Non-stop Dogwear Protector Life Jacket

The Non-stop Dogwear Protector is a dog life jacket from a Norwegian maker. It puts the foam on the sides, with a mesh back panel, a lift handle and a leash point on the back.

Who it suits

Larger dogs and owners who want the most flotation. Non-stop sizes it by your dog’s weight rather than girth.

Key facts

• Sized by weight, from size 2 (3.3 to 15.4 lbs) to size 8 (77.2 to 110.2 lbs); if between sizes, choose the larger (Non-stop Dogwear)
• Foam placed on the sides, with a mesh back panel (Non-stop Dogwear)
• Sturdy handle for lifting your dog onto a paddleboard, dock or boat, with a reflective stripe on top (Non-stop Dogwear)
• One leash attachment point on the back, plus two on the sides on the orange version (Non-stop Dogwear)
• The maker says the ISO standard for human life jackets has not yet been applied to dog life jackets (Non-stop Dogwear)

What reviewers say

Treeline Review named it the best dog life jacket for big dogs after ocean testing, with the “Most buoyancy and support” of the jackets it tried. Its main downside: “Price may not fit most people’s budgets”. We did not test it ourselves.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Most buoyancy and support in Treeline Review’s ocean test
• Pro: Sized by weight up to about 110 lbs, per the maker
• Pro: Leash attachment point on the back
• Con: Treeline notes the price may not fit most budgets
• Con: Maker page is Norwegian, so check sizing carefully

Cautions

• Never leave your dog unsupervised in or near water, even in a life jacket; the AKC and VCA both say so.
• Check the fit before every outing: snug, with room for about two fingers under the straps (AKC), and make sure you can lift your dog by the handle.
• Let your dog get used to the jacket on land first, as the ASPCA suggests, before the first swim.
• The maker notes that the ISO standard used for human life jackets has not yet been applied to dog life jackets.
• If your dog shivers, vomits or seems unwell after swimming, contact your vet.