Contrary to popular belief, not all dogs are natural swimmers. And even those that are strong swimmers are still not immune to the possibility of drowning. Life vests are legally required for humans and should be for pets. Even though they’re not legally required for our four-legged friends, thanks to the growing number of concerned dog owners sales of doggie life jackets increase every year.
Just buying a dog PFD (pet flotation device) doesn’t mean he’s safe. Your dog needs to be properly fitted into his vest. Since dog bodies vary in shape and size, there is no one perfect dog PFD that will fit anything from a tiny Chihuahua to a gigantic Great Dane. The manufacturers’ size guidelines are just guidelines and by no means foolproof. So take your dog shopping and have him try on several PFDs to see which one fits him best before you buy one.
To get you started on your search for a dog PFD, my dog Yogi and I headed out to the water and tested three top brands of dog PFDs. All the styles we tested have a place to attach a leash plus lifting handles on the backs that are great for getting your dog back into the boat should he need help getting out of the water.
There are 2 styles of dog PFDs. The first style focuses most of the flotation on the dog’s back (think of it as a tight fitting flotation cape). The second is more of a wrap around style, which distributes flotation on the top and underside of a dog’s torso. There are benefits to both styles. The cape style has less material on the dog’s underside which is potentially more comfortable for your dog while the wrap around styles can distribute flotation around your dog’s torso instead of just on top.
Ruffwear Dog Float Coat ($49.95 – $69.95, www.ruffwear.com)
A very well designed and stylish wrap-around model, the Ruffwear Float Coat has a variable thickness and high buoyancy, which lets your dog swim in a natural position. It was very easy to put on and Yogi was able move and swim freely. One thing to note with this one is that the underside of the coat was fairly long. This is something to keep in mind when fitting a male dog – you don’t want to get one too long and have the jacket interfere with his genital region.
NRS Canine Flotation Device ($40.00, www.nrsweb.com)
This is a cape-style PFD and offered excellent flotation while keeping Yogi’s belly and legs totally free. The buckles were a little difficult to put on at first, but subsequent attempts were a snap (the trick was to make the straps really loose when putting them on and then tighten them after the vest was in place). Yogi seemed very comfortable in this one plus it has a handy zippered pocket on the back – great for storing treats or a spare leash.
Outward Hound Pet Saver Life Jacket ($16 – $34, 800-477-5735 or www.kyjen.com)
This is another wrap-around style. It was easy to put on, provided lots of flotation and has a very friendly price. The underside had lots of velcro plus two snaps, making for a snug but secure and comfortable fit. The neon orange color made it super easy to see, even in murky waters.
Extra safety tip if you spend lots of time on the water: Order a special ID tag that has your boat’s permanent marina location plus a phone contact for when you’re on the water. Remember that cell phones work when you’re near land, but are not reliable once you get further out to sea.
Picture caption: Notice the difference in buoyancy when Yogi swims without a PFD and when he has one on. Here he’s modeling the Ruffwear Float Coat.
