How to Measure for a Dog Life Jacket

Premier Fido bestselling life vest for dogs

A dog life jacket should fit snuggly to avoid your dog escaping out of it.  It is therefore important to measure and weigh your dog properly to get a really good comfortable fit.

First weigh your dog and take a note in pounds and Kg of the weight, as different brands of dog life vests use different ways of sizing.  An easy way to weigh your dog, if he won’t stand on the scales is (if not too heavy) to do what your vets do and pick your dog up and weigh both of you.  Then simply subtract your own weight.

You need a flat soft tape measure and you need to have your dog standing up.  Measure your dog’s girth (chest) as in the diagram, taking the tape measure right under and back in a circle.  Again make a note in inches/cm.

Next measure your dog’s length from collar to base of tail, making in note in inches/cm.  You now have all the information needed to choose your dog life jacket.

Most brands are sized by girth measurement alone, which is the most important measurement.  Many dog life jackets are adjustable and the girth will be sized in a range, say from 14-20″ for example, so useful if your pup is still growing.

You can get dog life vests for all sizes of puppy and dog.  A good brand such as the Premier Fido canine life jacket, pictured above will be available in a good range of sizes.  Out ward Hound is a good brand too, read our review of the Outward Hound dog life vests.

You can buy all sizes of doggy life jackets in our own US/Canada store at Amazon for the best price and sizes clearly marked – if we know a product comes up small or large in size – we tell you!  Also you can read user reviews.  All products are chosen for quality and good looks and many are bestsellers.

Visit our UK dog life jacket shop at Amazon for the best prices too.