Does your dog love taking a dip in the pool, lake, or ocean on a hot summer day? Or maybe you take them paddle boarding, kayaking, or boating. Either way, if your pup enjoys being around water then you’ll want to get them a life vest. Read on to discover the importance of life vests, the key features, and our top picks!
Importance of a Life Vest for Dogs
First things first, let’s dig into why your dog should wear a life vest when in – or near – water. Please note: This is for all dogs … even strong swimmers.
Enhanced Safety at All Times
Certain dog breeds are natural swimmers, while others struggle to stay afloat. Dogs with short legs, heavy or dense bodies, and brachycephalic (AKA short-nosed) faces may have difficulty swimming. Older dogs may also feel less confident in the water. These dogs should always wear a life vest. However, accidents can happen to any dog. Yup … that means even to breeds that are natural swimmers, like labrador retrievers and poodles. A life vest provides extra buoyancy, helping your dog stay afloat even if they get tired or face an unexpected situation. Plus, many life vests come equipped with a grab handle on top. That makes it much easier to reach for your dog and pull them to safety. Simply put: A life vest could save your dog’s life!
Increased Visibility
There’s a reason life vests come in bright colors and often have reflective strips. With one strapped onto your dog, it will make Fido easier to spot when they’re paddling in the water. This is particularly useful in crowded areas or during low-light conditions. However, it’s beneficial at all times. If there’s an accident and your dog falls into the water or gets swept away by strong currents, at least he’ll be easier to spot while wearing a life vest. Of course, we always recommend you stick right next to your dog when they’re in or near water. Supervision is crucial.
6 Tips for Selecting the Best Life Vest for Your Dog
1. Pay Attention to the Fit
The only way your dog’s life vest will protect them is if it fits correctly. A well-fitted vest should be snug, but not too tight. When looking at size charts, you’ll notice your dog’s girth chest circumference is going to be the most important measurement taken into account. But some jackets may require you to measure the body length and neck circumference as well. According to Outward Hound, “Using a measuring or tailor’s tape, measure the circumference of the widest part of your dog’s ribcage. Then, weigh your dog and consult the sizing chart with your dog’s weight. If your doggie is on the higher end of a size, we recommend sizing up.”
2. Look for Adjustable Straps
When on the hunt for the perfect life vest for your dog, make sure it has adjustable straps for a secure and custom fit. Straps should be easy to adjust but strong enough to hold the vest in place during vigorous activity.
3. Prioritize Buoyancy
Check the buoyancy features of the vest. Look for one with sufficient flotation material to keep your dog afloat, especially around the chest and belly area. Some vests also have extra flotation under the chin to keep your dog’s head above water. This feature is great for flat-faced dogs, like pugs.
4. Ensure it’s Made from Durable Materials
Choose a life vest made from high-quality, durable materials that can withstand wear and tear from water, sun, and your dog’s activity. Nylon and neoprene are common and reliable materials used in dog life vests.
5. Make Sure it Has a Handle and D-Ring
Look for a vest with a sturdy handle on the back. This feature is handy for lifting your dog out of the water in a pinch. Additionally, a D-ring for leash attachment can be beneficial for better managing your dog near water.
6. Think About Visibility
As we highlighted above, opt for bright colors and reflective strips to enhance visibility. This helps you keep track of your dog and makes them more visible to others, including boaters.
Our Top Picks for Dog Life Vests
Outward Hound Granby Splash
What we like:
- Comes in bright colors
- Features reflective accents
- Front neck float helps keep your dog’s head above water
- Adjustable straps
- Two top grab handles
Kurgo Surf n’ Turf
What we like:
- Bright colors
- Three places to adjust for sizing
- Two top grab handles (one vertical and one horizontal)
- Rear D-ring for leash attachment
Ezydog DFD Dog Life Jacket
What we like:
- Bright color
- Reflective
- Features up to 50% more flotation material than most other pet life jackets
- Contoured neck flotation
- Top grab handle
- Leash attachment
ZippyPaws Adventure Dog Lifejacket
What we like:
- More affordable than many other options
- Reflective stripes
- Dense foam panels for buoyancy
- Top grab handle
Ruffwear Float Coat
What we like:
- Bright colors
- Adjustable neck closure
- Built with PVC-free GAIA foam panels that are soft, comfortable, and designed to wrap around and move with your dog
- Tuckable D-ring for leash clip-in
- Top grab handle
