Friday, July 6, 2012

Water Safety for Your Dog

By Allyson Westcot


Some dedicated and loving dogowners frequently smirk at the idea of life preservers for their pets. But there are some good, common-sense reasons explaining why a pet owner should invest in one.

Dog Life Jackets for All Pets?

An older dog may not have as much stamina as a younger dog, so a life jacket to offer support in the water is a wonderful idea. Older dogs, just like people, will tire more easily and be more subject to factors like cold water. A life preserver to help keep an older dog floating could make all the difference between floating calmly while waiting to be pulled out of the water, or fighting and straining to stay above the surface.

Some breeds simply have to work harder to swim and stay afloat than others, for example. A more robust current, different temperature or anything the dog isn't used to can make swimming and staying up more difficult. A dog that suddenly falls into the water or jumps in out of fright or confusion, just like a person who panics in the water, may have less capacity for swimming and be at a bigger risk of drowning.

Life Preservers for Rescue

A dog that falls into the water is in peril for a similar type of conditions as a human. A blow on the head from the side of the boat, oar, floating log or anything in the water could essentially knock a dog into a daze, just as it might a human. This puts the pet at great hazard of drowning, and makes it trickier for an owner to pull the dog up.

A good preserver should keep a dog floating easily and make it easy for a pet owner to pull the dog up from the water. Handles or straps that are easy to pull on are a prerequisite.




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