Outward Hound Granby Splash Dog Life Jacket

The Outward Hound Granby Splash is a ripstop dog life jacket with a front neck float, a neoprene belly band and bright colors with reflective accents.

Who it suits

Dogs that swim in calm water, such as a lake or pool. Outward Hound itself describes it as a flotation aid for calm waters, so for boating in open water look at a sturdier jacket.

Key facts

• Sized by girth along the widest part of the rib cage, XS to XL; size up if your dog is at the higher end of a size (Outward Hound)
• Ripstop shell, a front neck float to help keep the head above water, and a neoprene belly band (Outward Hound)
• One top handle on XS and S; two rescue handles on M to XL (Outward Hound)
• Bright colors and reflective accents (Outward Hound)
• Maker warning: a flotation aid for a conscious dog in calm waters; do not leave your dog unattended (Outward Hound)

What reviewers say

In the BoatUS Foundation beach swim test (2021), where handlers lifted each dog out of the water by the handles, it gave “Good lift; able to fit both hands in strap”. We did not test it ourselves.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Front neck float to help keep the head up, per the maker
• Pro: Two rescue handles on sizes M to XL
• Pro: BoatUS found “Good lift; able to fit both hands in strap”
• Con: The maker calls it a flotation aid for a conscious dog in calm waters
• Con: No leash D-ring listed by the maker
• Con: Only one handle on XS and S

Cautions

• Outward Hound says it is a flotation aid for use on a conscious dog in calm waters, and not to leave your dog unattended while using it.
• 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.
• Dog life jackets are not Coast Guard certified and there is no design standard for them (BoatUS Foundation).
• If your dog shivers, vomits or seems unwell after swimming, contact your vet.