Some dogs are natural born swimmers, and others find it more difficult to take to the water. Whether your dog is a great swimmer or not, it can be useful to get them a life jacket. It will keep them safe, warm, and make them more visible to you and other people using the water.
Dog life jackets can also make it easier for you to take your furry friend on watery adventures with you - kayaking, fishing, or wild swimming- these will all be safer for your dog if they have a life jacket.
There are lots of different dog life jackets available and it can be difficult to know which one to choose for your pet.
We have put together a list of the best dog life jackets available, along with some handy information on how to choose the one that will meet your needs. We have also answered some common questions about dog life jackets.
OUR TOP PICK
The Outward House Granby Splash dog life jacket is a highly recommended option. It is made from neoprene which is very comfortable against your dog’s skin. Neoprene material. It is very buoyant, with foam flotation and ripstop technology.
The round neck design is comfortable and there is a front neck float to help your dog keep their head above the water. The jacket is not too bulky and won’t restrict your dog’s movement on land. The belly strap is soft to avoid chafing.
This life jacket is available in sizes XS to XL, so you will be able to find one to fit your breed of dog. The straps are adjustable to allow for a better fit, and it has a long design to make it suitable for dogs with long torsos.
This life jacket has excellent safety features. There is a rescue handle to make it easy to grab your dog out of the water in an emergency.
There are high visibility strips for improved visibility in low lighting conditions. The thick foam provides excellent buoyancy to keep your dog afloat.
The only downside is that it only comes in orange, though this is a nice bright color that will help with visibility.
EDITORS CHOICE
The EMUST dog life vest comes in 9 different colors and is available in a variety of sizes to suit your dog. It is made from polyester and nylon, with ripstop technology and excellent flotation.
You will be able to get a nice snug fit with the adjustable belt and the quick release buckles make it easy to get your dog in and out of the jacket.
The jacket is waterproof and durable, with a breathable mesh layer to prevent your dog from overheating. The mesh also allows for the drainage of water and helps the jacket to dry quickly.
The safety features of this jacket include reflective strips for increased visibility in the darkness, a durable rescue handle, and a heavy duty D ring hook to attach a lead.
This lightweight dog life jacket has an attractive pattern to make your pooch stand out from the crowd.
BEST VALUE
The HAOCOO dog life jacket is available in 10 different colors and various sizes. It is made from polyester and nylon with ripstop technology to make it durable. The buoyancy is excellent and will keep your dog afloat and safe.
The mesh layer allows for breathability and water drainage. There is an additional front float to keep your dog’s head out of the water.
The adjustable belt allows you to fit the jacket snugly to your dog, and the quick release buckles make it easier to get the jacket on and off.
The rescue handle allows you to quickly pull your dog out of the water in a dangerous situation. There is a D ring so you can attach their lead to the jacket, and visibility strips will help your dog to be seen in the dark.
RUNNER UP
The Vivaglory is an attractive dog life jacket in a sporty design that comes in 9 different colors. It is made from neoprene and polyester and is designed to provide safety in the water without restricting movement so your dog can have as much fun as possible.
The bright colors and reflective strips help to ensure your dog is visible at all times.
The adjustable straps make sure that you can get this jacket to fit your dog snugly and there is extra comfort around the belly to prevent rubbing or chafing.
The quick release buckles make it easy to get your dog in and out of the jacket.
This life jacket has three layers of flotation for extra buoyancy and protection. The rescue handle enables you to grab your dog and get them out of the water in an emergency.
RUNNER UP
The RUFFWEAR Float coat comes in 3 lovely colors - blue dusk, red sumac or wave orange- and is available in a variety of sizes.
The foam used for flotation is PVC free and very soft. The foam panels are placed strategically to support your dog’s natural swimming position and reduce restriction.
The neck is adjustable to make sure the jacket fits well. The jacket is designed to be comfortable when your dog is out of the water as well.
The safety features of this life jacket include a rescue handle for easy access to your dog and reflective accents for visibility. There is also a loop to attach a safety light which is sold separately.
The straps are adjustable so you can customize the fit and the buckles are designed to be easy to clip.
RUNNER UP
The Wellver dog life jacket comes in orange, green or yellow with black detailing. The colors are bright and along with the visibility strips they ensure that you will always be able to see your dog.
The sizes are small, medium or large, but you can adjust the fit with the straps. There is also a velcro strap which fastens around the neck and one that fastens around the belly.
RUNNER UP
The Huret pet life jacket is available in blue, pink, green and purple, and there are 4 sizes to choose from. The fabric is durable and waterproof, with a breathable mesh lining. It is a very buoyant jacket with ripstop technology.
The reflective strips help to improve visibility and the rescue handle allows you to pull your dog out the water in a dangerous situation. There is a D ring to attach a lead to the jacket, and quick release safety buckles.
This life jacket is lightweight, comfortable and does not restrict movement. There is extra protection around the belly for comfort.
RUNNER UP
The Malier life jacket has a very unique mermaid design including a floating tail and scale pattern. It comes in green or pink, and the bright colors allow for visibility. Your dog will certainly stand out from the crowd in this life jacket!
It comes in sizes XS, S, M L, or XL. The jacket has ripstop technology and excellent flotation. The jacket is made from durable waterproof material with a mesh layer for breathability.
The rescue handle allows you to pull your dog out of the water quickly in an emergency. The quick release buckles make it easy to get your dog in and out of the jacket.
The jacket has a front float to keep your dog’s head above water. There is a D ring for you to attach their lead to. This buoyant jacket is also quick drying.
RUNNER UP
Comes in red or blue in a range of sizes. Fun lifeguard design. Neoprene, with adjustable nylon straps.
Quick release buckles. Heavy duty hook and loop fastening system. Round neck design. Reflective strips. Rescue handle.
Lightweight and not bulky- has more of a sporty design while still providing buoyancy. Secure fit. Breathable mesh underbelly for draining and quick drying to prevent chafing and discomfort.
RUNNER UP
The Kuoser high visibility dog life jacket comes in a choice of pink, yellow or orange and is available in 6 different sizes.
There are two D rings, one either side of the durable rescue handle. It has reflective strips to improve visibility in poor light conditions.
The adjustable straps allow you to get the jacket to fit snugly to your dog, and the quick release buckles make it easy to get your dog in and out of the jacket.
The jacket is made from durable material that is waterproof, and has foam for flotation.
Best Dog Life Jackets Buying Guide
Now that you know what products are available, how do you go about choosing which one will be best for your dog?
The first thing to consider is what your dog is going to be doing in the jacket. If it is mainly for use at the local dog pool or on beaches where the water is quite shallow and the waves are gentle, then you can choose a less durab;e jacket.
This gives you more options with colors and patterns. If you want to take your dog with you to do activities like sailing and kayaking, where there is more chance of them being in rougher waters, then choose a more durable jacket.
The next thing you should think about is what safety features you want the jacket to have. A rescue handle is very important as it allows you to quickly get your dog out of the water.
Reflective strips are useful if you think your dog will be swimming in low lighting conditions, like dawn, dusk or even at night. Consider whether your dog would benefit from an additional neck float to keep their head out of the water, as not all jackets have these.
You should also think about whether you need a D ring to attach a lead, and how strong you need it to be.
Finally, try and find the jacket that will be most comfortable for your dog. Consider the materials that will be up against their skin.
If your dog has long fur you might want to avoid velcro straps as the fur could get caught. If your dog has a long torso then try and choose a jacket which is designed for this.
Best Dog Life Jackets - FAQ's
Why Does My Dog Need A Life Jacket?
You might think that your dog doesn’t need a life jacket. Perhaps they are a great swimmer who is confident in the water.
But it is important to remember that even strong swimmers can get tired, and in open water or strong river currents this can become dangerous very quickly if your dog gets fatigued.
There might also be unforeseen hazards in the water, or your dog could sustain an unexpected injury. Life jackets also help to keep your dog warm so they can keep swimming for longer. It can also be handy to help you spot your dog in busy areas or low lighting conditions.
How Do I Know What Size Life Jacket To Buy?
Most products come with a size guide. Make sure you measure your dog carefully around the neck, back and chest.
Measure them twice to ensure you are correct, especially if you are struggling to get an accurate measurement if your dog is wriggling around!
If you are choosing between two sizes, it is best to go for the bigger size and use the adjustable straps to ensure it fits snugly.
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