The 5 Best Dog Pools Australia: Tested & Evaluated 2024

If the heat outside is getting unbearable for you, one can only imagine how warm your canine companion is feeling. Especially for dogs with very thick coats and especially double coats, it is important to find a way to help them cool down during the hottest months.

So how about a dog pool? While setting up a pool exclusively for your four-legged family member might sound extravagant at first, doggy swimming pools don’t have to be that expensive. Tougher than an inflatable pool, but still portable and easy to set up, there are many pools and tubs these days designed specifically for your dog.

Today’s guide is dedicated to helping you find the best pool for your dog. To suss out the best from the rest, we teamed up with veterinarians, canine behaviourists and dog parents to test the most popular dog pool options in Australia. After months of research and dozens of dozens of pools later, our team of independent experts were finally able to agree on this list. Let's check them out!

Australia's Best Doggy Pools Reviewed

Here are the best dog swimming pools we have found. These are the dog pools that each member of our team of experts tested with their dogs and loved every second of it. Here's why...

If you are looking for an extra-strong dog swimming pool, this might just be it. The main issue with most swimming pools is that they tear up all too quickly if they come in contact with a dog’s claws. This pool from Kopeks does not have this problem!

The pool is made of industrial-strength PVC and designed to withstand the increased wear and tear that canines can cause. In fact, the pool is not even inflatable - so you will not have a disaster on your hands with the tiniest puncture.

What I also love about this pool is that it is quite spacious. The walls are 30 cm high and the inside measures 160 cm in diameter. That is big enough to fit even very large dogs for a bath, while the smaller canines can play comfortably inside the water.

The pool is also extremely easy to set up (inflation not required). It has a very convenient folding system too which reduces your pool to a very small size for storage. This means that this pool is also portable, although it is quite heavy. It weighs 7.2 kilograms, to be exact, which is a consequence of using heavy-duty materials which makes this pool so durable. Thanks to its size, it is definitely not portable. If you need a portable option, then we recommend our number two and number four choices ahead.

That being said, the weight is only a minor fault, and the only one our team of independent experts could find. Overall, the Kopeks pool is a great choice that will outlast most other options.

This swimming pool for dogs features a similar design to our top pick on this list. It is made with thick PVC walls and it features the same folding mechanism that lets you pack the pool away and set it up again with ease.

However, this pool is not nearly as heavy as our number one choice above (weighs only 3 kg). If you are looking for a pool that you can truly take with you on outings - this is the right choice. That being said, less weight does mean thinner material was used. The walls of this pool are still fairly strong, but there is some risk of puncturing the bottom, especially if placed on small rocks, for example.

The Floofi Pet Swimming Pool measures 120 cm in diameter which is still quite large. For tiny breeds, it might even be huge and could become a dog paddling pool. For larger dogs, there will not be enough space to swim, but it will surely suffice for a comfortable bath.

Overall, it’s a great choice for those on a budget or those looking for a lightweight pool for dogs that is easy to set up too.

This pool from All for Paws is a great option for all those who want to offer some summer fun to their canine companions - if they are on the smaller side.

This pool measures 80 cm in diameter. If you don’t have a lot of room in your backyard (or wherever you plan to place the pool) and your four-legged friend also doesn’t require too much space, this can be a great size. My pomeranian loved splashing around in it with his doggy pals!

The All for Paws Chill Out Splash and Fun Dog Pool is also very cute. The exterior and the interior are in aqua blue with a cool print on the outside. The walls and the floor are made from durable PVC which allows for creating a  pool that doesn't need to be inflated and is also very difficult to puncture. Works perfectly as a puppy pool too.

This pop-up pool for dogs is one of the most lightweight options available when it comes to dog pools. What makes it stand out even more among the other options is how easy it is to set up. The Doog pool folds up into a pouch somewhat like a pop-up tent.

I was quick to discover that bringing the pool with you on outings has never been easier!

That being said, the price of lightweight and portability is a less heavy-duty material than some other options. While the Doog Foldable Pet Pop-Up Pool can surely take some abuse and even withstand a couple of scratches with the canine claws, it will not last forever if abused. For durability, we must redirect you to our number one choice by Kopeks.

Every member of our team of independent experts loved how the Doog pool comes in three different sizes - small, medium, and large, the largest one measuring 120 cm in diameter.  That’s fairly large, and it makes the Doog pool the only portable pool that can fit dogs who are on the larger side too.

A sprinkler for your lawn, sure, but what about a sprinkler for your dog? Well, actually, it can be a great idea. Many pooches are amazed by sprinklers and love playing with them. Installing this sprinkler in your yard can be a great way to add more fun to your dog’s life while also letting them cool down.

The Flyboo Splash Sprinkler Pad is basically a round pad with sprinklers around the edges that spray inwards. The mat is made of thick PVC material, just like most doggy pools and bathtubs.

To get it going, I just needed to plug my garden hose into the vent on the edge of the pad. I was able to adjust the height of the sprinklers by adjusting the water pressure. And when my dog was done playing with the water, I simply let the pad air dry and fold it up again. It folds up pretty small for storage which is another plus.

The material this mat is made of is fairly tough, although there is some danger of tearing it if your dog gets too carried away while playing. The mat measures 1.5 metres in diameter. Our researchers found it works best for small to medium dogs. If you have young children around, the sprinkler can be great fun for them too.

Overall, this sprinkler pad is a great way to make bathing fun for your dog, whether you use it as an addition to your doggy pool or on its own.

What I Look For in a Dog Swimming Pool

Okay, dog swimming pools are awesome, but how do you know which one to choose? Will any plastic pool do? Will the cheap generic inflatable pools work for your pup?

Well, our team of independent experts say this is what to consider when buying a dog pool:

Size

While there might be other important characteristics a dog pool should have, getting one in the wrong size can totally wreck the experience. At the very least, your dog pool should be big enough for your dog to stand inside comfortably and to be able to turn around. Most doggie pools are round, so you’ll want one with a diameter that is a bit longer than your dog when standing naturally.

A pool that big will be enough for your dog to get a quick refreshment and to make baths more comfortable both for you and the dog. Now, if you want your dog to be able to swim inside, you’ll want something much larger.

In general, pop-up pools made for pets will only work as a paddling pool if your dog is small. In general, the depth of these pools is 30 cm and even the largest pet pools are not over 2 metres in diameter.

Durability

Well, we want anything we buy to be durable, but when buying a pool for your dog, this is especially important. Regular inflatable pools are dangerous and, frankly, not very useful for dogs because a claw or a tooth will puncture the side of the pool sooner or later.

Pools made specifically for dogs are usually made from thicker materials. Getting the strongest material possible will make your pool last much longer.

Portability

Where exactly will you be setting up your doggie pool? Is it in a garden, or do you want to take the pool with you on outings or camping? Do you plan to keep the pool there all summer, or do you want to be able to pack it away quickly?

Since many of us don’t have enough space to have a designated dog pool area, getting a pool that is easy to pack away can be a godsend. Luckily, many of them have this feature.

If you plan to carry the pool with you when travelling or on outings, you’ll also want it to be lightweight. On the other hand, if you don’t plan to move the pool much you can choose a heavier option which will usually be more durable too.

Design

When it comes to the design of dog pools, there is not much variation between the different models. Mostly, these pools are made of heavy-duty PVC with thicker walls. The differences are mainly size and colour. But if fashion is important to you, then you could look for a colour that matches your decor. The dogs won’t care though!

Safety and Ease of Use

While dog pools are fun, it’s also important to consider the safety issues. One problem with doggy pools can be the material the bottom is made of. When wet, it can get too slippery, which can cause your dog to slide around in weird ways. Look for pools with a non-slip bottom.

In addition to this, it’s worth considering how you will use the pool once it’s there. Sure, just put a hose in and fill it up. But where will the water go after? Good dog pools will have a vent that lets you drain the pool easily. Take care that the vent is large enough - if it’s too small and your dog has long hairs, it will clog up all too easily.

Pet Pool Materials and Safety Concerns

One final thing that might be worth thinking about before settling on a pet pool is the safety of the material it is made of. Do you know what dog pools are made of? These days, you’ll mostly read its PVC, and the term PVC is actually used interchangeably with vinyl (1), at least in the case of the soft material used for pools. Now, the problem with vinyl is that it can often contain additives like phthalates and PBA (Bisphenol-A) which are known to be harmful.

These additives give the PVC its elasticity, and they are not recommended for use in kitchenware, for example, and also not for dog chew toys. Will these additives in the material your dog pool is made of harm your dog? Probably not. However, it would still not be a good idea to let the dog chew on the pool sides, so that’s something to keep in mind.

As you might know, the industry of pet toys and accessories is not very strongly regulated (2), so it’s hard to know what exactly your pet pool is made of. In any case, it might be best to go for something that’s BPA and phthalate-free, if possible.

My Final Verdict

Which dog pool is the best? Our team of independent experts agree that Kopeks Outdoor Swimming Pool is functional as well as durable. It will provide long-lasting fun in your backyard, and it’s quite large too.

However, if you want something more portable, we recommend you consider the Doog Foldable Pet Pop-Up Pool as a more lightweight alternative.

References

1. Weinstein, S. March 21, 2019. “The Dangers of Vinyl Dog Toys”. Whole Dog Journal. Retrieved January 15, 2024.  https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/care/dog-toys/the-dangers-of-vinyl-dog-toys/
2. “Making playtime a good time for you and your pet”. February 20, 2019. RSPCA Australia. Retrieved January 15, 2024.  https://www.rspca.org.au/blog/2019/making-playtime-good-time-you-and-your-pet