Chilling by the pool with popsicles or an icy drink has got to be the ultimate way to spend your summer. But what if your german shepherd wouldn’t just stay by the pool?
If your dog is lively and hyperactive, he will be jumping in and out of the pool numerous times, especially during hot summer days. On seeing your pup in and out of the water so much, you might wonder: should I wash my german shepherd after swimming in the pool?
You do need to give your dog a quick rinse after he’s out of the pool and make sure you dry him properly. The chlorine in the pool could affect his fur in more ways than you can imagine. To avoid that, we recommend that you prep your doggo with conditioner or sunscreen before he even jumps in the pool.
Why Should You Wash Your German Shepherd After Swimming in the Pool?
Pool water contains chemicals, for example, chlorine, that can be harmful to your dog’s fur if left unattended. They’re not toxic or dangerous, but in the long run, they definitely can be.
Chlorine is relatively safe for dogs, but it can still be irritating if it stays in contact with the skin for too long. This is why we recommend a good wash after your dog’s swim in the pool.
1. Fur Dryness
One of the frequently faced issues with dogs who are recurrent swimmers in pools is fur dryness. Many dog owners complain that swimming makes their pups’ hair less soft and almost undesirable.
The chlorine in pool water causes this dryness. It also causes skin itching and, in more severe cases, skin infections.
To overcome that, you are required to slather your pup up with a fur conditioner before his dip. Better yet, you can even pick out a good pet-friendly sunscreen. They’re readily available and extremely affordable; however, baby sunscreen is a good alternative.
These ointments will decrease direct contact between your dog’s skin and chlorine. That alone won’t be sufficient to keep your dog fully safe. That’s why we suggest that you always keep a good rinse in mind after pool time.
2. Fur Tangles
Another issue with pool swimming would be the tangles afterward. German Shepherds’ fur is more to the longer side and needs to be catered to with caution. Pool water will make your puppy’s hair all tangled and frizzy. The detangling process is never fun.
You will always need to have a wide-toothed detangler comb available. Use it gently to make sure that you’re not damaging your dog’s fur or skin underneath. The tangles are inevitable, but you can decrease their chances by thoroughly drying your dog.
Use good absorbing towels and rub your dog dry throughout. Letting your dog air-dry will make your dog more permitting to tangles.
You can even attempt to blow-dry your dog’s coat. You need to make sure that your dog’s fur is completely dry so that you’re only left with a simple brushing routine to restore your dog’s coat to normal.
3. Fur Discolorations
Chlorine reacts with the pigments of your german shepherd’s fur. Your dog’s coat can certainly get bleached by this chlorine. Otherwise, if he has light fur, then you could risk it turning green when the chlorine in pool water is left unwashed.
That, again, could be avoided by using a conditioner or sunscreen right before he jumps into the pool. But the best way to go about it would be a good rinse after pool time is over.
4. Ear Infections
One of the consequences of not washing your dog after his swim is ear infections. The chlorine in pool water is the root cause for a lot of frequent pool swimming dogs, especially german shepherds.
These ear infections can also start because of the increase in moisture extent in your pup’s ears. You will need to wipe their ears properly after their swims to avoid these infections.
5. Catching Cold
Dogs can catch a cold just like humans do, and they even have the same symptoms. Humans and dogs can catch a cold when the virus enters their body through the nose or mouth.
Various studies believe that there’s a link between being too cold and catching the disease. It’s believed that being cold adversely affects the immunity of the body, which allows the virus to multiply faster and easier.
So, washing your dog after a good swim and drying him thoroughly can reduce the chances of him catching a bad cold. If you leave your dog to air-dry, the water on his body may reduce his temperature enough for his immunity to weaken.
How to Wash Your German Shepherd After Swimming in the Pool?
You must hose your pup thoroughly with plenty of cool water. Rub him nicely as you do that to get rid of all the pool water. You must ensure that your pup’s fur is entirely chemical-free.
However, make sure that you skip out on the shampoo and soap. You’re not supposed to be bathing your dog frequently. That could cause more harm than good for your pup’s fur.
Soaping up your doggo more than necessary will kill the useful bacteria in your dog’s fur and make him more susceptible to diseases.
Conclusion
Should I wash my german shepherd after swimming in the pool?
The answer is yes. It’s definitely recommended to remove any traces of chemicals from your pup’s fur. However, you will need to lay low on the shampoo and conditioner.
Pool water will make your pup’s hair drier, and it also makes it become discolored, so you are required to cover him up with a fur conditioner or sunscreen before the swim.
Also, the pool can make his fur all tangled up and frizzy. To avoid that, you will need to keep a wide-tooth detangling comb readily available, and most importantly, don’t skip the post-pool swim rinse.
