Pet Safety Blog » Pet Lifejackets

Don’t Forget Dog Life Jackets for Your Dog

c eothe — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 17:36:58 +0000

As we get closer to spring and then summer, the birds are out singing, buds on the trees start to pop out; grass gets greener, and of most interest is that the ponds and lakes are beginning to thaw out if you live in an area of cold weather. Some of the lakes and ponds have frozen solid enough for skating activities to all that are interested. Even the geese walk around on the ice, and even start to swim as the ice melts. In the area that I live, the geese are a problem and much over populated. These birds are a safety factor for our dogs and can cause havoc if a pet parent is walking their dog past this area. This will probably not apply to all dogs, but some get very excited when they come up on a bird or two, sometime even a flock. If your dog has not been trained to ignore this situation, trouble will be ahead.

The worst possible scenario is if the lake or pond still has ice that has not yet melted and your dog runs away from you; lease included, and chases the geese. I cannot tell you how many times every year that a dog has done just that and falls into the water. Yes, most dogs can swim, but that is not usually the problem. The water is still very cold, hypothermia sets in, and your dog becomes frightened, too fatigued and cold to swim back to dry land. Some time you even hear where the dog has jumped in the water and the pet parent goes after them. This is an enormous mistake. Last year a pet parent drowned in the icy water trying to save their dog. The dog lived because of the local fire and police department arrived with all of the equipment necessary for a rescue. However, by the time the fire department was able to get to where the dog and the pet parent were it was too late. Purchasing dog life jackets for your dog must be considered if you tend to walk them around any body of water. Maybe you and the family will go out to the lake this summer for boating and having fun. DO NOT take your dog out in a boat if they do not have a dog life jacket on. You are absolutely looking for trouble if you do. The thought is probably that this is not a necessary item to have for your dog. Just stop and think how you would feel, if such an accident happened and could have been avoided using dog life jackets for protection. Be Happy!

Who, Where and When Takes Care of Cleaning Up After Your Dog?

c eothe — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 19:32:45 +0000

Dogs as we all know come in different sizes, shapes, and color, but some have temperaments and personalities that will not tolerate children. Choose a dog that compliments your family and will be a delight to be around. Talk to your family and listen to their pros and cons. Dogs are a responsibility, and taking care of them the right way will not be a disappointment. Will there be just one person in the family that will take care of the dog, or shared within the family? A balanced diet is necessary to keep dogs healthy, groomed, trained, have room to play, exercised, and room to relieve themselves when necessary. A balanced diet, grooming, training …. is essential, but the one big thing is ‘poop’ in your yard. Who will take on the responsibility in cleaning it up on a regular basis? This is important because of diseases that it carries, problems with flies, stepping in it, and causes contamination in our waterways. It is estimated that dog poop in our waterways are one quarter contaminated by the lack of responsibility in cleaning up after our dog. This is especially of concern when walking your dogs in parks, and areas that provide them to exercise and run, but just be sure if there is a lake or pond around that your dog has their dog life jacket on. Accidents are certainly not something a pet parent is looking for in taking their dog for their daily walk.

Picking up in your yard will eliminate the unpleasant and unsightly problems of stepping in your dog’s poop that carries over billions of bacteria and parasites, and contains parasitic organisms, and salmonella. Walking your dog is also a responsibility in picking up after them to avoid children who could accidentally step in it while at play. What is the big deal about carrying a plastic bag to remove your dog’s poop? Some areas even provide containers that administer plastic bags and containers for disposal, so please be cognizant of your responsible as a pet parent and help to improve our way of life. Be Happy!

Provide Pet Safety, How Do We Do This?

c eothe — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 14:00:02 +0000

How do we do this? As pet lovers – we are devoted in helping our pet companions have a long and healthy life by doing the things that we know best to do for them. Make sure they have a healthy diet, train them to be proud and obedient, keep up with all of their vaccinations and checkups, keep them groomed, give them exercise, play with them, give them their medications that have been prescribed in case of sickness or diseases that may happen during their lifetime, and always be cognizant of their whereabouts.

Consider these products that will guide you in providing safety to your pet.

Pet insurance that will offer financial help in their medical bills
Pet only airlines will fly your pet to designated destinations
Underground-wireless dog fences to keep pets in certain boundaries
Pet doors to go in and out of your home all by by themselves
Dog life jackets to keep them from drowning
Pet safety gates to confine them to areas of your choice
Dog ramps to walk up and down into your vehicle without pain
Dog vehicle barrier behind the driver avoiding accidents
Dog safety collars that break apart if they were to get caught
Pet safety harnesses to control your pet from pulling while walking
Pet carriers that limit their activities while being transported
Pet crates that are used in training your pet to stay in one place
Pet slings allow the pet parent to take their small pets shopping
Dog kennels that your pet will call their comfortable and snugly home
Dog wheelchairs provide dogs mobilitywhen disabled, which
Eliminates euthanasia, giving your dog a longer life
Pet joint pain can be minimized by medication
Homeopathic pet meds allow a natural path of healing

All of these pet safety products are safe for your dog and/or cat, and are affordable in protecting them from serious accidents. Be Happy!

Christmas Present for Your Dog, Life Jackets

c eothe — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 18:29:18 +0000

I know it’s not summer yet, but this subject is worth mentioning because now, we are experiencing cold weather with frozen and/or icy ponds and lakes. Exercise is really important during this time, but because the elements of cold weather are usually not conducive in walking your dog as long as you usually do, it is still necessary for their health, and possibly the pet parent as well. In the area that I live in, the fire department and rescue teams are called for emergencies quite frequently of pets running after something that excites them, breaks loose from their leash, and falls into the icy or frozen water. How frightening would this be, you’re by yourself, and certainly don’t want to take a chance of going after your dog, you both could drown. Some pet parents think that a dog life jacket is absolutely absurd and won’t even give it any consideration.

If you don’t live anywhere near ponds or lakes where you would be walking your dog, then a dog life jacket would not be needed at that time, but when the pet parents are boat enthusiasts, that is certainly a necessary item. Perhaps you have a swimming pool, even though it should be covered in the winter time your dog could accidentally walk on it, fall in, and drown. Dogs are usually good swimmers, but when something unexpected happens, they may become frighten. Perhaps your dog is not allowed near the swimming pool, that’s even better, then no worries. Back to walking your dog, is your dog healthy? If an older dog should happen to fall into the water, they may not be able to swim their way out. Think about it. Be Happy!

Christmas Presents For Your Dog

c eothe — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:21:12 +0000

If you are like me, there has to be a Christmas gift under the tree for my dog. I really need to watch him though, because he wants to unwrap all of the presents. My guess is, he thinks they’re all for him. He started doing this as a pup, which has been 13 and them some years ago. He starts at the ribbon as if to untie it, then starts on the paper. He takes his paws and wraps them around the paper, and then gradually starts ripping piece by piece until he has uncovered his present, then on to the next one. This has always been such fun to watch, because he is absolutely dedicated as to what he’s doing. Then after that present, was opened, he starts for the other one, etc. He tried to open my granddaughters presents last year, so I really have to watch him.

Just a suggestion to all pet parents, consider giving your pet something that will keep them safe. There are some great gifts to choose from, and by all means, don’t forget the dog life jacket for this coming Spring. It’s possible though, he could use it before Spring when going for his walks. Always be alert if you and your dog are walking by a lake or pond. Our local fire department has had to make several calls to rescue dogs that have broken loose from their pet parent chasing another dog, geese, or whatever has caught their attention. Lakes and ponds will freeze over, sometime solid depending the temperature, and others may only freeze partiality. Both are extremely dangerous. Always be on the lookout and pay special attention to what’s ahead. Be Happy!

Does Your Dog Have Arthritis & Hip Dysplasia, Mine Does? – Part 3

c eothe — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 22:51:25 +0000

I read somewhere that puppies can be ex-rayed or somehow checked to determine if there may be a medical problem that could possibly cause these afflictions later on in life. I have also heard that individuals selling their puppies guarantee them to be free of this problems. I don’t understand how that statement can be made if ex-rays were never made on the puppies in the first place. There should be documentation on this for the buyers records. The genetic bloodline can be researched by a veterinarian in the particular breed of the puppy in the diagnosis of possible concerns.

The exercise my dogs gets going up and down stairs is good for him, but I do know that swimming in a pool with his dog life jacket on, the movement in the water would relieve some of the pain in his joints besides having fun. He’s determined and that’s wonderful, but the arthritics and hip dysplasia are becoming a problem for him. I know there are dog vehicle safety ramps available that can be used for stairs as well as swimming pools, so later on that may be the solution. So in the meantime we continue our love and championship together and enjoy each others company. Be Happy!

If Your Dog Nearly Drowns, What Do You Do? – Part 1

c eothe — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 18:09:25 +0000

If your dog goes under water for any length of time, water will fill their lungs and then you know that you need to do something quick. Pick up your dog and wrap your arms around their body and try your best to hold the dog under their tummy and turn them upside down. Water should flow through their nose and mouth. (Pick up little dogs by their hind legs.) After water stops coming out, lay the dog on the ground on their right side and perform artificial respiration. In their mid-thigh, check if their heart is beating and if you feel any pulse. If not, then start CPR in addition to the first process until breathing and heart beat becomes steady. After continuing to revive the dog and 10 minutes has passed. Stop. It’s too late.

If a dog is under water for a while and in cold water, the survival is much better because they will suffer hypothermia. If your dog does survive by your efforts to revive them, what a wonderful feeling of relief and possibly guilt knowing that your dog could have been wearing a dog life jacket which could have made revival less stressful. We all learn by experiences in situations of protection. It would be a good idea to take your dog to the vet as soon as possible just to make sure they are okay and not have any other complications that you were not aware of. Be Happy!

If Your Dog Nearly Drowns, What Do You Do?

c eothe — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 22:19:49 +0000

Water will fill up a dog’s lungs which in turn deprives any oxygen that could save the dog when they have been under water for any length of time and suffering from suffocation. When this occurs, saving a dog in this condition is critical. There are not many dogs that don’t know how to swim, but accidents do happen and a dog can drown before you can get to them. Dogs sometime fall into the family swimming pool and can’t find their way out. They could fall into a water situation where swift water is flowing extremely fast, or even floods can sweep them away before our very eyes. I’m sure that all of us have heard from time to time of a dog falling into a pond or lake that has frozen over in the cold winter months. All of these incidents can be avoided by a pet parent insisting and training a dog to wear a dog life jacket any time they are around water of any kind. There were times that this idea of preparation for safety was not even imaged for our furry friends, but times have changed for the better, and is now more sophisticated in caring of our wonderful dogs. (See Part 1 for more info) Be Happy!

Have You Given Your Dog a Bath Lately?

c eothe — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 21:45:34 +0000

How many times have you tried to bathe your dog and it turned out to be a disaster? I would never even attempt to do so because my dog is too old. I have to take him to be groomed. If the process was started at an early age, that would have made a hugh difference. If your dog has had some bad experiences with water, some sort of trauma or even cruelty, bathing will take considerable patience and lots of love, encouragement, and praise.

Never try and drag your dog into the water, that will only make matters worse. It may take a few meeting of the minds before your dog feels comfortable. Some play toys could possibly help, but it would be a good idea to just let them feel for themselves if a secure environment is always available. Try different ways to comfort them and always try to be repetitious, doing the same thing each time so after awhile your pet will adjust to what comes next. After awhile your dog will realize that they don’t need a dog life jacket to survive in the bathtub, and perhaps will look forward to the next time. (See Part 1 for more info) Be Happy!

Pet Life-Jacket at the Lake – Part 1

c eothe — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 15:10:48 +0000

Does your dog love the water? Do your children love the water? The answer to these two questions is probably “yes, they do.” There are times I’m sure that a life-jacket is appropriate for your children when you feel it’s necessary, consider one for your pet as well. Problems can arise if your dog is older, possibly sick or very young. They do get tired after awhile and this could become very dangerous. We are responsible in looking out for their safety at all times. Dog life-jackets are available in various sizes to fit your dog properly and some are quite colorful. This is especially recommended if you are out on a lake, beach, or a pond, bright colors are easily seen in the water and are visible to boaters.

Never leave your dog unsupervised in water of any kind. If left unattended or your pet accidently falls into the water and can’t get out, a dog life-jacket would have prevented them from drowning. I have actually heard of this happening. What an awful thing to experience. They may become tired and can’t let you know there might be a problem. This could become a disaster before you have time to think about it. You love your dog as being part of your family, so make sure they are safe at all times. Be Happy!