"But the dog can swim!"
In a way, yes. But in what way? And for how long? Whether it's swimming, a boat trip, or a kayaking adventure, it's important to consider your dog's safety on the water in all situations. Even the best swimmer can get into danger in the blink of an eye, so the easiest way to ensure your dog's safety near water is to always use a life jacket.
In this article, we explain why it's good for your dog to wear a life jacket, which dogs benefit the most from them, and what to pay attention to when choosing a life jacket.
Benefits and uses of the life jacket
Dog life jacket / flotation vest / swimming vest:
- protects against fatigue and sudden situations
- supports balanced swimming technique
- enables assisting the dog
- provides visibility to other people.
A dog life jacket is a safety gear specially designed to fit the dog's body, providing extra buoyancy and helping keep the head above water, reducing the risk of drowning.
It's important to remember that not all dogs are born expert swimmers. In fact, few dogs are naturally like fish in the water. Most dogs learn to swim more confidently, efficiently, and balanced when aided by a life jacket.
Even if your dog is a confident and good swimmer, unexpected situations like strong currents, falling from a boat, or simply getting tired can create dangerous conditions in the water.
Lifting your dog back onto a boat, dock, or steep riverbank can be challenging or even impossible without a life jacket. The handle on the back of the life jacket allows you to lift your dog out of the water and assist in difficult spots.
A brightly colored life jacket also provides better visibility, making it easier to spot your dog from a distance, for example from an approaching boat.
Which dogs benefit the most from life jackets?
Life jackets are especially useful for the following groups of dogs:
- Puppies: The jacket provides extra buoyancy and support for a puppy that is just learning to swim and is still unsure about water as an element. With jackets, the puppy learns a balanced swimming posture from the start.
- Dogs hesitant to swim: Some dogs may naturally be wary of water. Using a life jacket can help these dogs trust their swimming skills more and enjoy being in the water.
- Senior dogs: Swimming is excellent exercise for aging muscles and joints. Senior dogs often need extra support in the water or for example when landing on uneven ground. Life jackets help maintain balance, reduce strain, and lessen fatigue.
- Sport dogs: Dogs that swim long distances also benefit from the support and safety provided by life jackets. Even a fit dog's strength can suddenly run out or they may get a muscle cramp – just like human swimmers. Also, a person swimming with a dog can take support from a dog equipped with a life jacket if needed.
Practically almost every dog benefits from life jackets!
Features of a good life jacket
There are quite a few life jackets on the market with a wide price range. A good life jacket design considers the dog's anatomy and swimming movements so it doesn't restrict the dog's mobility in water. We recommend paying special attention to the following:
- The large back handle is quick and easy to grab. In a quality jacket, both the handle and the jacket itself withstand lifting the dog out of the water.
- Wide straps and padding under the chest distribute pressure when lifting the dog by the jacket, making them a significant comfort factor for the dog. They also keep the jacket better in place both in water and on land.
- Bright, fade-resistant high-visibility colors and good reflectors improve the dog's visibility in the water. Choose a visible jacket, not the prettiest color or pattern!
- The more flexible and lightweight the jacket material is, the more comfortable it is to wear for longer periods and the less it restricts the dog's natural movements.
Traildog's selection of life jackets meets the above criteria.
Choose the right size
As with other gear, the right size is important for life jackets too. The jacket should fit snugly against the dog's body to stay in place in the water. Usually, the dog's weight, chest circumference, and back length help in choosing the right size.
Safely on the water
Your dog's safety is surely your top priority. Life jackets also provide you peace of mind and a more relaxed time by the water.
Now that you know why a dog needs a life jacket, you can ensure that water adventures are safe and fun for both you and your dog. So, nose towards rewarding swimming moments!
