During the hot summer months, it is important to have water available to your dog at all times. Sadie and Rusty like to have their drinking water of course, but they also love having access to a small plastic kiddie pool. A kiddie pool works great when you have very limited space in your back yard but want a way for your dog to cool off.
I find the pool will last about two years until it gets a too many cracks and will no longer hold any water. Most dogs love to jump in and lay down in the water during the hottest part of the day to cool off. They hop in and sometimes even roll onto their sides. This is a great way to add summer fun to your dog’s life. They will be able to cool off and have fun in the process.
Sunlight is the most destructive thing to a plastic pool, unfortunately it’s also the best way to kill any bacteria and keep algae from growing in your doggie pool. I recommend changing the water out every two weeks or more to keep your pool fresh during the summer months and avoid leaving it in direct sunlight because the sunlight will cause your pool to become brittle reducing its overall lifespan.
I also like to have the pool in the shade so the water does not heat up as quickly. Moreover, dogs can get sunburn just like a human so it is better to leave the pool out of the sun to avoid your dog getting sunburned.
Unless you purchase a pool specifically designed for dogs
Keep in mind that some dogs like to chew on plastic and a new pool may become a tempting chew toy. Make sure to keep an eye on your pooch and see how he is using his pool. If he begins to chew on it take it away, you don’t want your dog accidentally eating any plastic.
In my next post I will go over the advantages of purchasing dog swimming pools.
3 thoughts on “Kiddie Pool for Your Dog”
I love giving my guys a pool to play in. Thanks for reminding me that I need to go buy another one for them. It has been 95 already here (Austin) I found though that I have to empty it every day or I start to breed mosquitoes. Other than changing the water every day, do you have any suggestions to control the mosquito population?
Elizabeth
I’m not sure about your specific breed of mosquitoes, but I did a quick Google search. Based on the average life-cycle you should be safe to change the water every four days instead of daily. Mosquito eggs require two days to hatch and at least two additional days before the adult mosquito can take flight. I know they make chemicals to discourage mosquitos, but I wouldn’t feel comfortable using them in the same water my dogs drink and play in.
Mosquito dunks are quite safe to use in water that is also used by dogs. They contain a bacteria that kills mosquito and blackfly larvae. It is non-toxic to people and animals (though I admit, I’m not sure I would want to try drinking it myself). Alternatively, throw in a couple of goldfish fry. They will eat any bugs that land on the pool and also eat algae. You will need to scoop them out for half a day each time you change the water in the pool.