Train your pet to know the safest way out of the pool. An untrained animal will often head for the nearest edge to get out. If it runs into trouble with slippery walls, the dog may panic, which can
...Read MoreTrain your pet to know the safest way out of the pool. An untrained animal will often head for the nearest edge to get out. If it runs into trouble with slippery walls, the dog may panic, which can quickly lead to exhaustion. Animal behavior expert Diane Pomerance recommends repeatedly showing your pet the shallow end and the steps that lead out. "You may even want to install pet steps or an incline pet ramp, which is hooked onto the sidewall of the pool," she says.Even the most athletic swimmers will gradually lose their ability as they age. Solar covers pose the worst threat. Pets may try to walk on the flimsy surface, and caught under the cover they can drown unseen by anyone. A Safety Turtle alarm can help sound an alert. But the best drowning defense is a see-through pool fence. Keep all doors leading to the pool area securely closed. Try not to let pets drink from the pool. Chlorine and chemicals that keep pools algae free can irritate eyes, ears, skin and lungs.