Dog Flotation Vest

Plenty of dogs can swim. Far fewer can swim for an hour, in chop, after chasing a ball out past the break. Strong currents, cold water and plain tiredness catch out fit adult dogs every summer.

A flotation vest keeps your dog buoyant when their own strength runs low, and it makes them far easier to spot and lift back aboard. If your weekends involve a boat, a beach or a river, it belongs in the gear bag.

What Makes a Good Flotation Vest

Buoyancy should be spread along the chest and belly so your dog floats level rather than tipping nose down. A grab handle across the shoulders is the feature you will be most grateful for, because lifting a soaked dog over the side by the collar is neither safe nor easy. Bright colour and reflective trim help you track a dark dog in glare or at dusk. Look for wide adjustable straps with solid buckles, a chest panel that does not ride up the throat, and a cut that leaves the front legs free to paddle. Measure girth, neck and back length before ordering, and expect deep chested breeds to sit at the larger end of a size range.

Out on the Water

Fit the vest on dry land and let your dog move around in it first. Check the straps again once it is wet, because webbing loosens. Rinse salt and sand out after every outing and dry it in the shade so the foam and fabric last. Remember that a vest helps a tired dog float, it does not make a poor swimmer safe, so stay close and keep sessions sensible in cold water.

For young dogs still learning, start with a puppy lifejacket. Add dog boots for hot sand, a cooling mat for the drive home, and a dog swimming pool for backyard practice.

Heading out on the water? Explore the RPBA collection of dog flotation vests and pick one sized properly for your dog.