Dogs may be famous for the classic doggy paddle, but if you’re out on the water, you can’t be sure they’ll listen to you. That’s why we decided to look at the best dog life jackets currently on the market and see which of them is the best.
One thing to keep in mind is that dogs come in enough shapes and sizes that no option is the best for every pup. That’s why these dog life jacket reviews cover the whole spectrum of companions rather than just options for one size or breed. As cute as extra small dogs might look in life jackets for XL dogs, they aren’t efficient products in situations like that!
In addition to our recommended product reviews, this guide will also include some information about selecting products, including their features, maintenance, and potential drawbacks. While you’re at it, be sure to check out our interactive resource for US drowning statistics, worldwide drowning statistics, and drowning prevention. Your dog isn’t the only one who should stay safe.
For now, however, let’s take a look at the top dog life jackets currently on the market.
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The Best Dog Life Jacket Reviews (Top Picks)
Are you looking for our top product reviews? You’ve found them! While this is a numbered list, the products below are not in any particular order, and the numbers themselves are not a ranking.
Ruffwear Float Coat
- Canine life vest: A life jacket designed just for dogs; Ideal for rafting, kayaking, boating, surfing, paddle boarding and swimming
- Easy swimming: Strategically placed closed-cell foam panels let your dog swim naturally and support an upright position; Strong, low-profile handle on the back to help dogs out of the water
- Adjustable fit: Telescoping neck closure adjusts to fit different shapes and attaches securely in place; Easy-to-clip buckles firmly hold straps
Ruffwear’s iconic Float Coat is one of the most popular options currently on the market, and with good reason. Aside from useful product features like variable sizes and color options, the closed-cell foam panels encourage a natural upright swimming position instead of simply allowing your dog to float.
This life jacket is exceptionally well-padded, focusing on keeping all straps away from your dog’s fur. The primary strap is an adjustable one for the neck, which also doubles as an additional place to hook things if needed. The low-profile handle on the back is exceptionally sturdy, too, which is particularly important for products like this.
However, the real value of this product is in the small details. With everything from places for lights and ID tags to a hook for attaching a leash, this personal flotation device addresses practically every situation. Overall, this is a product worth your first look.
Pros
- Sturdy handle allows one-handed lifting
- Closed foam cells support staying in (or returning to) an upright position
- No velcro
- The robust warranty covers all manufacturer’s defects
Cons
- May not fit dogs with uncommon shapes
- Chest straps may loosen a little during the day
- The leash hook is not durable enough to handle dogs that pull particularly hard
Vivaglory Ripstop
- For Your Dog's Safety: The VIVAGLORY dog life vest is constructed with extra padding to provide strong buoyancy in the water without restricting your dog's movement. Your pup will feel at ease while swimming or playing in the pool. The hook-and-loop system around the belly and neck secures the dog life jacket to your dog
- Convenience & Fit: This dog flotation vest features a durable top handle for easy lifting out of the lake or boating situations. The D-ring allows leash attachment, and adjustable straps with quick-release buckles ensure easy on and off, giving a snug fit. Whether it's for a puppy or a larger dog, this dog lifejacket adapts to all sizes comfortably
- High Visibility: This dog swim vest comes in bright colors with reflective trims, making it easier to spot your doggy life jacket in any lighting condition. Great for floating around the beach or other open water environments where visibility is key to your dog's safety
Vivaglory’s Ripstop is a thoroughly-padded personal flotation device with some smart features to help it stay comfortable and practical. The key feature you should look at on this vest is the neck area, which has two padded layers for an easier fit and a sticky band that helps catch and hold dog hair.
This isn’t an issue for short-haired breeds, but for long-haired dogs, the band helps prevent hair from getting caught by the hook. That makes this vest significantly more comfortable to wear, and honestly, we’d like to see it on more products of this type.
The vests themselves are bright colors (mostly neons) and have a hook for the leash at the end of the handle strap. I don’t like the hook provided here. Plastic is a bit worse than metal, especially if the vest goes in corrosive saltwater a lot, so expect that part of the vest to have a lower lifespan on an active dog that tugs the leash a lot.
Pros
- Does not restrict movement
- Quick-release buckles ensure easy removal if needed
- Reflective elements provide outstanding visibility
- Has a 90-day warranty for testing
Cons
- The leash hook is a little weak
- Uses velcro
- Not suitable for front-heavy breeds like bulldogs
- Can be hard to get on
ASENKU Dog Life Jacket
- HIGH GRADE FABRIC - Fabric of the dog life jacket consist of high grade polyester oxford nylon outer and foam inner. Accordingly, the dog life vest not only ripstop but also allow for quick drying and proper drainage.
- WATER SAFETY - With the dog water life jacket you needn't worry about your dog will be in danger while swimming because the under-chin front float can help your dog keep its head above water even in rough conditions. In addition, the strong and convenient rescue handle of the dog life vest also makes it easy to help dogs out of the water by hand or boat hook.
- BETTER FIT - ASENKU provides 6 sizes for you to choose (from XS to XXL). Sizing guidelines may differ dog to dog, so please choose the most suitable dog life safety swimsuit after taking every measurement and compare with the size chart.
Asenku’s dog life jacket is made of durable oxford nylon on the outside and pearl cotton foam on the inside, both of which dry quickly. Meanwhile, the under-chin front float provides extra support for keeping your pup’s head above water, which is easily one of the most important jobs of a personal flotation device.
The main highlight of this product, compared to some of the others on this list, is the bright design. I like the orange shark design the most because the tall fin sticks out of the water and makes a dog easy to spot. Even brightly-colored vests can be harder to see when they’re underwater, so the extra point of reference makes a big difference.
Otherwise, this is a reasonably standard dog vest, with the expected handle, D-ring leash hook, and velcro straps. ASENKU offers a robust sizing chart for their product, and the number of sizing options helps ensure a better overall fit.
Pros
- Highly-visible shark and mermaid designs
- Competitive pricing makes this more affordable on a budget
- Holds its shape during extended use
Cons
- The fin (on some versions) tends to flop over
- Not buoyant enough for some breeds
- Can get warm, which makes it harder to use on hot days