Design Your New Pool With Your Dog In Mind
If you have a family dog that enjoys swimming and you're thinking about hiring a local pool company to build an inground pool in your backyard, it can be fun to imagine summer days where your entire family — including the pet — is in the pool. It's often OK for dogs to spend time in family swimming pools, but only if you choose the right type of pool. Your pool company will be able to make all sorts of recommendations about what type of pool you should get, so it's important to convey the message that you want to frequently swim with your dog. Here are some features that you'll want your inground pool to have.
Saltwater
You'll always need to decide whether you want a saltwater pool or a chlorine pool, and there are different benefits of each option to consider. When it comes to swimming with your dog, you'll want to choose a saltwater pool. This type of swimming pool is a better choice for pets. Saltwater is much gentler on a dog's skin than chlorinated water. Just as some people can develop dry, itchy skin as a result of spending too much time in chlorinated water, dogs can also experience this issue. With saltwater, you can be confident that your dog will enjoy swimming without any side effects.
Easy In And Out
While you and your family members may enjoy jumping into the pool and then using the ladder to climb out, you'll need to remember that your dog won't be able to get out in the same way as you. Your dog will likely jump into the inground pool, but you'll want an easy way for the animal to get out of the water. A tanning ledge can be the ideal choice. This ledge, which sits just below the surface of the water, will allow your pet to easily climb out when it's ready. This will prevent the hassle of you having to lift the dog out of the pool each time it's done swimming.
Tile Or Concrete
There are lots of options for the material that will make up the sides and bottom of your inground pool, but you'll definitely want something durable if you plan to have your dog swim with you. A dog's sharp nails could easily cause tears in a soft pool liner, so choosing tile or concrete will help you to feel confident that the pet won't be able to cause any damage as it swims. Contact a pool company to learn more about how to design your inground pool to be suitable for your dog.