May is swimming pool safety month, and that safety should include your family pets and animals. Living in the Las Vegas valley, especially in the perimeters of town, mean that you not only have your pet’s safety in mind, but all the animals that potentially could enter your pool. Southeast Henderson sees their fair share of coyotes, Northwest Las Vegas have plenty of rabbits, and anywhere near a wash likely have rodents of some kind that frequent your property.

What Pets are at High Risk?

While most cats and dogs can swim for short distances a panicked pet may quickly get exhausted and confused, not making it to your pool steps in time. If you watch the family pets for your friends or neighbors, they may not be familiar enough with your pool to keep a safe distance. But it’s the older, less athletic, blind or heavily furred pets that are at the highest risk.

This risk can be helped by taking your pet, even one that might not likely enter the water on purpose, on a tour of the pool. Taking the five minutes necessary to show them their way to the steps and how to safely get out can make all the difference.

Wild Animals Pose Risks

If you have ever had a mouse floating in your swimming pool, you are not alone. It is estimated that nearly ten percent of Las Vegas valley swimming pools have a wild animal drowning annually. Not only is it unsanitary to have them in the pool, but if not found quickly they can wreak havoc on your pool filters. The unfortunate person to discover the animal floating is frequently not your pool service company. Larger animals cause even greater risks.

How to Keep Pets Safe Near Your Pool

There are several options to help keep your pool safe this season. To keep animals out be sure to seal up any cracks or access areas around your property. For your playful pooch, other than placing pool alarms on the animal themselves, or boarding them into your home all day, a short pet safety fence can be an easy and affordable solution for safety.