There are plenty of activities for your dog to enjoy when you keep him with you on a visit to the beach or an adventure on lack side. They love catching fish, playing fetch, and swimming. Naturally, dogs love the water and keep them safe when they are in the water. You need to choose one from our list of best dog life vests. Just like adults and children’s dogs, all dogs should be outfitted with a life jacket, it will keep them safe, and you also can enjoy your adventure with a relaxed mind.
There are so many designs, colors, and features available that make dog life vest difficult. We reviewed dozens of dog life jackets and made a list of the 10 best dog life vests to make the decision-making easy. Let’s have a look at the final list,
- Ruffwear K9 Float Coat Dog Life Jacket Lifevest that lasts many summers is a one-time investment and real value against money. Perfect for dogs who need a life vest for a lot of water activity or sailing. It is constructed with durable material and comes with reflective trims and several other adjustable options that make it a custom-fit life jacket.
- Outward Hound Granby Life Jacket is a well-known brand and a good combination of durability and affordability. This dog life jacket also featured the front float feature that is very helpful for dogs to keep their head above the water level.
- Paws Aboard Doggy Life Jacket comes in different designs that dog parents love to buy, especially for small and medium-sized breeds. Designs include shark, sea turtle mermaid, etc.
- Kurgo Surf n Turf Dog Life Vest
- EzyDog Doggy Flotation Device (DFD)
- PetCee Quick Release Life Jacket for Dogs
- Onemore Choice Camo Pet Life Preserver
- SwimWays Sea Squirts Dog Life Vest w/ Fin
- HAOCOO Dog Life Jacket
- Vivaglory New Sports Style Ripstop Dog Life Jacket
Naturally, the dogs know how to swim and enjoy the water, but most dogs are not naturally good swimmers. Many factors can make swimming difficult for good swimmers.
Like Rough water, adverse weather conditions, fatigue, or distractions can lead to the accident, and to avoid any tragedy, you need an excellent life-saving jacket for your dog. Let’s move on to the final real reviews.
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1. Ruffwear K9 Float Coat Dog Life Jacket
Ruffwear produces this item with extreme quality and reliability because it is life-saving equipment for your companion. Ruffwear K9 Float Coat Dog Life Jacket is the top-rated and highest-selling life jacket for dogs. And ideal dog life jacket for:
- Kayaking
- Boating
- Rafting
- Surging
- Swimming
- Boarding
It deserves this merit because of its quality and reliability; it’s manufactured with durable abrasion-resistant material. Ruffwear K9 Float Coat Dog Life Jacket featured with the top handle that allows lifting your dog from the water when you feel necessary. And this handle is also very supportive during the training of your dog.
It comes with closed-cell foam panels that are placed to support the natural swimming position of dogs. Many genuine buyers express their positive views about strategically placed cell foam panels that support staying in a natural swimming position. To make Ruffwear K9 Float Coat Dog Life Jacket a more comfortable manufacturer also featured in with adjustable telescoping neck closure, which is supportive of the natural movement.
It is also featured with the additional floatation beneath the belly that acts as a support for swimming. When adequately fixed, you will not see any exposed straps and buckles that will keep your dog safe from snagging. With the reflective trim of this best dog life Jacket, your pooch will remain visible to you even in low light. It makes it possible to keep an eye on the dog even in choppy waves.
Its buckles are soft and comfortable to fix. You need to press the buckle to release it nicely, and it’s durable enough, rustproof, and water cannot damage the buckle material, and it firmly holds when fixed. A beacon light support is also built-in. You need to buy the beacon light separately.
2. Outward Hound Life Jacket
Outward Hound Life Jacket is another quality option in dog life jackets. Sold in thousands of quantities, and Outward Hound is enjoying customers’ highest satisfaction, especially in this product.
Outward Hound featured its best dog life vests with fully adjustable neck and chest flaps. Its neoprene belly bands are soft and comfortable for any dog’s size, and you can stay sure that your dog feels comfortable in this product. To hoist your dog into the boat, you will need a hook on the top of the life jacket, and it’s manufactured with a built-in handle. That is strong enough to attach a leash when required.
It’s easy to put on and take off due to its quick-release buckles, which are soft enough to handle. Outward Hound Granby Life Jacket also featured with the front float that can hold your dog’s head above water in hard times. Its reflective feature keeps your dog visible in low light and bad weather.
It is available in different sizes that can fit from toy breed to X-large breed. Its fully adjustable straps make it a perfect fit, and these sturdy straps hold your dog safe in the water. Thousands of genuine buyers show their satisfaction with this product. It is a one-time buy. It’s strong and durable enough to serve your dog for a lifetime.
3. Paws Aboard Doggy Life Jacket
It is not only stylish Paws Abroad that makes your dog safe and secure in the water, but it is also made with the quick-dry, neoprene breathable fabric. Its construction material makes it different from traditional dog life jackets. Its lightweight material makes movement easy for your dog, and its construction does not restrict or block any move.
Its reflective colors and vibrant look make it eye-catching, and you offer to trace your dog even in low light and water. It’s equipped with a rescue handle that you can use to grab your dog quickly for adverse conditions.
If you are a dog owner who loves water sports, then you need this best dog life jacket to keep your dog with you in every event and adventure. People around you will appreciate the style that your dog wears. A stylish silhouette with premium neoprene makes it an excellent product.
Dog life jackets with the traditional material can cause heat exhaustion and chafing, breathable mesh fabric underbelly in Paws Aboard Doggy Life Jacket allow proper water drainage and dry quickly to provide comfort and healthier conditions.
You can easily find a suitable size for your dog because it’s available for toy breeds as well as for X-large kinds. It is the best choice if you are looking for a budget-friendly Best Dog Life Vest. Well, we believe that in this budget, a heavy-duty Velcro fastening system is an excellent addition and provides unmatchable safety to your dog.
Services from the Paws Aboard are great, and they are accommodative. If you need guidance, you can contact them any time they will help you a lot to make the right decision.
4. Kurgo Surf n Turf Dog Life Vest
Kurgo was founded in 2003 until now, they introduce many products in this industry and enjoying a good reputation among customers. They prefer to produce quality products because they learned the importance of quality.
Kurgo Surf n Turf Dog Life Vest is an innovative product that makes an adventure with your dogs easier and more fun. They produce the highest standard dog life vests that attract and a symbol of prestige and fashion. Kurgo Surf n Turf Dog Life Vest is a must-have item when you want to keep your dog from getting waterlogged.
It is made in a way to provide liberty to your pooch that he can play in the water and swim without any fear. Kurgo Surf n Turf Dog Life Vest is available in bright colors with reflective materials that will keep your dog visible in water and low light.
Best dog life Jackets make it possible for dogs to float in the water and keep their head up to breathe. Kurgo featured this product with all of the benefits. We advise it as all in one jacket; you can use it like three seasons shell jacket and life vest.
Kurgo Surf n Turf Dog Life Vest comes with a removable flotation layer, and it can serve as a raincoat. It is a feature that makes it a light jacket for the autumn season.
It contains two handles for lifting your dog, both placed in a different direction, making the job easy in hard times. Mot of traditional dog life jackets do not come with the leash attachment ring, but Kurgo Surf n Turf Dog Life Vest does. It contains two D-rings to attach a leash.
It is also featured with the front buckle and a bottle opener; the front buckle makes this life jacket easy to put on and off.
Kurgo Surf n Turf Dog Life Vest comes with a lifetime warranty, so if you are not satisfied with the product, you can contact the manufacturer.
5. EzyDog Doggy Flotation Device (DFD)
EzyDog Doggy Flotation Device Dog Life Vest Jacket (DFD) is an innovative design built from high-performance material to keep your dog safe in the water. It is stitched in a way to keep your dog in an easy and natural swimming position. Ultra-buoyant material of floatation vest makes it more secure for your pooch.
Its nylon straps are strong enough to attach a leash, and it’s featured with easy to grab handle that you can use to lift your dog from water when required and can use to restrict your dog. It is made to keep the dog comfortable in natural movement. Nylon D-ring is sturdy enough to attach a leash.
EzyDog Doggy Flotation Device Dog Life Vest Jacket (DFD) offers a more comfortable and relaxed fit with 50% more flotation material. Foam is positioned to support maximum floatation even in hard times. Neoprene belly straps make your pooch more comfortable and give perfect adjustment. Its reflective trim keeps your dog visible all the time, either it is water or low light.
EzyDog Doggy Flotation Device (DFD) is a multipurpose mid-range high rated dog life vest for any size dog. Sizes and colors are available to suit your needs or match.
6. PetCee Quick Release Life Jacket for Dogs
If your dog has trouble keeping its head above the water, then PetCee Quick Release Life Jacket for Dogs is the best solution for your dog. It is a stylish and affordable life jacket for every size dog. Its extra float rests under the dog’s chin and provides support to keep the head above the water level.
Many dog breeds are poor swimmer, especially the toy breed and small dogs. PetCee Quick Release Life Jacket for Dogs can help those to jump in the water without any fear. It comes with a durable vest that is comfortable for dogs to wear. If you search for cheap and best dog life vests, then your choice should end here because it is the most economical product on our list.
PetCee Quick Release Life Jacket for Dogs is fully adjustable with three straps, two at the belly and one at the chest/front side that makes it easy to put on and off. Its quick-release buckles will not take any time to fit it properly. One of its versions comes with a shark tail that helps you identify your dog quickly, and its reflective trim makes your dog visible in bad light and water.
It is also featured in a separate D-ring for leash attachment to make the control easy, and its easy-to-grab handle is sturdy enough to lift the dog from water when required.
7. Onemore Choice Camo Pet Life Preserver
This life jacket comes with a lot of features to protect your dog with the camouflage print. Its prints and features make it best for hunting dogs and fowl-retrievers. Its three straps make it a proper fit; two are at the belly and one at the chest that does not block any natural moves.
Each of its straps featured with the quick release buckle to put on and off and will not take extra time at any step. One more Choice Camo Pet Life Preserver also featured with a handle on the back of the best dog life jacket that you can use to lift your dog from the water. D-ring is also available to attach a leash, and its reflective trims keep your dog visible from a long distance in low light and water.
It’s made with the unique lightweight mesh fiber that is easy and comfortable to wear for your dog.
8. SwimWays Sea Squirts Dog Life Vest w/ Fin
SwimWays Sea Squirts Dog Life Vest w/ Fin featured with the big blue dorsal fin on the back as it named. It gives your dog the ability to show a jaws impression while practicing and swimming at the lake or the pool. It comes with a built-in D-ring that you can use to attach a leash to keep your pup in control, and a sturdy handle on the back is featured to lift your pup from the water when required.
Handle on the top is also helpful when you want to limit your dog. The handle featured at the front side of the vest provides more control.
All of its three straps, two at the belly and one at the chest equipped with quick-release buckles that make it easy to put on and put off. These buckles keep the vest snug on your dog.
SwimWays Sea Squirts Dog Life Vest w/ Fin functions reasonably well and is priced as per its features and quality. You can choose this medium-range best dog life jacket for the pooch to serve for many of the coming years. It is best for lack of side or pool frolicking.
It is made to build your dog’s confidence in the water, and its style makes your dog the center of attention when he is water or out of water.
We do not recommend it for the choppy waters as it is not capable enough of that. Its heavy-duty fabric makes it sturdy enough, and it’s water-friendly and manufactured for maximum durability.
9. HAOCOO Dog Life Jacket
HAOCOO Dog Life Jacket is a stylish and high-quality life preserver; you can match your style with its number of available colors. More than ten styles are handy. You can choose as per the convenience of your dog and your style desire. From fairly standard to silly style, every type of jacket is available. It’s 15 different options in total.
It has made with top-notch material that is high-grade nylon fabric and polyester oxford. It is featured in the three straps, one at the chest and two at the belly, that keep it snug to your dog. Moreover, a quick-release buckle with each strap makes it easy to put on and off.
HAOCOO Dog Life Jacket is manufactured with reflective trims that make it easy to see your dog from a far distance and in low light. To lift your dog from the water, an unusual handle has featured the top of the vest and D-ring situated on the back of HAOCOO Dog Life Jacket to attach a leash that will give more control over the dog.
It comes in several different sizes, so measure your dog’s cheat and size well before placing an order.
10. Vivaglory New Sports Style Ripstop Dog Life Jacket
Vivaglory produces this best dog life jacket in more than ten colors. The vast range makes it highly attractive for pet parents who love to keep their pup in style. It will give your pup and new stylish look, and your dog will become the center of attention.
Its creative neck design provides more space for your dog and keeps your dog in a natural swimming position. The easy, helpful, and comfortable fastening system around the belly and neck keep it snug to your dog. While wearing this jacket, your four-legged friend will feel more comfortable and relaxed than other traditional life vests.
Vivaglory New Sports Style Ripstop Dog Life Jacket allows your pup to move naturally and does not hinder any moves. It comes in bright colors that make your dog visible in low light, and you can see your companion from a distance because of its reflective nature.
The product comes with the 90 days money-back guaranty, so if you are not satisfied in any case, you can get your money back. Measure your dog twice before placing an order.
Buyers Guide
Why dogs need life Vests?
We all are well aware that dogs are good swimmers but in actual household dogs get minimal opportunities to interact with the water. Occasionally, we take them with us on the adventure that is the chance for them and many other factors. That limits their natural skills.
So, to avoid any unfortunate disaster, you need to choose a suitable life jacket from the 10 best dog life vests. You need to properly equip your water-loving dog with a life jacket when they visit a lake on the beach.
Dogs with more fat and seniors and dogs with any mobility issues should not step into water without dog life vests.
Are dog life vests just for boat trips? Or can be used else where
Boat trips are just one area; if you are living in an area where heavy rainstorms are usual, then you need a dog life vest to keep your dog safe in the storm and rains too.
The fact is dogs can get tired and drown just like a normal human being. With the little research, you can find that thousands of dogs died each year by falling in swimming pools. So, a life jacket is safety equipment to go into the swimming pool and other water activities.
When you visit a lack or beach, your dog wants to be in the water, and you cannot stop him because he wants to be at your side in other activities, too like
- Windsurfing
- Water skiing
- Kayaking
And many other water-based activities. Especially where you are visible to your pet, you need to put them in the life jacket and keep them with you. It will make your moment more memorable and happy. The dog life jacket will help them in flotation in exhaustion.
What to look for in the best dog life vest?
A life vest is a combination of many pieces. They only work well if they are of good quality and strategically placed; here are some guidelines to choose the best dog life vest.
Buoyancy
As the primary function of buoyancy floats your dog in the water; and this is the first feature to consider. The proper amount of resilience is necessary to keep your pet float in the water, and it must be strategically placed to maintain a natural swimming position.
Some manufacturers place it under the belly and someplace it around the belly, chest, or backside. For small breeds, look for floatation support under the neck because it helps keep your head above the water level without any effort.
Bright color with Reflective trims
You can see your dog from a far distance when he is wearing a bright color and even remains visible to you in the water. These trims and colors help to keep an eye on the dog in the low light. Reflective material increases visibility, and you can identify if your dog is in danger.
Material matter in life preservers
Not all dog life jackets are created equal. Best dog life jackets are made with abrasion-resistant material and featured in reflective trims.
Manufacturers that make high-quality life-supporting jackets use soft closed-cell foam, which is comfortable and allows to move naturally without sacrificing buoyancy. And high-quality nylon and metal D-ring ring are also necessary for a quality product.
Handles on the top
You may suddenly need to grab your dog from the water and or provide him swimming support, and may you need to restrict him with the handle. Most manufacturers feature handles on the top, and many of the best dog life vests contain two handles, one at the side other at the back, which makes the job easier.
In senior and small dogs, you need to look for this feature more because they need extra support to perform water activities.
Straps and Buckles
Look for the quality straps and buckles because a poor-quality material will not last for a long time when used in water. Easy-to-use fasteners will make your job hassle-free, and quality straps also necessary for lifting support.
Chest strap and buckle
Most of the manufacturer does not make their product with the chest side strap, but we feel that it is necessary to make your dog life vest more adjustable and easier to put on and off.
Must have D-ring
Well, most dog parents think that D-ring is not required with the dog life jacket, but many professionals are in the view that it’s necessary. When you are near the water, it becomes difficult to restrict your dog and keep him with you. So, when you have a D-ring on the vest and attach a leash, the same job becomes convenient for you.
Size and Proper fit
You need to double-check your dog’s size, always buy a proper fit for your dog, and make sure that your dog is comfortable in that vest. Check the dog in the sitting position that he can sit adequately can breathe easily.
Girth and torso are more critical to find the best fit, so measure these two carefully.
Floatation padding in dog life vests
For safety, more floatation support needs on the vest’s upper side than the bottom; many manufacturers feature their vests with foam on the belly side. That is not as supportive and beneficial as foam on the upper side.
Your dog’s life jacket has to have more foam on the top; the reason is when he or she falls into the water, this foam support will turn him in the right standing direction. Equal foam on all sides can become a severe threat to your dog in water, especially when he falls into the water.
Proper and strategic placement of foam allows your dog to swim and float with minimum effort and also makes the quick grab handles accessible to you/owner.
Padding on the straps saves the dog from choking when he is water and feels comfortable when he is out of the water, so it’s also necessary to look for it.
Foam vs Function
It’s not only the quality of foam that matters, but you also have to check the material of nylon webbing, pads, and stitching quality. Poor stitching also can lead to disasters, so I prefer to buy a product with quality stitching. Look for integrated stitching along with the handles in the connected straps of the jacket. Such stitching will not tear off, and the jacket will last for a long time.
Usually, a life vest only contains Velcro or a buckle are the straps but quality products have both that make an adjustment and fix easy for owners. And having two connections means an extra level of security, especially if you need to pick your dog up.
Create positive attitude about life jacket
It will be easy for you to put on your pup’s life jacket if you create a positive attitude around the vest. It does not only make your job easy; it also makes your dog comfortable wearing this flotation device that protects him in the choppy and deep water. To get positive and desired results, you can start one week before you intend to use it on the water.
At first, in this training, you need to prove it’s not harmful to the dog and it is a friendly material. Just unpack the device in front of your pooch and let him smell it well. Every time he sniffs the vest, reward the efforts with the treats that he loves most. This practice will help to understand that it’s a friendly and super cool thing.
Once he becomes comfortable with the Best Dog Life Vest, put it on him gently. If you feel that your pup Is not satisfied with the Best dog life Jacket, then give him some more time to sniff and reward him in the same way. Your reassurance will make him more comfortable with the life jacket.
Please put it on him again loosely and keep rewarding his patience. After a few seconds, remove the jacket and repeat this step while increasing the time. When the dog becomes comfortable with the loose vest, connect the straps and fit it snuggly. If your dog reacts with any hesitation, then take it off and repeat the steps once again.
Give your dog some time to run and play while wearing the vest. It will help him understand that it’s not harmful and can perform normal activities while wearing it. Repeat the same steps a whole week, and your dog will become familiar with the vest and show positivity towards it.
When you praise him and give him goodies, it develops a positive attitude around the vest, and in the future, when you call him to put it on, he will never hesitate. If it’s the first time for your dog, then introduce some toys too that you can use in the water to keep your dog busy and to encourage swimming.
Always double check the straps
Before letting your dog jump into the water, you need to make sure straps are tight enough and the vest is in its right position. You buy the device to secure the life of your dog. If your dog met with an accident because of carelessness, that would be a tragedy for you. Just fit it snuggly, and when your dog is ready to jump into the water, that is the time to ensure safety once again; make sure that the life jacket is fixed properly.
A loose jacket can result in body shift that makes swimming difficult for the dog because it will also restrict your dog’s natural motion and can result in an upside-down in the water, which is a life-threatening situation for dogs.
Straps must be tight enough, and you can pass two fingers in the straps, and on the other side, it should not make the dog uncomfortable.
Always prefer to perform last-minute checks to ensure the safety of your dog.
Purchas the right jacket for your dog
As an owner, you know it better for what purpose you need a life vest, like if you need it for the pool at home, you may not consider the professional-grade dog life jacket.
But if you love adventure and intended to use the dog life jacket on the beach, lack, or in any other deep or choppy water, then you must buy the right dog life jacket for your pup.
It is a reason we advise matching the life jacket to the intended activity need. A variety of jackets are available in the market, and each one is made for a different purpose in mind. The professional-grade dog life vests serve as the accurate life-protecting device, so they are made with premium material, their stitching and material last in hard times.
Some dog life vests are only made to keep him afloat in the usual conditions, and some are made to keep him visible only. These jackets cannot be used n the deep and choppy water.
For deep and rough water, you need plenty of buoyancy. Such jackets are usually non-descriptive styling but suffice the purpose.
Be cautious when attaching a leash to dog life jacket
Most of the flotation devices are equipped with this requirement but keep in mind these are not the D-ring specialized equipment.
The majority of the manufacturer include plastic D-Ring. D-ring in these jackets only offers additional comfort, like you can use it when you need to attach a leash for more control.
But keep in mind these are not powerful enough that can hold the pulling power of your dog. To use it when you are out of the home with your dog, you need to test the D-ring strength. We recommend not use a life jacket to hold your dog in public or when you are on a walk.
These are not capable of healthy husky’s pulling behavior of your dog because, generally, they are intended for light-duty use. You can use this D-ring to limit your dog in the water, like when you attach a leash of 6 meters, which means he cannot go beyond 10 meters. It is an excellent way to keep supervision on your pooch.
When they become naughty or disobedient, you can use the leash to drag them for safety purposes.
Never allow your dog to swim unsupervised
You can buy all the necessary equipment, and it can give you mental satisfaction that your pooch is safe. But in water, accidents can happen any time; it’s dangerous for men as well as for their four-legged companions.
The truth is best dog life jackets can significantly decrease the danger associated with swimming. But they are not perfect enough to avoid each accident.
Please keep in mind household dogs have very little stamina, like 10 to 15 minutes maximum, so when they swim, you need to stay around.
While staying near, you need to make sure your dog does not drift off into a dangerous area or a place with underwater hazards. Open water is less risky, and your dog will enjoy that most, and it also helps to build the stamina of your dog.
Conclusion
To find a right and proper fit dog life vest you need to spend more time on the measurements, measure twice to make it sure the size that you are buying is a right one for your dog. For buoyancy, fit is more important in a proper fit your dog can swim natural position and if it slips that also can create a challenge for your dog.
When you are clearly buying it for choppy and deep water look for extra closed-cell foam that floats your dog in the water. The professional-grade jackets are made with the unique material on that you can depend for the life of your pooch. Keep in mind color is important for visibility, measurement and proper fit is a key.
We advise buying the Ruffwear K9 Float Coat Dog Life Jacket because it contains all the feature and offers trusted life support in shallow, choppy and deeper waters and even in pools and storms. It can surely keep your dog safe when you take him with you in the water.