Doggie Life Jacket Tests

Foundation Findings #51 — May 2012

Doggie Life Jackets and Flotation Devices

To our surprise, we found great variety and availability at boating stores, pet stores and some large box stores. Our focus was primarily on finding a good performing jacket that was comfortable both on land and in the water.

There are no standards in life jacket design for dogs, and the Coast Guard doesn’t certify them, so it’s up to the owner to find a jacket suitable for their dog.

Overall, we found that each manufacturer offered a life jacket model that is available in a variety of sizes, typically from small to extra large. However, some brands were better suited for certain sized dogs. The following pages are highlights of the eight life jackets we evaluated arranged in no particular order, with accompanying video to show them in action.

Testing Procedures

Our approach to evaluating dog life jackets was mainly observational. After all, how do you measure static buoyancy and face angle of these hyperactive, lovable bundles of joy? Rather than gathering typical empirical data, we focused mostly on the opinions of the owners of each dog since they intuitively knew if their pet was at ease or if they struggled with fit and performance.

It is important to remember that some dogs are naturally at ease being in and around the water. Other dogs are a little more tepid. We often hear pet owners say “My dog swims.” and fail to see the point of a doggie life jacket. However, we witnessed that even the strongest dogs tire, putting them at potential risk, especially if a pet owner or rescuer takes awhile to recover them after a fall overboard or tumble off the dock.

A note about intended “use” should be inserted here. You might want to think about whether your dog’s jacket is primarily an aid for an accidental fall overboard or will it be used primarily for beach fun, swimming and retrieving. If your dog will be wearing a life jacket aboard your boat all day and used primarily as a safety precaution, you might want to think minimal and comfortable. If swimming is the primary intended use, a securely fitted larger jacket might be a better approach, depending on your dog.

Dogs	Weight	Girth	Sex	Age	Breed
Small 12-24 Pounds
	20 lbs	20″	M	12 years	Jack Russell
	12 lbs	16″	F	5 years	Rat Terrier
Medium 24-61 Pounds
	40 lbs	25″	F	4 months	Golden Retriever
	36 lbs	25″	F	8 years	Border Collie
Large 60 – 90 Pounds
	62 lbs	32″	F	15 Months	Golden Retriever
	70 lbs	32″	M	3 Years	Golden Retriever
Extra Large 90 – 120 Pounds
	90 lbs	35″	F	22 Months	Chesapeake Bay Retriever
	130 lbs	38″	M	2 Year	Newfoundland

West Marine

West Marine offers two store-brand dog life jackets at a good value. The bright yellow West Marine Pet Flotation Device, cleverly abbreviated (PFD), is a fairly straight forward option ($29.99). Dogs swam well in this jacket and had ample flotation. However, on land the slab sides made a bit of a tee-pee down the dog’s spine, especially for the small dogs. Also of note, this jacket has two narrow straps that go under the dog’s belly which was uncomfortable for the dogs when they were lifted.

The royal blue West Marine Neoprene Pet Vest ($24.99) is a tighter fitting jacket, but the dogs were comfortable both in the water and on land. Some of the pet owners were concerned that the tight fitting jacket would retain heat and would be uncomfortable after a period of time. The neoprene material generously covers the dog but it isn’t as thick as the other West Marine model. The adjustment straps also don’t come in direct contact with the dogs’ belly.

The West Marine Neoprene Pet Vest was rated the best jacket for small dogs by our testers because of its good, secure fit. However, lifting large dogs out of the water was very difficult because the neoprene stretched like a rubber band. Lifting the extra large dogs was impossible. In comparison, the West Marine Pet Flotation Device was better for large and extra large dogs.

Kurgo Surf and Turf

The Kurgo Surf and Turf has good coverage and more flotation than other dog life jackets of the same size and offered great peace of mind especially for nervous dog owners. It scored well for dogs of all sizes with slightly higher scores for the extra large dogs. The price depends on the size, ranging from $43.95 to $58.95.

The Surf and Turf model contoured well to the dogs and tapered as it wrapped around toward the belly. This design was unique in that the fit took into consideration the dog’s front shoulders and rear haunches by scalloping out these areas prompting one dog owner to comment that it looked like a horse saddle.

The Surf and Turf was the only dog life jacket that had two lifting handles which was very useful for lifting the larger dogs out of the water. This jacket also has good belly coverage and protects the dog from coming in direct contact with the adjustment straps which is also important, especially when lifting the dog.

Another notable design feature is that the inside flotation material can be removed easily from the outside cover converting it into a weather shell. All dog owners agreed this was a fashionable jacket with its red and black nylon styling.

MTI Under Dog

The MTI Adventure Wear Under Dog ($39.99) literally turned the life jacket concept for dogs upside down. Instead of having flotation concentrated on the dog’s back and sides, the flotation of the Under Dog is concentrated underneath the dog to provide a lifting action. There’s also good flotation under the neck and chest to keep the head high, but most of the flotation is under the dog’s belly.

Outward Hound

The Outward Hound was a consistent performer in every category and earned high marks regardless of the size dog we fitted. Not only was it a good all around jacket, it was also a great value starting at $15.99 for small dogs to $28.99 for extra large dogs.

The orange Outward Hound (comes in neon green too) is actually quite stylish with silver reflective piping so that it can be seen easily day or night. The Outward Hound also has sensible strap adjustments, simple buckles and a padded lifting handle. On land, dogs moved with ease and prompted one owner to exclaim that this jacket was a “simple, smart fit” and another owner to declare, “This is the jacket I would purchase.” For these reasons and because it is available at many big box pet stores, this jacket earned the designation of Staff Pick.

The Outward Hound was the only jacket that had all the features we desired in a flotation device for dogs. For starters, the fit was good because of generous Velcro closures and segmented flotation panels. The jacket also had a nice neoprene panel for the underbelly and the adjustment straps secured over it so that the straps never come in direct contact with the dog.

The flotation is distributed evenly and keeps the dogs horizontal in the water. The collar, which features integral flotation, aids in keeping the dog’s head and muzzle up and also has the secondary benefit of preventing the jacket from working aft on the dog. The use of Velcro also prevents the jacket from loosening once it becomes wet. However, some dog owners commented that the Velcro tended to attract shedding hair.

The orange Outward Hound (comes in neon green too) is actually quite stylish with silver reflective piping so that it can be seen easily day or night. The Outward Hound also has sensible strap adjustments, simple buckles and a padded lifting handle. On land, dogs moved with ease and prompted one owner to exclaim that this jacket was a “simple, smart fit” and another owner to declare, “This is the jacket I would purchase.” For these reasons and because it is available at many big box pet stores, this jacket earned the designation of Staff Pick.

Critter’s Inflatable Pet Vest

The first thing we’d like to mention about the Critter’s Automatic Inflatable Pet Vest is that it is not for swimming since it will inflate if submerged. You can switch the firing mechanism to inflate manually if desired, but we didn’t see the point. Our take on this is if you’re planning to take your dog swimming, you’ll have to purchase an inherently buoyant life jacket model. If your primary concern is an accidental fall overboard, then this jacket is a good choice because it is compact, yet effective once inflated.

This jacket took some time to learn how to don and adjust initially. With all the straps and an inflation canister it appeared as though we were strapping on a rocket booster to our oblivious volunteers. We were also concerned how our pets would respond to the sudden noise of a discharged cylinder, so we opted to try it on dry land first. As you can imagine, our unsuspecting friends were immediately alarmed by the hiss and sudden inflation.

These vests were designed mainly for larger dogs with a chest girth of 24 inches or greater. There are no buckles or straps, but has huge overlapping Velcro closures to get a tight fit. To get a true, customized fit, the enclosed directions encourage you to trim away any excess material with a pair of sharp scissors.

This vest did not perform as well as any of the other jackets we tested for dogs. It had far less buoyancy with barely any noticeable benefit in this regard. It fit well, appeared comfortable and presumably provides some warmth, much like a wetsuit. The owners of the dogs that tested these jackets felt that even though the jacket didn’t provide drastic flotation, it did provide them with the benefit of peace of mind.

Cabela’s Dog Vest

The Cabela’s Neoprene Dog Vest (starting at $29.99) is marketed primarily as field vest to protect the underside of your hunting dog. The 5mm thick neoprene is designed to fend off briars and other annoying things hidden in the underbrush that could cause cuts and abrasions to your dog’s sensitive parts. Although not designed or marketed as a life jacket for dogs, the packaging points out that the vest it will add buoyancy for your dog, so we decided to add to our mix.

These vests were designed mainly for larger dogs with a chest girth of 24 inches or greater. There are no buckles or straps, but has huge overlapping Velcro closures to get a tight fit. To get a true, customized fit, the enclosed directions encourage you to trim away any excess material with a pair of sharp scissors.

This vest did not perform as well as any of the other jackets we tested for dogs. It had far less buoyancy with barely any noticeable benefit in this regard. It fit well, appeared comfortable and presumably provides some warmth, much like a wetsuit. The owners of the dogs that tested these jackets felt that even though the jacket didn’t provide drastic flotation, it did provide them with the benefit of peace of mind.

Final Thoughts

After spending a day in and on the water, “peace of mind” was a theme all dog owners mentioned when asking for their final comments. A few owners even suggested that the dog life jackets boosted confidence in some of the pets.

In addition to the benefit of extra overall buoyancy, the life jackets actually kept the dog’s hind quarters from sinking lower than their front legs, which gave them a more horizontal profile in the water. This profile gave the dogs a more efficient forward stroke with less bicycling.

To our surprise, the dogs weren’t terribly bothered by wearing the life jackets either in the water or on land. When shopping for a life jacket for your dog, here are few things to keep in mind:

Tips for Shopping for a Dog’s Life Jacket

• Know your dog’s chest girth in inches, back length in inches and weight in pounds before you shop.
• Sizes range typically from S, M, L, and XL but sizing wasn’t always consistent brand to brand.
• Take your pet with you so that you can try on for proper fit; ask your dog to sit and check for discomfort.
• Be certain straps are led properly and try lifting your dog with the handle.

Here are some additional features to consider:

• The more adjustments, buckles and closures, the better the final fit.
• Velcro closures work great. However, they tend to attract hair and need cleaning.
• A lifting handle is a must. It can also be helpful if you need to grab it with a boat hook.
• The wider the straps, the more comfortable. Straps under the belly should be padded.
• Jackets that are thinner and have neoprene conform better to a dog’s shape.
• Jackets that are thicker aren’t as forgiving and will bunch up when the dogs are in a sitting-position.
• A high visibility color and reflective tape is important for spotting your dog in low visibility.

Overall, we are pleased with the variety of dog life jackets that are available today and felt we identified a representative sampling. For certain, there are other dog life jackets out there, but they are similar to the jackets already evaluated and we felt there was no need to test them, especially if it was just a re-branded version for another store.

As we often say with regard to life jackets for people, the best life jacket is the one you’ll wear, and the same adage holds true for your pet. So if you’re concerned about your dog’s swimming ability, or that a misstep might result in your dog ending up in the water, you might want to consider a dog life jacket. How could you say no?

Foundation Findings #33 — November 2000

Canine PFDs

If it’s true that dog owners tend to look and think like their pets, then canines must be safety-conscious indeed. How else would you explain the sudden popularity of life jackets for dogs?

PFDs, pet flotation devices – most often for dogs but also for cats and a few other animals – were among the hottest-selling items of boating equipment this year. Even as this boating season winds down, there is every indication that sales are still wagging the dog.

How Safe is that Doggie in the Water?

Life jackets are essential pieces of equipment for the boater, even required by law. But does a boater’s dog really need a life jacket? Is it a help or a hindrance in a “dog overboard” situation? And how do you select the proper PFD for your pooch anyway?

The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water has tested human life jackets several times over the years and with the growing popularity of pet life jackets, we thought it was time to look at these devices. But this Foundation Findings, which focuses solely on dogs in life jackets, presented a new set of questions and challenging test protocols.

For one thing, there are no design or performance standards for pet devices against which to measure devices currently on the market. The pet products industry has none and neither does the U.S. Coast Guard (nor would we want them regulating life jackets for dogs).

Life jackets for dogs are increasingly popular. while not essential safety gear, they function well as “dog overboard retrieval devices.”

Another challenge is the fact that dogs come in more sizes, shapes and anatomical configurations than humans. Their real-world use is different, too. Research had shown us that pet PFDs serve as flotation aids and “dog overboard” lifting devices. And finally, we knew we had to rely on human observers to interpret each dog’s performance and reactions so we included the owners on the test team.Don’t All Dogs Swim?

Don’t All Dogs Swim?

The first question we asked is whether a dog needs a life jacket in the first place. All dogs swim just fine, right?

As a matter of fact, no. Some dogs just don’t take to the water well. Breeds with low body fat like Doberman pinschers and boxers can have trouble in the water.

Older dogs may tire easily and breeds prone to hip dysphasia may have difficulty swimming. Hypothermia can be a threat to some breeds of dogs when they are unduly exposed to cold water.

“No matter how well a dog can swim under supervision, any dog can drown,” reports Georgia Molek, a veterinarian we contacted through the American Animal Hospital Association. “All dogs can get fatigued, too, and/or become disoriented. I’m sure life jackets are a good idea but they should never replace caution and common sense.”

If your dog ever took a long walk off a short dock (or deck), chances are you’ve thought about the advantage of having your pooch in a life jacket. Most products on the market have lifting handles that make retrieving your retriever much easier for you and safer for all concerned. Thus, the handles, straps, buckles and overall fit of the jackets became the most important consideration in our evaluations.

Some breeds like the Labrador and the Newfoundland are time-honored “water dogs” but it’s clear that dogs of all types go to sea these days. Thus, we selected four popular breeds, somewhat arbitrarily, from the Big Dog, Little Dog, Long Dog and All-Around Dog categories. We recruited Jackson, a Labrador retriever; Skipper, a Jack Russell terrier; Lanie, a corgi; and Aspen, a golden retriever, all accompanied by four willing owner/boaters.

Prior to testing, we weighed each dog and measured its girth just behind the front legs. From that we selected products from four manufacturers based on sizing information they supplied (see chart). Our test site, YMCA Camp Letts on the Rhode River off the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland, offered a sandy beach ideal for easy entry to the water and a floating dock of adequate height to simulate a boat’s freeboard.

Fetch

To get our subjects warmed up to the tests, we had the dogs and their owners play at retrieving a favorite toy tossed into the water, sans life jacket, to watch their swimming characteristics.

Next we wanted to observe each dog’s swimming ability in jackets from each manufacturer in what we thought would be the correct size, based on the guidelines supplied. That sounds simple enough but we found that each manufacturer uses different size guidelines.

As a result, Skipper, our 22-lb. Small Dog, fit in XS, S and L vests from three different manufacturers. On the other hand, Jackson, our Big Dog (106 lbs.) modeled a jacket for dogs “over 75 lbs.” and we found that while it worked, it seemed ridiculously small. Moral: Try before you buy.

Swim

Pet life jackets do not come with buoyancy ratings, as do human life jackets (the Coast Guard requires it). We had hoped to come up with some meaningful measure of buoyancy but decided it would have little relevance given the way dogs behave in the water. In lieu of that, we opted to document in photographs how each dog floated and swam with each jacket.

Three of the four vests buckle underneath the dog and around the neck. That puts the flotation on the dog’s back or ribs. The Super Soft Doggie Vest is basically all flotation, an Ensolite panel that the front legs go through, covering the chest and buckling over the front shoulders.

The life jackets clearly changed the way each dog floated and the added buoyancy should certainly help a tired dog. Pet life jackets are designed to float the animal in a horizontal, swimming position, not with head up, out of the water. Thus, we could not measure free board – the distance from nose to water – as we would for humans.

None of the jackets interfered with the dogs’ swimming ability although we had some concerns about extra-long straps. The straps on the Kent Pet Vest and the Safegard Dog Life Jacket were long enough to allow for wide girth variations. While the excess strap length did not pose any problems with swimming, an owner might want to shorten the straps to avoid any snagging problems. (Leave enough for a half-hitch to keep the nylon material from slipping in the buckles, though.)

Roll Over(board)

Except for the Super Soft Doggie Vest, the jackets we tested, as well as others we’ve seen, all have handles in the middle of the back. Whether you just pull the dog in with a boat hook or you actually lift the dog out of the water with it, the handle transfers the pressure to the straps that go around the midsection.

All of our observers felt the one-inch straps on the Kent and Safegard jackets could have been wider and where they cross under the dog’s body concerned several owners. They felt the straps impeded their dog’s ability to sit comfortably and might cut into the body unduly when lifted by the handle.

The handles on all jackets proved strong enough to lift three of the dogs; however by the time we got to this part of the test, our Big Dog, Jackson, had other interests (and at 106 lbs. bone dry, our test crew didn’t chase after him).

The chart below indicates whether or not each dog’s owner felt comfortable lifting the dog in a particular jacket. All owners said that in an emergency, they would not hesitate to hoist their hound aboard using the handles and anything else they could grab.

Speak!

If you are thinking about a PFD for your dog, talk to other boater/pet owners. And when you shop, remember that while size guidelines come with the jackets, based on our experience we strongly recommend that you take Rover in for “a fitting.” Pet shops and marine supply stores should allow you to bring your dog in and try the vests. (All BoatUS Marine Centers encourage shoppers to bring in their dogs.) Look at where the straps or other attachments contact the dog’s body. In the wrong spot, these can make the dog miserable and they may try to chew them off.

Some of these devices are available in colors and patterns designed for high style but not necessarily high visibility. Although Ruffwear life jackets have strips of reflective tape on the back. If visibility is important, choose your color accordingly. (A black jacket on a black dog is hard to spot; just ask Lanie.)

Based on our research, these tests and the experiences reported by BoatUS members, we think these life jackets should be considered valuable flotation aids, not essential life-saving devices. A pet life jacket will help your dog stay above water until rescued. Once you get the dog alongside, the handle will help you either retrieve the animal or lead it around to an area where it can reboard the boat on its own.

So, do dogs need life jackets? In the final analysis, only the dog’s owner can make that decision. After all, this is one case in which you are your dog’s best friend.