How to Hot Tub with Your Dog

We get it, you love to spend time with your dog, especially when you’re at home! He’s your best friend! So, it stands to reason, when it’s time to hot tub, your dog should be right at your side, right?

When it comes to allowing your dog in a hot tub, the short answer is NO.

Naturally, when people hear “No,” they want to know why.

Plus, Google reveals a lot of entertaining videos of dogs in hot tubs. Go ahead, get a laugh from them, but don’t let them inspire you.

The truth is, hot tubs are not good for dogs.

Here are few good reasons and even better, some alternative options!

What are you soaking in?

Your hot tub is not very large – even if you got the XXL model. It’s a relatively small body of water. That means all the fur, along with the dirt and dust, residual shampoo, tick sprays whatever is on or in your dog’s coat, will end up in your hot tub water, and you’ll be soaking in it!

Your hot tub filter will then clog with dog fur and whatever else came off his coat. The filter will work harder, require more frequent cleaning, and possibly become less efficient, causing poor water quality and even problems for the other mechanical parts of the hot tub … those are the things people don’t usually think about when they want their dog in the hot tub.

No Sweat

Dog’s don’t sweat. They don’t perspire either. They cool off by panting. Their paw pads sometimes perspire, but while immersed in a hot tub their pads cannot sweat. Panting can wear a dog out, and they can’t keep up with the heat. They can quickly overheat – they’re not human so they can’t tell you they’re too hot, and they won’t know they need to get out. The result can be heatstroke.

Nailing it

You trim your dog’s nails, of course you do! However, even well-trimmed, rounded nails are hard and very effective at clawing surfaces, especially if your dog becomes fearful. Your hot tub surfaces aren’t made for dog claws. Protect your hot tub, yourself and your dog, keep him out of the hot tub.

The answer: a dog spa

While sharing a soak with your dog is not the best idea for anyone, including your hot tub, you could make a dog spa. Dogs seem to like a warm soak, and when its hot outside, they like a cool soak! This is also a good way for a dog who may not like water to overcome that fear.

Get a kiddy pool of hard plastic or even a large plastic storage bin, fill it with fresh water just a hair over lukewarm, or with cool water.

Make sure its shallow enough that your dog can stand on all fours with his head well above water. Set it beside your hot tub. Put in some toys. Everyone will be happy, even your hot tub. Your dog will have his day! Better yet, you can safely join your dog in his dog spa!

If you need to buy a dog pool made for a dog, you can easily find one with a quick internet search. Your spa dealer may even have one – they usually have all the answers!

Another Answer: Create a Special Place

Make a special place beside your hot tub for your dog. Put a dog bed there or a big blanket. Put some chewy toys there and give him treats while you soak. If he likes to play fetch, throw balls for him while you’re soaking, you soak, he fetches, everyone is happy.

That’s it for dogs. What? You have a cat? That’s another story, the short and long version are the same: “No.”