Algae of all types, including green, blue-green, yellow, and black, can be removed and prevented from growing in water by using Fountec algaecide and clarifier. Fountec offers higher treatment outcomes in addition to improving water quality. The annual maintenance of fountains is now simple and highly effective thanks to Fountec’s maintenance program.
For best results, Fountec should be added to your birdbath, statuary fountain, or disappearing fountain once per week. Dogs, cats, birds, and other creatures can safely drink from it, and unlike chlorine or bleach, it won’t harm your pump. But keep it out of your pond because it won’t be safe for the fish or the vegetation!
Will dogs die from algaecide?
Your yard will become more serene and beautiful with a fountain. Unfortunately, algae, a typical issue with water features, may quickly ruin the beauty of your fountain. While some popular components, such copper sulfate and potassium salts of fatty acids, are harmful to dogs and other animals, algaecides may still be useful. Try a nontoxic, pet-safe algae control for fountains to stop these growths from sprouting if your dog enjoys drinking from your fountain.
Is dog algae control safe?
Yes. A natural product, Nualgi is free of dangerous chemicals like algaecides. Dogs, amphibians, birds, plants, and all other wildlife in and around your water garden and koi pond are safe. Ingesting nualgi has no hazardous or adverse effects. If you or a kid ate the formula and are experiencing any problems, please contact your primary care provider. If it gets in your eyes, wash them right away with water and rinse.
Are dogs hazardous from pool algae?
Recent instances of pet blue-green algae intoxications are concerning. Many pet owners are unaware of the serious danger that these poisons represent to animals, and it’s simple to ignore. We want to make sure you know everything you need to know to keep pets safe during this recent rise in blue-green algae instances.
In freshwater bodies of water, blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) are most likely to flourish when the temperature is warm (over 75 degrees) and sunny. Summertime is when more people become intoxicated by algae because of the favorable weather for cyanobacteria growth. Due to their extreme toxicity, these organisms have been known to poison dogs, cats, livestock, wildlife, birds, fish, and even humans.
When poisonous algae blooms are present, the water frequently has the appearance of pea-green paint or slime on the surface.
The film will frequently focus along the shoreline in regions where animals may drink or swim if specific wind conditions are present.
When drinking from or even just swimming in contaminated water sources, dogs might become poisoned. Blue-green algae can seriously harm the liver or nervous system if consumed.
Blue-green algae poisoning symptoms include:
- Seizures
- Panting
- excessive salivation
- respiration difficulty
- Diarrhea
- Disorientation
- Vomiting
- a liver problem
- In the end, death
You need to call your veterinarian right away if your dog starts to exhibit any of these signs.
When it comes to any pet poison, prevention is paramount. If there is bluish-green scum on the surface or at the borders of stagnant ponds, lakes, or other bodies of water, don’t let your dogs drink from them.
Take care before letting your pet jump into a body of water and make sure to completely rinse your pet with fresh water after they swim because blue-green algae cells can also attach to a pet’s fur and be ingested when they clean themselves.
Vigilance is also essential because many public health authorities regularly test the water in regions where outbreaks are known to occur and display warning signs when there are issues.
How long till a dog is affected by blue-green algae?
In as short as 30 to 60 minutes following exposure to the toxins, your dog may exhibit symptoms from any toxin.
Even though microcystin-related symptoms may take up to 12 to 24 hours to manifest, it’s still important to get your dog to the doctor as soon as you can.
You’ll be able to stay away from these algae in an ideal world. However, if your dog has access to water and is out of sight, watch out for these signs:
- Black, tarry, or bloody stools
- pallid mucous surfaces (gums)
- Jaundice
- seizures, trembling, rigidity, or paralysis of the muscles
- Coma
- excessive tears or salivation
- Blue stains on the skin, mucous membranes, and coat
- Having trouble breathing
Find Out If Blue-Green Algae Is In Your Area
There is a ton of information about blue-green algae on the Environmental Working Group website, including the map below, which shows where it has been identified and how it has risen annually through June 23rd, 2022.
How To Test Your Home Pond Or Lake
Here is a simple home test that you may use to determine whether your pond or lake at home may be poisoned. To learn more about lab tests in your area, you can also contact your local health officials.
If a dog consumes pool chemicals, what happens?
You can take every safety measure imaginable to keep your dog safe, but as any owner of a curious dog knows, they’ll try to get through any barriers you set in their path. That happened the summer before when the dog of my parents accidentally entered the tiny shed where they keep the chemicals for their swimming pool.
Although my parents always kept the door shut, the person who left had neglected to latch the door on this particular occasion. As a result, their dog, who is constantly curious, quickly managed to enter the area where he is usually barred out.
He had already succeeded in tipping the chlorine bottle over by the time my mother located him. Of course, the prospect of chemical poisoning caused my parents a great deal of concern. They immediately looked up warning signs and kept a close eye on their dog.
All dog owners should be aware of these symptoms. Instead of wasting valuable time investigating, you may save your dog’s life by immediately recognizing the symptoms of a poisoning. The following are the main signs of chemical poisoning.
Skin injury. Make sure you are aware of the symptoms a corrosive chemical exposure in your pet may cause. The sign that will be easiest for pet owners to observe is skin injury, as the list suggests. exposure to pool chemicals may result in “blisters or red, raw skin. Examine your pet’s skin thoroughly if you think they may have been exposed so you can see any harm immediately away.
Ulcers. It could be highly dangerous for your pet to consume a pool chemical. According to Banfield Pet Hospital, ingesting any of these corrosive substances could result in stomach ulcers in your pet “gastrointestinal tract, stomach, mouth, and esophagus. If you believe your pet has ingested a chemical, they advise that you take them right away to an emergency vet.
Angry eyes that are red. Many dogs enjoy swimming just as much as their owners do. Additionally, chlorine can irritate your dog’s eyes in the same way that it irritates ours. Even while post-swim red eyes aren’t a warning that something bad is about to happen, you should nonetheless address them. In order to remove any remaining chlorine, this article suggests bathing your dog’s eyes with fresh water or an eyewash solution.
Making ensuring pool chemicals are always handled safely is one of the most crucial actions a pet owner can take. Additionally, make careful to closely adhere to the storage recommendations for each individual chemical. You may do this to keep your pet secure and healthy throughout the year.
Through her blog, My New Well, Vee Cecil enjoys sharing her love of wellness. She resides with her family in Kentucky and works as a health counselor, personal trainer, and bootcamp instructor.
How can I keep my dog’s pool clean of algae?
Nothing is dirtier or more unhygienic than a dog pool that has been left in the yard for days, weeks, or even worse, the entire summer. A healthy dog pool is one that is clean, therefore you should approach cleaning your dog pool much like you would approach cleaning a small pool for your kids. Your dog won’t get sick from germs, algae, or insects that might be present in the water of the pool if the dog pool is kept clean.
Emptying the water out after your dog uses the pool is one of the simplest methods to keep it clean. Since there is no water in the pool, there is less of a possibility that mosquitoes or other bugs will be drawn to it and less of a chance that germs or algae will grow there. The dog pool should be thoroughly cleaned with a hose after usage, and then it should be placed outside to dry entirely. In order to maintain a very clean dog pool all summer long, it is also a good idea to periodically scrub the pool with an antibacterial cleanser and then give it a thorough spray of clean water.
Adding a very little amount of chlorine to the water is another approach to maintain the water in a dog pool in a somewhat clean state. However, you should exercise caution because a dog pool often contains little water to begin with, and you don’t want to add too much chlorine for the volume of water in the pool. In general, it is safe for a dog to enter a regular swimming pool that contains chlorine, and a few gulps of water here and there probably won’t hurt the dog either [See: Is It Okay For Dogs To Drink Pool Water?]. However, since a dog pool has significantly less water than a swimming pool, you want to be careful not to build up an excessive amount of chemicals that could harm your dog. Chlorine can be irritating to some dogs or even be drying to their skin and coat. Additionally, giving your dog chlorinated water to drink is not a good idea. Therefore, even though chlorine may provide a clean dog pool, it is not really the ideal choice for maintaining your dog pool regularly.
Another thing to remember is that you need to have clean dog pool toys in addition to a clean dog pool. Even if you are meticulous about maintaining the cleanliness of the dog pool, if you don’t maintain the cleanliness of the toys your dog uses in the pool, they will house bacteria, algae, and insects that will end up in your dog pool when the dog uses the toy in the pool. Pool toys should be manufactured especially for that application and composed of materials that are strong in the water and dry quickly. After use, the toys should be taken out of the pool, cleaned with clean water, and then put somewhere clean to dry.
The easiest approach to keep a dog pool clean during the summer is to set aside a short period of time after a day of play to drain the water, clean up, and possibly give it a fast scrub. It won’t take much work to keep your dog pool clean between uses, and doing so will help increase its lifespan.
If your dog swims in blue-green algae, what should you do?
The passing of all three of Melissa Martin’s dogs was announced on August 9, 2019, in Wilmington, North Carolina:
“Our dogs went over the rainbow bridge together at 12:08 a.m. There was nothing they could have done to prevent them from becoming poisoned by blue-green algae. We’re devastated. I wish I could change today.
Morgan Fleming from Marietta, Georgia, submitted the following the next day:
“It’s so hot, we thought this morning. Go to the lake with me! We took our adorable Arya to the lake, where we had the nicest time swimming and playing ball! On the way home, about 30 minutes later, we heard her making strange noises and found that she had puked and pooped in the car. On the way, we called our veterinarian, who advised us to bring her in. Our girl couldn’t barely stand at this point.
A Wilmington-area vet clinic sent out an email alerting pet owners that dogs who consume algae frequently succumb to their injuries.
“Please be mindful of the blue-green algae bloom that is currently occurring in our neighborhood. Blue-green algae blooms can be harmful to dogs and are frequently fatal. The email advises to immediately seek veterinarian care if you believe your pet has come into contact with blue-green algae and to quickly rinse with freshwater.
Having said that, the alleged “Algae are actually a form of cyanobacteria, a type of bacterium. Although cyanobacteria cannot be seen with the human eye, when it collects in water bodies, it frequently resembles algae. When the weather is hot and there is minimal rainfall, this bacteria is frequently discovered in still freshwater. If they aren’t regularly cleaned, beautiful ponds and backyard pools can also develop toxic algae.
Do dogs have permission to swim in chlorinated water?
Jumping into your backyard pool is one of the best ways to cool off on a hot summer day! But is it okay for your dog to accompany you? In a well-balanced chlorinated or saltwater swimming pool, it is usually safe for a dog to swim as long as they are closely supervised. Of course, you shouldn’t let your dog drink from the pool, but other than that, the answer is generally yes.
Before letting their dog or a guest’s dog in or around the pool, all pet owners should be aware of a few swimming pool dangers and precautions! Here are the top five pet dangers associated with backyard swimming pools, along with advice on how to avoid them.
Accidental Drownings
Unfortunately, a dog or any other outdoor creature has a very real chance of drowning in a backyard pool. Even dogs with extensive swimming experience can drown because they naturally go to the pool’s edges but are unable to figure out how to exit the water. All outdoor pools in Minnesota are required by law to be fenced in, but there are other steps pet owners can take to avoid this tragedy:
- Never assume that all dogs are naturally adept at swimming. Teach your dog to swim and to exit the pool safely, whether they do so via the stairs or a pet-friendly pool ladder or ramp. It’s crucial to train your guests’ dogs how to leave the pool if you invite them over and they bring their dogs.
- Buy a dog life jacket that suits your dog adequately. Getting a life jacket with a handle is also a fantastic idea so you can quickly grab and lift your dog out of the pool if necessary.
- Spend money on a motion-detecting pool alarm system. A pool alarm is essential for families with young children and can help save pets.
- If your dogs are outside and you need to enter the pool quickly, use an automated pool cover to swiftly and easily cover the pool.
- Speaking about pool coverings, a lot of animals mistake them for hard surfaces. It’s crucial to teach your dog—or any other outdoor pet—to avoid the pool cover, especially if the cover cannot sustain the weight of your animal. Ask a certified dog trainer for their best advice, or try leash-training, learning fundamental commands, and clicker training!
Water Intoxication
When a dog consumes too much water, the salt levels in the blood become too diluted, which results in water intoxication. Even while it doesn’t happen often, when it does, it can be fatal if not addressed right away. If your pet consumes a lot of pool water, there is also a higher danger of salt poisoning in saltwater pools. The best strategy for avoiding your dog consuming swimming pool water is to:
- Outside the pool, fill your pet’s water dish with fresh water.
- If you observe that your pet is drinking a lot of water or urinating a lot, it’s time to forcibly remove your dog from the pool.
More Bacteria in the Pool
Although we adore them, our dogs aren’t the cleanest animals. Your pool’s water will be contaminated with hair, dander, dirt, feces, pollen, and other particles. This advice is mainly geared at humans since anything on your dog may make people in the pool ill. If your dog, for instance, has feces on its behind, this could get into the water, and if a person swallows the water, they could acquire E. coli! It goes without saying that nobody likes that, thus the best techniques to avoid a dirty pool are to:
- Maintain your pool properly, and make the necessary pH adjustments. Remember that the additional bacteria from your dog could upset this equilibrium.
- Make sure the filtration system in your pool is functioning correctly, and clean the filter frequently. De-shed or brush your dog before letting them into the pool to reduce the quantity of dog hair in the filter!
- After each use, manually clean the swimming pool.
Irritated Skin
The chemicals in a well-kept pool should be sufficiently diluted so that your dog won’t be harmful when swimming in it, but they may still cause your dog’s skin to become red, itchy, or flaky. The most effective technique to stop skin irritation is to:
- Simply put, if your dog reacts to swimming, don’t let them near the pool.
- After each swim, give your dog a gentle rinse with the hose or a bath.
- If your dog’s skin irritation worsens, seek advice from your primary care veterinarian or a board-certified veterinary dermatologist.
Pool Cleaning Chemicals
It might be very deadly if your dog accidentally ingests your store of powerful pool cleaning chemicals. Muriatic acid, brominating pills, chlorine tablets, and similar goods are dangerous, and if consumed, the acid can lead to mouth and throat ulcers in your cat. Pet owners should: in order to avoid this potential risk.
- All pool chemicals should be kept in a secure location.
- Pets must always be kept indoors or in a separate, enclosed area while the pool is being cleaned and maintained.
We hope your family takes into account these potential pet dangers and the procedures to keep your pets and your family safe in the pool, whether you have had a swimming pool for years or just recently purchased one. If you have any concerns about caring for a pet-friendly pool, speak with a pool care business to get their top advice and recommended tools!
