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Canine life jackets are popular since pet owners are taking pet safety seriously. Pets are like one of the family when you you go on a wilderness vacation. A pet life jacket is essential if you are taking your dog to a lake, ocean or river. A kayaking dog life jacket, boating dog life jacket, river rafting dog life jacket, fishing dog life jacket, or canoeing dog life jacket are all similar or the same type of pet flotation jackets.
But dogs can swim, right? As a matter of fact, no. Some dogs just don't take to the water well. Breeds with low body fat like Doberman pinschers and boxers can have trouble in the water. Older dogs may tire easily and breeds prone to hip dysphasia may have difficulty swimming. Hypothermia can be a threat to some breeds of dogs when they are unduly exposed to cold water. If you are canoeing with your dog on rivers in cold climates, a dog life jacket is important because of the cold water
What do you look for in a doggie life jacket? Style is not the most important feature, but commonly, owners look for a cute dog life jacket for small dogs. If it is a female dog, pet owners can even find a pink polka dot dog life jacket. Aside from style, such as found in such brands as Paws Aboard, the most important feature is the fit. It is important that the dog jacket fits well so it does not come off when being worn and does not come off when you lift the dog out of the water.
The second most important feature often overlooked is the strap handle on top. Most dog jackets have a handle in the middle of the back. Sometimes dogs go crazy in a boat or dock after seeing ducks, birds, or other dogs. When your are on the dock, you may need to grab the handle to get control. If your dog jumps or falls into the water, you can hook the strap handle with a boat hook, or grab the strap handle and lift the dog out of the water. The handle transfers the pressure to the straps that go around the midsection. If this strap is not accessible or too small, it is difficult to pull your dog up to the dock or back into your kayak, canoe, raft, or boat. The Competition Zone pet vest and the Paws Aboard Pet Life Jacket has the handle and a belly strap. The belly strap helps keep the vest on your dog when you grab the strap handle:
Customer Comment about the Paws Aboard Dog Life Jacket: ”My dog Maddie went off the pier...again...she loves the ducks. This time was easier because the boat hook picked her up easier with the double wrap under her belly.
”A third important feature is visibility. Dog Life Jackets should be more than one contrasting color to help you see the dog in the water.
The Competition Zone Dog Life Jacket made by Kent, Ruffware dog Life Jacket, TX recreation dog jacket, the Safeguard Dog Life jacket, and the PAWS ABOARD Dog Life Jacket features were compared side by side. The Kent dog jacket came out on top as the best doggie life jacket for smaller dogs up to 20 lbs and generally tied the Paws Aboard. Although this was only one survey, most customers still prefer the Paws Aboard Jacket for smaller dogs because of the Paws Aboard designer styles available . The Paws Aboard Dog Life Jackets rated well for all sizes because of the added reflective strip for visibility which does not appear on the Kent Dog Jacket.
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