Best Dog-friendly Kayaks – What’s the point of experiencing all the joys of skiing if you can’t share it with your best friend in the world? Your furry, four-legged canine friend? That’s why I’ve taken it upon myself to introduce you to the best kayaks for dogs and help you choose…
Sam is the founder and editor. With over 20 years of experience in a variety of water sports, he provides trusted reviews and expert advice to help others pursue their passion for getting out on the water. When he’s not working, you can find him kayaking, paddleboarding, or planning his next water-based adventure with family and friends.
Best Dog-friendly Kayaks
What’s the point of experiencing all the joys of skiing if you can’t share it with your best friend in the world? Your furry, four-legged canine friend?
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That’s why I’ve made it my mission to introduce you to the best kayaks for dogs and help you choose one that both you and your pup will love!
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Generally speaking, yes, canoeing with a dog is safe; But that doesn’t mean you don’t need to take some precautions, plan, practice and prepare. It’s a bit like skiing with kids.
First of all, you have a lot to take care of; Start by getting your dog used to being not only in the water but also in a kayak.
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You can’t throw your dog in a kayak and expect him to know what it is, how it works, or what you want to do with it.
No matter how smart your dog is, from their perspective your kayak will be nothing more than a weird, solid piece of plastic. It’s completely understandable that they might feel a little hesitant and even threatened about this.
One piece of advice I would give is to start slow, be patient, and give your dog a chance to explore, sniff around, and get comfortable in the kayak.
Here are some tips on how to kayak with your dog and make each trip as safe as possible for everyone, human or non-human.
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Some kayaks are marketed as “dog-friendly” and this certainly makes your choice a lot easier – but it’s not always that simple.
Most of my top picks don’t mention dogs anywhere. But does the fact that they’re not marketed as dog-friendly make them less dog-friendly?
The design, features and specifications of the kayak, along with a few additional factors, mean much more than a dog-friendly marketing label. I’ll get into the details in a moment – ​​but let’s start with a quick overview of the best types of kayaks for dogs.
You may be surprised to see that inflatable kayaks are not on the list. I won’t blame you for wondering:
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Yes! Thanks to the latest advances in manufacturing technology and overall design improvements, you have no reason to doubt the durability or safety of inflatable kayaks.
Today’s inflatables are anything but subtle. The risk of tearing and puncturing is incredibly small; even when your dog’s paws are making a mess.
As I explained before, kayaks are rarely labeled as “dog-friendly,” but that doesn’t always mean they won’t be safe for you and your pup.
So if you were hoping that choosing the best kayak for dogs would be as easy as finding a kayak advertised as being suitable for dogs, I’m afraid I have some bad news for you.
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But that doesn’t mean choosing the best kayak for dogs will be difficult. This is mostly a matter of recognizing the most important features, such as the features described below.
Most plastic kayaks made of high-density polyethylene will be sturdy enough to withstand your dog’s claws and teeth. In the worst case scenario, your kayak will have minor, purely cosmetic scratches.
But if you’re determined to buy a hard-shell kayak, my advice would be against fiberglass and composite materials in general, no matter how beautiful they are.
First of all, they cost a lot of money. Second, composite kayaks are prone to scratches, making them a poor choice for paddlers with dogs.
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As I explained before, inflatable kayaks can be a safe choice. However, you need to make sure that the kayak is made of a durable, puncture-resistant material such as high denier vinyl.
Stability is arguably one of the most defining features of a dog-friendly kayak, second only to the actual durability of the kayak.
I’m sure dog parents are already aware of this and don’t need me to state the obvious – but here’s the thing:
You can’t expect your four-legged friend to sit completely still in a small plastic boat for hours.
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The sooner you realize that dogs won’t sit still and it will rarely be a smooth ride from start to finish, the better.
That’s why it’s so important to get a kayak that’s sturdy enough, and the dimensions of the kayak will usually be a pretty good indicator of this. In addition to kayak length, the width or width of your kayak is also something you’ll want to consider if you’re hoping to maximize stability.
Under normal circumstances, checking your kayak’s load capacity means deciding how much weight you want to carry on an average trip and leaving some room for unpredictable, just-in-case scenarios, right?
You still need to do all this; But you should also consider your dog’s size and weight, especially if your dog is not small.
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Grab your dog, step on the scale and record your total weight. Then make a rough estimate of the weight of your equipment and supplies and add that to your total.
The first is Ocean Kayak’s Malibu Two – a stackable, recreational kayak. There’s a small change to the kayak’s configuration that makes it a versatile option for dog owners:
While it supports both solo and tandem paddling, you can also include a third passenger, whether it’s a child or a dog. On that note, it has a 425-pound capacity.
Your dog probably won’t care about the Comfort Plus seats or the four-way adjustment, but we bet you will. And your dog can enjoy the comfort and space of the kayak’s open seating area and the stability of the 34-inch beam.
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It’s a little heavy at 57 pounds, but considering it’s a two-person kayak, I wouldn’t say the weight is too bad. That’s actually pretty reasonable for a tandem.
If you want a versatile, seated kayak that’s also dog-friendly, look no further than the Ocean Kayak Malibu Two. A huge yacht in every aspect that can accommodate the whole family!
I will tell you that the Sea Eagles 420X Explorer Pro is a superbly designed, incredibly sturdy, reassuringly stiff and very durable inflatable kayak – but I’ll let its features and specifications do the talking instead.
Made from reinforced 1000 denier PVC, folded seams, three chambers and a high pressure stitched base. It also includes 16 self-damping relief valves, 26 D-rings, and a staggering 855-pound load capacity.
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Still, it weighs 44 pounds, giving you and your dog all the comfort and space of a large kayak; Except for the hassle of carrying.
My only real complaint about the 420X Explorer Pro is its not-so-affordable price tag – but considering what you get for your money, that shouldn’t be a deal breaker.
The Sea Eagles 420X Explorer Pro is a cut above the rest in the inflatable kayak segment of the market and is a superior inflatable dog kayak in every way imaginable.
Want to take your dog on a kayak fishing trip? Then the Perception Pescador Pro 12 might be the perfect kayak for you.
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Being a kayak designed for anglers, its integrated accessory rails, rod holders, and 375-pound capacity should come as no surprise.
But it weighs 64 pounds, especially considering you can’t ask your four-legged paddling buddy for help carrying it.
You get a lawn-style seat with two-level adjustments, and your dog can enjoy all the comfort provided by the open deck and bow storage area. Admittedly, you have to give up some built-in storage for this, but you still have plenty of rope-equipped storage in the back.
If you love fishing and want to bring your dog along, the Perceptions Pescador Pro 12 is a sturdy and comfortable seated kayak you should check out!
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In addition to being one of the highest-rated inflatable kayaks currently on the market, the Sea Eagle 370 Pro is also one of the best options for dog paddlers.
It’s roomy, comfortable and sturdy, and with a 650-pound capacity, it’s ideal for sleeping up to three people. Or in your case, one person and a large dog.
The shell of the kayak is made of 38-millimeter PolyKrylar (or K80 PVC), which makes the Sea Eagles 370 Pro tear-resistant and very durable.
