Summer brings lots of chances for outdoor activities, and that involves outdoor activities that your dog can enjoy with you! And those outdoor activities involve being on the water!
When you’re making plans to give your dog the chance to splash around, you may be wondering, “Does my dog need a life jacket?”
Now, if you’re at your local park hiking with your dog and come across a calm shallow river for your dog to jump into, you may not really be thinking about a life jacket.
Or if you’re headed to the beach with your dog and only expect to stay in shallow water, you’re probably not thinking about a life jacket then either.
But if your plans on the water with your dog involve activities that are on the open water with larger and deeper bodies of water, that’s when the question could come up of whether or not your dog needs a life jacket. This may include water activities like boating, kayaking, or canoeing.
In these cases, has the question popped into your mind if your dog does need a life jacket? Yes? Good! 😉
Just like when people are on a boat or in a kayak, when you’re going to be out on a large body of water like a lake or an ocean, a life jacket for your dog is something that extra thought should be put into.
Do dogs need life jackets to be on a boat?
If “need” means something to do with being lawful, then currently there are no regulations in place by the U.S. Coast Guard that require you to provide a life vest for your dog when you’re on a boat in the U.S.
So while there is no legal requirement, it’s still something to highly consider for your dog when you’re on the water.
Why?
In short, the open water can be dangerous and unexpected situations can happen!
But if that’s not enough 😉 here are a few more reasons.
Side note!
See about the best shoes for hiking in Hawaii and what to wear snorkeling in Hawaii! And for Hawaii vacation ideas, see the best things to do in Waikiki that will give you Hawaii vibes!
All dogs run out of energy at some point
Many people think that dogs are natural-born swimmers.
But this isn’t always true. Not all dogs swim well.
Dogs that have much of their weight centered around their heads and chest compared to the rest of their body may have more difficulty swimming. Dogs that have lower body fat may have more difficulty swimming. Dogs that have smaller legs may have more difficulty swimming.
The build of the different breeds of dogs can affect how well they will be able to swim.
Even so, what if your dog doesn’t fit into those categories and you know that your dog is a strong swimmer?
Do dogs that are strong swimmers need a life jacket when boating?
Well, even for people, if placed in the wrong situation, an accident on the water can turn tragic for an Olympic world-class swimmer.
The same goes for your dog.
You just never know what’s going to happen out there on the water.
Dogs can last longer in the water with a life jacket
Let’s say you have a dog that’s full of energy and jumps into the water to chase after something before you even have time to react. Even a dog with the most amount of energy will eventually tire swimming in the water.
In these cases, you may also want to plan for how to recover your dog from the water. Especially if you have a heavier dog, you may have difficulty pulling your dog back into the boat or canoe. Dog life jackets also typically have a method that you can grab the jacket from the top to be able to lift your dog up easier.
And if your dog ends up in the water by accident, and not purposefully, panic can set in, causing your dog to exert even more energy as your dog becomes frantic.
If it’s during an emergency situation that makes it difficult for you to get to your dog, a personal flotation device or PFD life vest can provide a little extra support while the rescue can be made. With a dog that’s wearing a life jacket, it provides a little extra security to prevent immediate drowning.
Even dogs that have a high level of endurance on land can reach a point that they just become tired. This is what can make wearing something that acts as a buoyancy vest be beneficial.
Dogs can be seen better with a life jacket
The added benefit of wearing a dog life jacket is that they typically allow your dog to be seen much better in the water than when not wearing one at all. Because of the colorful nature of highly visible life jackets (or just be sure to choose a colorful one!), if your dog does somehow get lost on the open water, he can be spotted more easily for a faster rescue.
Depending on the water temperature, even if the air temperature is comfortable, it may not take long for hypothermia to set in. This is what can make a fast water rescue critical.
Many dog life vests also have reflective strips that make for better visibility both in the sunlight and in the dark if your dog does get lost at sea or on the lake.
Safer swimming for your dog
As a buoyancy vest, canine life jackets also have the type of support that your dog needs so he can keep his head above the water. This makes it so your dog’s head won’t go underwater while swimming when you do let your dog voluntarily swim in deep water.
So, does your dog need a life jacket on a boat?
Consider that in 2015, there were over 4,000 recreational boating accidents in the United States. From those boating accidents, there were over 600 deaths that resulted. And in the tragedies in which cause of death was known, 76% of those deaths were due to drowning. And of those that drowned, 85% were not wearing a life jacket.
This is according to the accident statistics provided by the U.S. Coast Guard.
Life jackets can’t prevent death in all cases, but wearing a life jacket when you’re on the water can increase your chances of survival when an unexpected event sends you into the water.
And this includes survival for your dog!
So hopefully your answer to that question of, “Does my dog need a life jacket,” is a YES!
Your dog’s life may depend on a dog life vest when boating!
And while you’re at it, make sure you’re wearing one for the same reasons too. 😉 You just never know what life is going to throw your way!
Have a look for your browsing fun at these affiliate life jackets!
HAPPY TRAVELS!
Pin this page to reference later!
Are you taking your dog on paved trails? How hot is too hot for dog paws on hot pavement?
Also see:
– Hiking with dogs
– Packing for a beach vacation
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🐠 Here are things you must consider packing!
- Swimsuit or swimming shirt aka rash guard
- rash guard: swim set for women and swim shirt for men
- Water shoes
- Waterproof phone case (so you can capture pictures of fishies underwater!)
- cheapo phone case OR waterproof camera
- I also have this "camera" wrist float to attach to my cheapo waterproof phone case so my phone won't sink to the bottom of the ocean in case I somehow let go of it. (Mine does stay afloat - test this for yourself before completely trusting it!)
- Swimming goggles or snorkeling mask set
- Reef-safe(r) sunscreen
- lightweight travel towel:
- walking sandals:
I also don't go snorkeling without a personal swim float buoy. Not only does it help to keep me visible, but it makes for a perfect way to rest out in deeper water! Oh, and it also serves as a dry bag so I can take stuff into the water with me.
Another way I have taken valuables into the water with me is to wear a travel money belt that I don't mind getting wet with salt water (it's not waterproof but I have several so I just use one of them) and then I put things in a ziplock freezer bag, and put that freezer bag in the money belt.
There are also designated waterproof waist pouches that you can store your valuables and take into the water with you.
see more:
- What to wear hiking
- What to wear snorkeling