How many times have you heard the question, “Can puppies swim in chlorine pools?”.
The answer to this question may surprise you!
While dogs and puppies are great swimmers, there are some important considerations that should be made before introducing your puppy to a pool.
Can a Puppy Swim In a Pool?
No, puppies cannot swim in chlorine pools. This is because chlorine can be very harsh on young puppy skin and eyes.
The same goes for saltwater pools.
If you have one of these types of pools, you should keep your puppy away from it until they are older and more mature in their development around 6 months old.
Fortunately, there are other options for swimming pools that are safe for your pup! For example:
- A pool without any chemicals at all like rainwater.
- A pool with no chemicals but lots of salt like ocean water or seawater.
At what age can puppies swim?
Many people worry about how to teach a puppy to swim.
There are several considerations, such as the age of your puppy and whether or not you have other pets at home.
Here are some guidelines for introducing puppies to swimming:
8 weeks old (at least)
Most puppies develop enough strength and coordination in their legs to be able to walk on slippery surfaces such as a pool deck before this time.
By eight weeks, it is safe for them to practice walking on slick surfaces like smooth floors and stairs without falling off of their own volition because they do not have enough balance yet.
This means that by eight weeks old, your puppy should be able to stand up with minimal assistance from yourself or another person if necessary
If your puppy does not have enough strength and coordination to walk on slippery surfaces by eight weeks old, it is safe for them to practice walking on slick surfaces like smooth floors and stairs without falling off of their own volition because they do not have enough balance yet.
This means that by eight weeks old, your puppy should be able to stand up with minimal assistance from yourself or another person if necessary
Learn More:
How to introduce your puppy to the pool?
You might be wondering how you’re going to teach your puppy how to swim.
It is important for any dog owner who has a pool or pond at home, that they start teaching their dog from an early age.
A puppy can learn how to swim within a few days, but it takes time and patience from the owner.
- Start with a shallow end of the pool where you can stand with your puppy safely in your arms or on land if preferred and gradually move towards deeper water slowly as he gets used to it.
- Don’t force them into the pool – let them get used to being near it first before trying anything else!
- Always bring them on the lead when entering, leaving water so you can ensure they don’t run off while wetting themselves down.
Conclusion
If you have a pool at home, you may have considered whether or not your puppy should swim in it.
The answer depends on the age of your puppy and the size of the pool.
While it’s safe for pups as young as three months old to swim in a pool, younger pups may struggle with swimming for long periods of time without resting on land first.
If you have an adult dog that enjoys being in the water, then he or she would likely enjoy swimming laps around a small pool while supervised by an adult human.
So what do you think? Will you be taking your pup into the water this summer?
