If you’re searching for the best kayak for dogs, you’ve come to the right place!
In this Digdoggy.com guide, you’ll learn:
- The top 5 kayaks for dogs
- How to choose the right kayak
- The different types of dog kayaks to choose from
And much more!
Below is a quick list of all our top products. Keep scrolling to learn more about how to choose the best dog kayak!
| Image | Product | |||
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Our Top Pick  | Our Top Pick | Perception Hi Life 11
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| View on Amazon |
Best high-End  | Best high-End | Sevylor Coleman Colorado
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| View on Amazon |
Best Budget  | Best Budget | Lifetime 10-Foot Sport Fisher
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| View on Amazon |
 | Perception Pescador Pro 12
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| View on Amazon | |
 | Sea Eagle 2 Person Inflatable Sport Kayak
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| View on Amazon |
Our Overall #1 Rated Pick
Updated On April 16, 2021
Our top choice is the Perception Kayak High Life 11 Kayak.
I can’t decide if I like the thick padding, the reclining backrest, or the elevated seat the most.
There are swimming decks on both the back and the front for my dog and getting in and out of the water seems to be a breeze to him at this point in time.
The sit-ontop design allows you to use it as a kayak or paddleboard with a built-in cooler and grippy deck cushioning throughout.
By far, this is the most versatile kayak on the list offering a strong build and great carry-on features for pets.
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Our Top 5 Best Kayaks For Dogs
In a hurry? Check out our top 5 dog kayaks! Keep reading to discover more about our top picks.
What Are The Different Types of Kayaks For Dogs?
Choosing the right kayak can be overwhelming, I mean there are a lot of kayaks to choose from.
The first question to answer is “what type of kayak is best for you?”
The options include:
Fishing Kayaks
Fishing kayaks are wider than the usual kayak and thus more stable. I find these types to be very dog-friendly and most are the sit-on-top kind.
This means my fishing companion can get very comfortable right on top.
Tandem Or Single
Tandem Kayaks
Tandem kayaks, also known as double kayaks are designed for two people to paddle at once. Often they are used for beginners and to make it easier for newbies to learn alongside others.
This type of kayak will also offer more storage space that comes with the cost of additional overall weight.
Single kayaks
A single kayak has room for my food supplies, gear, and a myself. There is barely enough room for my oversized dog. However, single kayaks allow you to learn faster from being alone and weigh less making them easier to control.
Sit-In or Sit On Top
As each of the names suggests, a sit ontop kayak means to sit on and sit in is the seated type and both have pros and cons.
Sit on top Kayaks
Sit-on-tops contain scupper holes, have increased stability, and give you a much easier time getting on and off the boat.
Sit-In Kayaks
Sit-in kayaks provide you shelter from the elements in cold climates but are difficult to recover if you flip (as it fills up with water).
What Should You Look For In A high-Quality Kayak For Dogs?
Before buying it’s best to measure the weight of your dog and waistline, then compare that with the weight and size capacity of the kayak.
Be sure to factor in additional room for your dog to move around in the boat too.
Durability
Look for a kayak durable enough to withstand the weight of your dog and survive.
Materials such as Plastic (polyethylene), ABS plastic, or poly-based fabric inflatables are all good options to use with a dog.
Stronger materials often come with a cost, but after kayaking for the last 8 years myself I would recommend you look at this as a long-term investment.
Safety Features
Safety features such as stability, having more than enough room to move around plus room to spare is important. I also look for a hard bottom because I find these to be more stable and easier to stand up in.
Puncture-Resistant
Dogs have nails and know how to use them. And even when they are not using them there’s a high chance of accidentally puncturing an inflatable type kayak.
It’s best when buying for dogs to ensure the product is labeled “puncture-resistant” in order to avoid unwanted accidents.
Performance/Propulsion
The performance of a boat is dependant on its type of propulsion.
For a paddleboat to be effective it must paddle well and the same goes for pedal boats too.
Pedal boats provide provide better performance over paddle boats when both fitted with motors as they are manufacture designed to work with another type of propulsion than a common paddle.
Our Reviews Of The Top 5 Kayaks For Dogs
Pick #1: Perception Kayak High Life 11 Kayak
At first, I thought this was just a paddleboard alone until shortly after discovering that it’s a paddleboard and kayak in one.
The no-slip padded deck was a plus and the stability makes it okay to take my fur child along with me.
The storage cooler area and the fold-down seating make it easy to bring dogs on board and store some beverages at the same time.
I love the fact that the kayak’s back end has a swim deck which either my pooch or my kid can use.
Pros
- Great for fishing
- Very balanced
- Easy to get into
Cons
- Hard to keep straight
Pick #2: Sevylor Coleman Colorado
What I like about this kayak the most is that it is puncture-resistant.
The reason is that sometimes I do forget to cut my furball’s nails and we have gone through a few less-durable kayaks because of it.
Okay, so I am a bad mother.
The cover is 840 deniers and the bottom is 1000 denier tarp to provide additional comfort.
Each side has a holder for the paddles when I need my hands free so that is a definite plus. This boat also works with a trolling motor sold separately by Sevylor.
Pros
- Very comfortable
- Easy to set up and take down
- Fits in trunk
Cons
- Tracking needs improving
Pick #3: Lifetime 10-Foot Sport Fisher
This sit-on-top kayak comfortably fits two people or one person and one dog.
Made with a tough polyethylene plastic body you can expect to last a lifetime.
The boat easily handles over 300 lbs of human along with an 8 foot cast net and still remains stable.
You can also add a trolling motor with a lifetime mount that allows you to add a rudder but is a little expensive and available from the manufacturer.
If you’re prepared to squeeze, you can fit two adults and a child and still safely maneuver.
Pros
- Extremely stable
- Good price
- Has many features (Rod holders, hatch, back rests and paddles)
Cons
- Quite wide and heavy
Pick #4: Perception Pescador Pro
I love all three-hundred seventy-five pound capacity of this kayak.
Designed just for one person, it is actually stable enough for dogs. It doesn’t hurt that it is twelve feet long, either.
Made of high density, durable polyethylene, the seat can even be positioned either reclined or upright depending on my mood.
I rigged a fish finder electronic gadget right near the cup holder and liked that the storage included a bungee tank well.
Pros
- Easy to steer
- Very comfortable
- Spacious
Cons
- Poor quality chair
Pick #5: Sea Eagle SE370K_P Inflatable Kayak
The standout feature of this product has to be the surprisingly large amount of space it provides.
As we were able to fit, me, my partner, and our dog into this kayak with ease.
An inflatable, tear-resistant boat, this kayak by Sea Eagle was something I’d wished I had found earlier. There are tons of kayaks in the market but not many that could fit our somewhat hefty frames like this did.
There is a skeg I can remove and the floor is more rigid than other inflatables I’ve seen.
The foot pump and the paddles take up a bit of space but the kayak itself folds with ease.
Pros
- Easy to pack for road trips
- Easy to put together
- Very comfortable
Cons
- Difficult to steer at first
Our Top Pick: Perception Kayak High Life 11 Kayak
This particular kayak won the 2018 excellence award for the International Design bronze medal.
Likely because of it’s two-in-one feature consisting of a paddling board and kayak in one.
Designed for coastal water that moves slowly, this kayak always gives me the calm ride I need on a weekend.
Conclusion
Do not shortchange yourself trying to buy a kayak that’s cheap or less expensive than your safest options, as this may come at a pricey cost.
It’s not worth it!
You might not be able to afford the kayak you want right now which is totally ok!
What did we cover?
- Figure out what our intended use is for the boat
- Do you want to paddle or pedal to motor?
- What additional comaprtments willyou need? (i.e. food, drinks, equipment)
- How much weight will you need?
These are the questions you need to be asking that you should now clearly have answers to from reading this post.
Happy kayaking!
