Updated on March 19, 2024 by  Hannah Fitchett

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There’s no denying that kayaking with a dog makes the experience that much more enjoyable. It is so much fun to glide through the water and look back at your dog to see them enjoying the fresh breeze between their fur!

While you can fit your dog on some kayaks, the best kayaks for dogs have lots of space for them to lie down and enjoy the ride on. If you know you want your kayaking adventures to include 4 paws, then the below guide is for you.

I researched the best dog friendly kayaks on the market so you and your pup can paddle off into the sunset on a warm summer’s evening in comfort and style.

Top 3 Best Kayaks for Dogs

1. Best hard shell kayak – Ocean Kayak Malibu Two

    Ocean Kayak Malibu Two Features

  • Weight Capacity: 425 lb
  • Length: 12 ft 
  • Width: 34 in
  • Weight of kayak: 58 lb
  • Material: Single layer polyethylene 
  • Type: Tandem, sit on top 

The Ocean Kayak Malibu Two is a lightweight, tandem, sit on top kayak. The removable seats make it a great option for dog owners as they can paddle the kayak on their own with their dogs and don’t require a second person to help them paddle.

This 12-foot kayak is incredibly spacious which provides lots of room for your dog to leisurely lie-down and for you to bring all the essentials that you may need for the trip. It’s even big enough for tandem paddling with a small dog which is great for couples looking to get out on the water with their fur baby.

This dog friendly kayak is made from single-layer polyethylene so you don’t need to worry about your dog’s paws making holes in your brand new kayak.

The large beam makes it very stable and beginner friendly and overall a great choice for dog owners who want to get out on the water with their dogs but are new to the hobby.

Like
  • Can remove seat – more space for the dog
  • Can paddle with just one person
  • Lots of space for the dog and extra gear
  • Beginner friendly 
Dislike
  • Storage may be a problem for some
  • Will need a vehicle to get to the lake
  • Might need help to get it onto the vehicle

2. Best kayak for women – Ocean Kayak Venus 11

    Ocean Kayak Venus 11 Features

  • Weight Capacity: 225 lb
  • Length: 10 ft 8 in
  • Width: 28.5 in
  • Weight of kayak: 47 lb
  • Material: Polyethylene
  • Type: Solo, sit on top 

Yes, you read that correctly, this is the kayak for dog moms. Ocean Kayak listened to their female customers and designed a seat specifically for women in the Ocean Kayak Venus 11. The seat sits lower in the deck with a wider back to accommodate a women’s frame and lower center of gravity.

As this was designed with women in mind it is lightweight with a car topping handle system which means you can load the kayak onto your car by yourself.

The hatch at the back is the perfect spot for your furry friend to sit in, you’ll just need to remove the bungee cords beforehand. As this is a solo kayak there is less room compared to a tandem but there is additional storage at the front of the kayak with a 6 inch Cam Lock hatch with a storage bucket.

Like
  • Designed for women
  • Won’t need help lifting onto vehicle 
  • Space in the back for the dog
  • Hatch at the front for extra gear
Dislike
  • Not suitable for large dogs
  • Don’t have the option to take two people
  • Storage may be a problem for some

3. Best inflatable kayak – BOTE Zeppelin Aero

    BOTE Zeppelin Aero Features

  • Weight Capacity: 600 lb
  • Length: 12 ft 6 in
  • Width: 28 in
  • Weight of kayak: 50 lb
  • Material: Military-grade PVC
  • Type: Tandem, sit on top 

The best inflatable kayak for dogs is the BOTE Zeppelin Aero. This kayak is made from military-grade PVC making it one of the most durable, inflatable kayaks on the market. No need to worry about your dog’s claws.

The Zeppelin Aero is a tandem kayak with removable seats and has a weight capacity of 600 lb making it the best choice for large dog owners.

This two-person inflatable kayak packs down small and fits into a bag that can be easily stored away making it a great choice if you have limited storage space. It can also be transported in a small car which is great if your don’t have a truck to strap a hardshell kayak to.

This high-end recreational kayak is on the more expensive end but you can see why. It is incredibly durable with high-quality materials and comfortable with cushioned seats. It even comes with a magnetic cup holder for your drink!

Like
  • Takes up little storage room
  • Don’t need a vehicle to get it to the lake
  • Durable, paw-friendly material
  • Lots of space for dog and extra gear
Dislike
  • Expensive
  • Have to spend time inflating and deflating each time

What to look out for when picking the best kayaks for dogs

infographic to show what to consider when purchasing the best dog kayak

1. Paw friendly material

Plastic kayaks made from high-density polyethylene are tough enough to withstand your dog’s claws and make a good option. Avoid fiberglass kayaks as they are often expensive and prone to scratches, making them a poor choice for those with dogs. 

Inflatable kayaks can also be dog friendly as long as they are made from durable, puncture-resistant material.

2. Weight capacity

Another thing to consider when picking the best dog kayak is its weight capacity. This ensures that your kayak can safely hold both you, your dog and all your gear without the risk of tipping over or being overloaded.

If you have a large dog this consideration is especially important. You should already roughly know how much your dog weighs but if you don’t, step on a scale, once whilst holding your dog and again without and calculate the difference in the two numbers. That is the weight of your dog and what to consider when looking at the weight capacity of your kayak.

3. Type of kayak

There are lots of different types of kayaks you can buy from fishing kayaks to inflatable kayaks so choosing one which best meets your needs is important. I cover the different best kayaks for dogs types of dog-friendly kayaks below.

4. Storage

You will also want to consider the storage of the kayak before purchasing one. If you live in a studio apartment then a 12 foot, hard shell kayak is probably not going to work for you. There are inflatable kayaks on the market which pack up small and can be stored in a cupboard.

If you live on a property with lots of space then how you will store your new kayak won’t be as much of a concern.

5. Stability

Buying a stable kayak is also something to consider. Recreational kayaks with wider cockpits are more stable and are a better choice for a dog. It’s important your dog feels comfortable and stable on the kayak because if they don’t then you run the risk of your dog jumping out.

dog sitting on top of kayak to show best dog kayak

What type of kayak is best for dogs?

Recreational kayaks

Recreational kayaks are very beginner friendly and tend to be more stable than other types of kayaks, making them some of the best kayaks for dogs. They are usually wider with larger cock-pits and are designed for calmer waters. They are called recreational to distinguish them from the high-end, professional kayaks which cost a lot more money.

Solo vs. tandem kayaks

Picking a solo (1-person) or a tandem (2-person) kayak will depend on the size of your dog. Large dogs that take up a lot of space will do better with a tandem kayak. They will have their own place to sit and enough room to not feel cooped up. Smaller dogs can get away with being in a solo kayak as they don’t require the extra room. If you do go for a tandem kayak, look for one which can be solo paddled with removable seats.

Is a sit in or sit-on kayak better for dogs?

When it comes to the choice between sit-in kayaks versus sit-on-top kayaks, the best option for a dog owner is a sit-on-top kayak. These are easier to get in and out of and your dog likely won’t enjoy being confined to a sit-in kayak.

picture comparing sit-in versus sit-on-top dog kayaks to show the best dog kayak

Dog kayaks to avoid

Sea kayaks

Sea kayaks tend to be longer and narrower meaning less room for your dog. They also come with more bells and whistles such as bulkheads which are useful for longer, multi-day travels. They are designed for choppy water which you likely won’t be taking your dog on.

Whitewater kayaks

Whitewater kayaks are short and stumpy and are designed for sticking in one place on rapids or waves and not for leisurely paddling along a river one summer’s day with your dog. Therefore, these kayaks are not the best kayaks for dogs and should be avoided.

How to prepare for kayaking with your dog

So you’ve picked the best dog kayak for you and your dog and now you’re ready to begin the adventure!

1. Introduce your dog to the kayak

Put your kayak in an open area such as your drive or the yard and let your dog naturally enquire about the new object. Give lots of dog treats when they interact with the kayak such as sniffing or walking close to it. This will build up their positive association with the kayak.

2. Decide where your dog’s place is

As your dog familiarises themselves with the dog kayak you can decide where their place will be on the kayak.

For tandem kayaks, this will be obvious as their place will be where one of the seats was but for solo kayaks, this could either be in the cubby hole at the front or back of the kayak or between your legs in the cock pit.

It’s a good idea to pick which place your dog will sit and stick to it. This is because you will likely have one cubby hole covered with cords to attach your dry bag to and the other cubby hole will have the cords removed for your dog to lie down in.

Another good reason for a designated spot is so your dog knows exactly where they have to be when they are on the kayak. This will reduce the likelihood of them moving around the kayak which could make it unbalanced and tip over.

3. Practice getting in and out of the kayak

It’s a good idea to practice getting in and out of the kayak with your dog on dry land. This will also familiarise your dog with the sounds and movements of kayaking so they don’t get scared when you are on the water prompting them to jump out!

4. Practice the basic commands

There are a couple of basic commands your dog should know before getting out onto the water. These are:

  1. Lie down: When leaving and entering the shore its best to have your dog in a lying position so they are more balanced and less likely to jump out of the kayak if they feel wobbly.
  2. Place/get into your spot: This command is to tell your dog that it’s time to get onto the kayak and prompt them to get into their designated place.
  3. Break/OK: This is the command to allow your dog to jump off of the kayak onto the land when you finish your kayaking trip. If your dog knows they can’t leave the kayak before they are given their cue, they are less likely to jump off the kayak when you are close to the shore and potentially hurt themselves on any rocks or debris underneath the water.

5. Get a dog life jacket

I also recommend getting a dog life jacket and trying it on them before you go on your kayaking adventure so you have the option to exchange it for another size if it doesn’t fit properly.

Dog life vests usually come with a handle on the top of them so if your dog does jump into the water you can quickly grab them and pull them back into the kayak. It’s important to note that not all dogs are strong swimmers so a dog life jacket is great for those dogs.

Tips for kayaking with your dog

How to get in the water with a dog on the kayak

Step 1

Pull the kayak up to the shoreline and place half of the kayak into the water. The back half should still be on the land which will make the kayak more stable when getting in and out of it.

Step 2

Get into your seat first and then give your dog the “place” command so they get into their place. I find my dog is much less hesitant about getting on the kayak when I am already inside. With the “place” command he knows where I want him to go.

Step 3

Ask your dog to lie down so they are more balanced and gently push off of the shore into the water with your paddle. Because your kayak was already partially in the water, this shouldn’t be too difficult to do.

picture showing 3 steps of how to kayak with a dog to support the best dog kayak blog post

How to get out of the water with a dog on the kayak

Step 1

When you are returning to the shore, ask your dog to lie down again

Step 2

Paddle up to the shoreline and let the front of your kayak hit the land and slide up slightly so half of the kayak is on land and the other half is in the water still.

Step 3

Once the kayak is stable and partially on land, give your dog the “break” command which will prompt them to jump off of the kayak and onto the land. Then you can get out of the kayak and pull it all the way onto the land.

Remember potty breaks

Before you start your kayaking journey, don’t forget to give your dog the opportunity to go to the bathroom. This will ensure they can relax on the kayak and not be looking to jump off to find a place to relieve themselves.

If you plan to go kayaking for a few hours then it might be worth planning potty breaks into your route beforehand so you are prepared.

Tire your dog out with games before the trip

Before heading out on your kayaking trip, play with them in the water with some dog water toys. You can throw the toys into the water and encourage your dog to swim after them.

Playing with water toys not only tires your dog out physically, but it also provides mental stimulation as they engage in a fun and interactive activity. This can burn off any excess energy which will help prevent your dog from jumping into the water during your trip.

Final thoughts

Kayaking with your dog can be a great way to bond and explore the outdoors together. Picking the best kayaks for dogs doesn’t need to be an arduous task. Consider factors such as weight capacity, type, storage space and stability when picking the perfect kayak for you and your pup. Happy Paddling!

kayaks on a beach to show best dog kayak

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