Does My Dog Need A Life Jacket On A Boat?
There aren’t many rules surrounding dogs wearing life jackets on boats like there are for humans. Nevertheless it is best practise to put a life jacket on your dog as while many owners assume that their dog can swim well, they don’t realise the difference between calm waters and the strong currents one can find while boating. One never knows if they will get into a boating accident or if their dog will accidentally fall overboard. It is best to invest in a life jacket to ensure the safety and wellbeing of your dog in an emergency situation.
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Reasons Why It’s A Good Idea To Put A Life Jacket On Your Dog While On A Boat
1. Not All Dogs Are Great Swimmers
You might think that all dogs are naturally built swimmers but it is unfortunately not the case. In fact, how good your dog is at swimming is related to how buoyant his/her body is.
- Greyhounds have low body fat which makes it harder to stay afloat than other breeds
- Bulldogs and Pugs have very large chests which makes them top heavy in the water. This makes it tiring to stay afloat while swimming
- Small breeds with small legs can also get tired easily while swimming
While you might not plan to go swimming with your dog, you never know if your dog will accidentally fall over board. This is why wearing a dog life jacket on a boat is a really good idea.
2. There Could Be Unseen Hazards In The Water
Even if the waters look very calm there could be unseen hazards in the water. These hazards could be strong currents or submerged hazards such as rocks and other sharp objects. A life jacket is very helpful in keeping your dog’s head above water in a situation where your dog got stuck in a strong current or got injured on a sharp object.
3. Boating Accidents Can Happen
You never expect an accident to happen to you. Even in the calmest boating conditions something bad could happen where a life jacket is vital. While every human on your boat would be wearing a life jacket, often people don’t think that their dog would need one. A dog is a member of your family, put their safety as a priority while on a boat by fitting a life vest on them.
4. A Dog Life Jacket Can Keep Your Dog Warm On A Boat
While the primary purpose of a life jacket is to keep your dog afloat, it can also act as an extra layer of insulation to keep your dog warm. This is helpful for shorter hair dogs and also if you go boating in cold, windy weather.
5. It Is Easier See And Also Pull Your Dog Out Of The Water With A Life Jacket On
Most dog life jackets are bright or fluorescent colours such as yellow, orange, bright blue or red. These colours stand out in against the colour of water and help you keep an eye on your dog if he/she is swimming while you are on your boat. Also when your dog decides to come back onto the boat, the handle which is often located on the top back of your dog’s life jacket will make it easier to lift your dog back onto your boat.
What Dog Breeds Need A Dog Life Jacket
As I mentioned above, no matter what type of dog breed, you should put a life jacket on your dog as a safety precaution. However there are some dog breeds that would find a higher benefit from one than others.
Tiny & Small Dog Breeds Benefit More From A Life Jacket Than Larger Breeds
Smaller dog breeds tire quicker than larger dogs when swimming. Small breeds with tiny legs tire even faster such as Dachshunds. Other small breeds like Pugs and French Bulldogs have large chests which makes them top heavy which in turn makes it hard for them to swim. I highly recommend a dog breed like this to get an extra small or small life jacket.
Don’t Be Fooled That Traditional Boating Dogs E.g. Golden Retrievers & Labradors Don’t Need Life Jackets
Just because Labradors & Golden Retriers are traditionally boating dogs, it does not mean that they don’t need dog life jackets. While these dogs are generally strong swimmers, don’t assume they would be able to swim for a long period of time in the occasion of a boating accident or if they accidentally fall overboard. Put your dog’s wellbeing and safety first.
Senior Dogs Are Weaker Swimmers Than Young Dogs And Should Wear A Dog Life Jacket
Just like tiny and small dog breeds, senior dogs definitely should wear a dog life jacket on a boat because they are weaker swimmers due to their age. It is also beneficial if you are planning to go swimming with your dog as the floatation device will give your dog extra support if he/she gets tired.
Even If You Are Not Planning To Go Swimming Off Your Boat, Your Dog Should Still Wear A Life Jacket
Many people don’t bother putting a life jacket on their dog while boating because they have no plans of going swimming. However just like how you would be personal floatation devices on a person, you should still do the same for your dog.
If your dog unexpectedly falls into water, he/she may need extra help to keep its head above the water. This is especially if he/she is startled or frightened due to accidentally falling overboard. Also strong currents around your boat could pull your dog under water and make them tire faster. A life jacket could save your dogs life in this situation.
The Best Dog Life Jackets For Boating
1. RUFFWEAR Float Coat
Specifications:
- Colours: Red, Light Blue or Orange
- Sizes: XX-Small to X-Large
- Handles: Yes, top/back handle
- Adjustable: Yes, adjustable straps around chest and under belly
- Price: Find Out The Current Price On Amazon Here
2. MIGOHI Dog Life Jacket
Specifications:
- Colours: Fluorescent Yellow
- Sizes: Small to Large
- Handles: Yes, top/back handle
- Adjustable: Yes, adjustable straps around chest and under belly
- Price: Find Out The Current Price On Amazon Here
3. LOVEPET Mermaid Pet Life Jacket
Specifications:
- Colours: Metallic Pink, Green Or Blue + Mermaid Scales & Tail
- Sizes: Small to X-Large
- Handles: Yes, top/back handle
- Adjustable: Yes, adjustable straps around chest and under belly
- Price: Find Out The Current Price On Amazon Here
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