Staff, Courtesy of Outdoor Hound
Before you load your dog in the car for a day of kayaking, frolicking in the pool or hitting the surf, make sure you pack the life jackets—for both of you. Not every pooch is a natural swimmer, and even if yours is a pro, she can still tire, making it hard to keep her head above water. So, find the best dog life vest for your pooch—then go have some fun in the sun.
What to Look for
Before we get to the reviews, let’s consider the must-have features. While there are no Coast Guard standards for dog life jackets (the way there are for human ones), here’s what you should look for:
D-ring: Your dog’s life jacket should come with a D-ring so you can attach a leash to keep your dog close, in the water and out.
Handle: A handle sewn into the top of the coat makes it easier to haul your pup in and out of the water. These also help you teach your dog to swim because they let you hold the handle like training wheels until your dog is a confident paddler.
Good visibility: Bright colors and reflective strips make it easy to see your pooch no matter the weather, day or night.
Balanced flotation: Balanced floatation works with a dog’s swimming ability, not against it. Too much buoyancy—or flotation in the wrong places—can flip the dog or put them in a position they can’t swim in. Look for flotation in the belly, back and sides. If your dog isn’t a strong swimmer, tires easily, or has a short snout, also look for a front flotation pad to keep his head out of the water, even if he’s incapacitated.
The proper fit: When your dog’s life jacket is properly fitted, it keeps the coat snugly in place without bogging her down in the water. For a custom fit, try a jacket that bases sizes on the dog’s girth and comes with adjustable straps. Some float coats also offer quick-release buckles to make fast work of taking off the jacket.
How We Selected
All the dog life vests we reviewed rated at least four stars and most of them have ratings of 4.5 and better. We considered the must-haves on the list above, along with a range of styles and colors, including a couple of cute options like shark fins and mermaid tails. (Who says fun can’t be functional?) We also covered a host of price points, from budget options to top-of-the-line, so you can find the right fit for your doggo—and your wallet.
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