Save 15% on your 1st Autoship learn more
Email us
Live Chat
FAQs
If you bring your dog with you during any sort of aquatic activities, including swimming, boating, fishing, or stand-up paddleboarding, you should have him wear a life jacket. This is especially true if your dog has physical characteristics that make swimming difficult, such as a broad chest, stubby legs, and a short muzzle. However, in an emergency situation, even a dog from a swimming breed may tire and be in danger of drowning.
The right life jacket for your dog will fit her well and have safety features that help to protect her. Here is a guide to help you choose a flotation device for your canine companion.
What Is the Difference Between a Dog Life Vest and a Dog Life Jacket?
Life vests and life jackets are two different types of flotation devices for your dog. They are similar but not identical. A life vest covers less of your dog's body and is lighter weight, making it more appropriate for casual swimming in a pool. A life jacket is recommended for activities such as boating because it covers more of your dog's body and provides better buoyancy. Depending on the situation, either a life jacket or a life vest may be appropriate for your dog, but in the interest of clarity, this article focuses specifically on canine life jackets.
What Features Should You Look for in Canine Life Jackets?
Dog life jackets come in many different colors and designs. They have many different features, some of which help to enhance your dog's safety. It can be difficult to know which features are really helpful and which are just for show. Here are some specific features that you should look for when choosing a life jacket for your dog.
One very important feature for a canine life jacket to have is a chin float. This is a sort of cushion under your dog's chin that stays on the surface of the water to prevent his head from going under.
Another must-have feature in a dog life jacket is a handle. If your dog looks like she is going to go over the side or into the water, you may be able to stop her by grabbing the handle to pull her back. If she does get into the water, you can use the handle to pull her back out. A life jacket for a small dog can have only one handle, but a life jacket for a large dog should have two. In addition to a handle, a dog life jacket should have a D-ring so you can attach a leash to it for added control when you need it.
It is really important to size a canine life jacket correctly so that it fits your dog properly. Adjustable buckles help to ensure that the fit is as secure and comfortable for your dog as possible. However, you also need to be able to put the life jacket on and remove it easily, so be careful that it doesn't have too many adjustable attachments.
Dog life jackets come in many different colors and designs. The color is up to you, but if you can find one with bright colors, it makes the life jacket stand out better from the water, which helps you to locate your pet more easily. Better yet is to choose a canine life jacket with reflective trim, making it easier to find your dog in the dark. Design elements, such as flame motifs, patriotic prints, or polka-dot patterns, neither add to nor detract from the safety and utility of the life jacket. Whether you choose one with these optional elements or not is up to you.
How Do You Choose a Life Jacket for Your Dog?
The single most important consideration when choosing a life jacket for your dog is whether it will fit him properly. Because dogs come in different sizes, so do canine life jackets. You will probably find a sizing chart on the website telling you which size of life jacket fits your dog's measurements. You have to measure your dog for these to be of any help to you.
Here are the dog measurements you should take:
- Length of your dog's body from the base of the neck to the base of the tail
- Circumference of your dog's chest
- Circumference of your dog's neck
- Your dog's weight
While all of these measurements are important, your dog's weight has a direct effect on whether the life jacket will be able to keep her body afloat, so don't neglect to take this measurement. Once you have all your dog's pertinent measurements, you can then use the sizing chart to choose one that fits. Don't guess on any of your measurements.
Before you purchase the life jacket, read reviews to see what other customers thought of it. You may be able to find customer reviews on the website where you are ordering or from third-party sites.
Try the life jacket out on your dog before you take a trip to the water to make sure it fits. If you are buying online, order from a retailer that will allow you to return a product that doesn't fit properly and receive a refund. The more careful you are when measuring your dog and sizing the life jacket, the more likely you will receive one that fits the first time.
A dog life jacket gives you peace of mind that your beloved pet can have fun with you on the water while staying safe.
