Dog and Koi Ponds - Is the Pond Safe for Your Dog?
Most ponds are safe for dogs but, there are several things to consider.
1. Make sure that your dog can safely get in and out of the pond. Some ponds have loose rocks on the sides or are not shelved in. A pond built like a bowl with bare liner could be difficult for a dog to get out of.
Here is Molly in our pond. She loves to cool down here and although I know she can swim, I keep an eye on her when she is in the pond.
What are you putting in your water?
2. There are water treatments that are not safe for animals or other life. Check the container of the product you are using to see if there are any warnings on the label.
Birds and other wildlife will drink from the pond as well. A pond should be a natural ecosystem environment and a drink from the pond or even a whole dunk should be safe for the dog! If you are using a pond company make sure they don’t use anything that would hurt your pets!
Beneficial bacteria in the water is not toxic to dogs.
Molly and her new best friend at a pond in Berthoud. They did not hesitate to jump right in the pond to see what the guys were up to!
Aquatic Pond Plants and Dog Safety
3. Most aquatic plants are safe for dogs AND most dogs don’t eat the pond plants. That being said, our dog, Molly, LOVES to chomp down on an aquatic plant!
Water Hyacinth – if ingested by your dog can cause a dog to vomit, have diarrhea and lethargy (mostly due to an upset tummy). In the decade I have been working with ponds, I have never had anyone say that their dog ate a hyacinth and became sick. For that matter, I have never had anyone tell me their dog at the Water Hyacinth. I think for the most part dogs do not consider it a desirable snack (except for our dog, Molly who considers it a fun treat. )
Molly has eaten a Water Hyacinth and we saw no signs of illness in her. Of course, some dogs are more sensitive to certain things than others. I have found THIS article on Water Hyacinth and dogs.
Molly also enjoys a nice mouthful of string algae. I don’t think she has gotten much of it down, but it didn’t seem to bother her.
This visiting sweetie did not feel inclined to eat Water Hyacinth. She did however go swimming right through the waterlilies!
What about the safety of the POND?
While your dogos may be fine with the pond, the pond may not be fine with the dogs!
If there are small, loose rocks along the edges hiding liner, they can be misplaced by dogs running across them.
Liner could even be pushed down if it is not well protected, causing water loss.
If your dog is a swimmer, they may swim right through the waterlilies…which is not great.
Some breeds of dogs will go after the fish. But I rarely get reports of this.
Want to read more about dog breeds that love to swim? I found THIS ARTCILE from the American Kennel Club.
This is our dog Zeke who has since passed. He absolutely loved the pond and never cause any pond problems!
Kristi's Tips
Most dogs prefer to get in where the water is shallow just to cool off.
It is ok if the dog is drinking from your pond as long as you aren’t putting in harsh chemicals!
If your dog tries to munch on a plant, do take it away from them.
* This blog was NOT written by AI. This was written by me. I am not a professional writer, I am a pond person. Therefore, if you see a typo, please forgive me!
*No koi were harmed in the making of this content.