Dog parents in the UAE will agree that the summer months are incredibly hard for our beloved pooches. Long walks are out of question. Even going to doggy beaches is difficult as its too hot for those little paws. But as with everything, Dubai has a solution for this too with some incredibly cool swimming pools, purpose built for our water-loving doggos. While several pools for dogs have come up in the past few years, here are two swimming pools in Dubai that your dog will love.
Let’s take a look!
Fitness and fun at Dogwalk
Dogwalk is an indoor, temperature-controlled pool that offers hydrotherapy for dogs, which is an incredibly important service especially for canines with joint issues. The 6×3-metre pool has a permanent ramp and platform used for hydrotherapy sessions as well as regular swimming classes. What’s more there is an option for dogs to swim with their humans.
Timings and charges for swimming sessions
Samantha Vince: Our pool is open seven days a week. Fitness and swimming sessions with dogs and their humans are subject to availability from 2PM onwards from Saturday through Thursday and 8AM to 6PM on Fridays.
Below are the charges for swimming sessions:
- Swimming session with dogs and their humans in the private pool for 30 minutes – AED60
- Individual fitness swimming session with our staff in the pool – AED130 for the first assessment and AED100 thereafter
- Hydrotherapy for dogs and cats with our qualified hydrotherapist – AED210 for the first assessment and AED165 thereafter
- Membership dog group swimming sessions – AED50 add-on with day care membership
- Other swimming packages are also available.
Are there any specific requirements – for example, do dogs have to be neutered?
Samantha Vince: Dogs do not need to be neutered for swimming sessions. However, we do require full vaccination history in line with UAE municipality rules (DHPPI, Rabies annually). We do not require kennel cough vaccinations for private pool rental or individual sessions. These are conducted separately from the rest of our facility in an enclosed space with its own entrance.
Steps followed to maintain hygiene of the swimming pool(s).
Samantha Vince: We follow the National Association of Registered Canine Hydrotherapists (NARCH) guidelines for safe water quality levels and ranges for hygiene, temperature and testing.
Swim and socialise at Romi’s Home Pet Nursery
The already cool and homey Romi’s Home Pet Nursery got cooler when the addition of a swimming pool. Approximately 22ft/10ft in size the swimming pool has become a firm favourite among doggos visiting the day care.
Timings and charges for swimming sessions.
Romi Banerjee: Our timings for swimming sessions are from 11AM to 12PM or 5.30 to 6.30PM every day. The sessions must be booked in advance, and the charges are given below:
- For 1-hour personal swimming session – AED120 with maximum three dogs and additional AED30 for every extra dog
- For our day care dogs the charge is different – AED20 extra over day care for a 40-45-minute swimming session
Any specific requirements for dogs to use the swimming pool?
Romi Banerjee: The mandatory requirements include annual vaccinations record (Rabies, DHPPL, Kennel Cough) and VacciCheck report.
Steps followed to maintain hygiene of the swimming pool.
Romi Banerjee: We change the water twice a month along with regular and continuous filtration 24/7. In addition, we carefully measure the pH level [measure of how acidic/basic water is] in water daily. Goes without saying that we clean the pool after every use.