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Does your dog love boating? Or does he often hang out around water? If so, a life jacket is an essential purchase. Here are five of the best options, along with tips for choosing the right vest for your pet.
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While most (but not all) dogs are excellent swimmers, they aren’t capable of spending long periods in water should a disaster strike. And some breeds struggle to stay above water at all – let alone swim to shore if they go overboard.
That’s why dog life jackets are an essential safety purchase for walking near lakes, boating or other water sports. These vests are designed to provide extra buoyancy, so your pet’s head stays above water. Many also have a handle for pulling your pup out of the water.
To help you make the right choice for your pet, this article lists five of the best dog life jackets (in my opinion). I’ve also included a short section on what to look for in a canine flotation device.
Note: Life jackets have a variety of different names. Life preservers, personal flotation devices (pfd), life vests, swim safety vests…the list goes on. These terms all mean roughly the same thing, so I’ll use them interchangeably in this article.
Tough, highly visible and available for a great price
My top pick for a dog life jacket is the Outward Hound Granby. It’s an affordable life vest with three adjustable straps and reflective strips. The Granby also has a neck float to keep your pup’s head above water.
The short answer: anyone who takes their dog near or on water. And not just at sea!
Most dogs are natural swimmers. But that doesn’t mean they can swim for long periods without exhaustion. It also doesn’t mean they’ll cope in choppy conditions, freezing waters, or if they get stuck in a swimming pool (a pool ramp can help prevent this.)
There are also many breeds that aren’t brilliant swimmers, such as Basset Hounds, Dachshunds, French bulldogs and Pugs.
If there’s an accident – particularly at sea, fast flowing rivers or on a large lake – a dog life jacket gives your pet a much better chance of survival.
Many dogs also don’t realize they are running out of energy until they are suddenly exhausted, which can be dangerous if swimming without a life vest. That’s why every pup in water should wear a dog life jacket – even if it’s just the pool in your back yard.
So, whether you’re boating at sea, kayaking a local river or letting your pet swim in a lake, your dog should have a life vest. Even dogs that hang out around a swimming pool would be safer with a basic life vest.
There are many life vests for dogs, so it’s not always easy to know which to choose. Here are some of the most important factors when deciding:
Choosing the right size dog life jacket is essential if you want your pup to be safe and comfortable. Your dog should be able to relieve himself, lay down and swim with minimal restriction – but there should also be no chance of the vest slipping off.
The good news is that most manufacturers provide sizing charts for dog owners. You’ll often just need to measure your dog’s girth, but some vests also require measurements for neck girth and back length. Make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully to ensure the right fit.
| Girth (Chest Circumference) | Girth is measured around the widest part of the rib cage. This is the most commonly used measurement for sizing a life jacket. |
| Neck Girth | Neck girth should be measured around the larger part of the neck. You don’t want the jacket to be too tight, however, as this can restrict breathing. |
| Back Length | Some life jackets provide guidelines for back length. This should be measured from the base of the tail to the neck scruff. |
Most life jackets also have weight guidelines. Your dog needs to be within a certain weight limit, otherwise the vest might not provide enough lift.
You should never rely on weight alone for sizing a life jacket though. Dog breeds vary in body shape, so two dogs that weigh the same could need very different vests.
Note: If you’re looking for puppy life jackets, be prepared to buy larger sizes as your dog grows. It’s a good idea to buy one of the cheaper jackets on this list, then upgrade (if necessary) when your pet is full size.
Listed below are five of the best life jackets for dogs. While I believe each provides great value for money, you should read the mini reviews carefully to find the right option for your pet.
| Rank | Name | Rating | Key Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Outward Hound Granby | Affordable, durable and fully adjustable. My top pick for most dogs. | $ | |
| #2 | Ruffwear Float Coat | Ultra durable and perfect for tough conditions. Expensive, but worth it if you need maximum durability. | $$$ | |
| #3 | EzyDog Premium Doggy Flotation Device | Highly visible vest that provides more buoyancy than most alternatives. | $$ | |
| #4 | Paws Aboard Neoprene Doggy Life Jacket | Great price and available in six sizes. Solid alternative to the Outward Hound if it's a better fit for your dog. | $ | |
| #5 | Kurgo Surf n' Turf Dog Life Vest | Durable design with ripstop material. Relatively expensive and best suited to calm conditions though. | $$ |
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With a low price, neck float and reflective pipes, the Granby is my top pick for a life jacket. It’s a high quality vest that’s comfortable for your dog to wear, and is available in five sizes.
The first thing that stands out about the Granby is the highly visible and bright orange color scheme. Reflective strips are included for greater visibility in low light conditions, which is an essential feature for swimming in large bodies of water. There’s also a “fun fish” option, which retains the bright colors, but with cute eyes and fishy stripes.
As you can see from the photo, there are two handles for hauling your pet into a boat. These are tough and durable – like the rest of the vest – although the lack of a metal D-Ring leash attachment will be a disappointment to some.
Adjustability is one of the key factors when choosing a dog life jacket – and the Granby is great in this regard. There are two adjustable chest/belly straps, along with an adjustable strap for the neck. This allows you to get a snug custom fit. The Granby is also made with a combination of tough cordura and neoprene materials for extra durability and warmth.
There are several flotation panels to keep your pet afloat. These include foam side panels and a front neck float to keep the head up. While this doesn’t guarantee your dog’s head won’t dip underwater, particularly if they are a smaller dog, it certainly helps. The buoyancy floats also don’t make the vest too bulky, which is important for ensuring your pet is comfortable.
A potential drawback is the handle placement. It’s great to have two handles, but if your pet is “front heavy” then a single handle placed in the center of the back may be more convenient. The sizing chart also isn’t always accurate, so if your dog is a borderline size it’s probably worth rounding up to the larger option.
Note: The same company also produces the Dawson and Standley life jackets. The Granby is the best option for all-round use, and the only one with ripstop construction.
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If the Granby is the affordable life vest of choice, the K-9 Float Coat is at the other end of the price spectrum. It justifies the higher price with a durable and abrasion-resistant exterior, built-in grab handle and sheltered straps, however, making it perfect for boating or swimming.
Ruffwear has a reputation for producing high-quality and long-lasting dog products – and the Float Coat is a great example. It features abrasion-resistant webbing and sheltered straps, so it’s a good choice if you go boating or kayaking regularly.
There are four color options: orange, yellow, blue and red. I don’t recommend the blue option unless you only need the vest for swimming in pools, as it’s less visible in water. All versions come with reflective trim for greater visibility though.
Buoyancy is provided by several foam panels. These are placed to allow your dog to swim as naturally as possible, which is important if your pet is going to be in the water. The flotation foam also provides enough support to let your dog ride relatively high in the water.
There are several adjustable straps for getting a snug fit, including a telescoping neck closure.
So, why isn’t this my #1 pick?
The simple reason is that the Outward Bound is good enough for most people, and is available for a much lower price. If you want the most durable jacket for your dog, however, then the Ruffwear K-9 Float Coat is one of the best on the market.
Note: Ruffwear also sells a Beacon Light that attaches to a loop on the Float Coat. This is great for longer trips, but you’ll need to purchase the light separately.
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The EzyDog Premium Doggy Flotation Device is another excellent vest that sits between the Float Coat and Granby in price. It features an integrated handle, reflective trim and a heavy-duty design, along with two adjustable straps and excellent buoyancy.
Every dog life jacket is designed to keep your pet afloat, but the amount of buoyancy varies depending on the make and model. The EzyDog Premium has been designed to be extra buoyant, with up to 50% more flotation material than competing models. Despite this extra foam, it still allows a natural swimming style.
There are five sizes and three colors available. I recommend either the orange or yellow for maximum visibility, although all colors come with a reflective trim.
One of the great things about the DFD is its durability. It’s made with a combination of heavy-duty polyester and neoprene, so it should last. There are also two adjustable neoprene belly straps – although there’s no option to adjust the neck size – and a strong D-ring leash attachment.
There are some drawbacks to this dog life jacket though. The grab handle is smaller and less pronounced than alternative vests, which can make it difficult to grab in an emergency. It’s also a relatively bulky vest.
The EzyDog Premium has a slightly different design to the Ruffwear and Outward Hound. Instead of a neoprene belly fabric, there are just two padded straps. While this isn’t a major downside, it might make being lifted less comfortable for your pet.
A more important difference is that there is only a minimal taper at the back of the vest. This keeps a dog flatter in water than most other vests, which is something to keep in mind if your pet struggles to keep his head above water.
Despite these issues, the EzyDog DFD is an excellent life vest that provides great value. If your dog falls into one of the sizing categories, it’s an option to consider.
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If you’re looking for an affordable life jacket that’s available in a range of sizes, the Paws Aboard is a decent alternative to the Outward Hound Granby. It comes with adjustable nylon straps, reflective strip and a built-in handle.
The Paws Aboard Doggy Life Jacket has adjustable nylon straps. These attach via the quick-release buckles, and there’s also Velcro fastening around the neck and belly. This makes it easy to get a snug fit – particularly if your dog is a breed with a large chest (such as American Bulldogs).
When it comes to visibility, the Paws Aboard has yellow sides and two reflective strips. There’s also a built-in grab handle and it’s available in six sizes.
The biggest downside is that it’s not as durable as some of the more expensive life jackets on this list. If you’re going to be using the jacket regularly, the Ruffwear may be a better option. The handle is also relatively flimsy in comparison to others.
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The Kurgo Surf N’ Turf is a premium life jacket that’s designed to be strong, convenient and highly visible. It’s available in five colors and comes with Kurgo’s “Lifetime Warranty” against manufacturer defects.
One of the most impressive features of the Kurgo is its durable design. The vest is made with rip-stop material, so it’s perfect for rough use. There are also two belly straps and a neck strap, making it one of the most adjustable vests on the market.
Like the Outward Hound, the Kurgo has two handles. One of the handles is parallel to the spine, however, which I think makes it easier to lift the dog.
A nice feature of the Kurgo is that the flotation can be removed, allowing you to use it as a raincoat. This makes it useful throughout the year, rather than just boating season (unless you’re an all-weather kind of person!)
One complaint I have about this vest is that the belly flaps are secured by buckles only – not Velcro. This could be a good thing if your dog has long hair that gets easily caught in Velcro, but generally a combination gives the most comfortable fit. The good news is that the neck strap does have a combination of strap and Velcro.
It’s also probably not the best choice for rough waters. It’s brilliant for swimming pools or tranquil lakes, but for harsh conditions there are others that provide greater support and buoyancy.
More interested in a raincoat rather than a two-in-one life vest? Check out my post of the best dog raincoats here.
Boating with your canine companion can be fun – but it’s important to be prepared. Aside from buying a life jacket for dogs, here are some tips for keeping your pup happy:
Some dogs instantly enjoy wearing a life jacket, but most will need positive reinforcement training to feel comfortable.
The worst scenario is that your pup sees the dog life jacket for the first time on the day of your trip. At this point, you’ll probably feel you need to force him to wear it, which can create negative associations that are difficult to undo.
Instead, start getting your dog used to the new vest while at home. This is an environment your pup already feels comfortable and relaxed, so it’s the best place to perform “desensitisation” training (as dog trainers call it).
Here’s a quick summary of the steps to take. Make sure your dog is happy and not showing any signs of stress/anxiety before moving to the next stage.
This process can take days or even weeks. If your pup already wears harnesses and sweaters (such as these), he’ll probably feel more comfortable with a dog life vest. If he’s only ever worn a collar, it might be a slower process.
The key is to never move to the next stage before your dog is ready, and only attempt wearing the vest in water once he’s happy to wear the life jacket at home.
All dog life jackets are available in multiple sizes, with most having an extra small option.
With that said, some are better suited to small pups than others. Look for a jacket that isn’t too bulky, as this can make it difficult for a dog to swim – even if he’s a good swimmer. The Paws Aboard Neoprene is a good place to start – especially as there’s an XX-Small version.
No! Even if you think a child’s life jacket will fit your dog, it will restrict your dog’s movement and possibly force him into a dangerous position. Only use vests specifically made for dogs.
A high-quality life jacket is an essential safety purchase if your dog spends a lot of time near water. Many dogs are excellent swimmers (although some breeds struggle more than others), but that doesn’t mean they can spend extended periods in water without getting tired.
My top pick for an all-round dog life jacket is the affordable and durable Outward Bound Granby. It provides plenty of buoyancy, is highly visible and has two built-in handles. If you need extra durability, the Ruffwear Float Coat is a brilliant (yet expensive) alternative.
I hope this article has helped you choose the best dog life jacket for your pet. If you have any questions, please let me know in the comments section below.
Richard is a journalist who specialises in dog behavior. He's written hundreds of articles and books related to dogs, including for the Continental Kennel Club, Dog Fest (the UK's biggest dog festival) and various veterinary surgeries. When he's not spending time with Jess and Rudy (his beloved Labrador and Golden Retrievers), he enjoys reading, hiking and watching sports. You can find him on Facebook or Twitter.
