There’s nothing like being in open water and feeling the wind in your face as you set sail on your next voyage. The next best thing is having your 4-legged sidekick with you for the ride, since dogs also love adventure and the wind in their faces too!
Almost all dogs love the water and can swim instinctively, which makes them the perfect sailing companion. Dogs have endeared themselves as vital members of the family therefore your next cruise wouldn’t be same if you left Fido at home. Boat safety is extremely important, especially when having your pooch onboard. Here are a few easy ways to insure your next boating experience turns out swimmingly for everyone.
What you need to know when taking your dog boating:
- Purchase a doggy life jacket.
- Prevent your dog from drinking water from the lake or sea.
- Apply sunscreen on your dog.
- Plan for when your dog needs to relieve themselves.
Boating with Dogs
- Buy your dog with life jacket. You can find them at most boating stores and pet shops. When purchasing a life jacket for your dog, ensure that it fits properly. Although most dogs can swim in open water, why risk of the possibly of them drowning due to fatigue, get your dog a life jacket. If, for some reason, your dog goes overboard, you will have the peace of mind that your dog will be OK.
- Prevent your dog from drinking water from the lake or sea. There is a high probability that freshwater lakes have contaminates from factories and boats and contain harmful organisms so never allow your dog to drink water from a lake. Since the conditions in open water can be hot and dry, you need to have ample, clean drinking water available for your dog to prevent the risk of dehydration.
- Apply sunscreen to your dog. Even though you don’t normally think of it, dogs do need protection from the harmful rays of the sun, just as humans do. Canines with short hair can get sunburned quite easily, therefore you should be using a light sunscreen on your dog, like a SPF-15. On hotter days, you may want use something with a stronger SPF rating, just always remember to buy a non-scented product to help prevent irritation on your dog.
- Plan for when your dog needs to pee. Be sure to bring lots of waste bags for your dog, and paper towels and something for the odour. If you’ve trained your dog to use a pad, this would make cleaning up after your dog a lot easier, if not then make sure you’re cleaning up after your dog immediately, to removed the mess and the potential odour.
By considering these four easy tips, you can help you make the most of your boating trip. Your dog will enjoy the fresh air and time spent with you and practicing basic safety precautions should ensure a safe and enjoyable day out on the water.
