Harnesses, car seats, and kennels–oh my! We recommend the K&H Bucket Booster Dog Car Seat to keep your furry friend safe in the car.
Its elevated design lets smaller dogs see out the window on car rides, and the incorporated tether keeps them secure in case of an accident. It’s easy to buckle into your car and take out, and it can also double as a mobile pet bed for your tired pup.
Looking for a solution for your larger dog? Or your cat? We have more options below for you.
Compare car safety products for pets
| Best for small dogs | Best for travel | Best for larger dogs | Popular pick | Safety pick | |
| Image |  |
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| Product |
K&H Bucket Booster Dog Car Seat |
Snoozer Wheel Around Pet Travel Carrier |
Pawaboo Car Harness Seat Belt |
Sleepypod Clickit Sport Harness |
Gunner Kennel G1 Intermediate |
| Price | |||||
| Type of device |
Booster seat with tether |
Kennel |
Harness with tether |
Harness with tether |
Kennel |
| Certified by Center for Pet Safety |
Not tested |
No |
Not tested |
Yes |
Yes |
| Learn more | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Sleepypod | View on Gunner |
Data effective 1/6/2021 11:45 a.m. MST. Offers and availability subject to change. See full disclaimer
Reviews: Best car safety products for pets
K&H Bucket Booster Dog Car Seat: Best for small dogs
Most parents probably wish their child’s car seat was as easy to take in and out of their vehicle as the K&H Bucket Booster Dog Car Seat. This seat is lightweight and simple to install, but it also keeps your pet secure, setting your mind at ease about your pet’s safety while you’re driving.
The seat is buckled into the car using a seat belt, and a tether attached to the seat hooks to your pet’s harness. The slightly-tilted design creates a bucket seat that keeps your pet more stable than a standard horizontal seat, like the Kurgo Skybox Booster Seat, and the slightly curved back helps it fit better into seats contoured for humans.
Bucket seat design Seat belt attachment Easy to install Lightweight Curved back
Chewable straps Wobbly baseIf you opt for the larger size, it will come with two tethers, which is great if you have two smaller dogs who like to stick together. Keep an eye on the tether straps, though—some customers have said that they’re not chew-proof. Reviewers also say that it helps to place large, heavy items on the seat next to the booster to stabilize it since it can be a little wobbly going around turns.
Snoozer Wheel Around Pet Travel Carrier: Best for traveling
If your life has you on the go and you want your four-legged friend to keep up, the Snoozer Wheel Around 4-in-1 Pet Travel Carrier can take your cat or dog from city street to cab to subway to plane with ease. We especially like the bag’s interior safety hook that you can attach to your pet’s harness to keep them from jumping out when you unzip the door.
This wheeled carrier has a telescoping handle so you can pull it along behind you, or you can use the straps to wear it like a backpack. For car rides, just buckle it into the seat. If you’re traveling by air, you can remove the carrier’s solid base and lay it down horizontally, giving your pet a comfortable place to snooze under the seat during the flight.
Wheeled design Telescoping handle Removable base Backpack straps Interior safety hook
Uncomfortable straps Assembly requiredThe Snoozer 4-in-1 comes in three different colors, but there is some assembly required, and users say that the removable base can come off easily if not secured. We also recommend adding some padding to the straps, as several reviews mention that it can be uncomfortable to carry as a backpack. Because this carrier is designed to transport a cat or dog in a sitting position, be sure to measure your pet’s height while they’re sitting up to know which size will fit best.
Pawaboo Car Harness Seat Belt: Best for larger dogs
The Pawaboo Harness Seat Belt is a dog harness (great for larger dogs) with a tether attachment that clicks right into your existing seat belt buckle.
The D-ring on the harness makes it simple to unclip your pet from the seat belt tether and clip a leash to turn it into a walking harness instead. So it’s easy to transition quickly from car to walking and vice versa.
The padded pet safety harness can also help absorb impact in case of a crash, and we like that there’s no elastic in the tether because it prevents a slingshot effect.
Soft chest pad Detachable seat belt buckle Low price tag User-friendly design
Chewable material Unstable strapsKeep in mind that this product isn’t designed with strong chewers in mind, so if you have a muncher, you might need to keep shopping. Reviewers also say that the harness can loosen with continuous pulling, so it’s a good idea to check it frequently if you have an energetic dog.
More car safety products for pets that are worth a look
We found a few more car products for dogs that tested well for safety, but they’re either tricky to use or have wallet-busting price tags. Still, if your pet’s safety is your top priority, they’re worth checking out.
Sleepypod Clickit Sport Harness: Popular pick
The Sleepypod Clickit Sport Harness is one of the most popular car safety devices for pets because it’s been crash tested and approved by the Center for Pet Safety.
It’s made of high-quality ballistic nylon, and it doubles as a walking harness. But customers say this harness is a tricky one to fit, and several customer reviews give accounts of dogs wiggling out of the harness and getting tangled.
Still, we think it’s worth a trial run if you have a calmer dog that isn’t a Houdini impersonator–just remember to return it within 30 days if it doesn’t work out.
Gunner Kennel G1 Intermediate: Safety pick
At nearly $600, the Gunner Kennel G1 Intermediate is hands down the priciest car safety product on our list, but it’s also hands down the safest. Its sturdy, rotomolded design and escape-proof, key-lock door ensure that your pet will be well protected in case of an accident.
The Center for Pet Safety gave this dog crate a 5-star safety rating after putting it through crash testing. But don’t take their word for it—check out these incredible customer testimonials about how Gunner Kennels have saved beloved dogs’ lives in serious car crashes, including rollovers and head-on collisions.
Things to consider before you buy
When determining the right car safety products for your pets, you should consider your pet’s personality, what they enjoy about rides, and what makes them anxious. Pet booster seats are great for cats and dogs in cars who like to watch the world go by, while an enclosed kennel might be a better choice for pets with high anxiety.
No matter what you choose, it’s important to consider your own safety as well.
- Properly secure any kennel or bed either with seat belts or tie-down straps, depending on the manufacturer’s recommendations.
- Secure your pet to its kennel, seat, or directly to the vehicle using a non-elastic tether.
- Avoid suspended zipline-style devices. Since they can actually act as a slingshot in the event of an accident, it’s better to allow your pet to move freely throughout the backseat.
- Never use collars in place of harnesses when securing your dog in the car with a tether, as the force in a crash on a collar could cause severe injury or even death. Harnesses distribute the pressure more evenly.
- Consider combining pet safety options. For example, PawSafe has a dog seat belt that pairs with harnesses.
Keep in mind that most car safety products for pets are primarily intended for the safety of drivers and passengers, rather than pets. In other words, they’re pet restraints designed to help you keep your eyes on the road, not to protect your pet in the event of a crash.
Unfortunately, very few car safety products have been crash tested, and even fewer have been approved. To learn more about which car safety products for pets have undergone a crash test and been approved, visit the Center for Pet Safety.
FAQ
The reason we don’t have more stringent standards is simple: pet owners aren’t demanding it. If you’d like to see tighter regulations on pet safety products, contact the Center for Pet Safety to find out how to get involved.
Just like you don’t want your dog wandering around your car because it isn’t safe, there are also areas in your home you may want to block your pet from entering. The best pet gates can keep your pets out of harm’s way.
If you like going on wilderness adventures with your dog, it’s a good idea to shop for some outdoor safety gear, including safety harnesses and pup-friendly packs. Have a blind furry friend? A halo harness could be just what your bud needs.
It depends on your state. As of this writing, only six states in the US have laws on the books requiring dogs to be restrained while in a moving vehicle. Check your state’s laws to learn more.
How we picked the best car safety products for pets
To choose our top car safety products for pets, we read over 80 product reviews to see what customers said about their experiences with each product, including how well each device worked to keep pets restrained in vehicles. We also watched more than 25 videos showing products both in crash tests with dummies and in everyday use with real pets. Our full methodology gives more info about how we rate and review products.
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Disclaimer
Amazon.com list price as of 1/6/2021 11:45 a.m. MST. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Safewise.com utilizes paid Amazon links.
Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time.
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