SPOKANE, Wash. -- A life jacket could save you on the water this summer. But should your dog be wearing one as well?
Dogs are typically amazing swimmers. They do not need swimming lessons like their human counterparts. Swimming is instinct for them.
But when you are out on the river, you don't always know what to expect.
According to Nicholas Snider, a veterinarian at SouthCare Animal Medical Center, a life vest is a good idea if your dog is small, a puppy or a senior, or you don't quite know the limitations of your dog's abilities to swim.
In fact, Snider said it may be a good idea to put your dog in a vest - even if your pet is a good swimmer - depending on the activity.
If your are playing catch and your dog is retrieving balls from the water, be sure to make sure they are not too tired because Dr. Snider said he witnessed a time when this almost cost a dog its life.
"Dog, not very good swimmer, got exhausted. Sank. Just down. It was a big dog, it was a 70-pound dog. It took a couple people to get him up and it was very scary. He did fine, but it could've been prevented with the life vest," Snider said.
"Dogs can drown, absolutely. Just because they have webbed feet, a lot of them are designed to be in the water, it can still happen," he continued.
Snider also said dogs can sustain head injuries in fast-moving waters and it can be easier to find an animal if they are wearing a life vest.
A good rule of thumb is: If you think you need a vest, your pet probably needs one, too.
Snider recognized that some dogs are amazing swimmers but sometimes it's better to be safe rather than sorry.