How to Choose The Right Pet Life Jacket

Try on multiple styles before deciding on a pet life jacket.

Good water safety means wearing a life jacket, even for the furry members of your boat's crew. Most pets are at least somewhat adept at swimming, but emergency situations such as being in the water for an extended period of time or rough waters can negate your pet's natural abilities. A life jacket means that, no matter what the water or circumstances are, your pet will still float if it ends up in the water or is unable to swim for any reason. Choosing the right pet life jacket is just as crucial as implementing its consistent use.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Scale

Instructions

1. Pick the right size. A pet life jacket should fit snugly but shouldn't be overly tight. Sizes vary from brand to brand, so take your pet along for a fitting, if possible.

2. Take detailed measurements of your pet if you cannot bring the animal along for a fitting. Measure the animal from the base of the neck or collar to the tail. Measure around the widest part of the animal's torso and around the smallest part of the animal's torso. Measure the distance between your pet's hind legs and front legs. Measure the distance between both of the animal's front legs and measure the distance between both of the animals hind legs.

3. Weigh your pet and select the right weight class for the jacket. Different dogs may have similar measurements but they may have drastically different weights -- a greyhound and a Labrador are both large dogs, for example. Check the weight limit on your pet's life jacket to make sure it can support the animal's weight in the event of an emergency.

4. Compare the construction of different models. Make sure that any straps, buckles or handles don't interfere with your pet's movements or cause discomfort to your pet.

5. Opt for a brightly colored jacket. While the sporty camouflage life jacket or the austere navy blue model might be the height of fashion for your pet, simple patterns and dull colors can make finding pets in the water difficult. Select a bright, neon-color life jacket to make retrieval in the event of an overboard pet easier.

6. Consider a model with handles. Handles on a pet life jacket make it easier for you or emergency response personnel to remove an animal from the water.

7. Explore automatic models. Automatic life vests inflate when the wearer is immersed in water. Automatic life vests are typically single use, which makes them more expensive than traditional models. Automatic pet life jackets are lighter weight and less bulky, making them more comfortable for the animal wearing them.

Tips & Warnings

• Let your pet get used to wearing a life jacket before heading out onto the water. Some pets are easily frightened or agitated by new experiences, and getting the animal into the life vest the first time can be a monumental task. Put the life preserver on your pet and allow it to walk around the house first.

• Test-drive your pet's life jacket before heading out on the water. Let your pet try to swim in a shallow body of water (such as a swimming pool) while wearing the life jacket. This allows you to see how well the life jacket works and it also prepares your pet for the possibility of having to rely on the jacket. Testing out your pet's life jacket allows you to see whether straps loosen or pieces break while the life preserver is in use during a low-pressure, nonemergency situation.

• Automatic pet life jackets can accidentally inflate if the animal gets too wet. If you own an animal that frequently jumps overboard for an impromptu swim, or if the animal is a messy drinker, consider a traditional pet life jacket instead of an automatic model.

References

• "Safe Dog Handbook"; Melanie Monteiro; 2009
• "Complete Idiot's Guide to Choosing, Training and Raising a Dog"; Sarah Hodgson; 1996
• "ASPCA Complete Dog Care Manual"; Bruce Fogle; 1993