A big thanks to Meg Marrs for sharing these important safety tips for boating with your dog!

We know that many folks with dogs love to take their pooches out to sea in the summer. With warmer weather and easier sailing, it’s not so unusual to see a furry four-footer playing the role of skipper!

Keep in mind, there are plenty of safety considerations to take into account before bringing your pup on board.

All dogs should be equipped with a dog life jacket, as rough waves can pull under even strong swimmers. Dogs with light-colored fur are also very susceptible to sun burns, so you’ll need to apply dog sunscreen to your pup’s fur to protect them on the hot, sunny boat deck!

The folks over at K9 of Mine have published these helpful safety tips that we’re sharing here in an effort to keep four-legged crew safe and secure this sailing season.

Make sure to read these tips before you set out!