In this article, I will show you the best dog seat belts for your dog. While it’s not mandated by federal law, buckling up your dog is crucial for ensuring their safety in the car and minimizing distractions during your drive.
Dr. Whitney Miller, Chief Veterinarian at Petco, emphasizes the importance of properly securing pets during car travel to prevent distracted driving and safeguard them in case of accidents or sudden stops.
Using a dog leash as a substitute for the best dog seat belts are ineffective and potentially dangerous, as these makeshift tethers aren’t designed or tested for such purposes.
While there are no explicit regulations governing dog seat belts, Dr. Miller advises opting for products that have undergone independent testing and adhere to industry standards.
Among the various types of dog seat belts available, one standout option is the AUBELL Updated 3-in-1 Pet Car Seat Belt for Dogs. This product utilizes an adapter to securely fasten your dog in the back seat using the existing seat belt system, accommodating dogs of different sizes and offering a swivel head for increased freedom of movement without tangling.
For more tailored solutions, harnesses, ziplines, and headrest styles are also recommended, ensuring you can find the ideal option to meet both you and your dog’s requirements.
AUBELL Updated 3-in-1 Pet Car Seat Belt for Dogs.
The AUBELL 3-in-1 Pet Car Seat Belt for Dogs earns high praise for its multifunctional design and impressive 900-pound tensile strength, making it versatile across various car models and suitable for dogs of different sizes, strengths, and breeds (though it’s particularly well-suited for small to medium-large dogs). It comes in seven different colors.
With multiple clips, users have the flexibility to attach the belt directly into their seat belt receiver, secure the lockable carabiner to a zipline, or fasten the seat belt to the car’s metal child safety latches in the back seat or anchor loops in the SUV cargo area. The carabiner is connected to the belt via a robust zinc alloy 360-degree swivel head, reducing the risk of tangling and allowing dogs to move more freely while tethered.
The belt’s length is adjustable from 25 to 32 inches, with additional give in the short bungee webbing near the carabiner clip to absorb shock during sudden stops or light impacts. However, prolonged use, especially with pulling dogs, may lead to stretching over time. This adjustable bungee tether design is ideal for dogs prone to restlessness during long drives or those who like to move around the car, preventing them from becoming distractions to the driver while still allowing them to comfortably lie down, stand up, or walk within the back seats or cargo space without leaving the designated area.
EZDog Drive Dog Car Harness
Upon testing, we found the EZDog Drive Dog Car Harness to offer superior security for our test dog, along with easy maintenance and sizing. Unlike belt adapters or extenders, this harness functions as a body harness specifically designed for car travel. It eliminates the need for extra belts or clips by utilizing two reinforced grip loops on the back of the harness, through which the existing car seat belt is threaded. The seat belt buckle is then clipped in as usual. Its padded “X” design evenly distributes pulling force across the dog’s chest, reducing stress on any single area.
This harness undergoes independent crash-testing and holds certification from Automotive Safety Engineering in Australia, meeting recognized standards in the UK and US. It exceeds child safety requirements outlined in the Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
Convenient indicators on the four adjustable straps and cam buckle slides help ensure proper harness strap placement, maintaining an even fit on both sides. Excess strap webbing can be neatly rolled up and secured out of reach, ideal for teething or nervous dogs. Additionally, a double D-ring at the harness’s top allows for use as a walking harness. It is available in three sizes, based on chest girth measurements ranging from 11 to 42 inches, and currently comes only in black.
Kurgo Auto Zipline
Kurgo innovatively adapted the concept of an outdoor dog run for car use. The adjustable six-foot-long zipline component is compatible with any two secure, fixed points within the vehicle (such as cargo hooks, seat belts, or grab handles) and is connected using simple rubber-coated hooks on each end. A tether, equipped with carabiners, links one end to the zipline and the other to your dog’s harness. Ensure there is no slack in the car seat belts or the zipline before securing your dog.
It’s important to note that this product isn’t primarily intended as a crash safety device but rather aims to reduce driver distraction while ensuring your dog’s comfort. The zipline design allows your dog to move freely between the car’s left and right sides while preventing them from accessing the front seat or the rear of the car. This can be particularly beneficial for anxious passengers, allowing dogs to observe their surroundings from both sides of the vehicle.
Excess strap webbing can be neatly rolled up and secured using the provided bungee and toggle to prevent tangling or tempting chewing. If you’re concerned about the stability of the open hooks anchoring the zipline, they can be replaced with locking carabiners for added security. This product comes with a lifetime warranty.
Kurgo Direct to Latch Swivel Tether
Dr. Miller utilizes a seat belt extender, a webbing tether designed to augment your existing seat belt, allowing her dogs ample space to sit, stand, and lie down comfortably in the car. This tether acts similarly to an extender and adapter but offers a more secure anchoring mechanism. It attaches by hooking onto the metal child safety latches integrated into the back seat bench. Unlike methods that directly clip into the seat belt receiver or rely on looping around the seat belt itself, there’s no risk of your dog inadvertently activating the seat belt buckle release and escaping while in transit.
One of the notable features of this tether is its compatibility with all car models manufactured from 2002 onward. It’s a universal fit tether crafted from durable polyester webbing, adjustable between 12 to 22 inches in length, catering to small to large dog breeds. Attaching to your dog’s harness via a carabiner, it incorporates a 360-degree swivel to prevent tangling. While effectively restricting your dog’s access to the front seat or cargo area, it’s important to note that this tether hasn’t undergone crash testing for safety.
Mighty Paw Headrest Dog Seat Belt
Headrest seat belts offer a unique alternative to extenders or adapters by securing around your car’s headrest rather than using the best dog seat belts or child safety latch as an anchor point. They are particularly advantageous for smaller dogs as they provide greater freedom of movement due to the higher anchor position. The Might Paw Headrest Dog Seat Belt is constructed from durable nylon webbing, identical to that used in human seat belts, and features robust all-metal hardware, including a sturdy carabiner clip for attachment to your dog’s safety harness.
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This seat belt wraps around either the front or back seat headrest and locks into place with a large tactical buckle, designed for ease of use, even for those with arthritic hands. The tether strap is adjustable within a range of 18 to 30 inches. We appreciate that small dogs can comfortably utilize this seat belt alongside a dog bed without the risk of tangling or the need to place the bed atop the belt, as is often the case with clip-in seat belts. Additionally, the option to loop two belts over a single headrest allows small dogs to cuddle together in the same seat.
It’s important to note that this belt has not undergone crash testing, and users should double-check the headrest buckle to ensure it remains securely fastened, particularly if the headrest is adjusted after installation, as some users have reported instances of it coming unbuckled.
