Best Dog Life Vests and Dog Life Jackets for Water Play
While some dogs are water lovers and natural swimmers, other pups aren’t, and if you plan to spend any time near the water with your dog, water safety experts recommend that you invest in a dog life jacket. In fact, because dog body types vary, some pups will struggle in the water because of short front and hind legs, a heavy base, short snout, etc. A dog life jacket will improve buoyancy and increase visibility in case of an emergency.
Overall Best Dog Life Jacket
- Keeps dogs upright
- Provides good buoyancy
- Great quality
- Easy to get on and off
- Good security
The RUFFWEAR Float Coat is the best of it's kind. It comes in four easy-to-see bright colors with reflective stripes for enhanced visibility. It also features closed-cell foam panels that allow your dog to swim and float naturally while remaining in an upright position. It also features a strong handle to aid you in getting the dog in and out of the water. <...
RUFFWEAR suggests measuring the widest part of your dog's rib cage to choose a size. From more than 1,500 reviewers, this life jacket gets a high average rating of 4.8.
It feels comfortable on and supports a natural upright position while dogs are in the water.
What Humans Love:This is a reliable dog life jack from a quality brand so dog owners can trust it will keep their pets safe.
The RUFFWEAR Float Coat is the best of it's kind. It comes in four easy-to-see bright colors with reflective stripes for...
RUFFWEAR suggests measuring the widest part of your dog's rib cage to choose a size. From more than 1,500 reviewers, this life jacket gets a high average rating of 4.8.
Best Budget Dog Life Jacket
- Nice buoyancy
- Comfortable fit
- Feel secure
- Durable rescue handle
- Great price
- Easy to hold
The Vivaglory Ripstop Dog Life Jacket features extra padding to provide greater buoyancy for your dog, but won't restrict movement. Velcro around the neck and belly will keep the personal flotation device secure, so you won't have to worry about this jacket coming off mid-swim. The Vivaglory Ripstop Dog Life Jacket also features a leash loop and a durable re...
The 10 bright colors and the reflective strips are also great for added visibility. The jacket gets an average 4.7-out-of-5 rating from more than 1,900 reviewers.
Despite being well padded for extra buoyancy, it's lightweight and isn't too bulky.
What Humans Love:It comes in a range of bright colors that would be easy to spot in an emergency.
The Vivaglory Ripstop Dog Life Jacket features extra padding to provide greater buoyancy for your dog, but won't restric...
The 10 bright colors and the reflective strips are also great for added visibility. The jacket gets an average 4.7-out-of-5 rating from more than 1,900 reviewers.
Most Durable Dog Life Jacket
- Comfortable
- Feel safe in the water
- Durable
- Adjustable
- Great fit
One of the Outward Hound Granby Splash Dog Life Jacket's best features is a front neck float that helps keep your dog's head above water while he is swimming. This jacket also has dual handles to help you get your dog out of the water faster and easier. It's adjustable on the sides, so you can make this jacket tighter or looser depending on fit.
It comes in two colors and four sizes. Outward Hound and several reviewers recommend sizing up if your pet falls in-between two sizes.
The neck float keeps dogs heads above the water, which can be a lifesaver in emergencies.
What Humans Love:Thanks to the dual handle design, it's easy to lift your dog out of the water.
One of the Outward Hound Granby Splash Dog Life Jacket's best features is a front neck float that helps keep your dog's ...
It comes in two colors and four sizes. Outward Hound and several reviewers recommend sizing up if your pet falls in-between two sizes.
Our Other Favorites
- Lightweight
- Comfortable
- Will dry quickly
- Great price
- Lightweight
- Easy to get on and off
The Paws Aboard Dog Life Jacket comes in playful prints to add a little flair to this PFD. One of the key features is a mesh underbelly that allows for water drainage, air flow, and easy/quick drying. Reviewers note that taking accurate measurements is key to making sure you get the right size out of six options for your dog, although the collar and mesh und...
There are some reviews that suggest the Paws Aboard life jacket is not as buoyant as other jackets, although it still gets a respectable 4.4-star rating.
- Great price
- Lightweight
- Easy to get on and off
- Lightweight
- Comfortable
- Will dry quickly
The Paws Aboard Dog Life Jacket comes in playful prints to add a little flair to this PFD. One of the key features is a ...
There are some reviews that suggest the Paws Aboard life jacket is not as buoyant as other jackets, although it still gets a respectable 4.4-star rating.
- Makes them feel safe in the water
- Comfortable
- Several great features
- Lightweight
- Low price
The Vivaglory Dog Life Jacket with extra padding has a patented design that makes it very durable, thanks to the ripstop 600-denier oxford cloth. Built with extra padding, it gives your pup up to 50 percent more buoyancy. Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps will have nothing on your dog. The removable front float assists in relieving neck pressure.
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Reviewers rave about this product with several claiming that it helped their dogs enjoy the water even more. However, Vivaglory reminds owners never to leave dogs alone in the water, with or without the vest.
- Several great features
- Lightweight
- Low price
- Makes them feel safe in the water
- Comfortable
The Vivaglory Dog Life Jacket with extra padding has a patented design that makes it very durable, thanks to the ripstop...
Reviewers rave about this product with several claiming that it helped their dogs enjoy the water even more. However, Vivaglory reminds owners never to leave dogs alone in the water, with or without the vest.
- Comfortable
- Feel safe in the water
- Durable
- Adjustable
- Great fit
One of the Outward Hound Granby Splash Dog Life Jacket's best features is a front neck float that helps keep your dog's head above water while he is swimming. This jacket also has dual handles to help you get your dog out of the water faster and easier. It's adjustable on the sides, so you can make this jacket tighter or looser depending on fit.
It comes in two colors and four sizes. Outward Hound and several reviewers recommend sizing up if your pet falls in-between two sizes.
The neck float keeps dogs heads above the water, which can be a lifesaver in emergencies.
What Humans Love:Thanks to the dual handle design, it's easy to lift your dog out of the water.
One of the Outward Hound Granby Splash Dog Life Jacket's best features is a front neck float that helps keep your dog's ...
It comes in two colors and four sizes. Outward Hound and several reviewers recommend sizing up if your pet falls in-between two sizes.
- Will keep them upright
- Comfortable
- Great price
- Lightweight
- Drys quickly
The HAOCOO Dog Life Jacket's quick-release buckles make this one of the easiest vests to get on and off your dog. The jacket also features a ripstop oxford nylon fabric and mesh fiber that allows for quick drying and drainage — this feature will keep a small dog from being weighed down when the jacket gets wet.
Reviewers call this vest a "l...
Reviewers call this vest a "lifesaver" and comment on how it keeps their dog upright when swimming. It comes in solid colors and fun prints, such as mermaid, crocodile, and shark. It gets a 4.4 average rating.
- Great price
- Lightweight
- Drys quickly
- Will keep them upright
- Comfortable
The HAOCOO Dog Life Jacket's quick-release buckles make this one of the easiest vests to get on and off your dog. The ja...
Reviewers call this vest a "lifesaver" and comment on how it keeps their dog upright when swimming. It comes in solid colors and fun prints, such as mermaid, crocodile, and shark. It gets a 4.4 average rating.
- Comfortable
- Helps them feel safe
- Extra buoyant
- Sturdy material
- Forms to body when wet
The EzyDog Doggy Flotation Device boasts that it is made with 50 percent more flotation material than most other pet life jackets. This extra buoyant material promises to keep your dog in an upright swimming position. It has a contoured neck and reflective piping for nighttime visibility.
You won't have to dig deep to find reviews that say thi...
You won't have to dig deep to find reviews that say this is a great quality vest. One reviewer said it saved his German Shepherd Dog’s life -- when she fell off the pier and panicked, the vest enabled her to dog paddle over to the pier steps.
- Extra buoyant
- Sturdy material
- Forms to body when wet
- Comfortable
- Helps them feel safe
The EzyDog Doggy Flotation Device boasts that it is made with 50 percent more flotation material than most other pet lif...
You won't have to dig deep to find reviews that say this is a great quality vest. One reviewer said it saved his German Shepherd Dog’s life -- when she fell off the pier and panicked, the vest enabled her to dog paddle over to the pier steps.
- Comfortable
- Fits well
- Helps them swim
- Easy to find perfect fit
- Great price
- Sturdy
The Queenmore Dog Life Jacket is made of quality oxford cloth with polyethylene foam and a mesh underbelly. It features all of the bells and whistles in a quality dog life jacket — quick-release buckles, adjustable straps, durable grab handle, and reflective strips for visibility. The vest comes in six sizes, and Queenmore provides a detailed sizing chart ...
The design choices are unique: gray shark, pink shark, and pink fish. There’s a durable D-ring on the back. This vest gets a 4.4-star rating.
- Easy to find perfect fit
- Great price
- Sturdy
- Comfortable
- Fits well
- Helps them swim
The Queenmore Dog Life Jacket is made of quality oxford cloth with polyethylene foam and a mesh underbelly. It features ...
The design choices are unique: gray shark, pink shark, and pink fish. There’s a durable D-ring on the back. This vest gets a 4.4-star rating.
- Lightweight
- Comfortable
- Easy to wear
- Durable
- Great for multiple use
The Outward Hound Standley Sport Experienced Swimmer Life Jacket is made of extra rugged ripstop nylon, making it super durable and perfect for repeated use. Your pup will appreciate the lightweight construction of this vest and how easy it is to move around while wearing it. Outward Hound and several reviewers note that this vest is best for a skilled swimm...
The vest comes in five sizes, all with double handles and leash attachment.
- Durable
- Great for multiple use
- Lightweight
- Comfortable
- Easy to wear
The Outward Hound Standley Sport Experienced Swimmer Life Jacket is made of extra rugged ripstop nylon, making it super ...
The vest comes in five sizes, all with double handles and leash attachment.
What Is a Dog Life Jacket?
You should put a life jacket on your dog if she will be near a body of water and is a puppy or an inexperienced swimmer. Some dog owners put life jackets on strong swimmers, too, because they can tire out in large bodies of water. All dogs should wear life jackets on a boat.
Dog life jackets work when fitted properly. Imagine you take your dog out for a ride on your motorboat, sailboat, or kayak. Suddenly, he’s overboard, and you have to get him safely back onboard. A quality life jacket that fits him properly will keep him afloat, make it easier to spot him, and provide a solid handle you can use to haul him to safety.
To provide proper flotation assistance, the vest should be form fitting but not restrict breathing, the same as a flotation vest on a human. The jacket fits close to the base of the dog’s neck, and straps should be adjusted properly with ends secured. It shouldn't be so snug the dog can't paddle. You should also be able to easily grab the handle at the top of the jacket.
