Note: Since pet life jackets are (understandably) marketed more directly to dog owners, you’ll see me referring to dogs in general and different dog breeds in this post, which is a big of a departure for this website. All the life jackets in this post could be used for either dogs or cats.
If you enjoy water activities like boat rides, paddle boarding, visits to the beach, or a dip in your backyard pool, you may want to try bringing along your furry best friend. Of course, as a good pet parent you want to keep them safe, and the best way to do that is with the right life jacket.
Why Do Dogs and Cats Need Life Jackets?
Maybe you think a life jacket for your pet is unnecessary, especially if your dog is a good swimmer. But there are several reasons a life jacket is a good idea for all pets who go in the water:
- Even a good swimmer will get tired
- Natural water is more unpredictable (and therefore more dangerous) than a swimming pool.
- A dog with a life jacket is much easier to identify in natural environments.
- A life jacket can help keep your pet warm even while in cold water.
- A dog life jacket allows better control while a dog is in water.
If you’d like to get a life vest for your pet but don’t know where to start, then you’ve come to the right place? Our research led us to these top picks. After reading this post, you’ll be able to make the best choice for you and your pet.
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Outward Hound Dog Life Jacket
Outward Hound Granby Splash Orange Life Jacket
This very popular pet life jacket is available in several different bright colors, including pink, orange, yellow, and green, with reflective accents to ensure high visibility.
It comes in a good range of sizes and has adjustable straps to ensure a snug fit, whether you’ve got a small dog, a large dog, or a cat. (The manufacturer suggests sizing up if your pet’s girth is near the high end of the sizing guide.)
You don’t need to worry if your pet isn’t a good swimmer, because the neck float will still keep their head above water.
Several owners of French bulldogs were pleasantly surprised that this jacket fit so well, even considering their pups’ thick necks, thin bodies, and short legs.
An owner of a 110 pound American bulldog shares the pros and cons of this life jacket:
Pros:
1. Great for heavy, large breed dogs
2. Works great if your pet needs more than just a little extra assurance (my guy would drown without it!)
Cons:
1. The chest clips are weak and prone to unsnap – however, the Velcro is very strong and held up regardless
2. The top grab handle ripped – it held up fine last summer, but I had to grab it this year and it ripped. If he needed to be rescued, this would cause an issue but for normal use and/or control assistance, it works as intended.
RUFFWEAR Float Coat Life Jacket with Handle
RUFFWEAR, Float Coat Life Jacket with Handle
The Ruffwear Float Coat has a strong, low-profile handle on the top of the life jacket that helps you guide your pet as they get out of the water. It also has soft foam panels designed to wrap around and move with your pet and support a natural swimming position.
It has a telescoping neck closure that adjusts to fit dogs and cats or many sizes. You only need to adjust it once, and then secure it in that position so it’s easy to get the jacket on and off in the future.
One customer swears the Float is the best dog life jacket, end of discussion:
Stop searching for the best life jacket you can buy for your dog, you’ve found it! If you’re like me, you ended up stumbling across these Ruffwear life jackets and are now reading through reviews trying to determine why they’re more expensive than other brands and if the cost difference is justified. I was skeptical myself, but they are 100% worth it. There’s a reason other brands are much cheaper, and it’s because they are awful quality in comparison.
I was already familiar with Ruffwear products and I trust the brand, but this life jacket really exceeded expectations. It’s lightweight, highly adjustable, has great buoyancy without being bulky, dries quickly, and I swear my dog acts like he doesn’t even know its on. He always seems completely comfortable running around, swimming, and napping, and as you can see from the photos it doesn’t limit his range of motion at all.
I also love that it stays put on his body while he’s in the water, which I also showed examples of in a few photos. Other brands ride up around the dog’s head which can be really dangerous, but the Ruffwear life jacket is form fitting and stays in place. It’s unbelievably well-made and is really durable, and I especially love the handle on the back for helping your dog in/out of the water.
Lastly, I found the size chart to be spot on, so be sure to measure your dog carefully …
EzyDog Premium Pet Flotation Device with Rescue Handle
EzyDog Premium Doggy Flotation Device (DFD) — Life Jacket Preserver with Rescue Handle
This adjustable life jacket boasts 50% more flotation that other pet jackets. It’s made of durable materials, has adjustable neoprene straps to ensure a perfect fit, and has an integrated grab handle for guiding your pet in and out of the water.
Amazon reviewer Rachael has tested lots of life vests for her 76 pound Olde English Bulldog and swears this one is the best:
… The Ezydog Doggy Flotation Device is definitely the most effective and well made product of it’s kind, period. Quality in design and materials, durability, and most importantly – it will keep your dog afloat. The way that they put the flotation parts around and on top of the dog, which allows the dog to be level, and almost above the water. They ate able to swim more naturally like this. There’s an adjustable chin strap that keeps the dog’s head out of water.
The best part that really blew me away – the confidence level of my Oxford immediately and drastically improved! He actually crossed the river all the way to the other side, all by himself! I was so shocked. He’s never even gone halfway before without freaking out. Unbelievable.
After testing the Outward Bound, a couple other cheap ones, Paws Aboard and Kyjen, I also checked out the most expensive models. Body Glove, the K9 Float Coat by Ruffwear, and the Kong Sport. Some were better than others, but none of them were as quality and well made as the Ezydog. It won in each category I rated it in. Looks like it will last a long long time too, something that most others didn’t appear to be as durable. Not even close …
EMUST Dog Life Jacket with Handle and Shark Fin
EMUST Dog Life Jacket with Handle and Shark Fin
If you want something fun as well as practical, check out this life jacket, which has an adorable shark fin on the top.
I comes in 5 different sizes and 15 different colors, so you’re sure to be able to find the perfect option for you and your pet. The colors are bright and include reflective strips for best visibility.
The flotation life vest is designed with adjustable belt and quick-release buckles to fit your cat or dog comfortably and make it easy for you to put on and take off There’s a handle on top that you can grab quickly and easily, plus a heavy-duty D-ring that you can connect to a leash.
Vivaglory Dog Life Jacket with Handle
Vivaglory Ripstop Dog Reflective Life Vest Life Jacket with Handle
Are you concerned about your pet’s abilities to stay afloat in the water? Then consider this jacket, which is made with extra padding for strong buoyancy.
It comes in 17 different bright designs, all with reflective trim, so you can spot your pup easily when he’s in the water. It has a durable handle so you can easily grab your pet when you need to, plus a D-ring that can be attached to your dog’s leash.
ThinkPet Life Jacket with Rescue Handle and Pet Buoyancy Aid
ThinkPet Life Jacket with Rescue Handle and Pet Buoyancy Aid
This life jacket is geared more toward small and extra-small dogs (and therefore would be good for cats).
It comes in 5 different bright colors, has reflective strips, and has a top rescue handle. It also has quick release buckles and hook and loop fasteners for a secure fit and to make it easily to put on and take off.