Summer is here so bring on the pool parties, beach days and long summer nights! If you’re enjoying the summertime alongside some furry friends, it’s important to know how to keep them safe while having fun. Thankfully, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) has everything you need to know right here! 

Water play is a particularly effective way to beat the heat, but be sure to take plenty of fresh, potable water with you. Lapping up pool water or water found outdoors could create a hazard for your pets.  

Pool water contains chlorine and algicides to make the water suitable for swimming. These chemicals are usually greatly diluted in the pool itself and will only result in stomach upset if large amounts are consumed. But the undiluted pool chemicals (algicide, pool shock and chlorine tablets) are extremely corrosive, and if ingested will cause severe ulcers in the mouth, throat and esophagus. These can become life-threatening.

Products we use to keep ourselves safe outdoors—specifically, sunscreens and bug sprays—don’t always work for our pets. Both products may contain chemicals that could be harmful to pets when ingested or applied on their skin. Don’t use any sunscreens or bug repellants on your pets unless they are specifically marked as safe for animals. When lounging outside or participating in outdoor activities, be sure to put your products away securely after use. 

Also, if you’re enjoying a few alcoholic beverages by the pool, be sure to keep your drinks up and away from any curious noses and clean up any spills. 

Even if your pool is covered, pool covers themselves can be a safety hazard if your pet falls in and slips beneath the cover. If this were to happen, you pet could become disoriented, and can drown while trying to climb out. Consider a safety cover to prevent this hazard from leading to tragedy. 

To further protect your pets, you could consider using pool alarms or pool turtles (a device that the pet wears on the collar that sounds an alarm when it gets wet) to protect your pet and alert you if they are in trouble.

Follow these few poolside safety tips to have a fun, safe and healthy summer!