Kayaks offer a great kayaking and fishing experience to the user with its relative stability and high performance. All of these get heightened when you now have to kayak with your dog. The fun, the experienced anxiety, the safety is all that good kayak for dogs can offer to you. However, in order to enjoy all of these, you have to know what the best kayaks for dogs are and how you can choose one.
In this discussion, we shall be providing you with some helpful tips that will inform your choice when choosing the best kayaks for dogs. We will also bring to your knowledge tips on how to make use of these dog kayaks. We will round up by providing you with some safety measures to adhere to when kayaking with your dog.
What Type of Kayak Is Suitable for Dogs?
Very important to note is that not all kayak types are suitable for dogs. While there are some that are good to go, some others need to be avoided by dogs. Before we go on in this discussion to look at the ones not suitable, let us briefly consider the suitable ones.
Sit-On-Top or Sit-In Kayaks
The sit on top kayaks are the most common dog kayaks. Designed in a more compact way, sit on top kayaks can be used on various water bodies from the more calm ones to the busy ones. They are a great kayaking with dogs option due to its relatively large space and excellent weight capacity among other features of it.
Also, these dog kayaks have also been known to be suitable for dogs because of their relative ease. Also, more seats can be added, removed or adjusted to sit on top kayaks. The sit on top kayaks are not just suitable for dogs, they have established themselves to be the most used.
Tandem Kayaks
Tandem kayaks are also a type of kayaks that are also suitable for dogs. However, unlike the sit on top kayaks, they are best for more calm water bodies. Asides that, they are more if a beginner option with features that make them easily understandable. They can be best for recreational purposes and are good for small sized dogs in terms of performance and overall experience.
The advantage of this kayak type is that beyond being a dog kayak, it can also be used for fishing. So while kayaking with your dog in this kayak, you can also have some hands-on fishing rods, and get your fishing game on. This kayak comes with a strong outer shell that assures maximum protection while in it.
Fishing Kayak
As the name implies, fishing kayaks are kayaks mainly for the purpose of fishing. However, they are still suitable for dogs especially when your pet is one you go all fishing with. Offering a lot of features that make it comfortable for you and your dogs, fishing kayaks are best season kayaks. With this kayak, you and your dog can go all out for an awesome fishing experience in the space and stability this kayak offers.
Inflatables Kayak
An inflatable kayak is not just suitable for dogs; it offers a number of benefits you might not find with other dog kayak types. Among other features of the inflatable kayak are a good storage and transport system, affordable price and excellent stability. Its ease of use makes it a great option for beginners who want to have worthwhile experience kayaking with the dog. Its downside remains a shortage of space and weight capacity, but beyond that, it is best for a good kayaking experience with your dog.
Now that you know which kayak types are suitable for dogs, you're will need to know how to choose the best one for individual purpose. This and many more is what we will be providing as we move forward in this discussion.
What Type of Kayak Should Be Avoided for Dogs?
As much as there are some kayak types suitable for dogs, there are others that should be avoided. These kayaks that should be avoided, due to one factor or the other are not best for dogs. Two major kayak types fall into this category and they are the Ocean kayaks and the white water kayaks.
Ocean Kayaks
The shape design of ocean kayaks is the major downside of this kayak that makes it one that should be avoided for dogs. Coming in a lengthy structure with pointed ends, this kayak is usually very narrow. The narrowness makes it not a comfortable option for your dog regardless of its size.
White Water Kayaks
Lacking a canine, white water kayaks are not suitable kayaks for dogs. This is because users having to steer the water making use of their makes it very inconvenient. Just like the ocean kayak, white water kayaks are tight and have no space to accommodate you and your dog. They are also a delicate kayak to use when kayaking with a dog because of how sensitive they can be to changes. White water kayaks are also not suitable for all water types placing a limitation on the fun.
How Did We Pick the Best?
With some of the benefits of kayaks for dogs already highlighted in the introduction of this discussion, let us examine the criteria upon which our top 10 kayaks for dogs were selected. However, we have tried to be objective enough in our analysis to present to you the best kayaks for dogs. Amongst our selection are the best of the cheap kayaks for dogs you can find in the market.
Now, to what influenced our selection, we have categorized how we picked these kayaks for dogs under three major criteria.
The Detailed Review and Ratings of Top Profile Customers
From customer reviews and ratings of a product, you are able to identify the strength and weaknesses of that product. In order to pick out the top 10 best kayaks for dogs, we ran through a number of customer reviews and ratings. These reviews gave us more information on several features of a number of these kayaks for dogs.
The Analysis and Opinions of Experts and Manufacturers of Dog Kayaks
Our picking the best kayak for dogs was influenced by the opinions of manufacturers on their kayaks as well as that of other brands. Also, the expert opinions of learned individuals who express their thoughts without any sort of bias whatsoever were also taken note of. This was helpful in us being able to arrange these kayaks in the sequence in which they appear.
In-Depth Research into Papers and Articles That Have Been Provided on a Number of Dog Kayaks
We did not just lean on our understanding of kayaks alone, we also did a thorough investigation by reading through a number of articles and research papers made available on the Internet. From these papers, we were able to see where there are related views on a particular dog kayak and where there are different opinions.
Things to Consider While Buying Best Pedal Kayak
Everyone has their different desires and expectations of a dog kayak. While some want a kayak with dog seat, others want a kayak with room for dog. Some people just want small kayaks for sale and won't mind any of the cheap kayaks for dog. This is why you have to note the factors to consider when buying the best kayak for dog.
Enough Space (Dimension)
Kayaks for dogs differ in terms of their dimensions. While some have large dimensions, others have average dimensions and some others are smaller in dimensions. The dimensions of the dog kayak determine the space it offers. Knowing the purpose for which you need the dog kayak, will determine what space you should look outside for in one.
Stability
Another factor to take into consideration when buying not just the best dog kayak, but any dog kayak, in general, is the stability of the kayak. It is quite very risky for you and your dog to go kayaking in a kayak that is not so stable. A kayak for me and my dog should offer more stability than a kayak that is meant for just me alone. A kayak for me and my dog should also offer more stability than one meant for the dog alone.
Safety
Nothing is more interesting about a dog kayaking gear than when you have one that assures absolute safety. Safety is everything you should consider when buying the best kayak for dogs. To check the safety or otherwise of a dog kayak, read beyond the product description. The best kayaks for dogs are the ones that have adequate and flexible safety measures.
Durability and Material
When you read through the specifications of every dog kayak made available, look for the material type. A dog kayak with a more quality material type is bound to be more durable than a dog kayak with lesser quality material. Make sure the outer parts and inner surfaces of the dog kayak are made of highly qualitative materials thereby securing its durability.
Weight Capacity
The weight capacity of the dog kayak is also a factor to be considered when buying one. How much can the dog kayak carry? Remember that in considering this, you also have to consider the weight of your dog and what you want of a dog kayak. Larger dogs require a kayak with a higher weight capacity than smaller dogs in kayaks.
Cost-Effectiveness
The best inflatable boat for dogs are not necessarily the ones that come inexpensive price tags. It is absolutely possible for you to get cheap kayaks for dogs that are as effective as the expensive ones. When buying the best dog kayak, make sure you go for ones with a good price to quality ratio. It doesn't have to be expensive to be effective or be one of the best dog kayaks.
Our Top 10 Best Kayak for Dogs
Our top ten best kayaks for dogs has been categorized according to their best features and the advantages they offer without forgetting the disadvantage too. We are confident that with this list, you will find the best kayak to the suit the needs of you and your dog.
Tips on Kayaking with Your Dog Safely!
Kayaking with dog can be such a fun-filled experience as much as it can be a very risky one. This is why you have to know how to keep yourself and your dog safe while making use of any of the kayaks for dogs of your choice. Here are some helpful tips you can adhere to when making use of kayaks for dogs.
- Don’t forget to have a life vest on. This is not only applicable to you, but also to your dog. Make sure to have your dog put on a life vest as much you have one on too. With a life vest on, you and your dog will not need to panic so much about falling overboard while kayaking. Preserve your life and that of your dog while you enjoy the fun that comes with riding the best kayak for dogs.
- Have a good understanding of the terrain. A good understanding of your surrounding is vital to a worthwhile kayaking experience. Make sure to seek a prior knowledge of the terrain. In doing this, you have to understand the strength of the wind, the current flow and the people around. This helps you to know what help to sought when kayaking goes wrong for you and your dog.
- Don’t rush things, there is no fun in rushing things, take it one step after the other and enjoy every moment. When you don’t rush, you are able to understand the movement of the kayak. You are also able to understand and take note of how your dog feels about it. start.
Necessary Kayaking Gear for Your Dog
Having stressed the need to have your dog protected while in a kayak as much as you are protected, let us look at the necessary dog kayaking gear.
A dog just like the human in a kayak needs to be equipped with all the protective wears ranging from a life vest to a long line. It doesn't matter as to whether the dog is a swimmer or not. While some dog can swim, others cannot so it is best to design a general system that protects all kind of dogs. With the life vest, even if the dog was to be a swimmer or not, drowning has been avoided. The long line, on the other hand, helps to keep the dog from panicking while kayaking.
It is also very important that the dog's leash is kept in place and in check and that an extra one is stored somewhere that can be reached. This is helpful should the leash kept gets lost or can be found in the case of an emergency. A harness would also not be a bad idea should you need to pull your dog out of the water. This is more useful when an unexpected fall happens to your dog.
Make sure that regardless of the situation, you do not tie the dog to the kayak while on board. Instead, fasten a detachable long line to them. This long line attached to them will give them all of the freedom to swim while on board the kayak. This will also give the dog and edge of protecting themselves should an unexpected event happens.
Last but not least is the place of toys and rewards. Remember that your dog is as good as your friend when kayaking. Also, remember that your dogs make the whole experience more fun that it should be if you were all out alone. So, it would be very interesting if after you both are done rewarding, you are all ready to gift your dog a toy or a reward.
Final Words
This discussion on the best kayaks for dogs has no doubt provided helpful information about kayaks for dogs. Starting out with the types of kayaks suitable for dogs and those to avoid, you now know which to go for. Also with helpful tips provided on how to safely go kayaking with a large dog, you know how best to stay safe.
Remember that knowing the purpose for which you are getting the best kayaks for dogs has to be established first. This will help you know whether you should go for the Coleman Colorado fishing kayak, or you should settle for the two-person tandem fishing kayak for dogs.
