The 7 Best Dog Car Seats Because They’re Travel Game-Changers
Flying on an airplane these days can be pricey and stressful—let alone with a dog in tow. Plus, if you’re the proud owner of a large breed, you know car rides are sometimes the only way to bring your pet along for the, well, ride. This is why many pet owners prefer road trips to flights. For long road trips with pets, car seats are game changers. They make everyone safer which means more fun for the whole family (even if family is just you and Bridger). Here are some of the best dog car seats you can buy right now. Time to get packing!
What to look for when buying a dog car seat
Dog car seats are the answer to your concerns about safe doggy driving practices! Equipment designed to keep canines from flying around in the event of an accident or sudden stop is a wise investment. When buying a dog car seat, you’ll come across three primary styles: harnesses, seats and crates. Harnesses go on your dog, your dog goes in seats and crates. The car seat or restraint you need totally depends on your dog.
Your dog’s size and weight is the biggest factor when it comes to buying a dog car seat. Check the specs to make sure the product works for your dog’s size. There are some harnesses ill-suited for breeds with large chest cavities like Greyhounds or Borzois, so be sure to double check all warnings and labels. Generally speaking, it’s best to crate a large breed in the backseat or trunk.
Next, try your darndest to purchase a dog car seat that has been crash-tested. The Center for Pet Safety says products tend to fall into one of two categories: distraction prevention or crash protection. Both are good, but crash protection is ideal. CPS encourages pet parents to look for their official safety seal on products. Harnesses, crates and seats must go through a rigorous testing process to receive this CPS certification and the organization posts crash-testing videos on their site for transparency.
If your dog loves to roam in the car, a crate may be the best option. If Bridger enjoys sitting quietly and staring out the window, a seat may do the trick. Are daily car trips in your dog’s future or is a car ride a very special, rare treat? A harness you can slide a seatbelt through is a quick option, whereas buckling a crate or seat in (perhaps after installing a waterproof seat cover) might take about 15 minutes. Decide what you’ll realistically be able to do every time your dog gets into the car.
Ideally, your dog's car seat will be easy to clean. Though your pup may not have many accidents, paws get muddy, drool is common and hair goes everywhere. If you can’t wipe it down or toss it in the wash, we say hard pass.
Best Harness Overall: Pet Safety Seat Belt
Best Budget Harness: Kurgo Tru-Fit Smart Harness
Best Budget Crate: Petmate Ruffmaxx Travel Carrier
Best-Seller on Amazon: Swihelp Pet Car Booster Seat
Best for Small Dogs Who Love Windows: Petsafe Happy Ride Deluxe Booster Seat For Dogs
Best for Dogs Who Like to Roam: K&H Pet Products Travel Safety Pet Carrier
Best for Anxious Dogs: Snoozer Luxury Lookout Pet Car Seat
1. Pet Safety Seat Belt
Best Harness Overall
Weight Limit: 18 to 90 pounds
Material: Nylon, Neoprene padding
Pet safety seat belt makes tons of travel accessories for jet-setting pets. This safety seat belt is one of the few that has received the CPS seal of approval. Its design (which was crash-tested in the same way child safety restraints are) distributes force to three different areas throughout the padded harness so your dog doesn’t feel one harsh point of impact. Oh, and the straps are made with seatbelt-grade material.
Pros: CPS certified, works for large breeds
Cons: Not ideal for toy and small breeds
2. Kurgo Tru-fit Smart Harness
Best Budget Harness
Weight Limit: 75 pounds
Material: Polyester, Nylon, Synthetic Fabric
Some dogs don’t need—or want—a cushy seat. They just want to be clipped in like their humans! This harness has been crash tested for animals weighing up to 75 pounds. Clip it to the seatbelt in your car and simply unclip when you arrive at your destination. You can also clip your leash to it for pit stops and it saves space in jam-packed vehicles. Be sure to purchase the size (it comes in XS to XL) best-suited for your pup. Kurgo products come with a lifetime warranty, so don’t worry about this harness’ longevity.
Pros: Crash-tested, available in wide variety of sizes
Cons: Some reviewers claim their dogs easily wiggled out of the harness
3. Petmate Ruffmaxx Travel Carrier
Best Budget Crate
Dimensions: Large measures 40" L x 27" W x 30" H
Weight Limit: 90 pounds
Material: Plastic
This crate gets the job done whether you’re driving or flying. It’s compatible with most airline travel requirements for dogs and PetMate says it can be secured in a vehicle for highway travel. Both sides and the front gate offer plenty of ventilation. With almost 800 five-star reviews on Amazon, it’s hard to deny what plenty of dog parents already know: This is a solid crate option for traveling pups.
Pros: Available in variety of sizes, lightweight
Cons: No CPS certification or crash testing
4. Swihelp Pet Car Booster Seat
Best-Seller on Amazon
Dimensions: Measures 15” L x 12.5” W x 9.5” H
Weight Limit: 10 to 15 pounds
Material: Nylon, mesh
As the number-one best-selling booster seat on Amazon, this car seat is ideal for small pups. It collapses for better storage yet provides sturdy support during your drive with PVC pipes inserted into the rim during set-up. It’s also waterproof. One note: The images show it attached to the front seat. Again, we don’t condone this! Plop this booster in the back and make sure all three of its connection points are secure.
Pros: East to assemble and install
Cons: Not CPS-certified or crash tested
5. Petsafe Happy Ride Deluxe Booster Seat For Dogs
Best for Small Dogs Who Love Windows
Dimensions: XL measures 20” L x 14” W x 10” H
Weight Limit: 25 pounds
Material: Polyester exterior, fleece lining
Yes, dogs love sticking their heads out windows. Yes, it’s cute! No, it’s not safe. But, if your pup really wants to see out the window and is too short to reach, this booster seat is the perfect perch. There are three sizes available for dogs up to 25 pounds. It’s got more than 10,000 five-star reviews, including one user who said this booster seat kept her dog secure during a high-speed crash. (Be sure to follow instructions to ensure a secure installation.)
Pros: Comes with option to secure harness to a safety tether, allows dogs to see out windows
Cons: Not CPS-certified
6. K&h Pet Products Travel Safety Pet Carrier
Best for Dogs Who Like to Roam
Dimensions: Large measures 29.5” L x 22” W x 25.5” H
Weight Limit: 40 pounds
Material: Mesh, synthetic fabric
Letting your dog roam around the car is a great way to get distracted and make mistakes while driving. Please don’t do this. Instead, invest in a dog car seat that completely envelops your pup without suffocating him or cutting him off from the group. This carrier has three entry points, mesh walls and a plush pad for maximum comfort. It’s collapsible too, which means easy storage if you’re on a road trip and need to stash it upon arrival. Install by clipping straps around the headrest and securing with a seatbelt.
Pros: Prevents distraction, can soothe puppy anxiety
Cons: Not CPS certified or crash-tested
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