Chlorinated Pools or Saltwater Pools: A Detailed Comparison
If you’re one of the increasing numbers of people who have chosen a saltwater pool over a chlorinated pool, you may be wondering whether it provides a safer swimming environment for your dog. As the name implies, saltwater pools utilize salt to clean and sterilize the pool water rather than chlorine to accomplish the task.
Additionally, while the saltwater found in seas and the ocean can make your canine terribly sick, the quantity of salt found in a pool sanitation system (about 10% of the level found in ocean water) is deemed acceptable for your dog to paddle around in for a short while. In most cases, it would seem that saltwater pools are primarily safer for dogs than chlorinated pools.
However, you’ll need to remember to strictly control the salt concentration in your pool water because any increase in your dog’s salt consumption may lead him to become more thirsty, causing him to drink more water. Certain dogs may also be at risk for a life-threatening condition called GDV (gastric dilatation volvulus) when consuming too much water too quickly when feeling dehydrated due to a higher sodium intake, so this is a concern to keep in mind when allowing your dog to play around in water he may potentially ingest.
Chlorinated pools are generally seen as less safe for pets because the concentrated form of chlorine that is used to disinfect the pool can be lethal to them if enough is ingested. However, if properly used, a pool’s chlorine level should not be much higher than that of most locations’ tap water levels.
Even without consuming any to harm their digestive tracts though, high levels of chlorine can cause irritation to their skin, fur, eyes, and other sensitive areas simply from exposure.
Note: Concentrated chlorine tablets must be stored in their original container and in a location that is out of reach of curious dogs and children.
Let’s have a look at both these pools’ basics and their implications for canines.
Just as the name suggests, saltwater pools employ salt to clean and disinfect the water in the pool.
Saltwater pools, which are far less harsh than the pools containing large volumes of chlorine, are much less harmful for your dog than regular chlorine pools, provided that they are properly maintained. Don’t anticipate a saltwater pool to be just like the ocean, though—saltwater pools often have a salt concentration of around 3,300 ppm (parts per million), and ocean water has a salt content of nearly 36,000 ppm.
Although it is not completely necessary, it is still a good idea to give your dog a thorough freshwater washing or good rinse once he has finished swimming.
When present in significant amounts, salt can be very hazardous to your dog. Always make sure your buddy has enough fresh, safe-to-drink tap or filtered water available while he’s having a good time in the pool so he doesn’t get tempted to drink any of the salty water.
Keep a close eye out for indicators of salt sickness—initial symptoms such as weakness, lethargy, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, trembling, excessive thirst, frequent urination, tremors, stumbling, and seizures are all possible indicators. Seek emergency veterinarian care if your dog exhibits any indications of salt toxicity or dehydration.
Dogs that are on a low-sodium diet due to health problems such as heart disease or renal illness should not be permitted to drink from saltwater swimming pools whatsoever. Due to the significant risk, they should not even be permitted to swim in them.
Additionally, swimming can cause dogs to become rapidly fatigued. Never leave your dog unsupervised in any type of water, and always provide an easily accessible escape path out of the pool or water feature. If your dog becomes overtired while swimming, he will want your assistance to help get him out of the water.
When human beings swim in a pool, the majority of chlorine levels are considered acceptable, even if we accidentally consume some of pool water. However, dogs have more sensitive eyes and ears compared to their owners, and this can make them more prone to chlorine poisoning. Typically, the only way they will come into contact with such high levels of chlorine would be through direct contact with the chlorine tablets themselves or an improperly managed chlorinated pool with excessive levels of the chemical present.
Unrelated to the chlorine itself, dogs with floppy ears are also more susceptible to ear infections as a result of the wetness from getting soaked or being submerged in a pool, so this is another concern to keep in mind.
Is a salt water pool better for dogs?
A salt water pool isn’t necessarily better for dogs than a chlorine or bromine pool. Once your dog is in the water, it’s best that they aren’t drinking pool water regardless of how you sanitize it since pool water is for swimming in, not drinking. That applies for both humans and pets.
The real question about which pool type is better for dogs actually relates to what type of pool design is best. Generally speaking, a fiberglass or concrete pool won’t be damaged by a dog but a vinyl lined pool is another story.
Dogs have sharp nails and if they start paddling and make contact with a vinyl pool liner, it can rip. The vinyl liner can start to come away from the pool frame and starts to sag which is quite common. If your dog starts pawing at the vinyl with its nails, it can make the problem worse. From personal experience, getting the vinyl liner back in place is very difficult even if you have large, strong hands.
This may lead to having the pool liner repaired at a cost to you and possibly time away from using the pool. Replacing a vinyl liner isn’t cheap nor is it a small job as it obviously requires completely draining the pool first. Vinyl liner replacement can cost between $1,400 and $4,800 depending on the size of your pool. Then there’s the time and cost involved of refilling the pool with fresh water, adding chemicals and balancing it. While a dog in your pool is unlikely to destroy your liner to this extent, it can damage it and make existing issues worse.
Can a dog swim in a saltwater pool?
Dogs can swim in saltwater pools like other chlorinated pools. In all likelihood the salt water has a similar effect on your dog’s skin as it does on humans: It’s easier on the skin and fur than chemically chlorinated pools as long as they don’t overdo it and stay in the water too long.
The salt level in a pool is very low as we’ll discuss in more detail below and the health of your dog is unlikely to be affected by the low level of salt or chlorine contained.
One tip is to only allow your dog to jump in the deep end and swim directly to the shallow end and exit the pool by the steps. They are normally made of a hard plastic or fiberglass which is impervious to their sharp nails and won’t get damaged. The longer they have to swim from one end to the other the more likely they will get tired out and decrease the chance they stay in the pool very long, too.