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Updated May 2022
Whether you and your dog will be swimming, boating, or kayaking this summer, you should absolutely consider investing in a high quality dog life jacket. Even the strongest four-legged swimmers can find themselves quickly overwhelmed by rough waves, strong currents, and deep water. Here is a useful guide to water safety and when it is appropriate to use a dog life jacket.
We've compiled a list of the highest quality and most popular dog life jackets. Our dachshund Django (@djangothegent) currently wears #6 on the list.
IN THIS ARTICLE:
The Paws Aboard Dog Life Jacket features a quick dry neoprene exterior and lightweight, breathable mesh underbelly. The adjustable collar and mesh underbelly create a custom fit for all dog breeds and body types, including large-chested pups. Verified customer reviews confirm that this life jacket fits and keeps afloat even the heaviest bulldogs.
RUFFWEAR's Float Coat is one of the more expensive options on our list, but it is also one of the best dog life jackets on the market. In addition to providing excellent buoyancy, the Float Coat features reflective piping and a strong top-sided grab handle. It is also designed for dogs big and small. Float Coat sizes range from XXS (13"-17" chest girth) to XL (36"-42" chest girth).
Vivaglory has several dog life vests including this high quality ripstop option. Ripstop is a strong woven fabric resistant to tearing and ripping. The floatation vest features big reflective strips for low light conditions, a comfortable grab handle, and a strong D ring for leash attachment.
There are a few design features that make the Kurgo 'Surf N Turf' dog life jacket unique. For one, this dog life jacket's floatation padding can be removed so the fabric can serve as a dog raincoat. It is unclear how many customers actually use the vest as rain wear, but the dual functionality is an extra perk. The jacket also features two D rings for leash connections and a bottle opener. Is a bottle opener necessary? Maybe not, but it's a cool feature nonetheless.
The EzyDog floatation life vest is a great option for medium- and large-sized dogs. This life vest boasts up to 50% more buoyant material and a sturdy nylon d-ring for leash attachment. Other features include neoprene belly straps, reflective piping, and a safety grab handle.
We own and recommend this Good2Go dog floatation vest. Django has worn this particular life jacket in deep and choppy waters all over the world... while fetching sticks out of Lake Tahoe, California (scroll down for a photo!), swimming in the deep waters of Lake Como (Italy), and jumping off the side of a boat into the Tyrrhenian Sea (Italy)! We've never had any issues with this floatation vest, and Django never seems to mind wearing it. The Good2Go life vest is high quality, durable, and relatively inexpensive. Overall it is a great option to consider.
For your reference, Django is 14.5 lbs with a 16 inch chest girth and currently wears size XS. There are very few customer reviews on Amazon.com - you can read many more verified customer reviews at Petco.com (we actually bought our life jacket at a Petco store).
Similar to the Vivaglory canine life jacket featured above, this floatation vest is made from ripstop fabric (600D oxford cloth) and features reflective trim and a strong safety grab handle. The life jacket is only designed for medium and large dogs, with sizes range from XS to XL.
This Vivaglory dog life jacket is a great option for smaller pups, with size XS suitable for dogs with 13"-16" chest girth. The main outer fabric is lightweight and comfortable neoprene which is complimented by reflective elements, a top-sided grab handle, and a strong D-ring for leash attachment. Available in 5 bright colors.
Below: Our little man Django (@djangothegent) is wearing his Good2Go dog life jacket (#6 above) while swimming with Mike and I in Lake Tahoe, California
You really can’t underestimate the important of a good dog life vest especially in moving water
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Most dogs detest having their teeth brushed. Many pups won't even let their owners come near them with a doggy toothbrush! Brushing your dog's teeth is obviously not always easy or enjoyable. It is also very easy to forget to brush your pup's teeth on a daily basis. Fortunately, one very reputable company, BARK, came up with a way to make doggy dental health much easier for us pet parents.
We discovered BARK Bright’s enzyme-powered monthly doggy dental kit last year and have been fans ever since. BARK Bright's chicken-flavored dog toothpaste and dog sticks turbocharge the enzymes in dogs' mouths to keep their teeth clean and breath fresh. They are incredibly simple and effective, and the kits are conveniently shipped straight to your door.
Is BARK Bright right for your pup? In this DJANGO Dog Blog article, we provide an in-depth overview and review of BARK Bright. It is based on our own experience getting the dog teeth cleaning kit for our sausage dog Django.
Dr. Ian Billinghurst is the father of the raw dog food diet and the founder of the BARF ('Biologically Appropriate Raw Food' or 'Bones and Raw Food') diet. In late 1993, he wrote Give Your Dog a Bone. The worldwide best seller is one of the most important books on dog nutrition ever written. It discussed why raw, whole food is best for your dog.
As an Australian veterinary surgeon with 50 years of experience, Dr. Billinghurst has one consistent message: raw-fed dogs are healthier than their kibble-fed counterparts.
We caught up with the long-time raw food champion and international lecturer to discuss the controversial raw dog food diet. We also dig into how gray wolves evolved into modern dogs, and we weigh the benefits of the raw dog food diet against safety risks like foodborne pathogens. Finally, we chew over how to solve the companion dog population boom and why so many veterinarians have raw emotions about raw pet food.
When Mike and I (Steph) moved into our new home earlier this year, we reveled in the spacious layout. Compared to our previous 650 square foot apartment in New York City, our modest new home felt like a palace. We soon realized, however, we had a lot of furnishing to do. Our hardwood floors, in particular, needed immediate protection. We have a boisterous 3-year old toddler, a long-haired dachshund, and a newborn. The last thing we wanted was for our toddler's toys, our baby's spit ups, and our pup's nails to destroy our new hardwood floors.
While researching the best rugs for families with kids and pets, Mike and I (Steph) came across Tumble. Tumble offers machine washable and spill-proof area rugs with modern patterns and colors. Mike and I ordered 3 rugs for our home—a kitchen runner and two area rugs—and we never looked back.
The following is an honest review and in-depth overview of Tumble rugs based on our family's personal experience using several of the rugs in our home.
NormanWilkes
February 10, 2021
It’s such an important and useful jacket for dogs!
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