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Last updated: 13 Jul 2022
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The Best Dog Life Jacket

Best Overall
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Outward Hound Adjustable Preserver
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Runner Up
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K9 Pursuits Visibility Jacket
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For All Sizes
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EzyDog Dog LifeJacket
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Pet Friendly
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ThinkPet Reflective Lifesaver Floating Adjustable
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Most Adjustable
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Vivaglory Sports Ripstop Superior Buoyancy
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author-image
By Editor
Published 13 Jul 2022
Show contents
  • 1 Outward Hound Adjustable Preserver
  • 2 K9 Pursuits Visibility Jacket
  • 3 EzyDog Dog LifeJacket
  • 4 ThinkPet Reflective Lifesaver Floating Adjustable
  • 5 Vivaglory Sports Ripstop Superior Buoyancy

Family time often involves strengthening bonds and creating fun memories with the entire family, even the four-legged ones. When engaging in water sports or activities, our canine companions are just as eager to engage in the excitement. Should he become tired or get into difficulty, a dog life jacket keeps your pet afloat until help arrives. Here are our experts’ top five dog life jackets.

1

Outward Hound Adjustable Preserver

– Best Overall
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Key Features

 These dog life jackets allow you to select the best fit for your pet and can adjust for a custom fit. The design includes safety features like handles and neck support.

THE SCOOP

 These adjustable dog life jackets come in a range of sizes from 5lbs-100lbs (2kg-45kg), catering to canines of different breeds and life cycles. The brightly coloured design features reflective accents for greater visibility. The front neck float supports novice or experienced canine swimmers. Lightweight yet durable, this vest has ripstop material for maximum buoyancy without hindering movement on land. 

Pros
  • Suitable for experienced and non-experienced swimmers
  • The life vest has a durable construction 
  • It is easy to wipe clean
Cons
  • Not suitable for dogs over 100lbs
2

K9 Pursuits Visibility Jacket

– Runner Up
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Key Features

These float coats offer you high visibility in low light. The handles allow you to grasp your dog in for control and quick rescues. 

THE SCOOP

These dog life jackets cater to various breeds of dogs, between 5lbs-100lbs (2kg-45kg). They have adjustable straps for comfort and also feature quick-release buckles. These life jackets promote high visibility and feature bright colours and reflective accents. The top grab handle and D-ring allow for easier control and recovery of the dog.

Pros
  • Designed for maximum visibility
  • D-ring on coat top to facilitate leash
  • It is easy to clean
Cons
  • Not suitable for dogs over 100lbs
  • It does not protect against cold weather
3

EzyDog Dog LifeJacket

– For All Sizes
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Key Features

These dog life jackets provide your canine with customizable comfort and safety. 

THE SCOOP

These jackets suit dogs of various ages and sizes between 15lbs-90+lbs (7kg-41+kg). They are buoyant and adjustable to conform to your pet, ensuring a snug and secure fit. These life vests include integrated reflective trim for better visibility in low lighting and integrated grab handles for easier pet handling in and out of the water.

Pros
  • Designed for easy visibility
  • Adjustable straps for a secure fit
  • It wipes clean
Cons
  • Not suitable for tiny dogs under 15lbs (7kg)
4

ThinkPet Reflective Lifesaver Floating Adjustable

– Pet Friendly
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Key Features

This product offers high visibility, buoyancy, and security. It is suitable for both experienced and inexperienced canine swimmers.  

THE SCOOP

These jackets come in a variety of bright colours. They feature reflective accents for maximum visibility and adjust to ensure a snug fit. The quick-release buckles make it easier to put on or take off. These jackets offer considerable buoyancy and even include detachable head support for added safety. They have large grab handles for emergency rescues and have a metal D-ring for leash control in and out of the water.

Pros
  • Available in different colours
  • Metal D-ring included for additional control
  • Large rescue handles facilitate easier grabbing in an emergency
Cons

The size chart does not include weight dimensions

5

Vivaglory Sports Ripstop Superior Buoyancy

– Most Adjustable
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Key Features

This life vest provides your dog with unencumbered movement, buoyancy and, above all, safety. The bright colours ensure visibility in low light and at long distances.

THE SCOOP

This sport-style life jacket comfortably supports your dog’s natural swimming position and will not hinder natural movement. It comprises durable and safety-tested materials to ensure your canine’s wellbeing. The heavy-duty fastening system provides a comfortable and secure fit, with a D-ring for added control. The bright colours with reflective accents ensure the highest visibility of your pet.

Pros
  • Neck designed to facilitate natural canine swimming position
  • Includes D-ring for use with leashes
  • Several high visibility colours to choose from
Cons
  • The size chart is challenging for some people to interpret.

Buying Guide

There are a huge variety of dog and puppy life jackets available on the market, and some may be better suited to your dog’s size, needs, and safety than others. 

Here are some of the characteristics that you should look for as you decide which life jacket you should buy for your water-bound dog:

  • Buoyancy: There are dozens of different life jacket designs available for your dog, each of which may feature a unique placement of the jacket’s flotation units. Some jackets have underbelly floatation, while others have them placed on the back, and yet others have them placed on the sides. Typically, an under-belly flotation setup will offer much more buoyancy for your dog and can keep them safer in deeper water.
  • Special Features: When purchasing a life jacket for your dog, look for helpful features such as a D-ring that you can attach a leash to and a sturdy handle to easily grab hold of your dog if needed. 
  • Size: Look for a jacket that’s a snug fit for your dog, no matter their size or breed. Life jackets that are available in a variety of sizes are typically best, as you can play with the sizing until you find the perfect, snug fit for your pup.
  • Colour: Dog life jackets come in all sorts of colours and prints. However, you should look for life jackets that feature bright colours and reflective strips, making it easier to spot your dog in the water if necessary.

FAQ

Q: Why should your dog wear a life jacket?

A: Although many dogs are strong swimmers, it’s still a good idea to ensure your dog’s safety while swimming, near water, or out on a boat by outfitting them with a life jacket. A high-quality life jacket will keep your dog safe during accidental drops into water or even during regular swims by helping them stay afloat and allowing them to paddle with their head above the water without getting as tired. 

Q: How can you ensure that your dog’s life vest is safe?

A: There are currently no standards or certifications for pet life preservers, which can make finding a safe life vest for your dog challenging. However, to ensure safety, you can look for vests that feature strong support straps, thick foam pads, adjustable buckles, bright colours, and reflective strips to draw attention to your pup in the water. You’ll also want to make sure that your dog’s life jacket fits them snugly, and there’s no chance that they can wiggle out.

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By Editor
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