If you're like us then you love having your dog along for a day of adventure and fun out on the water. However, while the water can provide hours of enjoyment for both humans and their furry companions, it also poses certain risks, especially for dogs who may not be natural swimmers. That's where dog life jackets can come in handy.
In this article, we'll delve into 9 of the best life jackets available for dogs that can help ensure your pup stays safe and comfortable in the water. Each option was carefully chosen based on feedback from a wide range of cruisers. We'll also answer a couple of FAQ's, such as if your dog needs a life jacket and when.
1. Outward Hound Granby Splash Dog Life Jacket
Price: $15.00 - $30.00
Highly rated by live aboard yacht cruisers, the Outward Hound Granby Dog Life Jacket is a high-performance dog PFD. It's made of durable ripstop material with a soft, neoprene belly band, and is designed to maximise buoyancy without restricting movement.
The jacket comes in a few bright colors and has reflective accents running across the top, which make your boat dog more visible in the water. Along the dog's back there are one or two grab handles sewn into the design, which is determined by the size of the jacket. These handles make it easier to transfer the dog to and from the boat, and lift them out of the water if they need help.
The Granby Dog Life Jacket comes in sizes XS through to XL, with the sizing based largely off the girth of the dog. To ensure a snug fit, it has adjustable straps and quick release side buckles.
2. Ruffwear Float Coat Dog Life Jacket
Price: $89.95
Also well regarded by boaters, the Ruffwear Float Coat is a premium life jacket with the price tag to match. It's filled with buoyant PVC-free and CLPE foam, and is made of 800 denier ballistic polyester with polypropylene "nylike" webbing.
The Ruffwear dog life jacket comes in three colour palates and has reflective accents. The orange and red jackets are particularly visible in the water, which is good if you're a blue water cruiser concerned about visibility during a dog overboard situation. On the back there's a sturdy handle as well as a clip for a safety light.
Ruffwear Float Coat's come in sizes 2XS up to XL and are designed to wrap around your dog, moving with them rather than restricting movement. The design features a telescoping neck closure and adjustable buckles to ensure a good fit.
We also have a Ruffwear Approach Dog backpack for Rose and she wears it all the time. We're so happy with the performance that we've already purchased a spare just in case something happens to the original. You can read more about it here.
3. Outward Hound Dawson Swim Life Jacket
Price: $36.99
If you're boating or sailing in colder waters then your dog might appreciate the thermal insulation offered by an Outward Hound Dawson dog life jacket. The shell is made of neoprene, which helps keep your pup warm and makes the jacket more buoyant.
This jacket also comes in a choice of three colors; red, green or blue. It has reflective trim along the edge for enhanced visibility and a front support to help keep your dog's head above water if they get tired. Depending on the size of the jacket it comes with one or two grab handles on the back.
Like the Granby Dog Life Jacket, the Dawson comes in sizes XS through to XL. There's adjustable straps to better size the jacket to suit your dog, and quick release buckles that make it easy to take on and off.
4. Outward Hound Standley Sport Performance
Price: $23.00 - $32.00
Another design from Outward Hound, the Standley is a sports performance life jacket designed for experienced swimmers. The shell is made of ripstop nylon and quilted polyester, while the belly is mesh to allow for quick drainage and ventilation.
The jacket comes in a bright blue and green combo with reflective accents. On the back there's a rescue handle as well as a D-ring so that you can easily attach a leash.
The Standley Sport life jacket comes in XS up to XL, with the sizing based on the dogs girth. For a more secure fit, it also has adjustable straps and quick release buckles on the front and sides.
5. EzyDog Doggy Flotation Device (DFD)
Price: $62.00 - $75.00
For extra floatation take a look at the buoyant EzyDog DFD life jacket. It offers up to 50% more floatation which is good if you expect to be around rough seas, or have a pup that's heavy or not a strong swimming.
In terms of color choice you have the two standard high-visibility life jacket colors; yellow and red. Along the sides there's also reflective piping, for added night time safety. On the back you'll find a convenient grab handle which make it easier to lift and move the dog around.
EzyDog life jackets are available in XS through to XL, with two clips around the tummy and a contoured neck at the front. As an added bonus there's also a high strength D-buckle, which can attach to a lead, anchor point or safety light.
6. Paws Aboard Dog Life Jacket
Price: $24.99 - $44.99
Similar in style to the EzyDog DFD, the Paws Aboard Dog Life Jacket by Fido Pet Products is a little more budget friendly and comes in a range of fun designs. It's made of neoprene with a breathable mesh belly strap that's secured with Velcro.
The jacket comes in a few different designs, including a bright red lifeguard design, nautical themed print, orange racing flames and neon yellow for greater visibility. There are one or two grab handles on the back and quick release buckles for an easy fit.
Each Paws Aboard Dog Life Jacket design comes in XXS up to XL and the clips used to secure it are adjustable to ensure the best fit.
7. Kurgo Surf n Turf Dog Life Jacket
Price: $44.95 - $64.95
Highly rated on Amazon, the Kurgo Surf n Turf has impressed past customers with its quality construction and choice of materials. It's made of 400 dernier ripstop material with a neoprene liner and buoyant foam inside.
The jacket comes in neon green and neon red, which are highly visible out on the water. The back straps differ in layout from others on the market, with two handles that sit perpendicular to one another. One handle is on the dogs back towards their shoulders while the other runs side to side over their hips, making it easier to lift the dog.
The Kurgo Surf n Turf Life Jacket comes in sizes XS through to XL, fitting dogs as large as a 45 inch girth. The belly and chest straps are secured with Nifco quick release buckles rather than Velcro, which can stick to their fur.
8. Monterey Bay Dog Life Jacket
Price: $54.00 - $63.50
The Monterey Bay Dog Lifejacket is made by a small US company founded by a dog loving former Marine. The jacket is designed to support the dogs entire body from below, setting them apart from many other designs on the market.
These dog life vests are available in three bright colors, and have reflective piping along the seams. There's a reinforced rescue handle on the back with a D-Ring at one end for a leash or safety beacon attachment.
Monterey Bay Dog Lifejacket's are made in XS through to XL, with the sizing being based off their neck, chest and length measurements.
9. EZYDog X2 Boost
Price: $55.00 - $85.00
While the original EzyDog Doggy Flotation Device (DFD) life jacket might be more well known, they have released a second generation version called the DFD X2 Boost. This version takes all the best parts of the first jacket and packs it into a more streamlined, ergonomic design, with no loss of floatation.
Like the original, the DFD X2 Boost comes in bright red and yellow with reflective piping, ensuring your dog is easy to see. It has a unique top pull collar adjustment, and a grab handle that doubles as a keeper for the neck adjustment strap. The construction is largely 1680 dernier nylon, which is a relatively durable material.
DFD X2 Boost comes in two sets of sizes. There's the 4XS to 2XS which is for very small dogs, and XS through to XL, which is the more standard set of sizes.
Got questions? Here's some answers!
Here's a few of the frequently asked questions people ask about dog flotation devices.
Should a dog wear a life jacket?
In our opinion it depends on what you're doing and what your dog is like.
If you're sitting in a calm anchorage with your dog under direct supervision then the risk of something happening is often much lower than if you were swimming around for extended periods of time or sailing out in rough weather. Also, some dogs are very confident, capable swimmers, while others may be nervous around water or are just not be very buoyant.
It's best to assess the risk factors in each situation and decide what the best course of action is to keep your pooch safe on the water.
How do I choose a dog life vest?
Choosing a dog life vest can be tricky and there's no single answer on which is the best life jacket for dogs. Here are the main factors we suggest considering when choosing which dog life jacket you're going to buy.
Buoyancy
Comfort and freedom of movement
Durability of the construction materials and fastenings
Feedback from past users
The fit on your dog
Summing it up
In a marine environment a high-quality dog life jacket can help ensure the safety and well-being of your furry companion during water adventures. Which is the best life jacket for dogs can be a little subjective, so ultimately you want to find something that fits your dog properly, is buoyant, comfortable, made of durable materials, and is visible in different conditions.
With the right life jacket, you can enjoy countless aquatic adventures with your beloved pet, knowing they're safe and secure in the water.
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