The Best Life Jacket for Your Dog
Dog Life Vest
It is a common myth that dogs don’t drown, but is is also an extremely dangerous one. The cold hard fact is that dogs do drown, and it is very common. This could easily be averted if these dogs had simply been wearing a life jacket. This is why it is imperative that you find the best life jacket for your dog. It should be very easy for you to find the best life jacket for your dog, because almost all pet specialty stores carry them. There is also a variety of styles and sizes which will further increase the chances of you finding the perfect one.
What to Look for in a Dog Life Jacket
Many dog life jackets come with an easy grab strap that can make it very simple to grab your floundering dog as soon as you see them flounder. This strap could be the difference between life and death. If this strap was not there you may have to waste precious time finding a handhold, and in that time your dog could have already drowned. The fact is that this simple little handle could save your dog’s life. It is also suggested that you stay away from life jackets made of neoprene. Neoprene can give your dog a rash during swim time by chaffing, and could cause your dog considerable irritation. It can also cause your dog to overheat which could fatigue your dog and add to its exhaustion. This exhaustion could be too much for your dog, and it could drown.
Life Jackets for Dogs and Canines
Life jackets for dogs come in all shapes and sizes. For very small dogs such as toy poodles you should get an extra small. For a slightly larger dog, such as a welsh terrier, a small should be purchased. The basic idea when finding the right size life jacket for your dog is to see how big they are and get a life jacket according to their individual size.
Doggie Life Jackets
It’s also a common belief that all dogs like water but this is not the case. Many dogs may not have the body fat to keep them warm in the water, and therefore do not like water. It is important to know whether or not your dog even likes water before you buy it a life jacket.
Many water based dog accidents can be avoided with a dog life jacket and are a very good thing to have if you live near water. Your dog should always have on it’s life jacket when near water so that there is next to no possibility of it drowning. Think of it this way, if your kids all wear life jackets so should your dog. The dog is a member of the family and should be treated as such. When it comes to water safety everyone in your family should wear a life jacket, even the family dog.
How to Choose a Dog Life Jacket
Water activities with your dog can be a fun and rewarding activity. Whether it be boating, swimming at the beach, or even water skiing with the pupster. However, it’s a myth that all dogs can swim. It’s never a good idea to find out the hard way that Buster doesn’t have the coordination to keep himself upright and propel himself in the water. Other factors such as age, physical condition and weight can play in to a dog’s ability to swim. Picking a life jacket for your dog can make enjoying swimming easier on both.
An important criteria to look into is fit. If possible, take the dog to the store and make sure the life jacket fits. You don’t want your dog to be choked by an improper fit, or have the jacket come off in the water. In the case of ordering off of a website, follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for sizing. Measure and weigh your dog to find the best match to the sizing guides. Give your dog a chance to get used to its’ new clothes so there are no problems down the road.
When fitting the vest to your dog, check where the buckles and straps lie. Carrying straps are a must have on a dog’s life jacket in case the dog needs to be picked up out of the water for any reason. These items can potentially cause discomfort for the dog if they lie in pressure sensitive areas, such as the throat and belly. An improper fit may cause the dog to not want to wear the vest at all, or try to chew it off. Wider straps, such as those over an inch wide, distribute the pressure of being picked up and is more comfortable.
Pick a color of vest that you will easily see in the water. If for some reason you and your dog get separated from each other, the vest will make it that much easier for you to find your pet in the water. As goofy as neon pink camouflage for a dog life vest may seem, it can save the dog’s life in an emergency. Visibility is key.
Features of Dog Life Jackets:
- A handle on top makes it easy for you to pick up your dog in the water, which can be slippery. This handle is not only convenient but could also help you save your dog’s life.
- Like we said, make sure it’s brightly colored so that it’s easy to see your dog in the water.
- Make sure the doggie life jacket has enough straps and adjustments so that it fits your dog comfortably. It should be tight enough to hold him or her but not too tight. The life vest should not impede them as they want to run and move around.
- Buy a good one that can take the abuse that your dog will put it through. It’s not their money going into it, so a cheap dog vest will end up in shreds with the way some active dogs play.
There are no regulations for dog life jackets as there are with human life jackets. The US Coast Guard, which regulates human vests, does not test animal vests. Talk with other pet owners to find what has worked for them and their dog.
Never leave your pet unattended while in a vest. It is an object that can potentially get caught on a protruding object. The dog can overheat while wearing the vest, so use common sense on a hot day to keep her from a case of heatstroke.
Chose wisely and enjoy the summer on the rivers or lakes with your dog safely in their vest.
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