Pools Are Perilous for Pets

 

Every pet owner with a swimming pool knows that whether they want their animal in the water or not, their pet will probably end up in the pool at some point, often involuntarily!  Even if under constant supervision, the unanticipated takes place—animals are chased, doors are left open; accidents can and DO happen!

 

With over 71% households in the United States owning at least one pet (and over half of those owning a pool and/or spa), the issue of water safety, especially around pools, is an important one that must be addressed.

 

In fact, the pet safety category is one of the fastest growing in the pet industry—and this was before the recent pet food scare. Products ranging from ID implants to safety gates to floatation vests abound.

 

Over the past several years a number of articles have been published in newspapers and magazines across the country specifically on the subject of pet water safety.  Specials/segments have been devoted to it on national television programs such as Animal Planet, Good Morning America and The Early Show, to name just a few.  This is due to the fact that the odds are that 1 out of every 1,027 pets will drown every year in the United States alone. And this figure doesn’t account for the tens of thousands of “critters” that suffer the same fate.

 

While many pets love the water, others don’t.  Most pet owners simply assume that all dogs “know” how to swim, but many do not and the first time they find themselves in a pool can be traumatic! All pool owners with a dog should introduce their animal to the water - gradually, in a non-threatening, supervised form. That way, even if the owner doesn’t want their dog swimming in the pool, at least if it falls or is chased in, their pet won’t immediately panic.

 

Regardless of whether an animal has jumped or been chased in the water, how they get out can be a major issue.  Many pet owners believe they can train their dog(s) to use the steps.  But even this technique isn’t fool-proof, primarily because the dog can’t see the steps—they are under the water!  In reality, the pet has a landmark—such as a plant, fence or tree—but at night or if in distress- that “learning” is quickly replaced by panic. Then there are all those frogs, squirrels, snakes and possums that manage to turn up in skimmer baskets after having fallen or been chased in the pool. 

 

The drowning problem can easily be solved, but requires recognition of the importance of pets in their owner’s lives, the dangers posed by pools and awareness of the available solutions.

 

Tens of millions of dollars are spent on pets each year.  Why?  Because these animals are thought of as/considered family members.  In fact, many pet owners will not hesitate to take their animal to the vet at the slightest sign of illness or to purchase gifts and gadgets to entertain and/or dress them!  Many hotels across the country have recognized this trend and register themselves as “Pet-Friendly.” 

 

A large number of pets, particularly dogs, enjoy swimming but even the youngest, strongest swimmers can panic if they can’t find their way out, get fatigued or distressed.  They will instinctively head for the closest edge of the pool and start clawing their way around the edge, looking for the exit they remember is there, somewhere. For owners of vinyl-lined pools this is an extremely expensive problem, as the entire liner may have to be replaced or at least repaired if it is ripped or torn. 

 

Barking for help can cause throat damage to a dog. Since the animal will often swallow a good bit of water as it barks for help, the chemicals in the pool can damage its esophagus.  Additionally, chlorine and algaecides can not only make a dog sick, but also cause coat and skin problems.

 

So when it comes to keeping a pet safe, money isn’t the issue.  Effectiveness is.  Peace-of-mind is worth more than expense.  To many people, the death of a pet is just as difficult to cope with as a human family member.  With the accompanying sense of acute loss and depression just as real as if it had been a “human” family member.

 

For pool and spa retailers it is good business sense to offer pet/animal safety products.  The numbers—8.35 million pools, with over 400,000 new pools built every year and over 63% of households having pets—supports this. Customers turn to their pool service company for help when trying to address their concern for their animals.

 

For some pet owners, this concern is not only for the safety of their animal, as mentioned earlier, but also for themselves and their children who have to deal with the “critters” that drown and are found floating in the pool in the morning.  This often requires that the pool water be re-treated —another expensive process.

 

The solution?  Layers of protection. 

 

Many municipalities now require that pools be fenced in.  But they aren’t fool-proof.  The door can be left open or ajar.  Animals will dig under or slither through them.

 

Pool covers, especially soft ones, can be as dangerous as an open pool.  Animals get caught and can slide underneath and then are unable to get out, resulting in either suffocation or drowning.

 

Floatation vests are a viable option; however, like water alarms (water sensitive devices that attach to the animal’s collar) they require that the pet owner be home to help the animal actually get out of the pool.

 

Another safety alternative is a water-escape device such as Skamper-Ramp®, which was designed to prevent pets and animals from drowning by allowing them to exit the water on their own. Fabricated from heavy duty plastic, it comes in two sizes: Skamper-Ramp for animals under 45 lbs. and Super Skamper-Ramp® for any pet, but specifically for those who use it regularly or are over 45 lbs. with longer torsos and the extra length is required if used for most docks and boats. The device is UV- and chemical-resistant, lightweight (1.5 lbs and: 4.8 lbs. respectively), robust and extremely durable.

 

The product works on the premise that all living things see white.  Animals see the ramp breaking the water’s surface and leading out of the pool or back onto the boat or dock.  Whether used pool-side or attached to the stern of a boat or to a dock, Skamper-Ramp provides pets and animals with a stress-free means of getting out of the water all by themselves and their owner with peace-of-mind, knowing their pet will be able to take care of itself if it becomes panicked.

 

Skamper-Ramp is sold worldwide and has twice been selected as one of the “Top 50 Products” in a leading U.S. pool trade publication’s “Readers Choice” awards (2004; 2006).  The product has been featured as one of the 'hot new pet products of Good Morning America, The Early Show, Animal Planet, and HGTV “Outdoor Living Expo” special in late April, 2007. Skamper-Ramp also recently received the product “Seal of Approval” from the American Pet Association.

*Statistics from the APPMA 2007-2008 National Pet Owners Annual Survey and the 1998-2006 Ameican Pet Association survey.  More information can be found at www.apapets.org

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