A new trend in dog accessories is the dog life jacket. Although these are particularly popular with boaters, dog owners who are spending time around water in general are taking advantage of the additional safety this brings.
What Is a Dog Life Jacket?
More people are realising the importance of a dog life jacket to keep their pets safe around water. In Australia, boaters are required to have enough life jackets available for all human members aboard. However, there’s no such requirement for dogs — even though dogs are just as much at risk. In fact, your dog is at risk any time you’re near the water’s edge, including at the beach, by a lake, or walking along a riverbank.
A dog life jacket provides buoyancy to keep your dog afloat in the water. This prevents her from panicking if she falls in and provides her with support if she’s swimming and realises she’s out of her depth.
Key Features of a Dog Life Jacket
Although there are different types of dog life jackets, they all have a few key features to optimise safety and comfort. These make up the anatomy of a dog life jacket.
Buoyancy
Sufficient buoyancy plays a crucial role in keeping your dog afloat in water, especially if she becomes tired. Since dog life jackets don’t have buoyancy ratings like human life jackets do, it’s harder to compare between brands. Look for ones marketed as having extra buoyancy and read reviews to find out customer opinions.
Adjustable Straps
With adjustable straps, you’ll ensure the life jacket is secure and snug. You will still need to make sure you’re in the right ballpark in terms of size, but having straps will help you achieve the perfect fit.
Handles for Lifting
It’s important to look for a dog life jacket that has lifting handles. If your dog falls off a boat, dock, or deck, handles will mean you can lift her out of the water without putting yourself in danger or needing to enter the water. Handles should transfer the pressure to the straps on the midsection of the life jacket to keep your dog comfortable as you lift her.
Choosing the Right Size and Fit
When you purchase a dog life jacket, you’ll notice that you need some measurements to ensure you choose the right size. Make sure you have accurate measurements of your dog’s:
- Weight
- Neck (where you place the collar)
- Chest (just behind the front legs)
Benefits of Using a Dog Life Jacket
The main benefit of a dog life jacket is increased safety when your dog is enjoying water activities. Any dog (even one who spends a lot of time around water and is a strong swimmer) is at risk of drowning. Your dog could fall overboard or swim too far away from the shore and become tired. There’s also the risk that a swimming dog could become disoriented and head the wrong way or encounter a hazard and require your help, such as if there is underwater debris or strong currents.
Another benefit is a life jacket allows dogs to spend time in the water who otherwise wouldn’t be able to. This includes breeds with low body fat (who are not natural swimmers) and older dogs who are beginning to find it difficult to swim. You may find your dog enjoys being in the water more when she’s wearing a life jacket, which could give her the chance to improve her technique. For instance, gaining confidence often encourages dogs to swim with all four legs rather than just their front legs.
Life jackets also provide warmth. Even dogs with long coats are at risk of hypothermia if they’re in cold water for an extended period of time. A life jacket is an important way of keeping your dog’s body temperature up.
Finally, a life jacket helps you keep an eye on where your dog is. It may be difficult to see her if she swims far and falls in, especially after dark. Life jackets come in bright colours and often have reflective strips, helping you to notice your dog quickly.
How to Properly Put on a Dog Life Jacket
Putting your dog in a life jacket is simple:
- Step 1 — Introduce the life jacket, giving your dog the chance to sniff it and check it’s safe.
- Step 2 — With the straps unbuckled, place the jacket on the dog’s back with the top close to her neck.
- Step 3 — Fasten the straps under the belly and the chin (if the life jacket has one).
- Step 4 — Tighten the straps until you can fit no more than two fingers between your dog and the life jacket.
- Step 5 — Confirm there is a few centimetres distance from the end of the life jacket and your dog’s tail. Being able to move her tail freely will help your dog swim.
- Step 6 — Allow your dog to spend time in the life jacket to get used to the sensation. Reward her with treats and praise.
FAQs About Dog Life Jackets
Although they’re clearly beneficial, many dog owners may never have encountered dog life jackets before. The following are questions owners often have.
What Materials Are Used in a Dog Life Jacket?
The best dog life jackets are made from materials including:
- A lightweight, breathable, chafe-resistant fabric
- Sturdy plastic buckles
- Padding in the neck strap, for the handle, and under the buckles
- A D ring for clipping the life jacket to a leash
Do Dog Life Jackets Interfere with Swimming Ability?
Dog owners report their pets being able to swim like normal when wearing a life jacket. However, some recommend cutting short any excess strap length — just in case.
With a dog life jacket, you’ll have peace of mind when you take your dog near water, as you won’t need to be watching her constantly. Make sure you have a life jacket that fits your dog comfortably and that comes with all the necessary safety features. You’ll find just such dog life jackets at Dog Friendly Co. Shop now to keep your dog safe the next time you’re on or around water — along with everything else you need for your pet.