Best Dog Life Jacket for Puppies and Small Dogs

February 28, 2019October 24, 2022 Chris Tingom Leave a comment

When it comes to water, it’s often the smaller dogs that need life jackets. Smaller dogs are more likely to fall off of a slippery surface like a boat deck than larger dogs. Plus, they are more susceptible to waves when they are in the water.

So, you’ve decided to buy a life jacket for your smaller dog. Good call! We’ve been through the same experience as you have, and made this guide to share our buying experience. We hope that these reviews help you find a life jacket that fits your dog perfectly.

We’ve also done our best to comb online reviews for sizing recommendations. There are so many breeds and each dog has different dimensions. So, we’ll try to share tips from other dog owners.

I have owned two small dogs. The first was a cockapoo that I owned for 18 years. One of the best dogs I have ever owned. Probably because it was my childhood dog. I named the dog Toto, because she looked like the dog from The Wizard of Oz. Toto hated the water, but we took her on lots of boating trips in California, Arizona, Missouri, and Illinois. Such fun times.

The second small dog I owned was a Schnauzer and he was also a fantastic dog. He was the smaller variety, and I received him as a 10-year-old dog from a couple that was moving overseas. His name was Schnitzel, and he was the best dog ever. We would go on drives around the state and explore places together. Such a fun dog, and he loved to swim.

What’s the best dog life jacket for small dogs?

The weather is warming up and that means spending time at the lake, or rafting on a river this summer. It that also means bringing your pet along with you to the lake you may be in the market for the Best Dog Life Jacket for Puppies to keep your pet safe.

The best dog life jackets are the ones that fit snugly and don’t get in the way. You want to select a jacket that allows your dog to play freely and not tire easily.

That means it’s important to do your research about the best fit and get a light jacket that won’t weigh down your dog. Keep in mind that life jackets are heavier when they are wet (not much you can do about that, though).

When I was a child we got a Cockapoo dog (that’s a mix of Cocker Spaniel and Poodle in case you were wondering). We took this dog everywhere with us! On road trips, camping, even sailing! Granted, I think sailing was his least favorite activity, but at least we knew he was safe.

Today I’m going to tell you about the Outward Hound PupSaver Ripstop Dog Life Jacket. This life jacket has a really long name, but when looking for the best dog life jacket for puppies the Outward Hound brand is all you really need to know! This life jacket comes in a bunch of sizes ranging from XX-Small to X-Large.

Dog Life Jacket Measuring Chart

I’ll try to outline the small sizes for you, and help you decide on the best fit for your puppy!

Small Dog Life Jacket

One of my favorite features of the Outward Hound PupSaver Ripstop Dog Life Jacket is the easy grab handles on the jacket. There are two of them, so you can easily grab your dog out of the water and lift your dog into your boat, or on dry land. I can’t tell you how useful this is! Especially in places where it’s difficult to get a grasp of your dog. Like in a canoe or a kayak where you don’t have very much leverage.

It also has a front float that goes under the dog’s neck. These features alone make this the Best Dog Life Jacket for Puppies. This comes in quite handy and will help to keep your dogs head above water. Bigger dogs often don’t need this, but smaller dogs do! Especially in rough water where waves might splash the dog.

All of the straps are adjustable, and the life jacket features lots of reflective gear. The small life jacket size comes in orange or pink.

X-Small Dog Life Jacket

Similar to the small size, but a few inches smaller and for really small dogs or puppies. Use the provided chart to determine what size is best for your dog life jacket.

XX-Small Dog Life Jacket

For the smallest dogs and puppies! If you have an ultra small dog or a newborn puppy you can look to the XX-Small life jacket size. This size is perfect for dogs who are really small.

Small Dog Life Jacket – Questions & Concerns

Many people with smaller dogs are looking for an easy way to keep their dogs safe around water. It has been found that a small dog life jacket can be used to help small dogs swim whether in shallow or deep water.

Small dogs tend to get tired faster and with their own personal life jacket, you will find your little pup enjoying the water more and more.

Dog trainers will sometimes use a pet life vest to teach dogs that may be scared of the water to become better swimmers. Sometimes dogs that have been hurt in the water become scared of water and unable to swim.

By lowering a dog in the water with a life vest the dog gradually learns that they are safe in the water and once they become comfortable in the water they are then able to learn to swim.

Choosing A Small Dog Life Jacket

Whether your dog is a good swimmer or a little overwhelmed in the water a doggie life vest can be a great asset. Choosing a good life vest for your dog can depend on your dog’s size.

Many of the animal life vests come in XXS sizes for even the smallest dogs and can even be used for cats on some occasions.

It is a good idea to use a sizing chart when choosing a small dog life jacket. That way you can be sure that the life vest fits snugly around your pet.

Life Vest Styles

You will find that most pet life jackets are pretty much the same style with a large variety of colors and design prints on the jacket. You have some with graphics and others with polka dots.

With the various designs, you are bound to find a personal flotation device that fits your dog’s personality and style. One life jacket I have been considering for my brother’s dog is a camouflage print life vest. Since my brother loves hunting and often takes his dog to the lake on his boat. I think this would be a great gift for him and his pup.

Another example of life vest styles is traditional life jacket colors. A friend of mine has a dad that is a sailboat instructor and so he actually prefers the traditional life jacket colors like yellow and orange over the more fun design I like to get. Click the image below to see more styles.

Ensure your dog’s safety in style with a beautiful pink dog life vest. Check out some of these adorable doggy life jackets that you can get for your pup.

Larger dogs can swim for longer periods than some smaller dogs but can still get tired if left in the water without a life vest or some form of pet flotation device.

I find that any animal small or large can benefit from having a life jacket when being close to any large body of water. Even if they aren’t going to be out on a boat it is a good idea to be cautious as you never know what could happen.

Boating with Pets

Whether you’re on a sailboat, a fishing boat or just a small canoe or kayak. If you want to bring mans best friend with you for the trip. Then you need to make sure that your little pup is suited up and ready to face the day’s adventures with you.

Sailing with Pets

It is rare that an animal would ever fall off a sailboat or jump overboard but you know some animals can be weird at times and it is best to keep a safety vest on your pet when out on the water.

Canoeing with Pets

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If your planning to go out in a canoe with your pet you need to be sure to bring your dog life jacket. Often times people think that because they have been to the same stream before.

The truth is that in a canoe a dog could be alarmed by water splashing into the canoe and hitting him and sometimes this can frighten the animal and cause them to jump out of the canoe.

Currents can Kill

One of the scariest things I have ever seen is when a pet is carried off by a stream’s current. The worst thing about an animal getting caught in a current is that the current can push the animal underwater and carry them down stream never to be seen again.

Fortunately, with a pink dog life vest your dog can have a stylish personal flotation device that will protect them from getting pulled underwater and makes it easy for them to be seen in the water and the handle on the back of the vest will make it easier to rescue your dog from the water.

Caring For Your Pets

Above all, we need to make sure that all pets are safe. Our pets need to be eating a balanced diet without eating too much people food. We also need to make sure that if you have an outside pet that they have adequate protection from the elements and when it gets too cold be sure to bring your pets into your home.

We have a duty to protect our animal friends just as they have protected us through leading the blind and protecting owners from harm.

Check Out This Pink Dog Life Vest

Click To See More Pink Dog Life Vests

Best Dog Life Jacket

Boating with Dogs: Don’t Leave Your K-9 Friend Behind!

February 21, 2019October 22, 2022 jonathan Leave a comment

Best Dog Life Jacket

Want to make some waves by cruising local lakes or the open seas but worried about leaving your K-9 friend behind. Fear Not, for a dog’s favorite thing to do is to spend time with their owners and they love having the wind in their face. So, where you waiting for? Bring mans best friend on your next adventure!

Boating with dogs can be a fun adventure but you must be careful to make sure that your pets are safe when out on a boat. Not all dogs have large paws that are good for swimming and even those that are can quickly become tired while dog paddling, which can make it harder for them to swim. If you have ever tried rescuing a drowning pet than you know it is no easy task. (I’ve even seen the little dogs get a little hysterical). This is why we recommend giving your pet a Dog Life Vest.

Boating with Pets

Boating With Dogs

Dog life vests come in all sorts of sizes, shapes, and colors. Whether your pet is a large pup with an eye for adventure or just a little guy. There are safety vests you can use to keep your pooch safe when out on the water. If you do decide to get your pet a life jacket before heading out on the water, make sure you get one with a handle on the back so that you can lift them back into the boat without them pulling you overboard. While the latter would be much more amusing for everyone else to watch I can promise you that dog vests with the handle on the back is the much better way to go.
The good news for cat lovers is that you can now get a pet life jacket small enough to fit your cat as well. While a cat is less likely to jump into the water. They can just as easily fall overboard. If your cat is anything like ours it likes to live on the edge and I mean that literally because our cat likes to sit on the edge of the boat and look down into the water.

Boating with Dogs Top 3 Safety Tips:

Provide some shade for your pet.

Be sure that you have a pet life jacket for your dog or cat and be sure to use the straps to make sure that it fits snugly around your pet’s chest. Make sure that your pets life vest is not to tight or it could make it harder for your pet to breath.
Provide some shade for your pet.

It is a good idea to have plenty of drinking water (we like to bring 2 one gallon milk jugs filled with water) and perhaps a covered area for your pet to lay down so that they do not become overheated while out in the sun. Remember that unlike you your pet is always wearing a fur coat and needs to be able to stay cool on a hot day.
Bring Food and Snacks

If you plan to be out on the boat for long then it is a good idea to make sure that your pet has plenty of food and water. Dogs can burn energy fast and need to eat often and being out in the sun they will want lots to drink as well. So, make sure that you bring plenty of food for your pet to keep them happy and healthy.
When boating with dogs remember that keeping your dog safe could end up being the best decision you ever make. Just like billy found out when he took his dog Ajax out to explore an island when a storm came in suddenly and left him and a friend stranded. Read the story we covered where this boys dog comes to his rescue and alerts rescue workers of their location.

Break in your pets Sea Legs the easy way

The easiest way to get your pet used to being out on the water is to introduce them to the water slowly. The best way I have found to help your dog to enjoy boating is to introduce your pet to the boat while it still at the dock for about 15 or 20 minutes and then take it out for a short 30 minute to a 1 hour boat ride depending on how well they do. Now I’ve heard most dogs love going out on boats but every once in a while you’ll find a dog like my old black lab that started moaning the moment we walked on the boat. No worries though, after a few trips she learned to love the water and would run to the boat.

So, on your first trip, you will want to do a short trip of 30 minutes to an hour. Then on your 2nd trip, you can try for 2 hours and then 3 hours on your 3rd boat trip. After your 3rd boat trip, you can pretty much play it by ear. Every dog is unique and may act a little bit different but just be patient with them and soon you will both be ready for the high seas… or lakes. Whichever you prefer?

What if my dog gets bored?

I often hear people say that they would love to go boating with their dog but they are worried about the dog getting bored and whimpering the whole time. While this is a valid concern I have found that most dogs just want to lay on the boat and enjoy the cool air as the wind blows over the water. So, you may want to get one of those dog beds on Amazon but if you are still concerned about your dog getting bored then I have a few suggestions about what you could bring along for your pet.

Dog Bones – I’ve seen some dogs lay down and chew on a bone for hours so the first thing I like to bring for my dog is a nice big dog bone.

Dog Rope Toys – What could be more fun than playing with the tug of war rope toy. Generally, dogs prefer to play tug of war with their humans so if you don’t mind taking the time to play with them then these can make some super fun gifts and they double as a chew toy as well.

Squeaky Toy Plushies – These fun little plushie, squeaky toys for dogs is designed to look like a fox, raccoon and a squirrel. These toys have no stuffing just a squeaker inside to give your dog hours of fun.

Boating With Dogs

Now it’s time to hook up your boat and head to the lake or the ocean as the case may be. Just remember to be careful out there in the sun and be sure to keep yourself and your little companion hydrated while you are out having fun in the sun.

If you found this article about boating with dogs helpful we would appreciate you sharing it with your friends or pin it on Pinterest.

Best Dog Life Jacket

Aquatic Dog Life Jacket by Guardian

August 15, 2015October 22, 2022 Chris Tingom Leave a comment

Best Dog Life Jacket

I’d like to take a couple of minutes to tell you about the excellent life jacket from Guardian. It’s called the Aquatic Dog Life Jacket, and it comes in both yellow and orange.

Nine different sizes! Sold in orange and yellow colors!

This life jacket comes in an unbelievable nine different sizes. Ranging from Teacup size to XX-Large.

The sizing guide from the manufacturer suggests measuring the length of your pet’s back from the base of the neck to the base of the tail. Use that length to determine which size to select.

Determining the best size dog life jacket

Teacup: 6″ length
XX-small 8″ length
X-Small: 10″ length
Small: 12″ length
Small/Medium: 14″ length
Medium: 16″ length
Large: 20″ length
X-Large: 24″ length
XX-Large: 30″ length

The customers who have purchased and used this Aquatic Dog Life Jacket always tell us that this life jacket helps their dogs swim easier so that they don’t choke on water. It’s easy to put on, durable, and the orange color makes your dog easy to spot. Some customers with extremely active dogs have reported that the quality is not up to par compared to some other dog life jackets. One customer with a 75 pound lab only got about 4 hours of use before it started to come apart.

The sizing instructions are vague compared to some of the other dog life jackets. We advise that Guardian come up with more ways to determine a good fit.

Sizing information from real customers

With that said, here’s some sizing recommendations we’ve seen from recent buyers:

The small size fit a 14 pound Yorkie Poodle dog.

A 55 to 75 lb Labrador Retriever fits well into the Large size.

We heard from the owner of a 25 pound Standard Wiener Dog who purchased a Small size life jacket. They reported that it fits perfectly.

One owner with an English Setter bought the Medium size and reported a perfect fit.

Get the small size if you have a 15-18 pound Jack Russell (smaller dog). We’ve heard from a customer that it fit perfectly out of the box with minimal need to adjust the straps.

The X-Small size should fit most 8 pound dogs, such as a Yorkshire Terrier.

If you have a longer dog, such as a South African Mastiff (more than 160 pounds) we suggest the X-Large size. Once you get up to the very large dogs it is a little bit more tricky to determin the exact fit. Definitely measure your dog and use the size chart above. For a very large dog such as a English Mastiff or a St. Bernard get the XX-Large size.

And last, but not least, if you have a cute little 5-6 pound Chihuahua they will look so cute in this life jacket. Just order the X-Small for them.

Aquatic Dog Life Jacket

So, what do you think?

So that about covers this dog life jacket. This life jacket gets pretty good reviews online, and we recommend it for light use. If you’re looking for a life jacket for maybe one or two trips, this one is perfect. If your looking for a life jacket that can last for years you may want to look at some of the other life jackets that have better durability.

This life jacket is currently for sale for $26 online and is a really great value.

Best Dog Life Jacket

Kurgo Atomic Drop Dog Life Jacket

July 26, 2015October 22, 2022 Chris Tingom Leave a comment

Best Dog Life Jacket

Let’s say your dog is already a good swimmer, and you want something that can give them a little bit of a boost in the water but not something bulky.

That’s where the Kurgo Atomic Drop Dog Life Jacket comes in handy! This awesome life jacket provides both flotation, and comfort. It doubles as a sort of coat to keep your dog warm, and a life jacket.

The life jacket has two streps that go under your dogs chest, as well as a strap for under the neckline.

This life vest flotation piece can actually be removed to convert into a perfect waterproof shell or raincoat.

It also has two metal rings for attaching your dog leash. The vest is pretty versatile in that it can be a coat for winter and also a life jacket for those times you are at the lake or the ocean.

The red color is the only color option, but it’s reflective so you’ll always be visible at night.

Currently, the Kurgo Atomic Drop Dog Life Jacket sells for $48 on Amazon and it has a 4.5 star rating.

Kurgo Atomic Drop Dog Life Jacket Sizing

Sizing information

X-Large size fits 35-45 inch girth, and 28-36 inch neck.
Large size fits 35-45 inch girth, and a 28-36 inch neck.
Medium size fits 24-32 inch girth, and a 18-27 inch neck.
Small size fits 18-25 inch girth, and a 12-23 inch neck.
X-Small size fits 14-20 inch girth, and 8-13 inch neck.

This life vest comes in a variety of sizes. We’ve heard from people who report that the medium size vest fits dogs like Labs of 55 lbs with room to grow. The entire vest is very well made.

For larger dogs, like German Shepherds or St. Bernards we suggest the X-Large size. If your dog is 100 lbs or more we’ve heard good reports that the X-Large size works for them.

If you have an English Cocker Spaniel, we suggest the Medium size.

For smaller dogs, such as a 16 pound Miniature Schnauzer, we suggest the Small size. It will fit really good and be a comfortable fit for the dog. Even a 9 pound Chihuahua fits better in a Small size than the X-Small.

I hope this sizing information is handy. Contact us if you have any questions about getting a great fit. We have seen lots of dog life jackets, and can usually recommend a size.

Earlier in my review I hinted that this provided a little bit less flotation than other live vests. I should clarify that this is a bona fide (or should I say bona fido) great life vest and will float your dog. It doesn’t have too much flotation under the dog, as it is mostly towards the dogs sides. But, don’t let this sway you as this is a terrific life vest with lots of happy customers.

Do you own this life vest? Leave a comment below and let us know what you think!

Best Dog Life Jacket

Ruffwear K9 Float Coat Dog Life Jacket

July 12, 2015May 29, 2023 Chris Tingom Leave a comment

Best Dog Life Jacket

The Ruffwear K9 Float Coat Dog Life Jacket is one of the most popular life jackets for dogs available today! It’s backed by a great company with lots of great products.

Best of all, the Ruffwear K9 Float Coat comes in 6 different sizes! You’re in safe hands with the Ruffwear!

The Ruffwear K9 Float Coat Dog Life Jacket comes in yellow and red. Actually, to be precise it comes in Dandelion Yellow and Red Currant. Oooh.

Here’s the high level cliff-notes:

Built with abrasion-resistant materials
Well-placed foam panels allow for natural swimming
Pull handle is positioned perfectly so your dog is easy to pull out of the water
Fits dogs of all sizes
One of the few vests with good flotation material under the chest which helps keep them higher in the water
Highly rated online! Amazon has 224 reviews for this product and a 5-star average rating! That’s almost unbelievable!
Neck adjusts for a range of sizes (telescoping neck panels make it easy to adjust)

The hardest part about making a decision is knowing which size is best for you. So, to help out I’ve gleaned the reviews online and present you with the sizes people say worked good for their dogs.

Ruffwear K9 Float Coat Dog Life Jacket

Sizing tips:

People with 90 to 100 lb dogs report that the large size works great for them. I know someone with a 100 lb Labrador retriever (and a 37″ girth) and they ordered an X-Large and it fit perfectly. This vest is constructed really well. For larger dogs, the addition of flotation devices under the belly really helps.

If you have a 40 lb Border Collie, you’ll be happy to know that people report the small size is perfect. It is better for you to have a snug fit, than too large. If your Border Collie is on the larger size, move up to a Medium.

Get the X-Small size for a Wire Fox Terrier.

One owner I know has a Lab/Collie mix and reports that they bought the Medium size for their dog (before the dog was fully grown) and now that the dog is over 60 lbs she still fits in the vest.

Another person has a Vizsla that is about 40 lbs and got the Medium size… they report that the handle is really strong and effective. The life vest just holds up really well to use.

If you have an English Bulldog of about 65 lbs you’ll probably want to get the Large size. I’ve heard reports from one dog owner that say the Large fits great.

For really small dogs of around 11 lbs and 16 inches girth you should get the XXS size.

One family reported that the Medium size is working well for their 65 lb boxer / pitbull mix. They said the telescoping neck was what made the difference.

If you have a lab mix and are debating between the Medium or Large size, we would recommend that you go with the Large. Especially if your dog is over 60 lbs. The Medium will be on the upper end of your fitting options.

German Shepherd dogs that weigh over 90-106 lbs should go with the X-Large size. That size should fit very well for larger dogs with a few inches to spare. You can always tighten up the straps to fit. I’ve heard of dogs that weigh up to 138 lbs fitting into the X-Large size, including German Shepherds.

sizing-chart

So, in summary this is hands down the best life jacket for dogs that you can buy. People report to us over and over again that they love this life jacket. We know lots of people who start with one of the other brands, and end up with the Ruffwear K9 Float Coat Dog Life Jacket.

This is a remarkable product, made by a remarkable company that really knows what they’re doing.

Just a tip on color: The yellow color will stand out the best in the water, and the red will blend in.

If you’ve purchased this life vest for your dog, we’d love it if you could leave a tip in the comments about what size you ordered and how it fit your dog.

Safe swimming!

Best Dog Life Jacket

Shark Fin Dog Life Vest

July 11, 2015October 22, 2022 Chris Tingom Leave a comment

Best Dog Life Jacket

Make your dog look like a shark! All for fun, of course! But safety, too! If you’re looking for a conversation starter, this is it! This product is somewhat new, and everyone who has reviewed it on Amazon has given it 5-stars.

Shark fin dog life jacket

The SwimWays Sea Squirts Dog Life Jacket is a unique addition to the dog life jacket selection. This product is unique in that it has a dorsal fin. The product comes in two different sizes: Small, and medium.

Small: Designed for dogs 10-20 lbs with a chest size between 17-23″ and a neck size of 12-15″ which is suitable for smaller dogs and puppies.

Medium: The medium vest is for dogs that are 20-50 lbs with a chest size between 24-30″ and a neck size of 16-19″ which is large enough for a Labrador retriever.

Each of the life vests feature a dorsal fin that is flexible. They also have a handle on the back that make it easy to grab your dog and pull out of the water. They also have a metal ring for connecting a dog leash. Something that not all dog life jackets have.

Shark fin dog life vest

These dog life vests are fully made for water with heavy duty fabrics and flotation. They’ll keep your dog safe in the water, even with waves.

One of the best features about these life jackets (besides the dorsal fin!) are the excellent flotation material under the dogs neckline. This will certainly help to keep your dogs face out of the water, and assist them with swimming. There are two straps that secure the vest under your dogs belly, in addition to the strap under the neck.

The SwimWays company has been producing all kinds of great products for pets and people for years. You can buy with confidence that there’s a real company behind the SwimWays Sea Squirts Dog Life Jacket product.

Currently, the SwimWays life jacket sells for between $36-50 on Amazon, and ships via Amazon Prime.

Best Dog Life Jacket

Outward Hound Pet Saver Dog Life Jacket Review

March 29, 2015October 22, 2022 Chris Tingom Leave a comment

Best Dog Life Jacket

Have you seen the Outward Hound Dog Life Jacket sold by Kyjen? It’s a really extraordinary product and is definitely in the top selling dog life jackets. It’s very high quality, and has several features you’ll love.

The Outward Hound Dog Life Jacket from Kyjen generally fits dogs of any age, and almost any weight. There are sizes fitting dogs that are 1 to 90+ lbs. Most dog life jackets have an easy grab handle, bright colors, and are made with waterproof materials (obviously!). This one from Outward Hound fits all of those needs.

For a Golden Retriever (girth measurement around rib cage of 29″) you’ll want to order the extra-large life jacket. Many people who have ordered the large size end up having to return it. But, this is often due to the strap lengths, and not the velcro straps.

There’s a little design flaw, not major, but worth noting: The front strap is shorter than the back strap. You can see this in photos and other customer reviews. Newer versions may have fixed this design flaw. The front strap needs to be longer. Unfortunately, it isn’t easy to do that, but if you purchase more strap material you can fit on a strap extension yourself.

Most dogs are not great swimmers. Whether it’s around the pool, at the lake, or on a boat, a life jacket can be a great safety tool. The Outward Hound dog life jacket comes in a few colors including pink and yellow.

For sizing:

XX-Small: Dogs with a girth of 6-10 inches and weighing 1-5 pounds
X-Small: Girth of 11-15 inches, and a weight of 5-10 pounds
Small: For dogs with 16-20 inch girth, and weighing 10-20 pounds
Medium: Girth of 21-27 inches, and weight of 20-40 pounds
Large: Girth of 27-32 inches, with weight of 40-65 pounds
X-Large: Dogs with a girth of 31-42 inches and weighing 70-90 pounds

If you need sizing help, I suggest checking Amazon reviews, or YouTube reviews.

Features of the Outward Hound Life Jacket:

It has a really awesome grab handle which makes it easy to grab your dog and pull them out of the water. Don’t discount the necessity for a good handle! You’ll want it when you need to pull a 50 pound wet Labrador retriever out of the water!
The straps and quick release buckles are all super-adjustable. What this means is you can get a snug fit with almost any size dog.
The front float assists with keeping the dogs head above water, so you don’t need to worry about the life vest sliding back or too far forward.

I highly recommend the Outward Hound product. Feel free to leave a comment here with any questions you might have about the product.

Best Dog Life Jacket

Reflective Dog Safety Vest

March 20, 2015October 24, 2022 jonathan Leave a comment

Best Dog Life Jacket

Looking for a reflective dog safety vest to keep you dog safe? These reflective jackets for dogs are great for your dog.

When searching for reflective collars I came across this awesome gear for my dog.

These bright and reflective vests are perfect for dog walks and are easy to put on simply by placing it over your dogs had and fasten the fully adjustable Velcro strap around the animals chest.

While this vest cannot be used as a flotation device it is great for making sure that your dog is easily visible around busy roads.

The reflective binding is connected around the edges of the vest with a reflective paw print on the side so that your dog can easily be spotted day or night.

Hunting Trips

My family often goes on hunting trips and to keep our dog safe we make sure that our dog has a reflective dog safety vest to make sure that others do not shoot our pet by accident.

When hunting you need to make sure that you know where your dog is at all times and these reflective vests make it easy to keep track of your dog so that you can keep your dog out of danger from other animals and hunters alike.

Fishing Safety

My family has always taken our dog with us everywhere and when we go on fishing trips this is no exception. Now when I was younger we had a black lab that was always getting into trouble.

On one fishing trip we went out early when it was still dark and we could not see our dog very well and later came to find out that she had gone to someone’s minnow bucket to get a drink. Needless to say when she came running back after hearing a man in the distance screaming profanities we new she was once again getting into trouble.

This is why it is a good idea to make sure you can keep an idea on your pup. Looking back I can see how having a reflective vest would have made it easier to keep her close by.

Jogging Safety

A lot of people enjoy evening walks in the neighborhood or going for a Jog around the park. Having mans best friend for some company can be enjoyable and can make the trek a whole lot more fun.

Not only is bringing your dog with you fun but it can also be a great safety measure to keep you safe from possible attackers but it is a good idea to keep you and your dog visible for all around. Especially, when walking, running or jogging in possible traffic areas.
Reflective dog safety vests are useful and they aren’t very expensive either. They keep you and your dog safe and they are easy to put on and take off. Just remember whether it is day or night make sure that you keep your pets safe. It only takes one mistake to lose your pet and it is our goal to make sure that we keep all dogs as safe as possible.

Check Out This Reflective Dog Safety Vest

Best Dog Life Jacket

Best Dog Life Jackets For Large Dogs

March 11, 2015October 22, 2022 Chris Tingom Leave a comment

Best Dog Life Jacket

Are you looking for the best large dog life jacket? If so, this article consolidates all of our recent research and recommends the best to choose from. For the sake of clarity, when we say a large dog we’re thinking of a dog such as a Golden Retriever, a Doberman Pinscher, a Great Danne, or a Labrador Retriever.

When it comes to buying a new life jacket, it is important to focus on the dogs freedom of movement, and the strap placement. These are also the most difficult items to evaluate online (which is probably why you are reading this post!).

Kyjen Outward Hound Life Jacket Review

My primary recommendation for a large dog life jacket is almost always going to be the Kyjen Outward Hound. Not only is it affordable, at about $28 (depending on size), but it’s durable and comes in a number of sizes for virtually any dog. There’s a XL size for dogs with a girth of 33-40 inches. I’ve seen sale prices on Amazon that have the XL size at only $12!

A couple of the convenient features of the Kyjen dog life jacket are a sweet grab-handle. Awesome if your dog is swimming alongside your kayak and you need to reach down to pull him/her out of the water easily.

dog life jacket sizes

This life vest comes in a number of sizes. Please see the attached chart showing the sizing.

Get the extra large (XL) size if your dog is between 70-90 lbs. (and has a girth of 31-42 inches). Go for the large (L) size if your dog is between 40-65 lbs. (and has a girth of 28-32 inches). You’ll want the medium (M) size if your dog is 20-40 lbs. (and has a girth of 21-27 inches). If you need a smaller size, then you’ll probably want to check the smaller sizes that are available. If you are unsure about the correct size, you can check the customer questions and answers section on Amazon. There are lots of answered questions where you can learn from what people are saying.

For example, if you have a French Bulldog, which is about 22 lbs, people suggest the medium size. Another customer with a 60 pound Lab/Shepherd mix got the large size and was completely happy. One more customer had an American Bull Dog that weighed 87 lbs. and they said they got a XL size life jacket and it worked out great.

I’ve seen that the XL size also works great for 75-80 pound Airedale dogs, as well as Pitbull dogs.

So, which size should you get? Definitely go bigger if your dog is on the upper end of one of the weight or dimension limits. The straps will allow for any size-down as needed. A large size fits a 50 lb. dog almost perfectly.

If you are watching reviews online, you’ll want to know that in 2014 the company revised their recommended measurements. Prior to this, lots of people were complaining that the sizing was too small. I think the newer measurements are much better.

It’s better to determine the correct size by measuring the girth of your dogs chest (rather than by trying to guess on the weight). You’ll want to review some of the pictures of the product, but what you’ll notice is there are flats that wrap around your dogs chest. So, with the straps it’s highly configurable.

Overall, this life jacket is perfect for any size dog! It works for the smallest little dogs (XXS size available) or for larger 85+ lbs. dogs! The life jacket will give you peace of mind, and help your dog swim better in any condition!

In addition, the Kyjen Outward Hound Life Jacket has a 4.5 star average rating on Amazon (out of over a thousand reviews).

Paws Aboard Neon Yellow Doggy Life Jacket Review

For about $21-23 you can purchase the large or extra-large size of the Paws Aboard Doggy Life Jacket. This life jacket for dogs comes in a bright neon yellow color. You certainly won’t misplace your dog! Some vendors sell the XL size for about $45, so shop around!

The manufacturer is called Fido Pet Products and they make six different styles of this life jacket, but they are not all sold online. The sizing of the neon yellow variety is what we’ll focus on in this review.

Please review the sizing PDF chart for this particular product before ordering.

This product is sold in 6 different sizes from XXS up to XL. The large size is designed for 50-80 lbs. dogs, and the XL size is designed for dogs weighing more than 90 lbs. Some of the key features:

Reflective strips
Neon yellow
Handle on top for easy grabbing
Adjustable straps and quick-release buckles and Velcro

Paws Aboard Neoprene Doggy Life Jacket Review

Also by the same company as above, is the Paws Aboard Neoprene Doggy Life Jacket which sports a two-tone design of blue and yellow.

This large dog life jacket provides buoyancy and high visibility for pet safety in the ocean, on lakes, or on a river.

Some of the features include:

Breathable mesh underbelly for draining and drying
Reflective strips for greater visibility
Handle on top
Adjustable nylon straps, buckles, and Velcro

EzyDog Doggy Flotation Device

The EzyDog product is by far one of the most popular dog life jackets available. The company basically only makes one type of vest that they sell in a variety of sizes. They are The Doggy Flotation Vest (comes in 5 sizes for medium to large dogs) and the Micro Doggy Flotation Device (comes in 3 sizes for smaller dogs under 15 lbs.).

This life vest comes in either yellow or orange.

Please reference this chart for sizing options:

ezydog

The options for a large dog are as follows: The medium size is designed for a 40-60 lb. dog with a girth of 25-39″ and a length of 15-20″. The large size is for 60-90 lb. dogs which have a girth of 27-44″ and a length of 17-24″. And lastly, the XL size is for dogs over 90 lbs. that have a girth of 30-48″ and a length of between 20-26″. The straps are adjustable, so if your dog is borderline some times it is safer to order the next larger size because you can tighten the neoprene straps quite a bit.

We like the grab handle on this dog life jacket the most of all of the options out there. It’s a really nice looking design with easily adjustable straps. This is a well designed life jacket because of the snug fit. It usually fits great on dogs and allows for a full range of movement. Plus, we like the handle on the top better than comparable models.

Which one is best Large Dog Life Jacket?

I recommend The Doggy Flotation Vest. It’s my personal favorite of every large dog life jacket I have found available. Dogs love it, and it fits snug.

About the author: I’m Chris, and let me tell you about one of the biggest dogs I’ve ever owned. He was a Shar-Pei / Boxer mix — one of the friendliest dogs I’ve owned, but truthfully it kind of scared me a little because my uncle had raised it as a tough dog and it had been injured in the head at some point (a wild burro kicked it!). This was a big dog, capable of jumping up onto the top of our 6 foot tall block fence and over into the neighbors yard. But, this dog was tons of fun to go exploring with, and was a really fast runner. If he got off his leash, he would be gone in a minute — and difficult to catch! His name was Hughie, and he would sleep at the foot of my bed. So, which one should you get? Large Dog Life Jacket’s can be tricky to buy. Please stay tuned, as I’ll be reviewing more dog life vests as I come across them.

It would not be an exaggeration to call the EZYDog doggy flotation device a true lifesaver. The product’s durable materials and different sizes and colors to choose from make it a perfect fit for any canine companion. Anyone looking to keep their water-loving pups safe and sound should not hesitate to put this jacket to the test. While it may be higher on the price scale than other dog life jackets, rest assured this product is made with quality materials. Rest easy with the knowledge that your dog will benefit from the absolute highest degree of safety available.

This product combines the utmost functionality with comfort. The strong handle and straps keep the vest snugly secure at all times and in all situations, and dog owners will never have to worry about it slipping off or wearing out. The vest itself does its job remarkably well, using ultra-buoyant material to easily stay afloat with even the largest dogs. Most surprising is that while doing all this, it remains extremely comfortable and allows for a great degree of freedom of movement, both for human hands as well as canine bodies.

The EzyDog doggy flotation device comes in five different sizes from XS to XL. That should work for most dogs ranging from 15 to 90+ pounds. If you need an even smaller life jacket, consider the EzyDog Micro version which is for dogs under 15 pounds.

Refer to the chart below for sizing information. It’s important to note that we recommend measuring your dog before ordering. Many times, people will order a size smaller if they are on the edge of one of the dimensions. But, we recommend the opposite! Order one size larger, if you can, because you can cinch up the straps and make for a better fit.

ezydog-red ezydog-pink ezydog-yellow ezydog-camo

There is an assortment of colors and designs to choose between, from a standard red and yellow to pink and green camo print. Each of these choices gives high visibility for a water bound dog and they all have their own attractive characteristics. It would be preferable if the designs came in an even wider variety of colors, but the nature of the product requires brighter tones for safety purposes.

It should be pointed out that the EzyDog doggy flotation device uses about 50% more flotation material than some of the other dog life jackets. This is important for longer swims, where your dog may grow tired.

One consideration is that this product is priced somewhat higher than other options on the market. A bit of research will turn up alternatives as low as $30, although one might not be as confident in any of these jackets’ durability or proven effectiveness. Dog owners will rest more easily knowing that they chose to invest in one of the best canine life vests that money can buy. At the end of the day, the bit of extra cash is more than a worthwhile investment, knowing that your dog will be safe wherever she goes.

The EzyDog life jacket is available through Amazon and other sellers. Once you’ve made your purchase, and tried it on your dog, please report back here and let me know what you think and what size you ordered. It would be helpful for others who are trying to figure out what size jacket to order.

Best Dog Life Jacket

Best Dog Life Preservers

March 3, 2015October 22, 2022 jonathan Leave a comment

Best Dog Life Jacket

Best Dog Life preserver

Best Dog Life Preservers

Finding the best dog life preservers available can be a difficult task at times and that is why I decided to write out this review. Hopefully, this will make the process easier for you than it was for me.

When I started searching through dog life preservers the top 3 things I was concerned with where the pet life jackets Safety, Comfort and reliability.

Safety:

My favorite safety features for dog’s life jacket was finding one that had easy visibility in the case that my dog became lost in the water and the reflective accents and bright colors for high visibility.

This means that I can easily see him from anywhere in the water within a reasonable distance.

I was also very happy that my dog carrier came with 2 handles that covered my dogs back which made it easy to pull him out of the water from a boat or any other ledge.

Comfort:

Making sure that my dog was comfortable in his dog life vest was equally important in choosing my dog’s life vest.

Now with fully adjustable belts around the back and chest and around the shoulder made my little pup happy and comfortable.

Reliability:

The durable stitching around the back support and cushiony belly band was a big plus for me. Having this fully adjustable dog life preserver has stood the test of time and has proven to be the most reliable dog life jacket I have yet to find.

Depending on your dog’s size you may need a larger or smaller life jacket and some models may be a better fit. I chose the Kyjen Outward Hound Life Jacket for its comfort and durability.

I found that there is not much selection for dog life preservers in stores but found the best dog life preservers are available on Amazon and some online pet stores.

Dog Life Vest Flotation Device Safety

If you are planning a trip near the water then you can guarantee that your pet is going to want to play in the water. Be sure to keep your pet safe regardless of how safe the environment may seem to be.

Read below to learn more about how easy it can be to keep your pet safe in the water and on land.

If your going to have your dog near the water on trips or at home it is a good idea to invest in a dog life vest flotation device to keep your pet safe especially around lakes, rivers and even local streams.

When thinking about taking your dog with you to the lake or out on a boat it is good to get them a good flotation device like a dog life vest made specifically for your animal’s size and weight.

Personal Flotation Device For Dogs

I like to find a life vest for my dog that is lightweight and comfortable for my pet. Here are some of the top things to consider when choosing a life jacket for your dog.

The life jacket should fit snugly around your dogs back and chest so that it does not twist or slip off while your dog is swimming.
While style can come into play it is a good idea to have a bright color that can be easy to spot in the water if your dog should ever fall in.
I prefer to look for the vests with the easy release buckles and a handle that makes it easier to lift your pet out of the water.
One of the features I like the most which I wouldn’t have thought of at first is the flotation area around the dog’s chest and below the animal’s neck which makes it easier for them to keep their head above water while swimming.

Where To Buy A Dog Life Jacket

If you are looking to purchase a dog life vest flotation device, it is always a good idea to look online as the selection available is much greater.

I tried to look for dog life jackets in many sports and outdoor stores, as well as several different pet stores which most had either no selection and some, had very little selection to choose from.

I later realized that the best place to find dog life jackets is through purchasing online. From my own personal experience, I have found that there are several different sites which sell many types of dog vests.

Both Amazon and Ezydog.com have a great selection of dog life jackets and other great products to keep your dog happy, healthy and safe.

Dog Life Vest Flotation Device — **Click To View Our Selection!**

Best Dog Life Jacket