Why Your Dog Needs A Life Jacket
Dog Life Jackets Are A Must For Dog Water Safety
With the increase in popularity of water sports like standup paddleboarding and kayaking, more and more dogs are joining their owners out on the water. Heading out and enjoying lakes and rivers with our dogs can be a great bonding experience, but some safety measures should be taken for everyone to have an enjoyable and memorable experience. In many areas it is the law for humans to wear a life jacket when out on bodies of water. But why exactly should our dogs be wearing a life jacket?
Some breeds are bad swimmers
As the owner of a Labrador Retriever, a breed that was literally created to swim, putting a life jacket on my dog wasn’t really on my radar. But there are many different dog breeds that are just not built for swimming. In particular, dog breeds with flat faces like Bulldogs, Boxers, Pugs and Shih Tzus can have a hard time keeping their mouths above water. Their flat faces mean they have to tilt their heads back to breathe which causes their back ends to tilt downwards. Dogs with flat faces (also known as brachycephalic breeds) also tend to have trouble breathing with great physical exertion, such as swimming, which can lead to distress, especially in the water. Dogs with large, rounder bodies and short legs like Corgis, Bull Terriers and Dachshunds can have a hard time keeping their bodies afloat. Overweight, frail and elderly dogs may also have a hard time swimming and staying above water.
Assistance in case of Fatigue
Over the past few summers my friends and I have taken up standup paddleboarding (SUP). We often head out to the river in our city or lakes when we are camping and bring our boards with us. SUP, canoeing and kayaking are all great low-impact activities that almost anyone can do. You get to experience a whole new side of nature when you are out on the water, and bringing your dog along with you can be so much fun! It was on my first paddle out in the middle of a lake with my Labrador Retriever that I realized how far from shore we were, and my dog who is a very strong swimmer could definitely not swim all the way back to shore. I think there is a misconception that dogs are just innately strong swimmers, but just like us human who can swim, you need to train to swim long distances without getting tired. I’ve gotten many comments like “Labs are born to swim”, and “your dog doesn’t need a life jacket she loves the water” but just like me, my dog could not swim a kilometer back to shore from the middle of the lake! If you are out on a river there are also hazards such as currents, rapids and rocks that could make it difficult for even the strongest dogs to stay afloat.
The Risks of Swimming in Cold Water
When engaging in sports like kayaking, canoeing and SUP it is possible to go out on very cold water like mountain glacial lakes and cold ocean waters. Wearing a life jacket is even more important in these conditions because of “cold water shock”. Cold water shock happens when mammals like humans and dogs suddenly enter very cold water. Within seconds of entering the cold water a dog’s lungs contract causing hyperventilation and loss of breathing control, blood pressure and heart rate soars along with cardiac output. The loss of breathing control can result in aspiration of water, a very dangerous scenario. The greatest risk of drowning occurs in the first two minutes of entering the cold water, leaving little time for rescue. Extended periods of time in cold water (>2 minutes) results in decreased nerve signaling to the muscles causing the dog to have decreased coordination, vasoconstriction (constriction of the blood vessels) in the limbs causing muscle fatigue, and decreased blood flow to the brain increasing cognitive impairment and confusion. Essentially, both dogs and humans become very bad swimmers in cold water, so thinking “I will jump in and save them” is a very inadvisable. In cold water scenarios wearing a life jacket can save both you and your dog’s lives!
Increased visibility and Safety
A lot of dog life jackets come in bright colors like orange, red and yellow, which increase visibility of the dog in the water. In the case that you and your dog get separated on the water, it will be much easier to see a dog in a yellow jacket then a black or navy one. Many dog life jackets also have a handle on the top of the jacket, above the dog’s back. This allows you to grab your dog and pull them out of the water if needed, without having to jump in after them. When my dog and I go paddleboarding on calm water like a lake, I attach the leash of my board to the handle of the life jacket which allows my dog to jump off and swim beside me without getting too far away. I can also reel her in and lift her back on to the board quickly if I have to.
What Makes a Good Dog Life Jacket?
In order for a dog life jacket to be effective there are criteria you must follow, this includes:
Life jacket MUST be made for dogs, NEVER put a human life jacket on a dog. Humans and dogs float very differently, and putting a human life jacket on a dog can harm or kill them.
Life jacket must be properly rated for the dogs weight. Too heavy = no float
Life jacket must fit well, it will be no help if the dog slips right out!
Life jacket should be in good condition, old, torn or worn out jackets might not work effectively
Ideally will have a handle and/or leash connection for easy rescue
Ruffwear Float Coat
In the photos above my dog is wearing the Ruffwear Float Coat, which is great quality and will last a very long time. There are other great brands that make dog life jackets such as Kurgo, Canada Pooch, Silverpaw, and Hurtta. Different brands will have size charts that will require you to measure around the largest part of your dog’s chest. Always try on and test the life jacket for a good fit before you head out onto the water. Spending time with your pup out on the water should be a special bonding experience and a dog life jacket will help your dog stay safe!
