By: Vee Cecil, Guest Writer

You can take every precaution in the book to keep your dog out of harm’s way, but as any owner of a curious pooch knows, they’ll do their best to get around the obstacles you put in front of them. That was the case last summer when my parents’ dog found his way into the small shed where they keep their pool chemicals.

Though my parents always kept the door locked, on this occasion the last person out had forgotten to latch the door. So it didn’t take long for their always curious dog to find his way into the space that he’s normally locked out of.

By the time my mom found him, he’d already managed to knock over the chlorine container. Of course, my parents were extremely worried about the possibility of a chemical poisoning. They immediately researched what symptoms to look out for and monitored their dog closely.

Knowing these symptoms is important for all dog owners. Immediately recognizing what signs indicate a poisoning instead of wasting critical time researching could save your dog’s life. Here are key symptoms of a chemical poisoning.

Skin damage. Make sure you know the signs your pet has been exposed to a corrosive chemical. As the list indicates, the sign that will be easiest for pet owners to see is skin damage. Pool chemical exposure could cause “red, raw skin” or blisters. If you suspect exposure, carefully examine your pet’s skin so that you can catch any damage right away.

Ulcers. If your pet ingests a pool chemical, it can be very damaging. Banfield Pet Hospital warns that if your pet swallows any of these corrosive chemicals, they could cause ulcers in the “mouth, esophagus, stomach and intestinal tract.” They recommend seeing an emergency vet immediately if you think your pet has swallowed a chemical.

Red, irritated eyes. Many dogs love to swim as much has their human owners. And just as chlorine can irritate our eyes, it can irritate your dog’s eyes as well. While post-swim red eyes aren’t a sign of imminent danger, you should take steps to treat them. This article recommends washing out your dog’s eyes with fresh water or an eyewash solution in order to clear their eyes of any lingering chlorine.

Irregular behavior. Pool chemicals can cause internal damage that you won’t be able to see, and because your dog won’t be able to tell you how they’re feeling, you’ll need to monitor their behavior. GlobalAnimal.org suggests that you keep an eye on your dog’s balance. If they aren’t walking normally, they could be reacting to an ingested chemical. Another behavioral change to be on the look out for is loss of appetite. Most dogs are always up for a meal or a treat—if your dog suddenly doesn’t want to eat, that could be a sign of trouble.

One of the most important steps to take as a pet owner is to make sure pool chemicals are always stored securely. And be sure to follow the storage instructions for each specific chemical very closely. When you do, you can keep your pet safe and healthy all year long.

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Vee Cecil loves sharing her passion for wellness through her blog, My New Well. She is also a wellness coach, personal trainer, and bootcamp instructor who lives in Kentucky with her family.