You might be wondering what life jackets for dogs are actually for? Mira is a good swimmer. I also used to think that such a thing was not necessary. But there are many good reasons why a dog should wear a life jacket, even if it is a good swimmer. In this article I would like to tell you the reasons why. I have also tested various models and will present them to you. Because as always: It should fit well and not every dog is the same in terms of its “design
Life jackets for dogs are usually buoyancy vests. Your dog still has to swim, but the buoyancy relieves the strain, meaning he doesn’t get tired and exhausted as quickly. So it should be clear: your dog still has to be able to swim when wearing a vest like this.
When does my dog need a life jacket?
If your dog is cooling off in a lake, he will of course not need a life jacket in most cases. So the question is: When does it make sense? There are various reasons for this that you should not underestimate:
- It can help dogs learn to swim as it provides more safety through buoyancy
- Older and sick dogs are supported and relieved by them, because swimming in particular can be a good support for various illnesses
- If you are out with your dog on a river or at the sea – currents and waves should not be underestimated
- On longer tours or further away from the shore, it offers support in case of exhaustion and deep water
- Your dog is a poor swimmer, but loves the water
- Your dog is one of the “short noses” and for that reason alone he has difficulty breathing and gets tired more quickly. The argument “mine breathes normally” doesn’t count for me. Breathing shouldn’t be a special effect for dogs but rather a normal part of life 🙂 #sorrynotsorry
- On boat tours and SUP activities
Mira loves swimming, she is a very confident swimmer. I have noticed that she swims for longer with a life jacket and dares to go further out. So I can swim with her and we love it.
Other benefits of life jackets for dogs
- Many life jackets for dogs have a handle on the back so you can lift your dog back on board or onto the SUP
- Most vests have a bright color so you can see your dog better
- For the darker hours, the products often have reflectors for more safety and you can attach a fluorescent
Does every dog have to be able to swim?
I keep seeing how people try so hard to teach their dogs to swim. In my opinion, this is not necessarily the case. Most dogs can swim, but they just don’t want to. So if your dog is particularly afraid of water, there is only one reason to train him to swim: you spend a lot of time on the water, for example in a boat. Then it makes sense to be prepared for emergencies.
Otherwise, I know many dogs who just don’t like swimming.
You can try it early with your dog. However, he should always go into the water voluntarily. Please do not carry him into the water and then leave him to himself. This can quickly lead to panic and create a negative association. It is best to start in shallow water so that your dog only puts his paws in the water and then see whether he continues to go.
I started with Mira in a dog pool and then expanded it further. When she came to me, she was afraid of water. But that was probably only because she had never experienced it. Now she loves the cool water. But I never forced her, I always encouraged her in a cheerful and friendly way. If she hadn’t wanted to, that would have been perfectly fine with me. So if your dog absolutely doesn’t want to swim, you should be clear that you shouldn’t take him on a boat or do other water sports with him.
Since we have become big fans of stand up paddling with dogs , I am of course happy that she enjoys it as much as I do and is happy about it. But even if we just go to the lake to swim, I take the life jacket for Mira.
Buying life jackets for dogs – what should I pay attention to?
The selection of life jackets for dogs is huge and you can find something in almost every price category. However, there are a few points you should pay attention to when buying. First and foremost, the jacket must obviously fit your dog. Therefore, you should measure your dog carefully and compare it with the manufacturer’s size and weight tables. Every dog is different, so you can’t say in general that every dog life jacket fits every dog.
In addition to the right shape, life jackets for dogs should also provide buoyancy. This is not the case with all life jackets. They should also offer sufficient freedom of movement, because your dog should still be able to swim. Life jackets also have different types of fasteners. Some have Velcro, others don’t. Some you have to pull over your head, others you don’t. So pay attention to what is OK for your dog. Mira doesn’t care about Velcro and she lets everything be pulled over her head.
For me personally, a sturdy handle on the back is important so that I can lift Mira back onto the SUP. In an emergency, this should really be able to bear the weight of your dog, because the handle is like life insurance should your dog ever go “overboard”.
Life jackets for dogs – 4 models tested
With the exception of the “ThinkPet” model (bought by myself), the dog life jackets for this article were provided to me free of charge by the manufacturers. I also include affiliate links. If you order via the link, I receive a small commission. The price does not change for you. This way you support my blog without being at a disadvantage yourself. Thank you very much for that.
I hope to be able to expand this review to include other models in the future. So it’s worth checking back every now and then 🙂
Non-Stop Dogwear Protector Life Jacket
Let’s start with my personal favorite: The Non-Stop Dogwear Protector Life Jacket – you can see it on the cover photo. This vest offers excellent buoyancy because it uses a special buoyancy construction (“SAFE-R buoyancy construction”). At the same time, it is soft, lightweight and offers stability and full freedom of movement. It was developed together with experts in the field of biomechanics, buoyancy and dog anatomy and thus offers buoyancy and stability on the one hand, but also ensures that it does not become a boiler in higher temperatures.
Foam was used for the buoyancy construction, which is attached to the side of the life jacket for dogs. To ensure that your dog remains mobile, it has been divided into individual compartments. This allows your dog to move and twist normally in the water and on land.
When choosing the material, care was taken to ensure that the Non-Stop Dogwear Protector Life Jacket remains breathable (so-called HexiVent material). The water can drain away easily and your dog is still protected from overheating.