Best Dog Life Jacket for Puppies and Small Dogs

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.

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.

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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.

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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

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