Safety Tips for Float Trips with Dogs

For many families in Missouri, going on a float trip is a summer staple. Whether you’re part of a big group doing a full-day raft excursion or just renting a kayak for the afternoon, here are some things to consider when bringing your pup along for the ride.

🌊 Water Safety First 🌊

Perhaps the first question to ask yourself when thinking about taking your dog on a float trip is: what is their familiarity with water? Do they like water? Are they a strong swimmer?

Even if you consider your pup to be a good swimmer, a well-fitted life jacket is always a good idea. If they should slip off the side of the raft or canoe, a life jacket will keep them afloat while you get them to safety. Many dog life jackets have a handle on the back, too, which can be helpful for humans hauling a pup back into the boat. Choosing a brightly colored life jacket is key and helps increase visibility in case of an emergency.

If there hasn’t been much rain in the summer months, Missouri rivers likely won’t be moving too quickly, but keeping an eye out for swift water is important for your pup’s safety. Keep them in the boat until you get to an area of slower water where they can safely enjoy the river and aren’t in danger of getting swept away or underwater.

☀️ Not Too Much Fun in the Sun ☀️

Catching some rays can feel great on a warm summer day, but your pup may not enjoy it as much as you. Consider bringing a sun shirt for your dog to keep the harmful UV rays off them, and don’t forget to apply pet-safe sunscreen to delicate areas like noses and ears often. It’s also imperative to provide shade for your pup, which could mean creating a tent with a towel in the back of your raft/canoe/kayak if there’s no natural shade on the river.

Watch your pup carefully throughout the day to make sure they don’t overheat. If your pup is displaying symptoms of heat exhaustion such as heavy panting or unresponsive behavior, place a cool, wet towel around their neck or pour cool water over their body, especially the abdomen and between the hind legs. Visit HSMO’s website for more information on how to cool down a heat-exhausted pup.

💩 Pick Up Your Poop 💩

As you’re packing up your pup’s essentials, don’t forget the poop bags! Though you’ll be out in the wilderness on your float trip, it’s incredibly important to pick up after your dog. Foreign fecal matter seeping into the ground and water systems can negatively affect the ecosystems around the river, so it’s imperative to pick up after your pup and dispose of any full poop bags in proper receptacles at pick-up or put-in sites.

🩹 Don’t Forget the First Aid Kit 🩹

If you don’t have one already, now is a great time to build a little first aid kit for your pup! Some items that could be helpful on the river include:

• Non-stick pads
• Bandage gauze and tape
• Alcohol swabs
• Pressure wraps
• Small tweezers
• Nail trimmer
• Emergency eye wash
• Plastic oral syringe to flush wounds
• Styptic powder to stop bleeding
• Disposable rubber gloves (for humans)
• A copy of your pet’s medical records and/or emergency contact card
• A towel or two

🐍 Keep an Eye Out for Snakes 🐍

Many snakes in the Midwest call riverbeds home, and popular floating rivers like the Meramec and Huzzah are no exception. While most snakes are harmless, Missouri is home to several venomous species. They all belong to the pit viper family and have triangular heads, vertical/elliptical pupils, heat-sensing pits, hollow fangs and a single row of scales.

The most common one in these environments is the water moccasin, which can be found in wetlands, rivers and lakes in southern Missouri. It’s a dark-colored snake with a thick body that opens its mouth wide to reveal a white interior when threatened.

If you spot a snake in the water, call your pup back to you right away. Snakes are more afraid of us than we are of them, and it’s best to leave them alone until the coast is clear.

Visit HSMO’s blog post on snake safety to learn more about what to do if your dog is bitten.

🍽️ Extra Water and Snacks on the Menu 🍽️

If your pup is a voracious swimmer and is likely to be extremely active on a float trip, it might be a good idea to pack an extra meal or additional treats for them. Most adult dogs sleep 12-14 hours a day and are unlikely to do so on such an exciting day. If they’re burning extra calories and energy, keeping them well fed is key!

While many dogs try to drink river water, try to discourage that as much as possible by bringing along a gallon of drinking water and a collapsible bowl for them. Though many rivers appear clear and clean, river water can cause diarrhea and other GI issues in dogs with more sensitive tummies. Encourage them to drink extra water, especially on warmer days.

🛶 Have Fun! 🛶

Spending a day on the water with your pup can be a great bonding experience and a unique way to expose them to a new environment. But make sure you think about your pup, their temperament and their lifestyle before committing to bringing them with you.