Can Dogs Go in Hot Tubs?

Do you love relaxing in a hot tub or booking vacation rentals with one? If your dog follows you everywhere, you may wonder: Can dogs go in hot tubs?

The short answer is no. Hot tubs can be dangerous for dogs and may lead to overheating, dehydration, chemical exposure, or even emergency vet visits. Even a quick dip can become risky faster than many dog parents realize.

While the bubbling water may look cute in photos, hot tubs and dogs simply don’t mix. My dog, Henry, loves floating in swimming pools, but I’d never let him dip a paw into a hot tub. Thankfully, there are many safer ways for your pup to stay nearby while you relax. Let’s dig into why dogs should stay out of hot tubs and what to do instead.

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Can dogs go in hot tubs safely? Learn important dog safety tips, smart dog care advice, and hidden risks every dog mom and dog lover should know before letting pups near hot water. Find out more great tips at tailwagwisdom.com

Budget tip:

Caution is the key to keeping your pup safe and vet bills down. This includes keeping your dog out of hot tubs so you don’t regret it later at an emergency vet visit. Avoiding putting your dog in a hot tub is a major win-win for you and your furry friend.

Dogs should not go in hot tubs because they can overheat quickly, ingest harmful chemicals, and experience serious health complications. Even short exposure can be risky, especially for puppies, senior dogs, and flat-faced breeds.

Safe Ways To Keep Your Dog Busy While You Relax:

Lick mat - Henry’s favorite is always with plain pumpkin puree

Frozen Kong - amazing how long this can keep a pup occupied

Mental stimulation game - your pup can increase brain power while you soak

Snuffle mat - most dogs love these 

Easy homemade treats - Henry think homemade is the best! 

Comfy cuddler bed - Henry loves his cuddler beds

Kiddie pool - Most dogs love splashing in their own pool

Note: If you have questions or concerns about your dog’s health, always consult your vet.

Table of Contents

Why Is A Dog in a Hot Tub Dangerous?

Hot tubs are made for humans. Not dogs. While it’s a relaxing and healing experience for dog parents, it’s very dangerous to dogs. Even a larger swim spa is unsafe for your dog.

The risk for your dog in a hot tub includes:

Overheating: Your dog can’t sweat like you. Pups’ main way to cool themselves is panting. But the normal hot tub water temperature is 100–104°F, which means your dog can overheat in minutes.
Skin irritation: Most hot tubs use chlorine and bromine to keep them clean. But these chemicals can easily dry out and irritate your dog’s skin and coat.
Eyes & ears irritation: The chemicals used in hot tubs along with the warm temperature, and water, means your dog it may cause itching, redness, and result in infections.
Water drinking hazard: Most dogs will drink water when they swim. But if your buddy ingests water from your hot tub, it could cause an upset stomach – or much worse.
Slipping & injuries: Have you ever gotten pushed by a hot tub jet? It might feel good on your sore muscles, but it could cause your dog to panic, get injured, or even drown. Also, the wet, slick stairs used to get in or out of the hot tub could cause your pup to slip, incur a sprain, broken bone, or much worse.

Can My Dog Just Take a Quick Dip in The Hot Tub?

a mountain dog sits in front of a spa and wonders can dogs go in hot tubs safely?

No! Unfortunately, even a short dip in the bubbly water is unsafe for your dog. The water is too hot, the jets are too strong, and the risk is too high. It could result in a heatstroke or injury. That all means a pricey vet.

You may ask why your dog can splash in a cool pool, but not a hot tub. The answer is simple. The possibility of heatstroke. Just as you wouldn’t leave your dog in a hot car for a moment, you can’t put a dog in a hot tub for a second.

Heck, even a short soak isn’t safe. Unlike a quick splash in a cool pool or lake, a hot tub’s water is too hot for dogs to tolerate. A few minutes can raise their body temperature to unsafe levels, putting them at risk of heatstroke.

Why Hot Tub Chemicals Are Dangerous For Dogs

A hot tub can have a couple of chemicals that aren’t good for your dog. They include:

Chlorine
Bromine

Truly, hot tub chemicals and dogs just don’t mix well.

These chemicals can be an issue with:

Water ingestion
Skin irritation
Eye irritation
Licking fur

Why Dogs Overheat Faster Than Humans

There are a few reasons dogs can overheat much quicker than you. They include:

Dogs don’t sweat like humans instead, they cool through panting
Brachycephalic dogs (pups with short, wide heads and flat faces like pugs) are at a higher risk
Older dogs and puppies are vulnerable to overheating

What Are The Signs My Dog Is Overheating?

Henry enjoys a shady moment on a wooden bench

I realize accidents can happen. Maybe someone who doesn’t know better wants a selfie with your dog in a hot tub. The signs of a dog overheating include:

Excessive drooling and panting
Appears weak or wobbly
Gums and tongue have turned bright red
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Unconscious, collapsed, and or unresponsive (RUSH to the emergency vet)

Note: If your dog is exhibiting any of these signs, get your pup out of the hot tub immediately. Even if your buddy isn’t experiencing these signs, remove your dog from the bubbly water quickly. You can try to cool your dog with room-temperature water. The most important part is to rush your furry friend to the vet.

Are There Safe Alternative Options to a Hot Tub For My Dog?

Of course! You don’t need to exclude your pup from the fun. Here are a few ideas you may want to try:

A kiddie pool. Fill the dog or kids’ pool with cool water and let your pup safely splash around (best in the summer).
Dog shade. You can also create a shaded relaxation area nearby so your pup stays cool while still hanging out with the family.
Frozen treats or frozen lick mats. While you enjoy a hot tub soak, you can let your pup enjoy a frozen treat. Henry loves lick mats. But you can also freeze a Kong toy. Even in winter, this can be a fun option for your pup. You give the frozen treat to your dog, where you can supervise from the bubbly water.
A snuffle mat is fun for dogs and gives you a bit of time to enjoy the hot water. Most dogs love snuffle mats.
Cooling mats or cooling vests. These gadgets can also help dogs stay comfortable during warmer weather. Henry does well with a cooling vest. But many dogs love a cooling mat.
Mental stimulation game: Set up a brain game near the spa so you can watch your dog while you soak.
Comfy spot near you: Place your dog’s comfy dog bed or cooling mat near the tub with a toy or treat. This way, your buddy is still part of the fun, but safe as well.
Tire your pup out: Try a quick game of fetch, or a sniffing walk to wear your pup out a bit. Then let your pup enjoy a toy or a relaxing bed near the tub while you relax in it.

What Should I Know About Booking A Rental With A Hot Tub?

a brown dog enjoys a kiddie and knows the answer to whether dogs go in hot tubs safely?

You’ll want to keep a few things in mind with a vacation that includes a hot tub. They are:

Know the rules: A lot of rentals have strict no-dog policies around hot tubs. This is to keep the pups safe.
Pack Barriers: A crate, portable playpen, or baby gate can keep your curious pup safe while you enjoy a soak.
Supervision is Key: Never, ever leave your dog unattended near any water source, including a hot tub. Accidents can happen very quickly, leaving you with regret. I like to refer to Henry as my furry two-year-old. He can be as curious as a two-year-old, which means I have to be as proactive as a mom with a toddler.

What Are The Cost Savings Of Keeping My Dog Out Of A Hot Tub?

You may never think about how not allowing your dog in a hot tub could save you money, but it can be a big money saver and more. Consider the following for a moment.

Issue	Estimated Cost
Dog heatstroke	$500 – 15,000
Broken bone	$2,000 – 5,000
Sprain	$100 – 1,000
Poison (chemical ingestion)	$250 – 5,000
Emergency vet visit	$150+
Ruined filters and pumps from dog fur	$200 – 700
Enjoy a relaxing hot tub soak, and keeping your dog safe	PRICELESS!!!!

Preventing accidents and emergencies is one of the easiest ways to lower pet expenses. Learn more ways to keep your bills in the ebook Stop The Dog Money Worry. It’s a guide for simpler ways to avoid costly dog mistakes.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dogs And Hot Tubs

Can dogs go in hot tubs for a few minutes?

No. It’s never safe with the chemicals and heat. It’s always best to err on the side of safety when it comes to your furry friend.

Is hot tub water toxic to dogs?

Yes. The chemicals that are added to hot tubs can be poisonous to your dog. If ingested, it can lead to a pricey emergency vet visit.

Why do dogs like hot tubs?

Some dogs are simply water dogs and are attracted to all forms of water. But your dog may also just love being where you are, regardless, which may make a hot tub look fun.

Can chlorine hurt dogs?

Yes, if chlorine water is ingested through drinking or licking fur, it can be toxic for your dog. Also, the chlorine may cause your dog’s eyes to be irritated. Both issues may have you rushing to the vet.

What temperature is unsafe for dogs?

Most breeds can handle water temperatures in the range of 68 – 78 degrees Fahrenheit. But cold-weather dogs like Huskies, Newfoundlands, and Malmutes can easily handle water temperatures to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. But keep in mind that health and age will change what’s comfortable for your dog. For my Henry, I generally do room temperature water for his baths.

What should I do if my dog drank hot tub water?

If your dog drank hot tub water, always err on the side of caution. When in doubt, call your vet. If your dog is exhibiting any issues such as vomiting, panting, wobbly, or unconscious, rush to your emergency vet.

Hot Tubs Are for Humans, Not Hounds

A safe pup means your dog never goes in a hot tub. It might be tempting to get a bubbly water selfie with your dog, but don’t do it. My Henry loves floating in pools. That’s as close as he’ll ever get to a hot tub. He’s my furry two-year-old, and I don’t take any chances.

Yes, you can book a vacation rental with a hot tub, just make sure your pup doesn’t go in it. Use a frozen toy, snuffle mat, or mental stimulation game to keep your pup entertained while you soak. You want a relaxing vacation and soak, not a pricey or sad one. Safety always rules for me!