Going to the ocean, lake or river for a day is a fun family adventure. Young children wear life jackets in the water due to not having the strength to swim well or for a long time.
A dog needs to be treated the same way because when around water, a dog will get very excited and want to swim all day. Swimming is very tiring on a dog which is just one of many reasons to purchase a dog life jacket.
Dog Life Jacket Facts
- Comes in all different sizes.
- Has reflectors to make a clear visibility.
- A handle strap is connected to the top for an easy rescue or grab.
- Velcro and buckles make the life jacket stay securely on the dog.
- Price varies from $20 to $100+.
- Can be found online or at pet specialty stores.
How to Find the Right Life Jacket
When purchasing a life jacket for a dog, the dog needs to come along. Pet specialty stores might not have the style one is looking for but these life jackets are a good way to ensure what exact size a dog would need.
The dog needs to fit securely in the life jacket as a child or person would. The life jacket doesn't need to fit too tight or too loose. A life jacket that fits a dog too loosely could cause the dog to slide out of it and the life jacket would not work properly.
A life jacket that fits too tightly can cause pain to the dog and might not be enough to support the dog's weight to keep him or her floating.
Once a dog has tried on different types and sizes of life jackets and found the perfect one, then going online to find a style would be the next step if the pet store did not have it. Pet specialty stores have a website that carries the items in the store and also the items that are not found in the store.
Getting a Dog Comfortable in a Life Jacket
When the life jacket is purchased and/or received, the dog needs to learn to be comfortable in it. A dog that is used to wearing apparel will more than likely be easier to tame in a life jacket.
A dog that doesn't like wearing clothes might be annoyed and uncomfortable in a life jacket.
- Have the dog wear the life jacket on dry land. This will get the dog comfortable and used to wearing the life jacket.
- Once the dog is comfortable wearing the life jacket, take him or her to a place of calm water such as a stream, river or lake. A dog will feel more at ease at a place of water where its feet can touch the bottom.
- When the dog starts to feel safe wearing the life jacket in a stream, river or lake then it is time to test the life jacket in deep water - a pool or out on a boat in the lake or ocean.
Reasons to Purchase a Dog Life Jacket
A dog will realize that he or she doesn't have to swim as hard with a life jacket on and this will make the dog feel very safe, secure and comfortable. The dog's owner and family will also feel more comfortable when letting the dog swim.
Life jackets keep dogs safe from all of the dangers that can occur while in the water which is why purchasing one for your dog before the trip to the water is necessary.
