We love to take our dog with us wherever we go. She’s a sweet lab mix that’s always up for adventures and cuddles – usually in that order. So we’ve been trying to figure out the best way to take her paddling with us for a while. That “lab” part means she’s always trying to play in the water, which can make paddleboarding difficult as she launches herself after whatever stick she sees floating by.
But in a kayak she’s not as fast to go jumping in, and that makes it easier for us to spend more time paddling and less time chasing the dog around!
We built this list of best kayaks for dogs by looking at things like stability, capacity, physical space, and how easy it is to get your dog back on board after they go for a swim.
Best Kayaks for Dogs Comparison Chart
| section-hd | Top-Rated Kayaks for Dogs |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BOARD | DIMENSIONS | CAPACITY | WARRANTY | PRICE | |
| Thurso Compass 150 | Thurso Compass 150
| BEST IK for Dogs 12’6" x 34" 42 pounds | 600 lbs | 2 years, 30-Day Return Period | Read Full ReviewCheck Best Price |
| Aire Tributary Tomcat | Aire Tributary Tomcat
| BEST River Dog Kayak 10’3” x 36" 34 pounds | 375 lbs | 5-years, 30-Day Return Period | Review Coming SoonCheck Best Price |
| Kokopelli Twain | Kokopelli Twain
| BEST Packraft for Dogs 10’2" x 37" 13.6 pounds | 600 lbs | Lifetime, 30-Day Return Period | Review Coming SoonCheck Best Price |
| Sea Eagle 385FTA | Sea Eagle 385FTA
| BEST Fishing Kayak for Dogs 12'6" x 36" 45 pounds | 635 lbs | 3 years, 120-Day Return Period | Review Coming SoonCheck Best Price |
| Nixy Tahoe | Nixy Tahoe
| BEST Tandem IK for Dogs 12'6" x 39" 33 pounds | 600 lbs | 2 years, 30-Day Return Period | Read Full ReviewCheck Best Price |
| Old Town Malibu 11.5 | Old Town Malibu 11.5
| BEST SOT Hard Shell for Dogs 11'6" x 31" 61 pounds | 300 lbs | Lifetime, 90-Day Return Period | Review Coming SoonCheck Best Price |
Thurso Compass 150 – BEST Inflatable Kayak for Dogs
12’6” x 34” | 42 lbs
Read Full Review Here
Topping our list as the Best Inflatable Kayak for paddling with your dog is the Thurso Compass 150. This IK uses highly durable (aka great for dog nails) drop-stitch PVC construction for the floor and side walls.
Those same sidewalls help keep your dog corralled on the kayak, and the full deck pad on the bottom gives them comfortable and secure footing as you paddle. The deck is clean with just one cargo area in the front and a few D-rings in the middle for the seats, but still has enough room for your dog to move around.
For those dogs that love to play in the water, the Compass has a special feature that makes it uniquely excellent – an open stern. The side walls don’t meet at the stern of the kayak and instead it opens up to the water – making it very easy to help your dog get back on board rather than hauling them over the side wall.
Bottom Line: The Thurso Compass 150 is our favorite inflatable kayak for paddling with our dog.
Aire Tributary Tomcat – BEST River Dog Kayak
10’3” x 36” | 34 lbs
Full Review Coming Soon
Paddling with your pooch doesn’t have to be limited to flat water. The Aire Tributary Tomcat makes a great river kayak for day trips and overnighters with enough room for your gear and your dog.
The Tomcat is built specifically for navigating rivers from Class Fun to Class IV. It’s made with durable PVC and vinyl airbladder tubes and floor for whitewater durability and ease of use. It’s fully adjustable and riggable to let you trim the boat to make room for your furry friend to ride shotgun through the rapids whether it’s a fun run on your local stretch or a multiday trip.
Bottom Line: The Aire Tributary Tomcat is the best river kayak for paddling with your dog.
Kokopelli Twain – BEST Packraft for Dogs
10’2” x 37” | 13.6 lbs
Full Review Coming Soon
Packrafts are best known for being light and small – not an ideal situation for bringing your dog on the water (teacup chihuahuas excepted). But the Kokopelli Twain gives you big on-water space while still being light and packable.
At just 13.6 pounds, but over 10’ in length, there’s plenty of room for you and your dog to explore those rivers and lakes off the beaten path. While the 210D TPU-coated nylon sidewalls and 840D TPU-coated Kevlar and Nylon floor can take a beating, I’d still make sure to give your dog’s nails a trim and grind before setting off on your adventure, especially if they like to walk around, climb on the tubes, and jump off frequently.
Bottom Line: The Kokopelli Twain packraft makes it possible to explore all the hidden gems with your dog.
Sea Eagle 385FTA – BEST Fishing Kayak for Dogs
12’6” x 36” | 45 lbs
Full Review Coming Soon
Fishing kayaks can sometimes be too cluttered with lots of mounting points, accessories, pedal drives, etc that actually limit how you can set up your boat and what (or whom) you can bring. The Sea Eagle 385 FastTrack Angler (FTA) gives you the ability to pack everything you need for fishing – and still has room for your favorite four-legged fishing buddy.
Truth be told, the 385FTA is almost more of a SUP than a kayak – almost. But this gives you the advantage of having a lower profile (easy on/off for the dog and for landing fish) and a drop stitch floor for rigidity, performance, and durability.
Bottom Line: The Sea Eagle 385FTA is the best kayak for fishing with your dog.
Nixy Tahoe – Best Tandem Inflatable Kayak for dogs
12’6” x 39” | 33 lbs
Read Full Review Here
Paddling with your dog is great, so is paddling with your partner or friend. Paddling with both? Now that’s next level. Nixy’s Tahoe inflatable kayak makes for an excellent tandem kayak and has plenty of room for your dog as well.
The hybrid drop-stitch floor makes the Tahoe light and durable and the large side tubes provide plenty of capacity for you, your friend, and your dog. The 12’6 boat can be set up as a solo kayak when it’s time for just you and the pooch to hit the water.
Bottom Line: The Nixy Tahoe IK makes for a fantastic tandem iSUP to share with your pup and a friend.
Old Town Malibu 11.5 – Best SOT Kayak for Dogs
11’6” x 31” | 61 lbs
Full Review Coming Soon
For those who want a grab-and-go hard shell kayak with excellent stability and capacity for paddling with your dog, the Old Town Malibu 11.5 ticks all the boxes.
This solid polyethylene kayak is built for durability and ease of use. For dogs, the rear cargo well and front cockpit area make equally excellent spots to curl up and enjoy a paddle. The self-bailing hard shell kayak keeps everyone comfortable, and the open cockpit design makes it easy for your dog (and you) to hop off for a quick swim and get back on with ease.
Bottom Line: The Old Town Malibu 11.5 is a fantastic sit-on-top kayak for paddling with your dog.
Best Kayaks for Paddling With Your Dog FAQs
What Makes a Kayak Good for Paddling With Your Dog?
When bringing your dog kayaking, it’s good to choose a boat with additional stability and capacity compared to what you might choose when paddling solo. Of course that will depend on the dog. Small dogs that can easily fit in your lap won’t need as much accommodation as large dogs like Labs, Goldens, or Newfies!
You also want to make sure the kayak has enough space for your dog to stand, sit, and lay down comfortably and a design that makes it easy for you to help your dog get back on the boat after a swim or capsize.
Inflatable Kayaks vs Hard Shell Kayaks for Dogs?
You might be wondering if an inflatable kayak is safe to use with a dog. The short answer is yes. Dog nails typically aren’t sharp enough to puncture the materials used on quality inflatable kayaks. Ultra-cheap kayaks sold by big retailers for rock-bottom prices may not fare as well. Look for PVC (not just vinyl) materials, preferably thicker materials and separate inner air bladders/exterior shells or drop stitch constructions for the most durable builds.
Recommended Gear for Beginning Kayaking
Most kayaks come with very few additional accessories. A few (Nixy, Thurso and Bote) include kits with paddles and more, but otherwise you’ll be left to figure out what other items you need to safely get paddling on the water.
- Paddle – Choosing a paddle can be just as personal as choosing the kayak. For most users in a traditional Inflatable Kayak you’ll want a paddle that is between 240-260cm long with narrower “low-angle” blades. For kayakers in narrower boats (30-34”) you’ll want a paddle between 220-240cm long. One of our top recommendations for compact and travel kayak paddles are the Oru Fiberglass 4-piece for flatwater paddling and the Aquabound Shred 4-piece for rivers and whitewater.
- PFD – A PFD (Personal Flotation Device), sometimes called a life jacket or buoyancy aid, is a critical piece of safety equipment while on your kayak and may be required by local law. There are thousands of options for PFDs, and it is important to choose one that not only fits you well but is designed for paddling. A quality, well-fit PFD is not noticeable when being worn. See our Best PFD reviews here.
- Dry Bag – Not everything we bring with us in our kayak should get wet. Soggy sandwiches and waterlogged phones can ruin a good day out on the water. Dry bags come in a huge variety of shapes and sizes to fit your needs. See our Best Dry Bag reviews here.
- Electric Pumps – If you choose an inflatable kayak, using the hand pump that comes with your boat is a great way to warm up for your day paddling. But every now and then, it’s nice to relax while getting ready, too. Electric pumps are easy to use and let you focus on other things while inflating your kayak. See our Best Electric Pump reviews here.
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