It is actually quite shocking the number of people who comment on my dogs life jackets when I am paddle boarding. They think they are cute and don’t really realize how functional they really are. The idea never occurred to them to put a life jacket on their dog (This usually comes from boats with dog passengers) You put your kid in a life jacket when you are on a boat or a kayak… so why would you exclude your dog?
Few things to note, some dogs can’t swim, some dogs panic if they fall into the water… having a life jacket not only helps them stay afloat if you can’t get to the right away… the life jacket also has a handle which makes it SO MUCH EASIER to lift your dog onto your board or boat. Think about your dog swimming towards you for help… then what do you grab if you are trying to stay on your kayak, paddle board, or boat.. you can’t reach under them to grab their entire body.. and you don’t want to lift them up by their collar to put them back on board… life jacket for the win.
I have been paddle boarding and kayaking with my dogs for over 6 years now, so I thought I would show some comparisons since we go through life jackets quite often (they usually get damaged by the ocean water because I am terrible at remembering to clean them every time)
- Henry and Clemmies (Click the image to see this life jacket on amazon) *FIVE STARS*
This is on the top of my list for my favorite life jacket for small dogs. This one isn’t overly bulky, and it has velcro and 2 plastic buckles around the body which really lets you strap them in there nice and snug. I have used other brands that have one buckle around the body and no velcro.. and they are just plain dangerous. If you aren’t able to get the life jacket snug on your dog.. you risk legs getting stuck in places that they shouldn’t, and your dog panicking more if they fall in the water. This life jacket has a flap on the front which is supposed to hold your dogs head up if they do go under water… that doesn’t work at all… it was lop sided on both of my dogs… but I really don’t think you need that little flap anyways.
2. Outback Jack life Jacket (Click the image to see this life jacket on amazon) *FIVE STARS*
So the amazon image for this life jacket is absolutely terrible, but this life jacket is great. The only complaint I have is that it has two rather thick handles… (my dog is only 10lbs for reference, those handles are huge) BUT this life jacket fits perfectly. Its longer, covers a good amount of my dogs body, and has the two buckle and velcro stomach closure which I love. I got this one at TJ maxx one year, it was well worth the $10. It also has some reflective lines on it which have come in handy a few times when we are out after dark.
3. Fido pet Life Jacket (Click the photo to see this life jacket on walmarts website) *FIVE STARS*
This life jacket is great. I think it works better for my dog that is 30lbs than it does for my little 10-14lb dogs just for bulkiness rating. This is by far my favorite life jacket for medium to large dogs though. It fits like a glove, has the two buckle system around the body and I have never had any any issues. If I could only buy one brand of dog life jacket for the rest of time, I would probably pick this one over all others. The Handle is thinner than it is on other life jackets, but that really isnt an issue.. it is actually easier to grab when they don’t add a bunch of padding to the handle.
4. Good2Go Dog Life jacket (click the image to see this life jacket on on petcos website only I actually wouldn’t even bother) *No Stars*
So i got this life jacket because it was stylish and I really liked how bright they were.. They were also on sale when I got them… But if you look at my boston terrier and my chihuahua in the pink version, there is so much space around the body. The life jacket is so puffy from the flotation materials that Its next to impossible to tighten that any more than I did. Also, the belly part does not have velcro.. so as soon as my dogs move, which is something dogs do… it moves around and creates even more space around their bellies.
The yellow version is for medium sized dogs, so It does have two buckles around the belly…. but its so bulky so its the same issue with my larger dog, once he moves.. its just moving around his body too much and I can’t get it any tighter. It takes up a lot of space on their bodies (in the small and medium size) that they actually appreciate when I take the life jacket off so they are free to run around again. I have had two issues with this life with the smaller dogs where they jumped off the board and started swimming and their paw got caught in the neck part of the life jacket (another issue of not being tight enough) and they panicked which causes their heads to go under water. I don’t recommend this life jacket.
If you choose to pick a different life jacket for your dog… some things to keep in mind:
- Make sure it doesn’t seem overly bulky, and your dog can still move around. They don’t really have a break in period… so however it feels in the store is how bulky it will stay.
- Make sure that the belly part has at least two buckles and velcro… if it is missing the velcro.. don’t even bother.
- Make sure the handle is something you can grab easily.
Feel free to message me if you have any questions, my inbox is always open.
Chevy The Boston 