There is nothing more fun than watching a dog swimming in a pool. Throw a tennis ball into the picture, and most dogs are in heaven.

But care needs to taken, reminds ILoveMyPool.com, which offers these tips:

• Don’t assume all dogs can swim. Even if they can, excellent swimmers gradually lose their ability as they age and become weaker.

• When it comes to pool safety, pets should be treated the same as children. Heat and sunlight are more intense around a pool, and your dog cannot stay as cool as you, so watch for signs of overheating.

• Senior dogs are more prone to slipping and falling into a pool. A safety product called Skamper Ramp sits on the edge of your pool with a ramp that lies in the water. A trapped animal will be able to climb out of the pool.

• Don’t let your pet drink from the pool, as the chlorine may make him sick and/or irritate his eyes. Your pet can get sick if he drinks water with algae in it.

• Some people feel that if a dog is in the pool, the chlorine needs to be higher. Your chlorine levels should be no different than normal. You may have to clean your filter twice a month because of dog hair.

• When your dog is finished playing in the pool, hose him down with fresh water to get the chlorine out.

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