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Suzie Dundas
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Suzie Dundas is a freelance outdoor travel and gear writer in northern California. She's the outdoor editor at Matador Network and author of Hiking Lake Tahoe. Follow her on Instagram & TikTok.
Hot temperatures and blue skies can mean only one thing: it’s time for a dip. Depending on where you live, heading out for a day on the water can mean going to the beach, floating the river, or hiking out to a secluded swimming hole. No matter where you live, there’s a good chance someone in your crew will have a dog in tow—after all, the American Veterinary Medical Association estimates that roughly 38 percent of households include a dog. Fortunately, there’s no reason to leave Fido behind when you hit the water—just make sure to have a dog life jacket handy to ensure your pup enjoys the day as much as you do.
Why does a dog need a life jacket?
Sure, your outdoorsy dog may be a great swimmer. But since they can’t tell you when they're tired, cold, or in too deep, a life vest is a smart accessory to have on hand. Dog life vests help prevent your dog from overexertion and ensures they will stay afloat if they unexpectedly fall off your raft, kayak, SUP, etc. Unlike humans, dogs can’t gauge distances or read currents well, so wearing a pooch-friendly flotation device ensures they don’t get in over their head (literally) if they start paddling in the wrong direction.
What to look for in a dog life jacket:
Comfort: Is the life vest comfortable for your dog? Does it impede his or her movement? Check to see if your dog moves around normally while wearing the life jacket, and make sure it doesn’t pinch their skin or create any red/rubbing spots.
Fit: Dogs come in all sizes, and not every brand will fit every dog, so you may need to try a few different options. Be sure to check size charts if shopping online. A life jacket that is too big will be easy for your dog to slip out of, which is a worst-case-scenario when your dog is out on the water.
Buoyancy: Obviously, your dog needs to float when wearing a life jacket. If he or she sinks, the jacket isn’t buoyant enough (and is probably too small).
Visibility: Always choose a brightly colored dog life vest so you can spot your pup quickly if he or she gets caught in a current or starts floating further than expected from your boat.
What if my dog doesn’t like the water?
Then that’s that. As fun as it is to float with your dog or enjoy a day at the lake, not every dog likes playing in the water or is a strong swimmer, and you never want to force your pup to get in the water if they are scared or uncomfortable—and as a dog owner, it's on you to recognize that. Some dogs may only be comfortable in swimming pools, while other dogs may love the beach, but only if the waves come no higher than their belly. You should have a dog life jacket on hand when you begin to introduce your dog to water activities, but don’t be discouraged if your dog decides they’d rather be your hiking buddy than your boating buddy.
Read on below for our top picks for the best life jackets for dogs. And have a safe summer!
The 8 Best Dog Life Jackets
Best Dog Life Jacket for Lakes: Ruffwear Float Coat
What we like: Bright colors, quality construction, highly rated
Ruffwear has been making adventure gear for dogs since 1992, and hikers may already know the brand for its popular dog bowls and dog hiking packs. The Float Coat maintains the same high standard and is very highly rated, with the only significant downside being its rather high price. The Float Coat is a great choice for active adventures like lake swims or kayak sessions since there’s no strap between the dog's front legs to get in the way when they’re trying to doggy paddle. The preserver goes on easily with quick-release buckles, and there's also a sturdy rescue handle for pulling your dog back aboard.
Minimum chest girth: 17 inches
Max chest girth: 42 inches
Additional features: Reflective straps, strong handle, straps tuck out of the way
Price: $20
Best Budget Option: Outward Hound Granby Rip Stop
What we like: Affordable, doesn’t cut corners on safety
If you’re looking for a budget life jacket for dogs—perhaps to see if your dog even likes being in the water—you could do a lot worse than the Outward Hound's Granby RipStop Jacket. Truthfully, it’s a little bulky, and the somewhat boxy shape may be a little annoying, especially for small dogs. But it doesn't cut corners on safety, which is what counts. The vest has big foam panels, quick-release buckles, a Velcro collar, a sturdy top handle, and high visibility orange fabric with reflective strips.
Buy this one while you’re still learning if your dog likes water (or if you have a pup that you know will outgrow it in a few months) and consider upgrading to a more comfortable option once it’s clear your dog is ready to be your tandem kayak partner.
Minimum chest girth: 11 inches
Max chest girth: 40 inches
Additional features: Extra head panel, top handle
Price: $20
Best for Long-and-Lows: Outward Hound Stanley Sport
What we like: Multiple tightening points, fits atypical dog bodies
If you have a breed with fairly “standard” proportions, like a golden retriever or beagle, most life jackets will probably fit. But if you have a dog with more atypical proproptions, like a corgi, bulldog, basset hound, dachshund, or greyhound, you probably already know how challenging it is to find clothing and accessories that fit well. That’s why the Outward Hound Stanley Sport is such a good find. An adjustable strap under the waist allows the vest to tighten in the back, even if your dog is rather wide around the chest, and a belly strap makes it harder for dogs with short legs to pull their feet out of the vest. It should work well for most dogs, but works especially well for dogs that are much girthier around the chest than the waist.
Minimum chest girth: 11 inches
Max chest girth: 40 inches
Additional features: Back handle, mesh stomach panel, D-ring leash attachment
Price: $55
Best for Tiny Dogs: KONG Sport AquaPro Dog Flotation Vest
What we like: XXS size fits super-small dogs, not too bulky for teacup breeds
The KONG Sport AquaPro Dog Flotation Vest is one of only a few that comes in an XXS size, and it’s a tiny one at that. The smallest size vest can accommodate dogs as little as five pounds, ensuring chihuahuas, pomeranians, mini-dachshunds, and other tiny breeds can still have fun. Just remember that tiny dogs can’t generate much power when swimming, so you’ll probably want to limit your tiny dog’s on-the-water fun to swimming holes, swimming pools, and other contained bodies of water where there isn't too much current.
Minimum chest girth: 11 inches
Max chest girth: 40 inches
Additional features: Rescue handle, six sizes, D-ring leash attachment, webbing straps
Price: $51
Best for Swimming Pools: Frisco Shark Dog Life Jacket
What we like: Novelty shark fin, easy on/off
One of the best selling points of swimming in a pool with your pup is that there’s no chance they can float away—and dogs that don’t love water can just get their feet wet by sitting on the stairs. You’ll still want to have a dog life jacket available but it doesn’t need to be super reflective or bright. In fact, it should be funny, which is what makes the Frisco Shark Dog Life Jacket a great pick.
The fin can be a bit cumbersome if your dog is hiking or sitting in a kayak, but at a pool, it’s fun and cute—nothing earns more laughs at a pool than a dog swimming in a shark costume. But this dog life jacket is also very easy to take on and off thanks to a collar that fits around your dog's head (in case you have an indecisive dog who can’t decide if they want to be in or out of the water). The shark fin is removable, and you’ll probably want to take it off for outdoor adventures beyond the backyard. Just note that this dog life vest is rated for intermediate swimmers, so it may not offer quite as much buoyancy as more rugged or expensive options. Available in sizes from x-small to x-large.
Minimum chest girth: 11 inches
Max chest girth: 38 inches
Additional features: Removable shark fin, light-reflecting materials, two grab handles
Price: $24
Best for Floating: Astral Bird Dog Life Jacket
What we like: Durable, lightweight, comfortable
If your pup is as outdoorsy as they come and experienced in riding on rafts and through rapids, opt for the Astral Bird Dog Life Jacket. Astral first made PFDs for humans floating rivers and paddling rapids, so it’s logical that they’d make one for dogs too. The Bird Dog Life Jacket is heavy-duty and secure, making it a good pick if your pup is coming on a river float or traveling with you through light rapids while kayaking or packrafting. It’s similar to Ruffwear's Float Coat in that the large leg area allows them to paddle without interference, and the quality materials mean it can double as a harness on the way to the river so you don’t need to carry multiple dog accessories. It’s also lightweight, so it won’t weigh your dog down during long days in the backcountry.
Minimum chest girth: 13 inches
Max chest girth: 39 inches
Additional features: Durable fabric and materials, thick flotation, back handle
Price: $75
Best Sustainable Dog Life Vest: Hurtta Life Saver Eco
What we like: Eco-friendly, bright, fits fairly large dogs
If, as a general best practice, you’re trying to shop more sustainably, you may be tempted to try to buy a used dog life vest. But it’s best not to buy used safety gear, even for pets. Instead, opt for the Hurtta Life Saver Eco. It’s similar in design to the highly rated RoughWear Float Coat, but it’s made with recycled polyester fabric and is also globally certified to be free of chemicals that can be harmful to the environment. Plus, it comes in funky patterns.
Minimum chest girth: 12 inches
Max chest girth: 43 inches
Additional features: Back handle, name tag, adjustable webbing straps
Price: $80
Best for SAR Pups: Backcountry x Petco Dog Floatation Vest
What we like: Supports rescue efforts, very bright
Okay—all of these dog life vests will help save your pup in case of emergency. But if you want some of your purchase to go back to saving pups—as in, saving other pups from being homeless—consider the Dog Flotation Vest collaboration between Backcountry and Petco. A portion of each sale gets donated to Mutual Rescue, a non-profit that works to rescue homeless animals and provide opportunities for them to socialize and learn adoptable skills. The co-branded dog life vest has a secure rubber handle and can fit dogs between 9 and 80 pounds. It's made with classic life jacket styling—check the high-visibility orange, webbing straps, and quick-release buckles—and allows for a natural swimming position, in part thanks to a neoprene back panel.
Minimum chest girth: 12 inches
Max chest girth: 38 inches
Additional features: Easy-grip handle, natural neck shape
Price: $50-60
Published 06-30-2022
