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Dachshund wearing sunglasses and a lifejacket on the front of a boat Credit: Getty Images

The Best Dog Life Jackets of 2024

Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed's editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission.

Dachshund wearing sunglasses and a lifejacket on the front of a boat Credit: Getty Images

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Product image of Outward Hound Granby

Outward Hound Granby

Check Price at Chewy

The Granby has plenty of floatation material and includes a front neck float to keep your dog's head up without being super bulky. Read More

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Comfortable

Cons

  • Might be tough to fit larger dogs
Product image of Ruffwear K9 Float Coat

Ruffwear K9 Float Coat

Check Price at REI

The Ruffwear K9 Float Coat comes in three colors, along with sizes XXS to XL, and has an adjustable neck closure. Read More

Pros

  • Moves with your dog

Cons

  • Expensive
  • No head float
Product image of Paws Aboard Dog Life Jacket

Paws Aboard Dog Life Jacket

Check Price at Amazon

A great choice for small dogs, the Paws Aboard dog life jacket offers tons of styles, sure to make your dog the talk of the town. Read More

Pros

  • Variety of adjustments available
  • Good for small dogs

Cons

  • May wear quickly
  • Not a lot of colors
Product image of EzyDog Premium Doggy Flotation Device

EzyDog Premium Doggy Flotation Device

Check Price at Amazon

By checking the girth and length chart, you can fit your dog in sizes from XS to XL and choose from two different color options. Read More

Pros

  • Extra flotation material
  • High quality

Cons

  • May have to adjust for correct float fit
Product image of Hurtta Life Savior

Hurtta Life Savior

Check Price at Chewy

Five sizes support dogs up to 180 pounds, making this a great choice for bigger dogs. Read More

Pros

  • Heavy-duty
  • Good for large dogs

Cons

  • Might be short on some dogs
  • Outward Hound Granby
  • Ruffwear K9 Float Coat
  • Paws Aboard Dog Life Jacket
  • EzyDog Premium Doggy Flotation Device
  • Hurtta Life Savior
  • More Articles You Might Enjoy

As warm weather approaches, so do more adventures with your dog. And if that includes trips to the beach or your nearby swimming hole, then you may want to look into getting your furry friend a life jacket to assist them in the water. While some dogs are strong swimmers from the get-go, others might not have the easiest time swimming on their own and could use some extra help. Here’s where a dog life jacket comes in handy.

When looking for a life jacket for your dog, you’ll want to make sure to stick with something durable, brightly colored with reflective strips so your dog is visible in the water, a top handle you can grab if your pet needs assistance, and with enough flotation material to keep them safe.

To find the best dog life jackets for any sized pooch, we researched thousands of product reviews and came up with some great options to make your outdoor adventures safer.

Editor's Note:

The recommendations in this guide are based on thorough product and market research by our team of expert product reviewers. The picks are based on examining user reviews, product specifications, and, in some limited cases, our experience with the specific products named.

Product image of Outward Hound Granby
Outward Hound Granby

Outward Hound is a favorite brand in our household because they consistently offer good quality pet products that don’t break the bank, and the Granby dog jacket is no exception. Said to fit dogs from five to fifty pounds, sizing for the Granby runs XS to XL, and you can easily find the right fit by using Outward Hound’s size chart.

Keep in mind that you’ll want a snug fit for optimal safety. Fitted with rescue grab handles and reflective piping, you can relax and have peace of mind that your dog is easy to spot and grab if need be and the life jacket is available in seven different color styles.

People who love the Granby life jacket love the fact that it has plenty of floatation material and includes a front neck float to keep your dog's head up without being super bulky, even on small dogs. Ripstop material makes this a great quality dog life jacket and adjustable straps and side release buckles make sure your dog gets a secure fit with a neoprene belly band supporting their chest and belly ensures a comfortable fit.

Pros

  • Affordable

  • Comfortable

Cons

  • Might be tough to fit larger dogs

Buy now at Chewy

$19.99 from Amazon

$19.99 from Walmart
Product image of Ruffwear K9 Float Coat
Ruffwear K9 Float Coat

Ruffwear is another brand known for their high quality products, so it’s no surprise that the Ruffwear Float Coat comes up quickly when looking for the best dog life jackets. Three colors, along with sizes XXS to XL, are available to choose from. And this new life jacket is designed to be softer with an overall better fit.

Best of all, it won’t loosen or stretch in the water, which is a common problem among dog life jackets. The float coat has an adjustable, telescoping neck closure that can fit a range of dog sizes, even if your dog's neck is chunky, and people love the low profile handle to quickly grab their dog in a variety of situations.

While this life jacket is on the expensive side, one reviewer put it best that this “unnecessarily expensive life jacket is somehow still worth the money.” Said by reviews to inspire confidence in their pets, pet parents can also relax knowing that this life jacket will support all parts of your dog’s body. And its flexibility makes it an easy wear for any dog.

Pros

  • Moves with your dog

Cons

  • Expensive

  • No head float

Buy now at REI

Buy now at Amazon
Product image of Paws Aboard Dog Life Jacket
Paws Aboard Dog Life Jacket

A good idea for small dogs, the Paws Aboard dog life jacket features a number of styles, sure to make your dog the talk of the town. This basic life jacket is well made and works great for bulky english bulldogs and tiny terriers alike. Reviews mention that this life jacket fits well and allows for a small waist and large chests with the available fit adjustments, making it a perfect choice for a variety of breeds.

Sizes XXS to XL are available. And while the fit is great, some people have mentioned that it may wear out quickly with a lot of use.

Pros

  • Variety of adjustments available

  • Good for small dogs

Cons

  • May wear quickly

  • Not a lot of colors

Buy now at Amazon

$39.99 from Walmart
Product image of EzyDog Premium Doggy Flotation Device
EzyDog Premium Doggy Flotation Device

If you have a giant dog that loves to swim, then look no further than the EzyDog life jacket. By checking the girth and length chart, you can fit your dog in sizes from XS to XL and choose from two colors. What we like about this dog life jacket is that it has a ton of flotation material and the reflective trim is subtle enough not to blind you on the water, but it’s easily seen if your dog runs into any trouble.

Reviews mention that the EzyDog manages to keep dogs very straight in the water and that some dogs might have an issue with their mouths being very near to or in the water. But by adjusting the rear strap to sit a little loose, you can offset this issue. Another review praises the canvas-like material, adding that the wide chest strap and heavy-duty buckles make them confident that they could easily pick their 80-pound bulldog up out of the water.

Pros

  • Extra flotation material

  • High quality

Cons

  • May have to adjust for correct float fit

Buy now at Amazon
Product image of Hurtta Life Savior
Hurtta Life Savior

The heavy-duty Hurtta life jacket is an expensive option, but you may be willing to spend a little extra for added safety and peace of mind. Five sizes support dogs up to 180 pounds, making this a great choice for bigger dogs. Flexible and extremely buoyant, dogs have full range of motion, making this life jacket well worth the investment.

One reviewer loves this life jacket for her 80-pound dog, affectionately named Monster, and mentions that she can “deadlift her dry by the handle,” saying “the straps seem more than adequate.” While large pets seem to love this dog life vest, there are some reviews that would lead us to believe it might be short for longer pets, so you’ll want to measure your dog carefully to ensure the correct fit all around.

Pros

  • Heavy-duty

  • Good for large dogs

Cons

  • Might be short on some dogs

Buy now at Chewy

Buy now at Amazon
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Meet the tester

Ceara Perez-Murphy

Ceara Perez-Murphy

Staff Writer

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Ceara Perez-Murphy is a staff writer at Reviewed. In her free time she likes trying out new recipes in the kitchen, exploring new restaurants and spending time outdoors with her dogs.

See all of Ceara Perez-Murphy's reviews

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