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Top 10 Best Dog Life Vests
The bond between dog and man is incomprehensible. A lot of dog owners are almost inseparable from their pets. They go almost everywhere and do nearly everything together, including cruising on the boat or simply visiting the beach. Owners who love to take their pets along with them to water bodies should consider getting them a life vest.
Although some dogs are good swimmers, others are not, and this protection is required. Also, even the good swimmers may get tired sometimes. In other cases, accidents could happen, and it is essential to keep your dog protected at all times.
If you have decided to get a life vest for your dog, finding a good one may be difficult due to the versatility of the market. For this reason, we have reviewed the best dog life vests to help you decide to decide which one to buy for your furry friend.
Best Dog Life Vests List
Ruffwear K-9 Dog Life Jacket
The K-9 float jacket has been in the market for the past nine years; it is a product of Ruffwear. Over the years, this brand has made strong and durable life jackets for canines of all sizes. With a jacket that weighs 0.16 ounces, your pet can be protected and not feel burdened. Also, it is made of properly place closed cell foam panels that allow the dog to swim as naturally as possible without any form of discomfort or restriction.
Durability
Not only does it guarantee safety, but the K-9 jacket also lasts long enough so that your dog can use it for years without the need for a replacement. It is made from abrasion-resistant materials that have proven over time to be long-lasting. Its handle is equally very strong.
The handle is placed at the top of the float coat towards the pet’s neck so that owners can easily pull them out of the water. However, proper maintenance is necessary to ensure that it lasts as long as it is designed to. To attain this, only wash with hands and mild detergent and air dry afterward.
Style and Fitting
No matter the size of your dog, it can fit into the Rufferwear K-9 coat perfectly because it is available in six different sizes, from XX-small to X-large. Please select the correct size for your pet based on its girth. The measurement of the widest part of its rib cage gives the girth.
Also, the neck closure of the gear is telescoping and adjustable to cover a wide variety of dog sizes. It has a reflective trim that helps you see your playmate even in areas of low visibility. The trim also has a light loop where owners can attach beacon lights for more visibility.
Pros
- Reflective trim and light loop
- Wide size range and adjustable neck closure
- Bright color (red currant)
- Lightweight
Cons
- Only one color choice
Outward Hound Granby Dog Life Jacket
Outward Hound has been supplying dog life jackets for over seventeen years. With its years of experience, it has designed a gear that provides both protection and comfort to your furry friend. It is made of nylon and has thick foam and a neoprene belly band that provides buoyancy and comfort to your pet. It is also made long enough to accommodate dogs that have long torsos. Although the jacket is strong, it is advisable not to leave your pet unsupervised because it is not completely indestructible.
Size
Irrespective of the size or shape of your pet, this brand has got you covered. The gear is made available for dogs of different shapes and sizes, whether long, short, lanky, or stout. The sizes range from X-small to X-large. To know the size that will best fit your dog, measure its rib cage on the largest area to determine its girth size. By the sides of the gear are adjustable straps and release buckles that make the fit a lot more secure.
Design and Safety
Designed with bright colors and reflective accents, the jacket ensures that you can see your pet clearly at all times, even in low visibility areas of the water. Also, it comes with two grab handles with which owners can easily save their dogs by pulling them by the handles in case of trouble or an accident. A unique feature of this brand is its neck float, which helps prevent the dog’s head from going underwater, be it an experienced swimmer or a novice.
Pros
- Bright color (orange)
- Reflective accent
- Neck float
Cons
- Comes in only one color choice
- A bit weighty (8 ounces)
HAOCOO Dog Life Jacket
This brand makes its product using high-quality polyester and nylon fabric. It also uses pearl cotton foam and meshes fabric. These materials allow the float coat to drain well and dry quickly; the proper drainage and quick-drying are facilitated by the ripstop nature of the nylon fabric and the mesh fiber. These quality materials save your pet from the trouble it would have faced if water was retained in the jacket,m although the jacket itself is heavy when compared to other brands.
Size and Fitting
HAOCOO is available for dogs of different sizes. It comes in five different sizes; small, medium, large, X-large, and XX-large. Regardless of your pet’s breed, size, or shape, there is a jacket to fit it perfectly. If you take the measurement of your playmate and it falls between two sizes, you should go with the larger size to ensure fitness and comfort. Aside from the varying sizes, some adjustable buckles and belts are easy to put on and take off so that the gear fits your furry friend comfortably.
Design and Safety
If you are a lover of colors, this brand is ideal for you. It gives you the chance to select your preferred color from its variety which includes; mermaid, blue bone, orange, shark, blue polka dot, camouflage, pink bone, pink polka dot, and yellow. In addition to the bright colors are reflective strips that allow owners to see their pup even in low visibility areas. Also, the jacket is made with a neck float to keep the pup’s head afloat and handles to grab it out of the water when necessary.
Pros
- Wide range of bright colors
- Neck float
- Mesh fabric
Cons
- Heavyweight (11 ounces)
Paws Abroad Dog Life Jacket
Another quality life jacket for canines that guarantees safety is the Paws Abroad brand. It is made of Neoprene material, with a neck designed like a boat. Also, its underbelly is designed with mesh fabric that allows proper water drainage and ensures the user’s comfort.
Size and Color
For dog owners who would prefer to choose a color that they love, this brand presents you with a wide variety of colors from which you can make a choice. The colors include; red, blue, and yellow, grey camo, neon yellow, pink, nautical dog, pink polka dot, and racing flames. Also, there are different sizes, just as there are different styles. Sizes range from XX-small to X-large.
Style and Safety
Although very fashionably made, the life coat is made with the safety of user pups being its utmost consideration. Its colors are bright with additional reflective strips to ensure that pups can easily be spotted at all times. It also has an easy-to-grab handle.
Pros
- Wide color range
- Mesh fabric
- Different sizes available
Cons
- No neck float
Kurgo Dog Life Jacket
kurgo is a product made by Motivation Design and LLC, and it has been on sale for over eleven years. This brand is made with nylon ripstop material, which ensures that the swimming gear does not absorb too much water. Also, the material with which it is made allows it to be used as a life jacket and raincoat. By using it, you save the cost of buying two different wears for your pup.
Design and Safety
This brand is made of red color and reflective trim to easily identify your playmate, even in dark areas. Its unique features include a rugged ripstop that can withstand rough use and two metal D-rings to which leash and bottle openers can be attached. Also, it comes with two handles with which the canine can be easily controlled and pulled out in case of an emergency. Unlike most brands, its handles are perpendicular.
Size and Fitness
Just like a number of other life jacket for dogs, this one comes in five different sizes, from X-small to X-large. Even when you have bought a vest that is the right size for your dog, there is an adjustable buckle on the neck to secure it even more. There are also chest and belly straps that allow adjustment until the perfect fit and comfort are achieved.
- Pros
- Dual usage; as a raincoat and life jacket
- waterproof
Cons
- Available in one color
- No neck float
Pete Dog Life Jacket
Pete is a waterproof life jacket for dogs, designed in pink color with strips. It is made of different materials, including; a smooth lining, oxford clothes, and foam board, and it is easy to clean and wash. Also, the overall nylon material used in making the cloth makes it waterproof so that it does not absorb too much water and become too heavy on the pup. Sandwich mesh fabric is also used in making this vest.
Size and Fitting
This float coat comes in different sizes for pups of different breeds and sizes. All you have to do is take a measurement of your pets girth and find the size that fits. If the measurement falls between two sizes, it is advisable to go with the larger one to ensure comfort. The different sizes are available, from X-small to X-large. Because the sizes are determined manually, they may be 0.5inch larger or smaller.
Design and Safety
With the user’s safety in mind, Pete jackets are made with long-lasting Velcro for firm fastening, adjustable straps made of nylon, and buckles that can be released quickly when need be. Its bright pink color and reflective edges make the pup noticeable even in dark areas. Also, the vest comes with a neck float to keep the canine’s head above water and a handle that can be easily grabbed in a situation where the dog needs rescue.
Pros
- It has a neck float
- Lightweight (4.8 ounces)
Cons
- D-ring is plastic and fragile.
Camo Dog Life Jacket
Here is a vest that will serve your pet both for swimming and hunting. It is a camouflage jacket and does not make the dog noticeable except for its reflective accents. This product by Young comes with a round neck style and is very durable. However, to help it last long enough, make sure you only hand wash and air dry as instructed.
Size and Fitting
Camo float vests are available in different sizes like any other life jacket for dogs. It has XS, S, M, L, and XL sizes available at varied prices. For better fitment and adjustability, the coat comes with Velcro straps that are strong and durable, as well as buckles that are easy to release when necessary.
Safety and Comfort
This jacket comes with a handle that is easy to grab and maneuver pet in case things go south to ensure maximum safety. It also comes with a D-ring to which you can attach a leash, and be rest assured that your furry friend is completely safe. Although its color is not so bright due to its camouflage nature, it has reflective accents that can help you locate your pup at all times. In addition, it drains easily and dries quickly due to its mesh fibers, leaving your playmate comfortable.
Pros
- It is suitable for hunting dogs
- It has D-ring
Cons
- Color may be too dull for some people
- No neck float
Outward Hound Standley (Sporty) Dog Life Jacket
This type of Outward Hound swimming coat is designed to look like a sporty vest. It comes in just one color, green, and is made of quality materials that promise durability, comfort, and safety. It is made for experienced and inexperienced swimmers or any dog whose owner may live by the waterside or loves to visit water bodies while taking its playmate along.
Size and Fitting
Although it has just one color, it is available in different sizes for canines of different shapes and sizes. Its size includes; XS, S, M, L, and XL. You can decide which one fits your pet by measuring its girth. The swimming gear also comes with adjustable straps, which can be used to modify the vest until it fits perfectly on the dog.
Safety and Comfort
Aside from the fact that it is designed mainly to keep users afloat in water, this jacket comes with extra safety features such as the rescue handle that allows owners to pull pets out in emergencies easily. Also, it has a reflective accent that ensures that pets can be spotted in the dark and a D-ring to which a leash can be attached for maximum safeguarding of pups. The materials with which the float coat is made allow easy drainage of water and prevent discomfort if water is retained.
Pros
- Multiple safety features
- Wide size range
Cons
- Only one color is available
- No neck float
Fragralley Dog Life Jacket
This brand mainly designs dog life jackets that are striped and have really bright colors that give them high visibility. The material employed in making these vests are EPE cotton and ripstop 600D oxford cloth. These materials help users to maintain buoyancy while in water.
Safety Features
Additional safety features that come with this wear are a rescue handle and D-ring. The handle is strong and used for pulling pets in emergencies, while a leash is usually attached to the D-ring to monitor the pup’s movement. Although it has no reflective accents, it comes in bright colors like coral blue, cute yellow, bright red, and lively orange to enable you to spot your playmate easily.
Fitment
Fragralley coats come in up to six different sizes, from X-small to XX-large, so that owners can get a perfect fit for their furry friend irrespective of its size. Also, it has adjustable belts with buckles that are easy to release, making extra adjustment possible if need be.
Pros
- It comes in varied bright colors
- Available in up to six sizes
Cons
- No reflective accent
- No neck float
Outward Hound Granby (Flotation) Dog Life Jacket
The Outward Granby (Flotation) float vest comes in a camouflage design and is made of polyester and ripstop material. It also has neoprene panels on the sides to provide comfortability and buoyancy to the user, and on cold days, it also offers thermal insulation. Although the material is durable strong, never leave the pet unsupervised so that it does not destroy the wear
Safety Features
Two handles that help lift and maneuver pups in emergencies are found on the top of the vest. It also has a neck float that keeps the user’s head above the water. It equally has reflective accents that help you find your furry friend at all times, even in the dark.
Fitting and Comfort
It is designed to allow free movement on land and in water without any form of discomfort. In water, maximum buoyancy is attained, thanks to the materials with which it is designed. More so, its wide range of sizes allows owners to select the perfect fit for their playmates.
Pros
- It has a neck float
- Brightly colored and has reflective accents
Cons
- No D-ring for attachment of a leash
Buying Guide for Best Life Vest for Dogs
Many dog owners enjoy their pet swimming during outings, which is the reason for dog life vests. Outlined below are the qualities of the best dog life vests put together to help dog owners make the right choice when purchasing a life vest.
- Weight: The dog’s weight plays a major role in purchasing a life jacket. It is essential for dog owners to know their dog’s weight and check for the life jackets designed for them. The best way to get a fitted jacket for a dog is by checking the product and ensuring the size is designed and packaged for the dog’s weight.
- Chest girth: The chest girth is another thing to consider when purchasing a life vest. The comfortability of a dog is the first thing a dog owner should seek; to achieve that, dog parents will have to take the proper measurement of the dog’s width and chest, which will be the guide to buy the life vest.
- Neck girth: When purchasing a dog’s life vest, dog parents are to ensure the vest is not too tight for the pet at the neck region, and this is because the pet won’t be comfortable with a tight vest around its neck. Dog owners can save themselves from such occurrences by taking the accurate measurement of the dog before purchasing a life vest.
- Quality: The quality of a dog’s life vest determines its longevity and service. Which is the reason dog owners should look out for products with quality materials. The materials also dictate its effectiveness, which should not be underestimated when purchasing a dog’s life vest.
Frequently Asked Questions
What dog is more vulnerable to danger in water?
Can a dog still drown while wearing a life jacket?
The answer to the above question is Yes. It is quite unfortunate that dogs wearing a jacket can drown; the dog might not easily control the circumstance around the water. Tides and waves of water can contribute to the risk of dog drowning, although a well-fitted life jacket can help to some extent to avoid such occurrences.
Can all dogs swim?
This is a crucial question, and it is needed for dog owners to know. The answer to the question is that not all dogs know how to swim, which is why dog owners have to train them. They are also to supervise their learning process and ensure the dogs are safe during swimming practice. However, virtually all dogs love the water, making it easy for dog owners to train them in swimming.
Conclusion
This article provides a list of the top ten dog life jackets that are durable and provide comfort and buoyancy for your pet. If you need help with deciding the perfect swim coat for your dog, reading through this review will be of great help. Factors like handle, D-ring, and color should be considered when making a choice.