Updated: Jan. 8, 2023
It’s summertime! People itching to get outside. With the heat rising, more people are going to want to go into the water and some may want to bring their dogs with them. This might be in a lake, the pool, or the ocean. It is a good idea to have a life jacket for your dog when they are with you in the water. For more information on other summer essentials for your dog, click Here.
Here are our top choices for Life Jackets For Your Dog:
| Best Overall: Vivaglory New Sports Style Ripstop Dog Life Jacket Safety Vest | |
| Best Runner Up: Vivaglory New Neoprene Sports Style Dog Life Jacket | |
| Best Under $100: Ruffwear Float Coat Dog Life Jacket | |
| Best Under $50: Vivaglory Ripstop and Reflective Dog Life Jacket | |
| Best Budget: ZippyPaws Adventure Life Jacket for Dogs | |
| Best Shark Fin Life Jacket: ASENKU Dog Life Jacket | |
| Other Options: EzyDog Doggy Floatation Device Dog Life Vest Jacket | |
| Vivaglory Dog Life Jacket with Extra Padding | |
| Outward Hound Dog Life Jacket |
Do All Dogs Naturally Know How To Swim?
It is important to keep your dog’s safety in mind when they are in the water. People may think that all dogs can swim or that all dogs enjoy being in the water, but that is not always the case. It really depends on the breed and body type of your dog. Some dogs are built to be in the water and take to it right away. Others may have a small snout or short legs making it difficult for them to swim or hold themselves above water. Some dogs just may not be strong enough to sustain swimming.
We had a dog that absolutely LOVED to be in the water, but she only liked to be in pools where she could reach the bottom, like a baby pool. She did jump into a large backyard pool once, and when she realized she was not able to reach the bottom, she panicked and we had to jump in to save her. Our current dog hates the water and will not even walk through a sprinkler when we go on walks.
Do Dogs Really Need A Life Jacket?
Life jackets and vests can provide your dog with buoyancy to help them swim when they are in the water. It is especially important to use one when boating with your dog. In case of an accident, if they become unconscious, or if your dog happens to jump into the water, wearing a life jacket could help to save their life. Even if your dog can swim, depending on the situation or how long or far they may have to swim, your dog may fatigue and having a life jacket could help them survive.
If your dog does not know how to swim or is not comfortable being in the water, a life jacket is a great way to get them acclimated to it. Using the handle on the jacket, you can help to move your dog around in the water to help them become more comfortable. It can also give your dog more confidence when being in the water.
What Is The Difference Between a Life Jacket and a Life Vest?
The difference between a life jacket and a life vest has to do with the size. Life jackets tend to be longer in length and cover your dog’s entire torso, while a life vest will be smaller in size and only cover part of your dog’s torso. It is recommended that for boating or being in open water that you use a life jacket for maximum safety. If you are in a private pool where you will be with your dog, a life vest may be ok. Most of the time, the two terms are used interchangeably.
What Should I Look For When Choosing A Life Jacket?
Buoyancy
You want to make sure there is enough floatation material to help keep your dog afloat. Some of the suggestions below have “50% more” buoyancy than other styles.
Comfort
If your dog is an avid swimmer, make sure that the style of the jacket allows for your dog to be able to move freely and without restriction. It is also important to find a style that does not interfere with your dog’s anatomy and allows for them to urinate easily.
Adjustable
Strong, adjustable straps are a must to help ensure a proper, snug fit so the jacket won’t move out of place while your dog is in the water. Some also have an added Velcro panel for extra support.
Grab Handle
It is important to have a grab handle on the top of your dog’s life vest. This is good to have in case you need to lift your dog out of the water or quickly move them out of harm’s way if necessary.
D Ring
A D ring will provide a place for you to attach your dog’s leash to help keep control of their whereabouts while in and out of the water.
Extra Buoyancy By The Chin
Some jackets offer an extra buoyancy panel by the chin. This is great if your dog is just learning how to swim, those that may not like to have their head under the water, or dogs that might not be able to keep their head above water.
Strong Material
This is a must, particularly if your dog will be using the life jacket frequently. If you have to lift your dog out of the water for any reason, you want to make sure the jacket and stitching are strong enough for you to do so. Most are made of strong, durable Oxford, Neoprene or Ripstop.
Reflective Stitching Or Piping
Having reflective material helps your dog to be seen in and out of the water and in low light conditions.
How Should A Life Jacket Fit Your Dog?
It is important to measure your dog properly to ensure the best fit. Each company has specific instructions on how to measure your dog, and it is important to follow their recommendations, as a medium in one brand may not be the same in another.
In general, you will need to measure your dog’s girth. You can do this by using a paper tape measure or using a piece of string and then measuring the string. The girth of your dog is the widest part of your dog’s chest. This is located behind your dog’s front legs. Some companies also recommend you measure the circumference of your dog’s neck as well. Still others may include your dog’s weight as part of their measurements. If your dog falls between sizes, the general rule is to size UP. Even if you measure correctly, you may have to try a different size to ensure a proper fit.
Can You Make Your Own Life Jacket For Your Dog?
If you are quite the engineer and savvy with constructing your own designs, then you may be able to make your own life jacket for your dog. Most people (us included) are not, so we would leave the design and construction to the professionals who have tested out their product. We would not put our dog’s safety at risk for something that would probably fall apart if we made it anyway (we are terrible at sewing)!
The Best Life Jacket For Your Dog
Best Overall
Vivaglory New Sports Style Ripstop Dog Life Jacket Safety Vest
This has a “bio-fit” neck design to allow your dog to swim more naturally and unhindered. It is made of strong, durable ripstop material. It has a reflective trim and bright colors to keep your dog visible in and out of the water. This also has an extra panel at the belly for a more secure fit. It has a handle to lift your dog out of the water if necessary with a D ring underneath the handle to attach a leash.
Check Price At: Amazon
Best Runner Up
Vivaglory New Neoprene Sports Style Dog Life Jacket
This one is made of strong Neoprene material that will also help keep your dog warm in chilly waters. It has 3 adjustable straps and side buckles and includes extra floatation layers to improve buoyancy in the water. This jacket has a handle on top for easy lifting if necessary, a D ring to attach your leash, and reflective stitching to help your dog be seen in the water or in low light conditions. It also contains an extra secure fastening panel by the belly.
Check Price At: Amazon
Best Under $100
Ruffwear Float Coat Dog Life Jacket
This contains foam padding that is made to move with your dog while they swim. It contains a “telescoping neck” which can adjust to fit most dogs and only needs to be fit on your dog the first time they wear it. The buckles are made to stay in place when your dog is in the water. This contains a handle to help lift your dog out of the water if needed. It contains reflective stitching to allow your dog to be seen well in the water. This option has a D ring underneath the handle to attach your leash. This life jacket can also be machine washed.
Check Price At: Amazon
Best Under $50
Vivaglory Ripstop and Reflective Dog Life Jacket
This comes in 5 sizes and 10 colors. It has extra padding for more buoyancy, adjustable straps, and reflective trim for increased visibility in the water or low light. It also contains a D ring for your leash to attach and a handle for easy lifting of your dog. This has an extra panel by the belly for a more secure fit.
Check Price At: Amazon
Best Budget
ZippyPaws Adventure Life Jacket for Dogs
The Adventure Life Jacket for Dogs comes in 6 sizes to help ensure a good fit for your dog. It contains dense foam panels to help keep your dog afloat. This jacket has 2 handles to help lift your dog out of the water, reflective stripes to increase visibility, and a panel under the chin to help keep your dog’s head above water. The cons of this life jacket are: 1. It does not come with a D ring to attach a leash and 2: The adjustable straps are a bit long, so you may have to tie or cut them to avoid your dog tripping over them when they walk.
Check Price At: Amazon
Best Shark Fin Life Jacket
ASENKU Dog Life Jacket
Made of ripstop material, the ASENKU Dog Life Jacket comes in 6 sizes to fit your pup. This has adjustable straps, a handle to lift your dog, a D ring to attach a leash and, of course, the ultra stylish shark’s fin. The only con to this life jacket is the lack of reflective stitching or piping to help your dog be more visible in the water.
Check Price At: Amazon, Walmart
Here are a few other life jackets that you may be interested in.
EzyDog Doggy Floatation Device Dog Life Vest Jacket
This life jacket comes in 5 sizes and 2 colors. It is made of strong neoprene and contains “50% more floatation material” than other jackets on the market. The EzyDog life jacket has a handle on top, a D ring for your leash, and reflective piping for easy visibility. It also has a contoured neck to allow for easier and more natural movement in the water.
Vivaglory Dog Life Jacket with Extra Padding
This Vivaglory life jacket comes in 5 sizes and various colors. It is made of a strong oxford material, contains “up to 50 % more floatation” to keep your dog buoyant in the water, and has adjustable straps. This has a more secure fastening panel by the belly. The life jacket has a handle on top if needed, a D ring for your leash, and reflective trim to increase visibility. This life jacket also comes with a removable front float, that if left on can assist in keeping your dog’s head above water.
Check Price At: Amazon
Outward Hound Dog Life Jacket
This life jacket comes in a variety of sizes and colors and is made of durable ripstop material. It contains thick, foam side panels with reflective stitching to keep your dog visible in and out of the water. This jacket has an added floatation device by your dog’s chin area to help keep their head out of the water. The Outward Hound Life Jacket contains 2 handles to assist you in lifting your dog out of the water if necessary.
Check Price At: Amazon, Petsmart, Chewy
It is great to be able to take your dog swimming with you , whether to your local swimming area or while on vacation. A life jacket will help to keep your dog safer while in the water. It is especially important to have a life jacket for your dog if you are boating with them or if they are not a particularly strong swimmer. It is also advised that you always supervise your dog when in the water, even if they are wearing a life jacket or vest. Be safe and enjoy your summer!
Please check out our other posts on Health, Indoor, Outdoor, and Travel accessories for your dog, as well as Reviews of various products and travel destinations.