Best Life Jacket for Dogs Reviews 2021
There’s nothing quite like fun in the sun on the water with the wind in your hair and a bunch of friends nearby. But what do you do if you want to take Man’s Best Friend along for the ride? Even if people weren’t wearing life jackets they’d be okay until they could be retrieved– assuming the conditions cooperated, but your pup may not have the wherewithal to stay calm to make rescue easier.
That’s why this list details the 5 best life jackets for dogs, breaking down each to figure out what it does best and who it is for. By the end, this review should give you the information you need to make an informed decision and help ensure the safety of your pup the next time you want to go out on the water.
Last update on 2023-12-05 at 21:33 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / More info
Best Seller: Outward Hound Dog Life Jacket
- SIZING BASED ON GIRTH: Dogs come in all shapes and sizes. Whether your dog is short and stout or long and lanky, there's a dog life jacket...
- SPLASH WITH SAFETY: The Outward Hound Granby Splash life jacket for dogs is designed with bright colors and reflective accents to provide...
- NOVICE & EXPERIENCED SWIMMER-FRIENDLY: The Granby Splash dog life jacket is constructed with ripstop material that provides maximum buoyancy...
Last update on 2023-12-05 at 21:33 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / More info
The Outward Hound Granby Splash life vest likely deserves the best seller spot thanks to the inclusion of uncommon features that increase the overall safety of your pup. However, this dog life vest is top-notch in almost every way with few flaws, and no major flaws, to speak of. That said, the velcro that keeps the belly closed is not the most effective or durable, but this doesn’t negatively impact how secure or well the vest fits.
Thankfully, you don’t have to worry about the fit that much as the Outward Hound Granby Splash comes with a great suspension system to keep your pooch secure within the jacket. The adjustable straps wrap around the dog’s torso without otherwise restricting the dog’s body for swimming or walking. The solid buckles remain firm, even in rough play, though this is generally when the stomach will give out.
Still, safety is key with the Outward Hound Granby Splash which employs thicker foams the most of the competition but is positioned in such a way to still offer excellent mobility. That said, the biggest safety feature of this canine life jacket is the head float located on top of the neck. This float will help make sure your pup can keep its head above water long enough to be fished out and set safely aboard or on dry land.
Keeping with that theme, the Outward Hound Granby Splash distinguishes itself further from the rest of the pack, in terms of safety, are the grab handles. The plural is the whole point as this dog jacket comes with not one, but two grab handles that either allow you a firmer grip on the animal or to grab at different locations. Outside of that, this jacket further does its due diligence with bright colors and reflective strips to increase visibility.
Features:
- Strips and color provide excellent visibility
- The belly is made of stretchy neoprene
- Thick foam provides more buoyancy
- Chin panel keeps the head up
- Has great buckles
Pros:
- Has uncommon features
- Has great buoyancy
- Easier to grab than most
Cons:
- Not the best belly fastener
Verdict: The Outward Hound Granby Splash dog life jacket sees all of the issues with most of your basic dog life vests and just fixes, simple as that. Granted, this means that this dog jacket has a couple of uncommon features and takes some novel approaches, but without much difference in cost, this dog vest is just better than almost all of the competition.
Top Pick: Queenmore Dog Life Jacket Ripstop Dog Safety Vest Adjustable Preserver with High Buoyancy and Durable Rescue Handle for Small, Medium, Large Dogs
- DOG LIFE JACKET WITH HIGH BUOYANCY - The shark dog life jacket is made of the ripstop oxford cloth fabric and filled with polyethylene foam....
- CUTE SHARK FIN DOG LIFE VEST - The dog life jacket is eye-catching with the cute shark fin standing whenever your pet is swimming in the...
- STRONG FASTEN SYSTME - Fasten the dog life vest with easy-to-act magic sticker at the neck and the belly. And adjust the nylon straps and...
Last update on 2023-12-05 at 21:33 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / More info
The Queenmore dog life jacket could be the template for all dog life vests as it provides all of the features that you expect to find on a quality pet life jacket at a reasonable price. That said, if you came looking for something “new” or “exciting,” this is not the jacket you’re looking for. Instead, this dog vest meets the mark in every way without making some major misstep along the way and cruised into the top pick spot.
A perfect example of this is the Queenmore’s fit which is similar to most of the competition but just slightly different to perform better in most situations. While you’ll still need to measure the chest girth for sizing purposes, you might also need to measure the dong’s girth in general. This need is due to how far back the belly strap sits on this life jacket compared to others which can present sizing issues for chunkier pups.
Still, this design provides the dog close to, if not, the most mobility of its forelegs to aid in swimming and staying upright in the water. It also doesn’t hurt that your dog shouldn’t be bothered by the belly strap anyway as it’s made of mesh fabric for increased breathability. Beyond the belly strap, the rest of the life jacket is made out of 600-Denier ripstop Oxford nylon– again, just a little bit better than average.
Like most capable life jackets for dogs, the Queenmore comes with a grab handle to quickly snatch them out of the water or prevent them from running off. To make that feature even more effective, this life jacket encases the nylon grab handle in a non-slip rubber grip. To further reinforce this element of control, this jacket also comes with a D-ring to serve as a leash attachment. Finally, the little shark fin is fun and increases visibility, but this vest can still be a bit difficult to see in darker settings.
Features:
- Comes with a non-slip grab handle
- Made of 600-Denier Ripstop Oxford nylon
- Has a breathable mesh belly
- Has a convenient leash ring
- Has a fun, visible shark fin
Pros:
- Stable grab handle
- More durable than most
- Is comfortable and fun
Cons:
- Not the easiest to see
Verdict: The Queenmore dog life jacket is pretty much your standard dog vest with a little bit better specs than many of the competitors within its price range. The materials are just slightly more durable than average and offer a slightly better grip while holding the animal, and its cut and mobility are a bit better as well.
Best Value: Vivaglory New Sports Style Ripstop Dog Life Jacket Safety Vest with Superior Buoyancy & Rescue Handle
- New Sports Style Design: Exclusive patented Sports-style design lifejacket gives your beloved dog a new look and does not hinder his/her...
- Safe Material: The materials of VIVAGLORY dog life jacket have passed CA65 test, keeping your dog safe wherever he/she roams. Upgraded...
- Smart Neck Design: Our strategically positioned neck design provides more space for your beloved dogs and keeps them in a comfortable...
Last update on 2023-12-05 at 21:54 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / More info
The Vivaglory Sports Style life vest is pretty similar to the general template commonly found with a couple of key differences that have huge impacts, especially depending on the dog in question. In general, this life jacket is solid, if unspectacular, but one of its design quirks can present a serious risk to certain dogs. Unfortunately, this feature also provides some distinct advantages, so that makes this a great value for the right dog.
Of course, your dog’s safety is paramount, so it’s best to just get it out there: this is not the life jacket for dogs that aren’t already good, strong swimmers. The reason for this is twofold: first, this life vest uses thicker float pads for a couple of reasons, and second, the design is a bit more restrictive on mobility than some of the others. What this boils down to is that dogs who aren’t strong swimmers will quickly tire themselves out struggling against the extra padding’s tight fit.
That said, the padding has its benefits for those without the swimming strength issue, namely that the pads are floats and the larger floats increase buoyancy. And the strap that goes across the dog’s belly is made out of breathable mesh fabric for increased comfort on land. Speaking of which, this jacket is made out of 600-Denier nylon which is more than durable enough for dogs playing in the water– though you might not want to leave it on land.
Wrapping up with general safety features, the Vivaglory Sports Style canine life vest also features a handy grab handle, though there is only one that uses the standard nylon material. Though, it is especially well-made and sturdy and has a D-ring for use as a leash attachment point. Finally, you should have no trouble finding your pup on land or at sea thanks to the use of reflective strips and a bright orange color.
Features:
- Easy to reach with a grab handle
- Orange color and reflective strips are easy to see
- Comes in a wide variety of colors
- Made of 600-Denier nylon
- The mesh belly is breathable
Pros:
- Is easy to see
- Made out of solid materials
- Comes in many styles and colors
Cons:
- Not the most maneuverable
Verdict: The Vivaglory Sports Style dog life vest is a great all-around option for dogs that are at least somewhat strong swimmers. This life vest comes in 18 different styles, is reasonably durable, and offers the other standard features you would expect– but its stiff design can present problems to dogs that aren’t at least average swimmers.
Runner Up: Paws Aboard Dog Life Jacket Vest for Swimming and Boating
- SAFETY - Cozy and secure fit with constructed buoyancy. Our life jackets provide peace of mind during water activities with your canine....
- MULTIPLE SIZES - Paws Aboard Dog Life Jackets are available in XX-small, X-small, Small, Medium, Large and X-large sizes. Dogs come in all...
- CONVENIENT - We've included a handle on top of the life vest for quick and easy grabbing during emergencies or water activities. Our hook in...
Last update on 2023-12-05 at 21:33 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / More info
The Paws Aboard Lifeguard life jacket is another example of a generally good product that has an emergent, unforeseen fatal flaw that makes it a hard pass for certain dogs. Thankfully, this time you don’t need to be intimately aware of such an ambiguous metric as “how strong of a swimmer” your dog is. On the other hand, there’s not much wiggle room with this flotation vest’s fatal flaw.
Specifically, this life jacket works best when worn by medium size dogs and larger as it presents a troubling dilemma for some small dogs. Basically, if the dog’s rear half isn’t heavier than the dog’s head half, the Paws Aboard Lifeguard jacket may force the dog’s head underwater and could even drown the animal. Still, there’s no need to worry about the dog’s measurements for this one, just make sure small dogs are bottom-heavy.
While that is definitely something to look out for, it does at least speak to the quality of the floatation device’s floats and the buoyancy they provide. Another interesting feature of this flotation device is the use of neoprene for the body’s shell in general. This provides a combination of durability as well as flexibility that’s waterproof and breathable for one of the most comfortable fabrics used for the whole shell.
Also, while this may not be the safest life jacket for all dogs, it still comes with the standard suite of safety features to help protect the dogs it works best for. As is standard, the Paws Aboard Lifeguard flotation device comes with a grab handle, though the thin nylon can cause it to bite if the dog jumps or pulls. Thankfully, this vest also comes with a solid metal D-ring to attach a leash that’s big enough for tying.
Features:
- Made of flexible neoprene fabricHas a low-profile grab handle
- Easy to see with reflective trim and bright colors
- Breathable thanks to a mesh belly3-point suspension system secures most dogs
Pros:
- Is more comfortable
- Provides good buoyancy
- Is more secure
Cons:
- Not for small dogs
Verdict: So long as you have a medium-size dog or larger, the Paw Aboard Lifeguard life jacket is a solid option– especially if your pooch is a bit finicky. No other option encountered puts more attention to detail when considering the comfort of your dog, but smaller dogs beware as the flotation balance can be dangerous.
Also Consider: RUFFWEAR, Float Coat Dog Life Jacket, Swimming Safety Vest with Handle
- Improved fit: Our new PVC-free GAIA foam panels are soft, comfortable, and designed to wrap around and move with your dog; Their strategic...
- Adjustable neck: The telescoping neck closure adjusts to fit a range of dog sizes; Simply adjust it once and secure it permanently for easy...
- Made for the water: Our water-compatible webbing remains stable when wet, meaning it won’t stretch or loosen in the water; The sheltered...
Last update on 2023-12-05 at 21:33 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / More info
The Ruffwear K9 Float Coat is one of the premium options for pet life jackets with changes big and small that improve on most of the competitors in virtually every way. If it weren’t for the fact that this jacket is rather expensive, it would’ve easily made our top pick spot– but that has to be something practically anyone in the market would buy if they knew better. Still, this life vest may well justify its ostensibly inflated cost.
One of the biggest differences, if not most noticeable, is the use of GAIA foam for the floats instead of your standard PE or PVC. Keep in mind, PVC floats carry risk warnings in some states, and PE is just standard, if unexciting. GAIA foam, on the other hand, simultaneously provides more buoyancy as well as using less material. On top of that, this foam uses a sculpted manufacturing process so the whole life vest fits your pup better.
Speaking of fit, this is one of the areas where the Ruffwear K9 life jacket is similar to the competition but just a little bit better. For starters, the float coat uses a sheltered design for the adjustable straps which not only keeps them out of the way while your pup plays but protects them from cuts and abrasions. However, it’s the neck strap that’s the most impressive as it telescopes from both sides to better fit your dog’s neck comfortably while maintaining stability.
It is worth noting that the Ruffwear K9 Float Coat gets a bit of a mixed grade when it comes to maneuverability– though it’s nowhere near as bad as some of the other situations. While there is no inherent risk with this dog life jacket, the extra padding can still be a bit too thick for dogs that aren’t strong swimmers. Thankfully, the GAIA foam provides more than enough buoyancy for calm waters and even enough for gentle, but not still, seas.
This vest might be the most waterborne model examined as its cut offers more maneuverability without injecting any of the risks found with some other models. On top of that, this is one of the few canine life vests out there that uses water-compatible webbing that doesn’t stretch, loosen, or deform in any way when underwater for extended periods. Just make sure to measure from your dog’s chest since this model won’t give over time as others do.
Features:
- Safe with PVC-free GAIA foamThe telescoping neck fits different size dogs
- Easy to get with a low-profile grab handle
- Easy to see with reflective material and a light loop
- Cut and materials are designed for water
Pros:
- Has great floats
- Fits better than most
- More durable than most
Cons:
- None
Verdict: If money is no object, then the Ruffwear Float Coat dog life jacket is the no-brainer, best-performing model on the market. Of course, if money is even a modest object, you might want to think real hard about what exactly you plan to do with your dog that requires a life jacket before choosing this option.
Conclusion
Ultimately, what you plan to do and the canine in question weigh as heavily into this decision as anything so trivial as price– at least, when your pup’s life is on the line. The Outward Hound Granby Splash Dog Life Jacket is the most popular and with good reason with safety features not found on even premium competition.
Of Course, the Queenmore dog life jacket is a good middle ground with all of the features that you expect without any design flaws that present risks for certain dogs. The Vivaglory Sports Style dog life jacket is great if you want a custom look for your pooch, but make sure they’re a strong enough swimmer.
Likewise, the Paws Aboard dog life jacket provides excellent buoyancy and is one of the more comfortable options available, but it’s not ideal for small dogs. Finally, the Ruffwear K9 Float Coat offers the all-around best performance across the board but also comes with a pretty steep price tag.