Why Does My Dog Pee in the Pool?

Dogs usually pee in the pool simply because they need to go and don’t realize the pool is off-limits: excitement, a long swim, gulping pool water, and not having a potty break beforehand all play a part. Less often, it’s a sign of a medical issue such as a urinary tract infection or incontinence. The fix is usually a potty break before swimming, regular breaks out of the water, and fresh drinking water so your dog doesn’t drink from the pool.

In this post, we’ll take a look at the reasons why dogs pee in pools and what you can do to stop them.

What Causes My Dog to Pee in the Pool?

There are a few different reasons why your dog might be peeing in the pool. The most common is simply that they need to go: swimming is exercise, and many dogs head straight for the water without stopping to pee first. Excitement plays a role too. This is especially true if your dog tends to pee when they get excited or nervous. If this is the case, it’s important to try to keep your dog calm when they’re around the pool.

Marking is another possibility, though it’s less likely in water than on dry ground. If your dog marks a lot in general (especially an intact male), the same training and management that reduce marking elsewhere will help.

Some dogs also drink a lot of pool water, either on purpose or by gulping it while they swim and grab toys. A full bladder means more need to pee, and drinking a lot of chlorinated or salt water can also upset your dog’s stomach. If your dog is drinking a lot of pool water, give them breaks out of the pool and provide fresh water to drink.

Finally, consider health issues. If your dog dribbles urine, has accidents indoors too, pees more often than usual, or strains to pee, it could be a urinary tract infection, incontinence (common in older and spayed female dogs), or another medical problem. In that case, call your vet.

Why Does My Dog Pee in the Lake?

If your dog is peeing in the lake, it’s likely for the same reasons as listed above. Dogs usually urinate in lakes because they need to go, they’re excited, or they’ve been drinking a lot of water while swimming.

How Can I Stop My Dog From Peeing in the Pool?

If you’re having trouble with your dog peeing in the pool, there are a few things you can do to help prevent it. One of the best things you can do is to keep your dog away from the pool when they’re not supervised. If they don’t have access to the pool, they can’t pee in it.

You can also try to train your dog not to pee in the pool. This can be difficult, but it’s worth a try. Start by teaching your dog to “go” on command. Once they’re good at this, you can start bringing them to the pool and having them “go” on command before they’re allowed to get in. During longer swims, call your dog out every 20 to 30 minutes for a break and another chance to pee on the grass. With enough practice, your dog will get into the habit of peeing before and between swims instead of in the water.

Finally, make sure that your dog has plenty of fresh water to drink. This will help to prevent them from drinking too much pool water and will also cut down on the urge to pee in the pool. If you leave a water dispenser out by the pool, keep it fresh with our guide on how to clean a dog water dispenser.

Is Chlorine Safe For My Dog?

A properly maintained chlorine pool is generally safe for dogs to swim in, but chlorine can dry out or irritate the skin, eyes, and ears in some dogs. Rinse your dog with fresh water after swimming, dry their ears well, and make sure they have plenty of fresh water to drink so they don’t drink from the pool. Keep pool chemicals themselves (tablets, granules, shock) locked away, since those are toxic if swallowed.

In the case of severe issues or irritation caused by chlorine, enlist the help of a veterinarian.

Does Dog Pee in Pool Water Go Away?

A small amount of dog pee in a well-maintained pool isn’t a big deal. Chlorine breaks it down, so you don’t have to empty out your pool every time your dog pees in it. However, urine reacts with chlorine to form chloramines, which use up your free chlorine and cause that strong “pool smell” and red, irritated eyes. Test the water, and shock it if your chlorine levels have dropped.

Of course, if your dog is peeing in the pool on a regular basis, it’s probably not going to be the most pleasant place to swim. Dogs also add hair, dirt, and oils to the water, so if your dog swims often, clean the skimmer baskets and filter more frequently and keep a close eye on your water chemistry. If your dog ever poops in the pool, remove it right away and follow your pool’s shock and filtration guidance before anyone swims again.

Does Pool Water Bother Dogs?

While pool water doesn’t usually bother dogs, some dogs are sensitive to chlorine and other chemicals in the water. If your dog seems to be bothered by the pool water, keep them out of the pool right after it’s been shocked or treated, keep chlorine levels in the recommended range, and rinse them off after every swim. If your dog has ongoing itchy skin, red eyes, or ear infections after swimming, talk to your vet.

Is it Safe for My Dog to Pee in the Pool?

Peeing in the pool isn’t going to harm your dog, and in a properly chlorinated pool it isn’t a serious health risk to people either. It does make the water less pleasant and uses up chlorine. The bigger concern for your dog is the pool chemistry itself: too much chlorine can irritate them, so you’ll want to make sure that the level of chlorine in your pool is well-maintained.

The bottom line

Overall, there’s no need to worry if your dog pees in the pool occasionally, as long as you keep your chlorine levels in check. If it happens on a regular basis, take steps to prevent it: give a potty break before and during swims, keep them away from the pool when they’re not supervised, and make sure they have plenty of fresh water to drink. And if your dog is also having accidents elsewhere or dribbling urine, check in with your vet.