Welcome to ThinkVail – shop our list of the best life vests for dogs featuring canine flotation devices from NRS, Hurtta, EzyDog, Paws Aboard, Outward Hound, Ruffwear, Vivaglory & more.
Boating on the Colorado River or any mountain river, is lots of fun but it can be cold and very swift, especially in the spring, so if you’re taking your dog with you, you must have a canine life vest or dog flotation device (DFD) to keep them safe.
Summer is here in the mountains and that means it’s time to pull out the kayak, raft and paddle board from the closet. Nothing compares to a beautiful day out on the water in the high country with friends, family and your favorite canine companion.
And while some dogs are natural swimmers like retrievers and spaniels, others are less suited to the water, like basset hounds, bulldogs and pugs and have a hard time staying afloat in water. In addition, canines that are very lean with little body fat, senior dogs and dogs with health or mobility problems will all benefit from a good doggie life vest. So no matter the breed, your dog should always wear a life jacket when boating because even good swimmers can tire, and struggle in a fast-running river, or cold, snow-fed streams and lakes.
Handles – A good, sturdy handle makes it easy to grab hold of your dog and guide or lift them right out of the water back onto the boat if needed.
D-Rings– Convenient for attaching a leash or light or any canine essential.
Pockets – Pockets are nice to store doo-doo bags, medicine, treats or other needs
Coverage -Decide whether you want/need full coverage or low profile. More coverage means more buoyancy, and is best for poor swimmers.
Colors – Bright colors and reflective trim makes your dog easier to spot in the water and on land. Ideal for dogs that like to roam.
Sizing – It’s most important that your dog’s life vest be sized correctly. When wearing a DFD, your dog should be comfortable, should be able to sit and lie down easily, and should be able to go to the bathroom. To ensure the best fit, measure your dog’s chest girth (measurement around the widest part of the rib cage) as well as the length of their back and their weight. Each manufacturer will have their own size guide, choose the best size based on your dog’s girth, length and weight. If your dog’s measurement is close to the maximum of any size, sizing up is recommended for a more comfortable, yet still snug fit.
See Also: Best Whitewater River Shoes
NRS is a rock star in the rafting and kayaking world. They have been making high quality gear for river guides and backcountry river expeditions since 1972. This heavy-duty Cordura doggie life vest is made with the same attention to detail and craftsmanship and will not disappoint.
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Hurtta canine products are smart, rugged, comfortable and stylish. All of these features are showcased in the Hurtta Savior PFD for dogs. This is the perfect tool to keep dogs safe whether you’re rafting, paddle boarding, fishing or enjoying any other activity on the water.
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For more than 25 years Ruffwear has been designing innovative canine performance gear for outdoor adventures. Their products enhance any outdoor activity and this stylish, heavy-duty doggie float coat is no exception.
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Outward Hound is a company made up of passionate pet lovers who love their pets and spend as much time as they can with them. They want the same for you and your pet, so they create amazing products that keep you and your four-legged friend out doors and adventuring longer. The Outward Hound Granby Splash dog life vest will keep your dog safe and having fun all day long
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The Paws Aboard is a great choice of canine life jacket for every type of boating activity and water adventure. Dogs will find this DFD (dog flotation device) comfortable and easy to wear. Ideal for the beach, lakes, ponds, rivers, streams and hot springs.
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EzyDog is the leader in active dog gear that encompasses the rugged outdoor lifestyle dogs love along with the comfort and style that dog owners demand. Combining the latest in sports technology and durability, EzyDog offers a canine life vest that goes above and beyond and looks great doing it.
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The camo pet life vest from YoYoung is perfect when only camouflage will do. If you’re looking for something a little lighter and fun, they also offer a whimsical mermaid and shark life vest design which will keep you and your friends laughing all day!
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Founded in 2006, Vivaglory designs and manufactures high quality pet products with help from their team of dedicated, passionate, innovative professionals. This durable ripstop doggie life vest is one of their bestsellers and with its affordable price and smart features, it’s easy to see why.
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We hope you found this article about the best dog vests helpful.
We have touched on some of our favorite canine life vests but we would love to know your favorite, please tell us about your experience in the comments below.
In addition, we diligently research all information for our articles but still we are probably leaving out something important or circumstances may have changed since publishing so please share any tips or info that you feel others should know.
We would love to hear your thoughts, comments and stories.
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