The Best Car Safety Products for Pets in 2019

The Top Dog: K&H Bucket Booster Dog Car Seat

Harnesses, Car Seats, and KennelsOh My! We kept seeing the K&H Bucket Booster Dog Car Seat on Best Of lists all over the web, and a closer look at this doggie car booster seat told us why.

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. Its easy to buckle into your car and take out, and the rounded back helps it fit better in vehicles with bucket seats. The dog booster seat can also double as a mobile pet bed for your tired pup when youre far from home, making one less pet item youll have to pack for a trip.

The cover is removable and washable, with gray and tan fabric options available. This pet car seat is great for smaller animals who want to ride in comfort and take in the view, all while staying secure.

Compare Car Safety Products for Pets

Data effective 11/19/2019. Offers and availability subject to change.

Reviews: Best Car Safety Products for Pets

K&H Bucket Booster Dog Car Seat: Best for Small Dogs

K&H Bucket Booster Dog Car Seat

Most parents probably wish their childs 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 pets safety while youre driving. The seat is buckled into the car using a seat belt, and a tether attached to the seat hooks to your pets 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.

If 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, thoughsome customers have said that theyre 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.¹

Snoozer Wheel Around Pet Travel Carrier: Best for Traveling

Snoozer Wheel Around Pet Travel Carrier

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 bags interior safety hook that you can attach to your pets 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 youre traveling by air, you can remove the carriers solid base and lay it down horizontally, giving your pet a comfortable place to snooze under the seat during the flight.

The 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.² Because this carrier is designed to transport a cat or dog in a sitting position, be sure to measure your pets height while theyre sitting up to know which size will fit best.

Pawaboo Car Harness Seat Belt: Best for Larger Dogs

Pawaboo Car Harness Seat Belt

If you have a larger dog, they probably dont need a boost to see out the window, but its still important to keep them contained and safely buckled in. The Pawaboo Harness Seat Belt is a dog harness 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 its 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 theres no elastic in the tether because it prevents a slingshot effect.

Keep in mind that this product isnt 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 its a good idea to check it frequently if you have an energetic dog.³

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 theyre either tricky to use or have wallet-busting price tags. Still, if your pets safety is your top priority, theyre worth checking out.

Sleepypod Clickit Sport Harness: Popular Pick

Sleepypod Clickit Sport Harness

The Sleepypod Clickit Sport Harness is one of the most popular car safety devices for pets because its been crash tested and approved by the Center for Pet Safety, along with the similar Sleepypod Clickit Utility Harness.

Its 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.4

Still, we think its worth a trial run if you have a calmer dog that isnt a Houdini impersonatorjust remember to return it within 30 days if it doesnt work out.

Gunner Kennel G1 Intermediate: Safety Pick

Gunner Kennel G1 Intermediate

At nearly $600, the Gunner Kennel G1 Intermediate is hands down the priciest car safety product on our list, but its 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 dont take their word for itcheck 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 pets 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, its 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 manufacturers 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, its 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, theyre 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.

FAQs

Why dont pet safety products undergo more rigorous testing?

The reason we dont have more stringent standards is simple: pet owners arent demanding it. If youd like to see tighter regulations on pet safety products, contact the Center for Pet Safety to find out how to get involved.

What other products are available to help dog owners keep their animals safer?

Just like you dont want your dog wandering around your car because it isnt 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 harms way.

If you like going on wilderness adventures with your dog, its 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.

What is the legal requirement for dogs in cars?

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.5 Check your states 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.

Related Pages on SafeWise

• The 8 Best Pet Gates (and One Must-Have Accessory)
• Best Outdoor Safety Gear for Dogs
• Top Pet Cameras to Keep Your Pets out of Trouble
• Best Pet-Friendly Home Security Systems