Best dog life jackets, with advice from canine water safety experts

When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn moreKeep dogs safe in and around water with a high-quality life jacket like our picks from Outward Hound and Ruffwear.Chewy/Business InsiderWhether your pup is a natural swimmer or prefers to stay on the boat, water safety for dogs should always be a priority. The best dog life jackets provide peace of mind and can keep everyday accidents from turning into tragedies. Are dog life jackets officially safety certified?No. Dog life jackets are not regulated, tested, or certified, nor are there mandatory safety standards set by any governing bodies. "Unlike floatation devices for people, the US Coast Guard does not govern pet life jacket performance, and there are no test standards to ensure appropriate or adequate buoyancy," says Lindsey Wolko, founder and CEO of the Center for Pet Safety. To find the safest and most reliable options, we consulted dog water safety experts and evaluated canine life vests based on buoyancy, fit and adjustability, and durability. Our top pick is the Ruffwear Float Coat Dog Life Jacket, which performed especially well in third-party testing by the BoatUS Foundation, and comes in a wide range of sizes and colors.Ultimately, the best jacket for your dog fits properly, is comfortable to wear in water and on land, and has plenty of functionality like durable handles and well-balanced flotation, says Fiona McGlynn, contributing editor at BoatUS Magazine, the official publication of the Boat Owners Association of the United States (BoatUS).Read more about how Insider Reviews researches and tests pet products here.Our top picks for the best dog life jacketsBest overall: Ruffwear Float Coat Dog Life Jacket - $100 at ChewyBest for large dogs: Kurgo Surf N' Turf Dog Life Jacket - $46 at ChewyBest neoprene jacket: Outward Hound Dawson Dog Life Jacket - $32 at ChewyBest overallThe Ruffwear Float Coat Dog Life Jacket strikes a balance of buoyancy and comfort, ensuring that small dogs aren't overwhelmed by bulky materials. Mark and Kristi Jagger, dog surfing instructors with the So Cal Surf Dogs Club, praise this jacket for its tailored fit and the sturdy, easy-to-grab top handle that makes retrieval a breeze. A 2014 study identified this vest as the top performer for keeping an incapacitated dog afloat in open water.The jacket secures over the belly with two adjustable buckle straps, which are "sheltered" in fabric shells to prevent rubbing and chafing. The chest strap has an adjustable telescoping design that slips over the head to fit different neck sizes. Nylon sides packed with closed-cell foam help keep dogs upright while they swim, and there's a sturdy handle, a D-ring leash attachment, and a loop for hanging a light. It does not have a chin float.Chewy/Business InsiderThis jacket comes in five bright colors, but McGlynn recommends skipping the blue, which is harder to see in the water, even with the vest's reflective trim. Like all Ruffwear products, the Float Coat is the most expensive pick on our list, but with its durable construction, the high-quality jacket will last.Best for large dogsThe Kurgo Surf N' Turf Dog Life Jacket is built tough for large, active dogs. The vest earned the highest score for extra-large pups in the BoatUS Foundation's evaluation. Testers particularly liked its two lifting handles for hauling a dog out of the water and its scalloped design, which fits the shoulders and rear haunches well.This vest is the most versatile option among the best dog life jackets we evaluated. It has two detachable layers, one stuffed with foam for flotation, the other a simple nylon ripstop shell that your dog can wear as an extra layer for on-land adventures.Chewy/Business InsiderThe heavy-duty vest has two adjustable buckle straps on its belly panel and a third adjustable strap at the chest. Two metal D-rings are on the top of the vest, and one doubles as a bottle opener. However, the jacket lacks a chin float.The Surf N' Turf comes in five sizes and two colors with reflective trim. While the jacket is moderately pricey, it comes with Kurgo's lifetime guarantee against manufacturing defects.Best neoprene jacketNeoprene dog life jackets are typically less bulky and often more comfortable than traditional life vests, providing insulation to help prevent a dog's body temperature from dropping drastically in cold water. Even with its sleek design, the side panels of the Outward Hound Dawson neoprene life jacket are packed with plenty of foam to keep novice swimmers afloat without restricting movement.The jacket is secured using a neoprene belly panel fitted with two adjustable buckles, plus a third adjustable strap at the chest has a float to help keep a dog's head above water. However, unlike some of the other designs in this guide, the nylon straps make direct contact with the dog's skin at the edges of the belly panel. This exposed hardware could cause some disc

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