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Dogs go for a boat ride all prepared
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Most dogs love the water, at least from inside a boat. With their noses pointing into the wind, they cherish the cooling air brushing their furry faces while they glide over a lake, a river or a bay. Just like humans, however, they are not immune to dangers the open waters may bring.
Although dogs are able to swim, falling overboard and having to keep afloat for an extended period of time while fighting waves and currents, would challenge even the most athletic dog. Some other dogs might even not be able to stay afloat at all.
While federal laws require life preservers for people on boats, Lt. Ed Cates, assistant boating safety coordinator for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, said life vests for dogs are not required. He said dogs are naturally good swimmers, but a life vest will help them stay afloat. He puts a vest on his dog when they go out on the water, and his dog loves it.
However, dog owners in regions close to the equator have to consider the sweltering heat with its searing sun during the summer and the effects on their dogs. Protecting their dogs from the hazard a body of the water poses might make their dogs become overheated.
Cates said life vests keep dogs warmer, and in Florida, the cooler months might be a better time for dogs to wear life jackets.
“In June, July and August, dogs might become uncomfortable wearing the vests while sitting still in the boat,” he said. “It’s up to the owners and the particular breed.”
PetSmart offers life jackets for dogs in different sizes and one style with two different colors and one print. Jessica White, PetSmart’s corporate communication spokeswoman, said life jackets for dogs are popular items for pet owners to buy, and they are best sellers during the summer season, with the vests’ smaller sizes ranging first among customers.
Veterinarian Dr. Harold Ott, owner of Ruskin Animal Hospital and Cat Clinic and medical director of Critter Adoption & Rescue Effort (C.A.R.E.), a no-kill animal shelter in Ruskin, Fla., said normally all dogs can swim but when exposing their dogs to a body of water, owners should be careful, especially owners of certain breeds like bulldogs.
“A life vest would be a good idea, for sure,” he said.
Nevertheless, boaters taking their dogs with them have to be aware of dangers for dogs lurking in the waters when a life jacket won’t help. Besides facing drowning when falling overboard, a dog is easy prey for predators. Ott said one of his clients’ dogs, a Chihuahua, jumped out of the boat, and a shark got it.
Ott said dogs love to go out on the boat and instead of depriving them of the fun, people should use common sense. He said dogs can also get seasick. If they should suffer from seasickness, medications for it are available.
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