How to Keep Algae Out Of Dog Pool?

How to Keep Algae Out Of Dog Pool

When getting a dog, it is good to note that dogs are a load of work unlike other pets such as cats.

This means that there will be a lot of regular cleaning and grooming involved.

This also means, if you intend to get a pool for your dog, you will have to actively maintain it at all times.

 

When getting a pool for your dog especially when it is located outdoors, it is important to be prepared that you will have to clean more regularly than not to maintain its cleanliness. This shows that cleanliness, or lack of it, is one of the main reasons why algae may start to grow in your dog pool.

 

This means, before getting a dog, it is always important to be mentally prepared for the above to avoid instances when the cleaning is not done properly thus leading to algae growing in the dog’s pools.

This would be such a disgusting occurrence and dangerous occurrence for your dog.

 

Why do algae grow in pools?

There are a couple of things one needs to understand about algae.

They are aquatic green plants with no defined physical structures and use their spores to reproduce.

This usually means by the time you see one mass of algae, there is another mass of algae growing somewhere else.

This is because, when a plant reproduces by spores and has not physical structures such as the roots, the algae will place itself anywhere after the spores land.

They have the adaptability to fit in their surroundings so long as they are getting the primary requirements.

Algae is both disgusting and dangerous to your dog in case they ingest it thus the pool they swim in should not have algae growing all around.

 

What do algae need to grow?

Algae is an aquatic plant so we know it mostly grows around areas that have water or are moist, for example, like a wet wall or a dog pool.

They are plants that can grow anywhere that they can get water.

Here is the list of conditions that need to be met for them to grow:

 

1. They need water or surfaces with moisture for them to grow.

 

2. They also require sunlight for them to grow.

This means they must grow in a position where they are receiving enough light for them to carry out proper photosynthesis and make their food which is a mandatory requirement for the plant.

 

3. If the algae are growing a body of water, for example in this case a dog pool, the water has to be somewhat stagnant.

This means either the water is not moving completely or has not been changed out or filtered in a while.

 

4. As the water remains stagnant, it slowly becomes dirtier, even though it is not the main requirement.

It also gives the algae optimum conditions to grow in the pool.

 

 

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What should you do when you realize that algae are growing in your dog’s pool?

It is important to know that once it reaches the point where there are algae, it is most likely a cleanliness problem.

Cleanliness is always extremely important when it comes to preventing the growth of algae anywhere especially in dog pools.

There are a couple of cleaning activities that need to be undertaken to ensure your dog’s pool is kept safe and free from algae.

It is important to follow the following procedures:

 

1. The filters that need to be installed in your dog’s pool have to fit the size of your dog pool.

One thing that most people get wrong is putting a small-size filter for a big pool.

This is a very important factor when getting a dog pool.

This is because once someone uses a small filter for their big dog pool, it allows for there to be points in the pool with stagnant water that allows the growth of algae in the pool.

 

2. Poor sanitation is one of the other causes of the growth of algae in dog pools.

This goes hand in hand with the amount of chlorine put in the pools to maintain sanitary levels.

If the levels of chlorine are too low, the chlorine does not serve its purpose.

The chlorine is meant to create acidic conditions in the pool to kill any type of bacteria and make the living conditions hostile for the growth of other living organisms such as algae.

 

What are the effects of your dog ingesting algae?

algae on tube

Some algae are poisonous; the ones which are blue-green in color.

They are known as cyanobacteria.

They contain toxins called cyanotoxins which make them toxic.

 

Note: Not all the blue-green colored algae contain those harmful toxins but it is impossible to tell the difference with the naked eye.

 

This means you should always ensure that there are no algae in your dog’s pool because they could easily eat them without your knowledge.

Here are some symptoms you probably be on the lookout for to know whether your dog has ingested some of the algae:

 

  • Your dog may be experiencing some difficulties in breathing.
  • Experiencing diarrhea and vomiting.
  • Your dog may have some blood in its stool.
  • Your dog may start to drool excessively.
  • The dog may be experiencing seizures and comas.
  • Your dog may also get jaundice; which is the yellowing of the skin and the eyes.

 

Apart from the symptoms listed above, algae are in some cases extremely fatal and can cause death.

 

 

What about the other types of algae?

The other type of algae that grows in dog pools is not always toxic but it can because of certain diseases and stomach upsets in your dogs.

This means, to avoid unnecessary trips to the vet for your dog, it is always good to maintain cleanliness when it comes to your dogs’ pools.

 

Final Thoughts

All in all, it is always important to have the mindset that there are always algae spores everywhere even in your dog’s pool.

The reason they haven’t grown and sprouted yet is that certain conditions have not been achieved yet.

This is why it is always important to clean your dog’s pool and filter out the water as regularly as possible.

 

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Russel

A pet owner who loves to share useful facts and information about a variety of animals.