Swimming is a great activity for dogs who enjoy it, and it’s also a great way for retrievers and other dogs to practice their natural instincts.
The pool water can harm your dog’s beautiful fur if he isn’t washed after swimming. It is important to rinse and bathe your dog immediately after swimming. So let me tell you in detail, why you should wash your dog after swimming in the pool.
Why Should You Wash Dog After Swimming in Pool
In order to keep the swimming pool clean and prevent bacteria, normal swimming pools [1]often contain high amounts of chlorine. This chlorine may cause harm to the skin of the dog and may have some serious repercussions.
Dogs who take regular swims in the family pool can suffer from dry, itchy skin and a dry, dull coat because the chemicals in pool water deplete their natural oils.
While chlorine can dry out the human hair and skin away, and dogs are not immune either. The composition of the skin of a dog is very similar to our own. They can get rashes, irritations, infections, and just about anything else we humans can get.
Make sure you are rinsing your dog off just as you would after a swim. If you don’t their skin will become dry. Additionally, chlorinated water may have a mild bleaching effect on dark coats, and may even make it lighter.
Chlorine and other chemicals can easily get deposited on a dog’s coat and as dogs don’t bath on regular basis these chemicals on the coat can result in high skin-related diseases and could even lead to fatal.
If not properly cleaned after swimming, bulldogs and skin folds are more prone to develop fungal growth.
Protect the Coat of a Pool Swimming Dog
It is very important to take prevention rather than cure as there are many treatments available to protect Dog’s coat rather than cure infection. When you take care of your dog’s hair before swimming you may reduce the chance of dry skin and rashes.
- Conditioner
Spray the dog’s coat with a conditioner before he reaches the pool. It protects from drying out its skin and hair. It is mostly advisable to use sunscreen conditioners to protect from the chances of skin cancer.
- Sunscreen
you can never underestimate the use of sunscreen as if you are hitting pool on hot summer days just like you your dog needs that SPF protection. Always look for coat moisturizer with SPF or you can also use coat conditioner with sun protection.
- Omega -3 fatty Acid
During the swimming season, comb him once a week to untangle his coat and bathe him with a moisturizing shampoo and a conditioner to get rid of all the excess chemicals from the pool. A supplement of omega -3 fatty acids can also help replenish natural oils.
- Towels
Always carry extra absorbant towels with you whenever you are planning for swimming. As quickly wiping out the pool water from dog’s skin can reduce the chance of depositing chemicals on coats and helps you to beth your dog effortlessly.
Tips to Wash Dog After Swimming in Pool
After swimming or at the end of the fun day, reins the coat thoroughly to remove both chlorine and pool chemicals.
Before fully drying the dog’s coat spray it with conditioner again and clean the coat with a towel. Comb him all the way to his skin to get all the mats out of it.
Upon combing out the tangles and work your fingers through his coat to loosen any of the waste debris from the pool. wash his coat thoroughly and cleanse his skin with a shampoo.
Rinse it and add the moisture to the coat with a strong conditioner. If your dog is a frequent swimmer, use a detergent-free shampoo so that your coat will not be stripped of natural oils so that you can shampoo it every day.
Home Remedies for Dog Itching After Swimming in Pool
- Apple Cider Vinegar
After swimming in the pool due to all chemical dog’s coat get little itchy as ph balance is disturbed so it is more advisable to use apple cider vinegar. Make a rinse of 1/2 water and 1/2 apple cider vinegar and sponge it on the itchy areas.
- Anti-inflammatory Cream
Use anti-inflammatory cream on the affected itchy area always check under the skin fold and behind the dog’s ears. As those areas are more prone to infection which will lead to itching.
Final Note
After every dive in the swimming pool, it is very important to rinse your dog as a pool chemical dry out and deposit on the dog’s coat and lead to itching. Even after proper rinsing, it is more advisable to give your dog a proper bath two days after swimming.
References:
- Dog Water Safety: Tips to Keep Your Pet Healthy. (2015, February 12). WebMD. Retrieved July 13, 2022, from https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/pets-water-safety
- The dos and dont’s of dog water safety. (n.d.). VCA Hospitals. Retrieved July 13, 2022, from https://vcahospitals.com/shop/articles/the-dos-and-don-ts-of-dog-water-safety
Rosa is a dog groomer based in Plattsburgh. She also likes sharing her insights on pet products, especially the ones used in grooming. She also has two GSDs, Shadow and Shimba. In their free time, they often visit Plattsburgh City Beach, which is a dog-friendly site for picnics & swimming.