How much do we love our dogs? We adore them like our own. We give them everything they need and want. And being the most adorable member of our family, we love bringing them with us to just about anywhere.
The cutest thing is, as soon as we open our cars and start the engine, our pups will automatically hop in too. Let’s face it, they just love being in the car even for a short ride. But did you know that an unrestrained pet in a vehicle is a fatal distraction for drivers? A distracted driver will most likely cause road accidents. Moreover, unrestrained pets are a danger to themselves too since they can potentially fly through the windshield during car accidents. Furthermore, you can get heavy fines, penalties or even go to jail when you travel with a dog unrestrained, according to the law. Buckling up your dog with a dog safety harness and a dog safety seat belt will prevent these catastrophic accidents. It can lessen damages due to unforeseen events.
Table of Contents
- What is the Difference between a Dog Car Harness and a Dog Safety Seat Belt?
- What Should a Good Dog Safety Harness and Dog Seatbelts for Cars have?
- How to measure your Dog for a Dog Car Safety Harness
- Reviews on The Best Dog Safety Harness and Dog Seatbelts for Cars 2019
- How to make your pet feel comfortable and safe during car travel
- Pawsome Notes
What is the Difference between a Dog Car Harness and a Dog Safety Seat Belt?
A dog car restraint ensures safety for both humans and pets in a vehicle. Drivers will be less distracted and can focus more on the road. Dog car harnesses and dog seat belts are excellent restraints for your dogs.
A harness is dog restraint that is worn by your dog like a vest and can protect your pup from damages caused by vehicular accidents. A good harness lessens the impact of an accident, especially on the neck. It is used together with a dog seat belt tether to ensure your dog stays put at the back of your car. You just simply connect the tether with your pup’s harness then insert into the seat belt buckle.
A dog car seat belt can be used alone by buckling them to your regular seat belt system. But most especially, it adds more protection for your dog when it is attached to a harness. It should not be too long for your pup to jump into the front seat, nor too short for them to be unable to move around. Most dog car seat belts are universal which means it can connect to your car’s regular seat belt slots but there are some that are meant to be connected to the vehicle’s LATCH system. Modern cars have Latch bars that can be found within the folds of your car seats. The Latch system is where child safety seats are buckled.
What Should a Good Dog Safety Harness and Dog Seatbelts for Cars have?
As consumers, we would like to ensure that what we are buying is worth our buck. This also goes true in buying Dog Car Harnesses and Dog Car Seat Belts.
- Size – It should be your top concern when buying a car safety harness for your dogs. There are different sizes available in the market that will fit your pet. Different brands will mean different measurements. So, you need to properly measure your dog and compare it with your chosen brand’s size charts.
- Safety – A crash-tested Dog Car Harness can assure you of your dog’s protection from impacts. These tests will cast your doubts away, putting your mind at ease as you travel with your pet.
- Convenience and Comfortability – The easier a harness can be worn by your dog, the better. The more comfortable they feel with the harness on, the easier it will be for you to put it on them in your next travel. Remember that excited dogs are so hard to restrain, so it would be an advantage having an easy-to-wear harness. A padded clip-on dog harness will be more convenient and comfy for your pups.
- Security and Adjustments – Dogs who are not trained to wear a harness will possibly find a way to take it off. Choose a harness that will securely keep your dog in place by having different points of adjustment. These points of adjustments are your assurance that your beloved pet will not be able to slide out of the harness.
- Tether – There are some safety harness brands that come along with dog seat belts. This will tether your dog to your car’s seat belt. If your brand doesn’t have one, then you can purchase a separate dog safety seat belt but you still need to check its features.
- Make sure to purchase the best pet seat belt with sturdy yet comfortable materials. For dogs who are used to freedom inside vehicles, they will surely, pull, tag and even try to bite their way to freedom.
- You should be able to easily adjust its length without sacrificing your pup’s movement.
- Check your vehicle’s compatibility with your dog’s seat belt. There are many crash-tested dog seat belts in the market that can be attached to most cars, there are some vehicles that have unique buckles though. For this, you can look for a seat belt that can be wrapped around the headrest of your car.
- Multi-functionality – Not all dog car safety harness can be used as a walking or running harness. But, it would be a value for your money if you can purchase such. Imagine not having to spend on a separate walking harness. Plus, it would be less of a hassle to change from one harness to another.
How to measure your Dog for a Dog Car Safety Harness
Before buying a car safety harness for your dog, it is wise to measure your pet first. Most dog harness sizes are weight based when in reality dogs’ bodies have different measurements depending on their breed. Measuring accurately will help you avoid the trouble of escaping pets which will double your distraction while driving.
- Keep your dog still, find the withers which is above the chest, then use a tape measure to go around the lower neck.
- Look for your dog’s girth or the widest part of your dog’s chest.
- Using a tape measure, put it below your pup’s shoulder blades and then go around the deepest part of the chest, passing behind the front legs and back to the other end of the tape measure.
Reviews on The Best Dog Safety Harness and Dog Seatbelts for Cars 2019
Did you know that the famous author Stephen King was hit by a car, wherein the driver was not driving recklessly nor drunk? The driver was distracted by his unrestrained dog. This is an untoward incident that shows unrestrained dogs don’t only cause accidents in their owner’s vehicles but also to other motorists and unfortunate pedestrians. Before you scramble your way to buy one for your pet, let us present to you our reviews.
Best Crash Tested Safety Harness – EzyDog Drive Safety Travel Dog Car Harness- Crash Tested
If you are looking for a dog car safety harness that’s crash-tested and certified, then you don’t have to look farther. The EzyDog Drive Safety Travel Car Harness is the best crash tested dog harness that uses the Mag-Lok Instant Fit system. Just fit the harness on your dog’s first use, make adjustments accordingly then, voila, easy to wear and take off anytime. Your pup will surely feel comfortable wearing a harness with a padded chest plate that follows the contours of your pup’s body. Not to mention how easy it is to use. Just insert your car’s seatbelt through the harness’ webbing handles, then buckle up.
This harness is made of high-quality materials such as Aluminum-Alloy for its Tri-glides (which is by the way known to be a very light yet sturdy material), double stainless D-rings and vehicle tested fabric for its webbing. Using the Crosslink technology makes this product is superior in terms of strength and durability. With three sizes to choose from, you can definitely find the best fit for your dog. Since its size small can fit a pup with a girth of 11”, this is probably the best car harness for small dogs.
What we like about it:
- Mag-lok Instant fit system for a hassle-free fit
- Crash-tested and certified
- Padded chest plate
- Easy to use
- Aluminum-Alloy Tri-glides
- Double stainless D-rings for leash attachment
- Webbings made from vehicle tested fabric
- Crosslink technology for durability and strength
- Girth size ranging from 11” to 42”
What we don’t like about it:
- May look stiff on smaller dogs
Best Dog Harness for Car – Mighty Paw Vehicle Safety Harness
Isn’t it a hassle to take off your dog’s car safety harness and fit him into a separate harness for walking every time you travel? Mighty Paw Vehicle Safety Harness will save your time and energy for that laborious task. This dog harness for car travel has a back and front leash attachments where you can easily hook up a leash. Its four tri-glides with many points of adjustment will prevent your pet from slipping off. Plus, the reflective stitches will make you feel more secure as you walk your pup at night.
Mighty Paw is a family-owned company of dog lovers and they believe that traveling with your pet is pure bliss, so rest assured that all the hardware and stitching in this harness are durable and tough for that firm hold in case of unavoidable accidents. Being a dual-purpose harness, you might be worried about your dog’s comfortability since they will be wearing it for hours. Worry no more, because your pup will be wearing an ultra-soft, light-weight chest padded harness that’s also breathable. Did we mention that it’s also weather-proof? If you have dogs with girth measuring 34” to 44”, this best car harness for large dogs is for you.
What we like about it:
- Dual-purpose harness
- Durable hardware
- Reinforced stitching
- 4 Tri-glides for a snug fit
- Reflective stitches for night visibility
- Soft, light-weight, breathable padded chest
- Weather-proof
- Front and back leash attachments
What we don’t like about it:
- It doesn’t come with a dog safety seat belt so you need to buy separately.
- Very basic design
Kurgo Dog Harness Car Safety Harness
A responsible pet owner who loves to travel with his pup will always ensure safety in his vehicle. He will invest in a car safety harness and a seat belt tether. He also keeps a separate no-pull training harness for his excited dog. But all of these features can now be found in one product. Yes, you read it right. The Kurgo Dog Car Safety Harness has all of these features that’s why it is the best dog safety harness for car. It passed crash testing at the University of Michigan Transport Research Institute using the FMVSS-213 for Child Restraint Systems. This crash-tested dog car safety harness has a wide chest plate, a durable all-steel Nesting Buckle System, and a total of five adjustment points that can fit dogs with atypical body shapes. There is an included 10-inch dog seat belt tether for added protection that can also double as a lead for no-pull training.
As a walking harness, it boasts of its no-pull function which helps you train your dog to stop pulling. Since it is well-padded you can be sure that your dog will never have chafed skin even if he wears it after a long car trip. It has two leash attachments where you can conveniently connect a leash. Plus, it is easy to wear with five sizes to choose from. And the most exciting of all its features: Kurgo offers a no-hassle lifetime warranty against manufacturer defects. Now, that’s a real value for your hard earned money.
What we like about it:
- Crash-tested using FMVSS-213
- Value for money, Multi-purpose
- Wide, padded chest plate that can comfortably fit any body shape and size
- All-steel nesting buckles
- Five adjustment points
- Can double as a no-pull training harness
- 10-inch dog car seat belt tether can also function as a lead for training
- No-hassle lifetime warranty on manufacturer defects
What we don’t like about it:
- You need to watch some videos on how to buckle this on your dog
- Maybe too heavy and won’t exactly fit very small dogs
- You need to buy a separate heavy-duty swivel, especially if your dog likes to circle around their seat
Urpower Upgraded Dog Seat Belt 2 Pack Dog Car Seat Belt
A quality dog car safety harness should be coupled with the best seat belt for dogs. Urpower Upgraded Dog Seat Belt is made of durable nylon fabric with elastic safeguard design that will protect your pup from the effects of sudden jolts and turns. Having an anti-rust hook and a zinc-alloy swivel will allow your pet to move around without tangling with the strap. Its stainless clip measures 0.83 inches wide that is compatible with most vehicle’s seat belt buckle system. The buckles of this seat belt are adjustable which can fit dogs from small to large. Since this comes in a pack of two dog seat belt, then you don’t need to purchase another one if you have two dogs.
What we like about it:
- Durable nylon fabric with elastic buffer design
- Anti-rust hook and zinc-alloy swivel for freedom of movement without tangling
- Universal Fit
- Adjustable buckles can fit small to large dogs
- Two dog seat belts in a pack
What we don’t like about it:
- Although it has a universal fit, you still need to check if this is compatible with your car’s buckle system or Latch system.
BWOGUE 2 Packs Dog Cat Safety Seat Belts for Cars
If you have a dog who always struggles to be in the front seat, then The BWOGUE Dog Cat Safety Seat Belt is what you are looking for. It is a restraint that you can simply loop around the headrest to give your dog a feeling of being in the front seat. Moreover, its strap is made from the first-rate nylon fabric. It has a zinc-alloy swivel that lets your dog move comfortably. You can also easily tighten or loosen the headrest restraint and the leash by simply adjusting its buckles. As soon as your dog gets off the car, you can switch this seat belt into a hand-held leash.
What we love about it:
- Two dog seat belts in one pack
- Switches from headrest restraint to hand-held dog leash for walking
- Funky colors to choose from
- Headrest restraint for dogs who are used to stay in the front seat
- Adjustable buckles
- Zinc-alloy swivel
- First-rate nylon fabric strap
- Easy attachment and removal
What we don’t like about it:
- Some dog breeds may chew through this seat belt in time
Slowton Dog Car Seat Belt Pet Seatbelt Clip Tether
Slowton Dog Car Seat Belt is a well-designed large dog seat belt that you can easily connect to your car’s latch lever. Made with high-grade materials, this seat belt can surely be the safest dog seat belt that’s also comfortable to use. Its carabineer is made of aircraft aluminum know to be sturdy and can withstand a maximum of 400-kilogram tension force. Furthermore, it can rotate 360 degrees which is very convenient to connect to your pup’s harness even if your dog fidgets. The elastic bungee is designed to reduce damages from abrupt jolts. The hook at the other end of the belt can securely fasten your dog to the latch bar. In case of emergency, both hook and carabineer are unlockable without effort. No matter what your dog’s size is, buckles are adjustable so you can adjust how you want your dog to move around in the car.
What we like about it:
- Safe Latch seat belt
- Aircraft grade carabineer
- Easy lock unlock design
- Elastic bungee for impact protection
- Adjustable buckles
What we don’t like about it:
- You might need to practice how to use the lock system of the carabiner
How to make your pet feel comfortable and safe during car travel
- Train your pets to travel with you while they are still young. Do not forget to use car restraints for everyone’s safety. Most car harness for dogs come in different sizes ranging from small to extra-large. Small sizes can fit puppies depending on their breed and girth size. If you can’t find a puppy car harness, you can put them in a dog car safety crate. You can learn more of these in our article here.
- Don’t feed your pet minutes before traveling. Your dog may get car sick and will eventually soil your car seat. Imagine the hassle of cleaning up after the mess and the horrible smell.
- Use a dog car seat cover to be a step ahead from unavoidable soiling caused by your dog. We can help you choose which ones are suitable for you in our article, “The Best Dog Car Seat Cover Reviews 2019”.
- Choose a car safety harness according to your pup’s size. Let your pup sniff it first, then gradually introduce him to wear it. Your dog might feel awkward at first, so you need to be very patient. Reward him for following your instructions. Next, invite your pooch in the car as you start your engine. He will probably understand that its time for a drive. Use a dog seat belt attachment for added security and don’t forget to adjust the buckles according to how you want him to move around. If your pup is used to sitting in the front seat, you can always convert your dog’s seat belt into adog seat belt for front seat by simply attaching it to the front seat’s buckle slot, but you need to remember that you can prevent extreme damaging effects if your pup is seated at the back.
Pawsome Notes
According to recent surveys, 84% of pet owners travel with their pets unrestrained. And out of 226,00 car accidents in a year, 29% is caused by distractive driving. These statistics are a cause for concern. If you are a loving, responsible fur parent, buckle your pup up as you buckle yourself.
