
It’s like a mini pool for multiple dogs, you can even buy your dogs some water toys and voila, your dog will have an amazing time with his other canine pals. Ideally suited for 2-3 dogs. yet this pool has ample space for the dogs and can easily be set up in your backyard. It’s impact- and rip-resistant, meaning the pool won’t get damaged so easily, subsequently less chances of your dog getting hurt.
Paw-shaped Dog Pool
As the name suggests, this pool is shaped like a dog’s paw and is made of the same material that is used to make truck bed liners, making it scratch- and bite-proof. It’s slightly small, and ideally suited for small dog breeds or puppies. If you need to give shower to a litter, then this is the best pool. It can hold up to 20 gallons of water. As it is made of the same material as truck bed liners it stretches easily, which means it is easy to drain as well.
Inflatable PVC Dog Pool
It’s made from thick PVC, and you can carry it with you wherever you go, so if your pet feels like taking a dip, you can easily inflate it and your job is done. It’s pretty cheap as compared to the other pools, the only drawback being the risk of puncturing or tearing the pool due to a dog bite or scratch. This pool provides easy access for dogs to enter and exit due to its flexible material. It’s light in weight, and hence portable. It occupies very little space and can be folded into the boot of your car.
Portable Dog Tub
This pool to is fairly light and occupies very little space. It includes pole support for stability when in use. It’s made up of durable PVC that renders stiffness and strength to it. This dog tub when unfolded springs into shape in seconds. The only drawback being its size; it is small and can accommodate only one dog at a time.
Kiddie Pool
If you have a kiddie pool lying around in your backyard or house, you need to definitely take it out, and instead of buying a new pool, you could probably use that. Kiddie pools are not that durable, but your dog can have fun in that for couple of hours. Kiddie pools are recyclable, provided there is no wear and tear. These pools are large enough to accommodate multiple dogs.
Deluxe Family Fun Dog Pool
If you have one more family staying with you, and by this we mean, your dog’s family, you can use this pool. It has the capacity to hold up to 500 gallons of water, accompanied by a small hole for quick draining. The material does not to corrode, it has a small built-in slide for the family to enjoy. The material used is safe for dogs and the shape has no sharp rims or edges.
Cleaning Tips
❑ Many pools have inbuilt drainage, opt for such pool which will easily drain their hair out, in case your dog sheds hair a lot.
❑ Always clean your dog’s pool, empty the water out each time after your dog plays in the pool, If water remains chances of bugs, mosquitoes, algae or bacterial infestation increases.
❑ You can add a small amount of chlorine to the water, but make sure that you don’t add much, your dog’s pool holds fairly little water, and excess chlorine can be really harmful for your dog.
❑ The dog pool should always be sprayed with a hose and left out to dry completely.
❑ You can buy some antibacterial cleaner, and periodically scrub your dog’s pool, so it stays clean all summer long.
❑ If you use dog toys in the pool, make sure to clean them as well, because even they can attract algae and bacteria.
If you buy a suitable pool for your dog, be rest assured that your dog will enjoy and thank you for it. Also follow the above self-cleaning tips to ensure the pool lasts longer.