You make your kids wear a life jacket when boating and swimming but what about your dog? Yep, a dog life jackets can be a life saver for your pet if he is ever in an accident in the water or for some reason forced to swim for a long period of time. Who even knew they make life jackets for dogs?

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I know that dogs can swim, after all, that’s where we get the term “doggy paddle” from, but just like your kids, your dog can get tired and this could be dangerous in the water. A dog life vest will help keep him afloat should he tire easily. This is really important for very young dogs, sick dogs and elderly dogs as they may not have the strength to swim for long periods.

You can buy dog life jackets in a variety of sizes and you can even get a designer dog life vest that come in cute patterns and colors (Paws Aboard makes some pretty cute ones but they don’t skim on quality or usability either).

A couple of important things to look for in life jackets for dogs is to be sure they are a bright color and have reflectors so that your dog will be easily visible in the water to boaters and a handle on the back so you can easily pull your dog up and out (this really comes in handy if you want to pull your pet onto your boat or out of the pool!)

Another important thing to consider is to make sure the life jacket fits your dog properly! It should be snug, but not too tight and should come with adjustable straps. Make sure your dog can swim in it properly without any loose straps or getting tangled.

Now, it’s important to note that a dog life vest is supposed to help with buoyancy and allow your dog to swim more without getting tired. Since life jackets for dogs are made to keep your dog floating in a swimming position, most do not do a good job of keeping the dogs nose out of the water should he become unconscious – it’s not like a human life jacket which is designed so the person can float on their back and keep their face out of the water.

All in all, a dog life jacket, whether it be a fancy one from Paws Aboard or more of a working jacket, is a great idea for your pet if you spend any time near the water. After all, it’s better to be safe than sorry!