Pet-Friendly Saltwater Pools in Tennessee: Everything Families Need to Know

If you’ve got a furry friend who loves splashing around and a family that deserves a backyard paradise, you’re in the right place. Here at Special Care Patios & Pools, we’ve been helping families across Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg create their dream outdoor spaces for over 15 years. As a family-run business, we understand that your pool isn’t just a pool, it’s where memories are made, kids learn to swim, and yes, where your four-legged family members cool off on those hot Tennessee summer days.

Let’s dive into everything you need to know about saltwater pools and why they’re the perfect choice for pet-loving families in East Tennessee.

Why Saltwater Pools Are a Game-Changer for Pet Owners

Traditional chlorine pools can be rough on your pets. We’re talking irritated eyes, dry skin, and that unmistakable chemical smell that lingers on their fur for hours. Saltwater pools? They’re a whole different story.

Saltwater pools use a salt chlorine generator to produce chlorine naturally, which means the chlorine levels are significantly lower than traditional pools. Here’s why that matters for your furry family members:

• Gentler on skin and coat – Lower chlorine levels mean less irritation for your dog’s skin and a softer, healthier coat after swimming
• Easier on the eyes – No more red, irritated eyes for pets (or humans!) after a swim session
• Softer water feel – The water feels silky smooth, which many pets find more comfortable
• Less chemical taste – Pets are less likely to drink pool water, but if they sneak a sip, saltwater is much safer than heavily chlorinated alternatives

Now, we always recommend keeping fresh drinking water nearby for your pets and supervising swim time. But knowing your pool water is gentler on their system? That’s peace of mind every pet parent deserves.

Family-Friendly Features That Make All the Difference

When you’ve got kids running around, dogs chasing tennis balls, and maybe even grandparents stopping by for a summer barbecue, you need a pool that can handle it all. That’s exactly what our fiberglass pools are designed for.

Built-In Safety Features

Many of our Imagine Pools models come with built-in features that families love:

• Generous tanning ledges – Perfect for little ones to splash safely in shallow water while you keep an eye on them
• Gradual entry steps – Dogs and kids alike can ease into the water at their own pace
• Non-slip surfaces – The smooth fiberglass finish provides excellent traction for wet paws and feet
• Bench seating – Great spots for older family members to relax and stay cool without fully submerging

Check out models like The Celebration or The Freedom to see these family-friendly features in action.

The Durability Your Active Family Needs

Here’s the thing about families with pets: your pool is going to see some action. Dogs jumping in, claws on surfaces, toys being tossed around. You need a pool that can take a beating and still look gorgeous years down the road.

That’s why we exclusively install Imagine Pools, and honestly, it’s not even close when it comes to durability.

Centurion Core™ Technology

Our Imagine Pools are built with something called Centurion Core™ technology. Without getting too technical, here’s what that means for you:

• 100% vinyl ester resin construction – This isn’t your standard fiberglass. Vinyl ester resin is significantly more resistant to water absorption, which means no blistering, fading, or structural issues down the line
• Ceramic composite finish – The surface is incredibly scratch-resistant, even with enthusiastic dogs using it as their personal splash pad
• Lifetime structural warranty – We stand behind these pools because they’re built to last

Compare that to a gunite pool, which requires resurfacing every 10-15 years and can develop rough patches that hurt pet paws. With fiberglass, you’re getting a smooth, durable surface that stays beautiful with minimal effort.

From Dream to Reality in Just 1-2 Weeks

One of the biggest surprises for families considering a pool is how fast fiberglass installation actually is. While gunite pools can take 3-6 months to complete, our fiberglass pools are typically installed in just 1-2 weeks.

Here’s what that timeline looks like:

1. Day 1-2: Excavation and site preparation
2. Day 3: Pool shell delivery and placement (this is the exciting part!)
3. Day 4-7: Plumbing, electrical, and backfill
4. Day 8-14: Decking, landscaping, and final touches

That means you could be hosting your first family pool party: dogs included: in as little as two weeks. No months of construction noise, no torn-up backyard all summer long. Just a smooth, efficient process that gets you swimming faster.

Low Maintenance = More Time for What Matters

Let’s be real: between work, kids’ activities, pet care, and everything else life throws at you, the last thing you need is a high-maintenance pool eating up your weekends.

Saltwater fiberglass pools are about as low-maintenance as it gets:

• No weekly chemical balancing – The salt system does the heavy lifting for you
• Smooth surface means less scrubbing – Algae has nowhere to grip, so cleaning is a breeze
• No liner replacements – Unlike vinyl liner pools, fiberglass lasts for decades without replacement
• Fewer repairs – The durable construction means you’re not constantly fixing things

You’ll still want to test your water chemistry occasionally (keeping pH between 7.2 and 7.8 is ideal), but compared to traditional pools, you’re looking at a fraction of the maintenance time and cost.

Your Local Tennessee Pool Experts

We’re not some big national chain: we’re your neighbors. Special Care Patios & Pools has been serving families throughout Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and the surrounding Smoky Mountain communities for over 15 years. We’ve completed countless projects, and we treat every backyard like it’s our own.

As a Belgard Master Craftsman, we bring the same attention to detail to your patio and outdoor living space as we do to your pool installation. That means your entire backyard transformation is handled by craftsmen who genuinely care about getting it right.

Why Families Choose Us

• Family-run business – We understand family priorities because we share them
• 15+ years of local experience – We know Tennessee soil, weather, and what works best here
• Belgard Master Craftsman certification – Third-party recognition of our quality standards
• Free estimates – No pressure, just honest conversations about your backyard dreams

Ready to Create Your Family’s Backyard Paradise?

Whether you’ve got a golden retriever who thinks he’s a fish, kids who can’t wait to cannonball all summer, or you’re just dreaming of relaxing by your own private oasis, a saltwater fiberglass pool might be exactly what your family needs.

We’d love to chat about your vision. Visit us at Special Care Patios & Pools to explore our pool options, or reach out for a free estimate. As your good friends and neighbors here in East Tennessee, we’re here to help you create the backyard paradise of your dreams: one that the whole family (furry members included) will love for years to come.

Let’s make this the summer your family never forgets. 🐾