Doggy-Paddle Protection: Life Vests for Your Furry Friend

If you’re a lover of the outdoors, there’s a good chance your pup is too. Taking your dog to the river or the lake can be a ton of fun! While your four-legged friend may think he or she is your sole-protector, we all know it really goes the other way around. As you take care to keep your pet in prime shape every day, don’t forget to keep them geared up for safety on your water excursions. Make sure your dog has a life vest that will keep them afloat when life takes the reins and unexpected events start to unfold.

Why Are They Necessary

You might be wondering why a life vest would be necessary. Many breeds of dogs are incredible swimmers and would have no problem getting across a river or following your canoe down-stream. Here are the top reasons you’ll want to get your dog a life vest before deciding to take them on any water adventures:

1. Dogs are easily excitable. Playing in the water is a very high-energy activity that is sure to get your pup all riled-up. With that much excitement going on, your dog might not realize how tired he is getting. If your dog finds himself out in the middle of a lake and runs out of energy, you don’t want to be in the position where he doesn’t know how to get back to shore before he goes under.
   
   

2. The tide may be stronger then you realize. Even though dogs are strong, they might not be able to push against certain tides, especially if it is an undercurrent that you aren’t aware of. In the unfortunate case that your dog gets separated from you by a tide, you’ll want to be able to rest easy knowing that your dog will have help staying afloat until they reach an area in which he can get out of the water.
   
   

3. Life vests help with visibility. Especially at night time or in a highly-populated area, life vests help your dog be seen. Whether you are trying to locate your dog, or someone else is coming upon them in a boat, making sure your dog is visible helps to ensure they won’t be trampled and can easily be found at further distances.

What To Look For

Life vests come with a variety of features that are beneficial for different reasons. Depending on your dog’s size, activity level and what type of water excursion you’re planning on taking, you might choose certain features.

For novice swimmers, you’ll be looking for a jacket like the Outward Hound Dawson Dog Life Jacket . This jacket provides a handle for easy rescue, reflective colors for high visibility and front float support to keep your pup’s head above water at all times.

For your high-activity swimmers, the Kurgo Surf n Turf Dog Lifejacket is the perfect option. With high visibility from long distances and rugged material to protect against snags, your dog will be able to get up to plenty of mischiefs while staying safe. This vest also features the ability to remove the flotation pads and replace them with a warm layer so that you can use the same product for cold winter walks. The Kurgo jacket is also machine washable just in case your pup decided he was going to play in the mud.

For a patriotic day at the lake over July 4th weekend, you might consider the PAWZ Flag Dog Life Jacket . This jacket features an American flag pattern with high-visibility reflective strips and a quick-drying mesh underbelly. Your dog will be able to relax in fashion and ultimate comfort while staying safe in and out of the water.

For ultimate puppy comfort, check out the Playa Pup Dog Lifejacket . This jacket boasts a quick-dry neoprene shell that form fits your dog’s body, allowing for all kinds of playtime activities.

Finding Your Fit

While looking for the right life-vest for your dog, you’ll want to keep a few things in mind that will help maximize the safety of your pets. You’ll probably want to buy multiple vests and give them each a trial run away from the water before picking the best option for your critters.

Primarily, you’ll want the vest to fit comfortably around your dog without giving it the ability to slip off easily. This will ensure that if the vest catches on a branch or there is a strong tide that the vest won’t accidentally slip off. Most vests will have adjustable straps to help you get a snug fit without being overtight. As with a harness or a collar, you’ll want to be able to easily fit a couple of fingers in between the straps and your pet’s body. The vest should cover most of your dog’s back without hanging out over past her back legs to ensure ease of movement.

Once you find a vest that meets these requirements, let your dog wear the vest for an hour or so to make sure she doesn’t get bothered by any of the straps or shapes of the jacket. You should be able to tell if she feels uncomfortable by the behavior she exhibits while wearing. Signs of discomfort include shaking more frequently than usual, biting at any piece of the jacket and refusing to walk or run.

After you find a life-vest that meets your standards and gains your dog’s approval, you’ll be ready to explore the great outdoors!