Dogs love water activities, from swimming to kayaking, boating, floating, and even fishing. However, no matter how good they are at swimming, it's always essential to prepare for the unexpected. Even experienced paddlers can get tired, which is why you need the best dog life jackets to keep your furry friend safe and happy in the water.
Dog life jackets are essential to ensure your pet's safety and well-being while enjoying water activities. If you're looking for recommendations on the best dog life jackets, this review is perfect for you.
Are you in a hurry?
If you're a dog owner, taking care of your furry friend's well-being both at home and outdoors should be a top priority. From the food you provide, whether it's wet dog food, dry dog food, or dehydrated and freeze-dried food, to the accessories you use during activities such as hiking or camping, everything should be of the highest quality. This includes investing in a life jacket for your dog, which not only improves visibility in low light conditions but also keeps your dog warm in colder environments. We've reviewed some of the best brands that cater to most breeds.
Best Overall
ThunderShirt Sport Dog Anxiety Jacket
ThunderShirt is a high-quality anxiety jacket designed for dogs of various breeds and is available in seven different colors. It effectively soothes anxiety and fear in dogs and maintains its color over time. The jacket is also buoyant, providing extra safety to your dog if it falls into the water. It is made from 100% polyester, which is not only comfortable for your dog but also durable. Weighing only 8 ounces, it can fit under other dog apparel like hoodies and shirts. It weighs 8 ounces and can fit under other apparel, including dog hoodies and dog shirts, to name a few.
High-End Pick
Outward Hound Dog Life Jacket
The Outward Hound life jacket is a cleverly designed floatation device that is suitable for larger dog breeds, including hounds. It is perfect for various water sports and keeps dogs afloat, preventing them from drowning. With its adjustable straps, you can customize the fit to suit your dog's size and shape. The jacket features a sturdy dual handle on top with an ergonomic design that fits comfortably in your hand, making it easy to retrieve your dog from the water in case of an accident. It is available in a range of sizes, from XS to XL, and comes in multiple colors.
Budget Pick
Yoyoung Dog Safety Life Coat
Yoyoung is a budget-friendly dog safety coat designed with foam-padded neoprene panels that enhance the safety of dogs. The coat is exceptionally buoyant, making it suitable for use in most environments. Additionally, it keeps the dog's body warm while swimming and features secure buckles that can be adjusted to ensure a proper fit. Yoyoung offers five different sizing options for toy, medium-sized, and large dog breeds. The breathable mesh liner incorporated into the design adds extra comfort, while the secure top-mounted handle can support dogs weighing over 50 pounds.
Buying Guide for Dog Lifejackets
When you go swimming or visit the beach, it's essential to bring your dog along and even enjoy the water together. However, to ensure your dog's safety, it's necessary to provide them with a lifejacket to prevent drowning. This buying guide highlights important features that will assist you in selecting the best lifejacket for your furry friend.
Size: An effective lifejacket must fit your dog. A smaller jacket may save your dog from drowning but will be too uncomfortable. A larger lifejacket is ineffective since it may come off while your dog is in the water, leading to drowning.
Buoyancy: The more buoyant a lifejacket is, the more effective it is. You should therefore choose a buoyant lifejacket to ensure that your dog is safe. The best lifejacket should have a lightweight structure that will float on water and not inhibit your dog’s movement.
Portability: You will not put the lifejacket on your dog right from home. You will need to carry it to the swimming pool or beach. The ideal lifejacket should therefore have features that boost portability, including a lightweight construction.
Top 5 Dog Lifejackets in the Market this Year
If you enjoy spending time around bodies of water with your furry companion, it's essential to prioritize their safety by equipping them with a life jacket. Life jackets not only enhance the visibility of dogs but also keep them afloat and warm in case they fall into the water. Check out these recommended brands for the best options:
1. ThunderShirt Sport Dog Anxiety Jacket
For a secure and comfortable fit that also prioritizes your dog's safety, consider the ThunderShirt Sport Dog Anxiety Jacket. This jacket is suitable for pet owners, trainers, and veterinarians alike, and is designed to apply gentle, consistent pressure to your pet, helping to calm their fear and anxiety. With stylish options in hot pink and grey, you can choose a design that complements your dog's style, and with 7 size options available, the jacket can accommodate a range of dog breeds, from tiny puppies to giant breeds.
This lifejacket, as the name suggests, is designed to keep your pet safe in all weather conditions. With an impressive 80% success rate, it's highly recommended for anyone looking to take their pet into the water.
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Our Verdict:
The ThunderShirt Sport Dog Anxiety Jacket prioritizes the safety of your dog with its thoughtful design. By applying gentle pressure to your dog, it helps to calm their over-excitement and fear, promoting a sense of security. Pet owners will appreciate the drug-free calming solution and the added peace of mind that comes with the 100% money-back guarantee.
2. Outward Hound Dog Life Jacket
If you're in search of a high-performance dog flotation device, the Outward Hound Dog Life Jacket is an excellent choice for your water sport adventures with your furry companion. This life jacket boasts reflective accents and bright colors, ensuring maximum visibility. It's especially suitable for novice swimmers, as the front float support function keeps your dog's head above water. The use of ripstop materials enhances buoyancy, giving you peace of mind.
Moreover, the Outward Hound Dog Life Jacket features a top dual grab handle for added safety, allowing you to quickly retrieve your pet in case of emergencies. Adjustable straps ensure a secure fit, whether on the water or on land.
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Our Verdict:
The Outward Hound Dog Life Jacket prioritizes your dog's safety during water activities. With its reflective accents, you can rest assured of better visibility while the front float support provides the necessary buoyancy. Additionally, pet owners will appreciate the top dual grab handles, which allow for safe and easy retrieval of your furry friend during emergencies.
3. Yoyoung Dog Safety Life Coat
The Camo Pet Life Preserver Jacket is a dependable accessory that provides exceptional buoyancy for your dog during water activities. It features foam neoprene panels that keep your furry friend afloat, while also providing insulation to keep them warm while swimming.
Additionally, the jacket boasts durable Velcro straps and adjustable buckles for a secure and comfortable fit for your pet. With five size options available, finding the perfect fit for your dog is easy. The breathable mesh lining on this life jacket ensures fast drying and easy cleaning, making it a practical choice for pet owners.
Finally, the top handle fitting adds an extra level of convenience and safety, allowing you to easily maneuver your dog during water activities.
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Our Verdict:
The Camo Pet Life Preserver Jacket offers everything you could want as a dog owner. The foam neoprene panels and breathable mesh lining ensure both buoyancy and comfort. Additionally, the functional D-ring and camouflage print add to the jacket's appeal.
4. Kurgo Surf n’ Turf Dog Life Jacket
The Kurgo Dog Water Life Jacket is the ultimate versatile accessory for dog owners. This product doubles as a raincoat and lifejacket, making it an ideal choice for those looking for multifunctionality. The jacket features two control handles that enable easy extraction of your pet from water, especially during emergencies. Moreover, the reflective trim on the lifejacket enhances visibility in low-light conditions, while the rugged ripstop materials ensure optimal performance for an extended period. The metal D-rings provide the perfect attachment points for accessories when necessary.
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Our Verdict:
The Kurgo Dog Water Life Jacket is a versatile and functional accessory suitable for both novice and experienced swimmers. With two control handles and metal D-rings, it provides better functionality and allows dog owners to attach additional accessories when necessary. Additionally, the reflective trim enhances visibility in low-light conditions, making it easier to keep track of your furry friend while exploring the waters.
5. Paws Aboard Dog Life Jacket Vest
For those prioritizing visibility and buoyancy, the Paws Aboard Dog Life Jacket Vest is a great option. The jacket features reflective strips and bright colors to ensure your furry friend remains visible at all times. Made from neoprene material, the jacket boasts an elegant silhouette that gives your pet a stylish appearance. The sizing chart provided by the manufacturer ensures you select the right fit for your dog. Additionally, the top handle on this dog lifejacket enables easy maneuvering of your pet.
The hook and loop fastening system secures the jacket firmly around the dog's belly, and the breathable mesh lining adds to its functionality. This feature ensures easy draining and drying of the lifejacket, providing a healthy and comfortable experience for your dog.
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Our Verdict:
The Paws Aboard Dog Life Jacket Vest is an excellent accessory for taking your pet into the water. Its breathable mesh and quick-dry materials ensure optimal functionality and comfort for your dog. With a variety of size options and vibrant colors, it's a valuable purchase for any dog owner.
Final Thoughts
A life jacket is an essential accessory for your furry friend whenever you are spending time in the water. Not only does it keep them safe, but it's also comfortable, warm, and available in multiple sizes to fit different breeds. Our top picks provide the best experience as they offer these benefits and more. Don't hesitate to invest in a life jacket for your pet.