Dog Life Jackets

Dog Life Jackets

Dog life jackets are a must-have to keep your dog safe in and around the water. Dog life jackets are a bouyant vest which is comfortable for your dog to wear in and out of the water. They will often come in bright colours to assist with visibility when your pet is swimming.

Common questions about life jackets for dogs:

Are dogs required to wear life jackets on boats?

In Australia, dogs are not required to wear a life jacket by law. However, it is strongly recommended that your pet wears a life jacket at all times when out on water.

There are state laws that require life jackets to be worn by the occupants of a watercraft for their own safety. However, our dogs are often forgotten, with many assuming dogs are excellent swimmers. A well-fitted life jacket can help keep your dog safe if they do accidentally go overboard during a trip out on the water. Dogs can still succumb to fatigue and panic resulting in drowning, as swimming in open water is vastly different from a pool or creek. Additionally, if your dog drinks a large volume of salt water, they may suffer salt toxicity, which can be deadly.

There are additional provisions for taking your pet out on the boat. Fresh water must be provided to prevent dehydration. Remember toilet breaks for your pet, and cleaning supplies should be included in the case of any accidents. Sun protection is also a must for your pooch. Non-haired parts of your dog, especially the nose can become sunburnt.

Similar to driving a car, dogs should be secure and not be a distraction or hindrance to the skipper. Before heading out on the water, it is recommended you familiarise yourself with the most recent state legislation regarding occupants on watercraft, including pets.

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• Dog Coats
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• Dog Jackets

Author info: Dr Nicole du Plessis - Pet Circle In-House Veterinarian