Your swimming pool can be a refreshing and fun gathering spot for your family and friends during hot weather, but it can also be attractive to local wildlife and pets. As a pet owner and swimming pool enthusiast, it's important to ensure that your furry friend stays safe and protected from accidentally falling into your pool. It’s also a good idea to keep local wildlife away from your pool to avoid fatal accidents.

Here are some tips to consider:

1.  Install a Pool Fence or Cover

One of the most effective ways to keep your pets safe around the pool is to install a fence or cover. A pool fence provides a physical barrier that prevents pets from accidentally falling into the pool. If you have a larger dog that can easily jump over a fence, a pool cover may be a better option. A pool cover will not only keep pets and other animals safe but reduce pool cleaning and maintenance by keeping out debris and minimizing evaporation.

2.  Teach Your Pets to Swim

Teaching your pets to swim is an important safety measure for pool owners. Dogs, especially seem to enjoy the water, but not all dogs are natural swimmers. Proper training can provide an extra measure of safety for a dog in the pool. Start by introducing them to the water in a shallow area and gradually move to deeper water as they become more comfortable. Make sure they know how to get in and out of the pool safely. It's a good idea to invest in a pet life jacket to provide extra support and protection, especially if your pet is older or has special needs. You may also want to consider learning Pet CPR.

3.  Provide Easy Exit Points

Just like humans, pets need an easy way to get in and out of the pool. Ensure that your pool has easy-to-spot exit points that are within reach of your pets. Pool steps or pet ramps can be helpful for your furry friends.

4.  Keep Wildlife Away from the Pool

It isn’t uncommon for pool owners to find frogs, squirrels, snakes, mice and even raccoons in their swimming pool. To prevent unwanted visitors from entering your pool area, consider installing motion-activated sprinklers or using a pool cover when the pool is not in use. Be sure to clean up fallen leaves or food debris around the pool, as these can attract wildlife. Additionally, natural deterrents such as cotton balls dipped in ammonia, garlic powder, mint leaves, lemongrass, or cayenne pepper spray applied around the pool’s perimeter may help keep critters away.

5.  Invest in Safety Accessories

There are many products available on the market that can help prevent a pool injury to an animal. For instance, pool alarms can alert you when an object, child or pet over a specified weight falls into the pool. An inflatable or stationary ramp provides an escape route for any small animal that finds its way into your pool.

6.  Supervise Your Pets

As with children, it's important to supervise your pets around the pool, even with safety measures in place. Keep a watchful eye on them and never leave them unattended near the pool, even if they are good swimmers. Accidents can happen in an instant, so always be alert and prepared to act quickly if needed.

Swimming pools are a great way to cool off during hot weather, but they can pose a danger to pets and wildlife. With the right precautions in place, you can ensure that your pets stay safe and protected while enjoying your pool area and also avoid unnecessary harm to wildlife.

You may also like:
Safety First: Safety in the Water is a Pool Owner’s First Priority
7 Gadgets that can Make Owning a Pool Even More Fun! 
Pool Evaporation: How to Keep More Water in Your Pool