Dog pool quick picks
Vinyl pool for the backyard: Frisco Outdoor Dog Swimming Pool
Ultra-durable steel pool: CountyLine 40-Gallon Galvanized Stock Tank
Foldable and portable pool: K&H Pet Products Dog Pool
Splash pad: Peteast Dog Splash Pad
If your dog likes playing in the water, the best dog pools are a worthwhile addition to your yard, as they’ll give them an easy way to cool off in the summer.
“In the heat of summer and fall, providing your dog with a refreshing place to cool off can be the perfect ticket to relax and play on hot days,” says celebrity dog trainer Chrissy Joy. “It’s a great way to make a positive association with water — which can make bathtime less of a chore — and also provide a safe outlet when walking or hiking is out of the question.” My two golden retrievers use our dog pool daily in the summer, both to cool down after walks and play with their favorite toys on hot days.
If you’re thinking about adding a dog pool to your list of essential pet products, we asked veterinarians and trainers what you should consider as you shop and, based on their advice, found a variety of top-rated options that your dog is sure to love.
What’s the best material for a dog pool?
One of the common problems you might run into with dog pools is durability. If your dog is jumping in and out of the pool and scratching at the bottom, the material can rip or pop, so it’s important to select a material that aligns with your dog’s play style. There are a few common materials used for dog pools, and they all have their own benefits.
- Hard plastic: Arguably the most popular option for dog pools, hard plastic offers a good balance of durability and value. “Kiddie pools made from hard plastic are a great option for dogs,” says Dr. Sam Meisler, veterinarian and founder and CEO of PetWellClinic. “Not only are they affordable, they can withstand a dog’s claws.” These pools are generally quite lightweight, but they don’t fold up, making them more challenging to store.
- PVC or vinyl: Some pet owners prefer fold-up pools made from vinyl, as they’re easy to store in the off-season. These pools generally have a reinforced lining to prevent punctures, but if your dog likes to paw at the bottom of the pool, vinyl may rip or tear.
- Metal: While more expensive than plastic options, metal stock tanks can serve as large, durable pools for your dog. They’re virtually impossible to puncture and can last for many years, but they’re quite heavy and have higher walls, making them best suited for dog breeds that can comfortably climb in and out.
How deep should a dog pool be?
Dog pools aren’t a one-size-fits-all product, and the best depth for a dog pool depends on the size of your pup. “Generally, you want to keep the pool at elbow height,” recommends Joy. “The purpose of most backyard dog pools is not for actual swimming, but a chance to cool off and play with some toys.”
Smaller breeds will do best in a shallow pool or splash pad with low walls for easy access and exiting, while larger dogs may prefer a deeper pool. In general, the deepest dog pools are only around 12 inches tall for safety.
Best dog pools
If you’re looking for a way to help your dog cool off on hot summer days, we’ve put together a list of the best dog pools using guidance from our experts. Here’s what we recommend.
In terms of value and durability, you can’t go wrong with a classic kiddie pool for your pups. “I have always used plastic kiddie pools for my dogs,” Reynolds says. “They are cheap, lightweight and easy to clean. I don’t see any reason to spend a lot on a splash pool that will likely take a beating with teeth and toenails.”
You can find hard plastic pools, like this one from Funsicle, at most major retailers in the spring and summer, and they come in a variety of sizes to suit different dogs. My two golden retrievers love playing in kiddie pools during the summer, and I’ve found that the 60-inch versions are best for two dogs. The only downside is that stores generally won’t ship these pools due to their bulky shape, so you may have to pick it up in-store.
Fold-up dogs pools like this one from Frisco are another popular choice for pets. “My favorite styles are the ones that come in a vinyl/rubber like design that can be folded up after use,” Joy says. “I find that they aren't as slippery and come in larger sizes for multiple dogs.” This model is available in 55- or 63-inch diameters, and it has reinforced walls to help prevent tears. Plus, when you’re done using it for the season, you can simply fold up the flexible walls for compact storage.
The Jasonwell Foldable Dog Pool is another highly rated option made from PVC. This one comes in a wide range of sizes, from as small as 32 inches in diameter to a max size of 79 inches, and it has a thick, slip-resistant lining on the bottom. It has a drain plug on one side that makes it easy to empty, and it folds up for compact storage when not in use.
This bone-shaped pool is a bit pricey, but it’s “the best on the market,” according to Michelle Ziemba, dog trainer and owner of The Country Mutt. It’s made from the same thick plastic that’s used in truck beds and measures 66 inches long, making it spacious enough for big dogs. Ziemba uses one of these pools at her dog daycare, and it’s held up great, despite frequent use by dogs of all sizes. “Some people even get fancy and set them in decking,” she says, which can make it easier for dogs to get into the pool.
Ziemba also recommends looking at children’s pools and sandboxes from the brand Step2. She uses this fun crab-shaped sandbox as a pool for pups and says that the double-walled design makes it more durable than most kiddie pools and also UV-resistant. It’s 47.5 inches in diameter, making it best-suited for small- and medium-size dogs, and it comes with a cover that can help keep the water cleaner and also prevent your dog from going in unattended.
If your dog’s special talent is popping holes in pools, it might be worth upgrading to a metal stock tank like this one, which my parents have used for their 100-pound dog for many years. It’s made from galvanized steel, so it’s virtually impossible to break, even if your dog likes to dig at the bottom or jump in and out. The 40-gallon tank is 48 inches long, so it’s just big enough for larger dogs to lie down, but keep in mind that the tank weighs around 30 pounds when unfilled, making it harder to move and empty.
Another fold-up option, the Yaheetech Dog Pool comes in multiple sizes and has five-layer walls for durability. The larger options offer room for multiple dogs to play, and there’s a drain plug on one of the walls that you can attach to a hose for easy emptying. The pool folds up nicely for storing, and it comes with four patches to repair the bottom or walls should your pup poke a hole somewhere.
For smaller dogs, the Polygroup Wading Dog Pool is just 36 inches in diameter with 6-inch walls, so the water level won’t be too deep. The pool is made from sturdy plastic and comes in two fun colors, and it has a cute dog-themed pattern on the bottom. This dog pool is also inexpensive, and it weighs less than 2 pounds when empty, making it easy to move around.
This dog pool from K&H has a unique design that’s easy to store in the off-season. It has a durable metal frame that assembles without any tools, and it holds up a thick vinyl liner. The frame helps prevent the walls from collapsing, even if your pet steps on them, and there’s a drain plug at the bottom of the pool for easy emptying. This pool comes in two sizes, and the brand sells a compatible canopy to provide shade for your dog on hot days.
If your dog likes playing in the sprinkler, they’ll have a blast on this splash pad, which is designed for pets. It comes in several sizes, ranging from 51 to 97 inches in diameter, and it’s made from a thick PVC material. When you hook up the splash pad to a garden hose, it sends up small jets of water to cool off your pup, and the walls are slightly raised so water will collect in the bottom of the splash pad as well.
This cute little pool from Sun Squad would be a stylish addition to your yard. It has a fun checkered print on the outside, and its 40-inch diameter is the perfect size for small and medium dogs. The walls are made from PVC, and there’s a drain plug that makes it easy to empty when your dog is finished playing. Plus, its collapsible design folds up into a compact size for storage.
How to keep dogs safe in pools
Dog pools are a fun way to cool down in the summer, but it’s important to follow safety guidelines to keep your pets safe as they play.
“Never allow dogs to access the pool unsupervised,” says Brett Reynolds, dog trainer and director of dog care at The Dog Stop. “If you have small dogs, check the water level frequently, especially if it rains. Pool water should also be emptied daily, since stagnant water will attract mosquitos and can be a breeding ground for pathogens.”
You’ll also want to be aware of the temperature of the water and ground around the pool, especially if it’s located in the sun. “The ground around the pool may get super hot, which can potentially rip your dog’s pads after they soften in the water,” Joy says. “Try to place your pool in partial shade, at least, if you are on a deck or solid surface.”