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7 min readTraveling with your pet should be a fun and safe experience for both of you. The best car safety products keep your dog (or cat) buckled in and away from the steering wheel.
We like the Sleepypod Clickit Sport Harness because it has been proven safe through crash tests. But it doesn't fit small dogs or those with greyhound-shaped chests. To help you find the best product for your pet, we've included a variety of kennels, carriers, barriers, and accessories in our round-up.
Image | Price | Suitability | Certified by Center for Pet Safety | Learn more | ||
| Best car harness | Dogs with >28.5 in. chest | Yes | View on Amazon | Read review | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best car barrier | $124.95 | Dogs | Not tested | View on Amazon | Read review | |
| Best for budgets | Dogs | Not tested | View on Amazon | Read review | ||
| Best for travel | Dogs, cats, and other small pets | Not tested | View on Amazon | Read review | ||
| Best eye protection | $25.99 | Dogs | Not tested | View on Amazon | Read review | |
| Best crash protection | Dogs, cats, and other pets | Yes | View on Gunner | Read review | ||
| Best booster seat for small dogs | 1 or 2 small dogs | Not tested | View on Amazon | Read review | ||
| Best back seat cover | $32.99 | Dogs | Not tested | View on Amazon | Read review |
*Amazon.com price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.
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The Sleepypod Clickit Sport Harness is one of the most popular cat and dog car safety devices because it’s been crash-tested and approved by the Center for Pet Safety.
Uses seat belt
Sturdy nylon
Crash tested
Works as a walking harness 
Expensive
Best for calm dogs
Difficult to fit properly
Not suitable for small dogs or thin-chested breeds 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.
If you've ever had your dog nudge you firmly under the elbow, drool on your arm, pant in your ear, or use the front seat as a jungle gym while you drive, you'll appreciate having a car barrier like the Bushwhacker. Its simple but sturdy design keeps your dog in the backseat so you're less distracted while driving.
Reduces distracted driving
Fits many vehicles
Fine mesh netting
Doesn't restrain your pet
No crash protection The Bushwacker adjusts to fit the width and height of many cars, trucks, SUVs, and vans. We prefer this fine mesh fabric instead of the open-net design of other models, which some dogs still try to push through. We also like that it reaches the ceiling, giving you full protection from your four-legged Houdini.
If you crash, this car barrier won't stop your dog from tumbling around in the backseat. Therefore, it's best to use it in combination with a harness.
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.
Soft chest pad
Detachable seat belt buckle
Low price tag
User-friendly design
Chewable material
Unstable straps 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.
Keep 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.
If your life has you on the go and you want your four-legged friend to keep up, the Coopeter Pet Carrier can take your cat or dog from car to plane with ease.
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.
Wheeled design
Telescoping handle
Removable base
Backpack straps
Uncomfortable straps
Assembly required
Car tethers could be better For car rides, just loop the strap around the headrest. We wish it also had a lower tether to reduce any rebound or whiplash effect.
If you’re traveling by air, you can remove the carrier’s wheel base, giving your pet a comfortable place to snooze under the seat during the flight.
The Coopeter Pet Carrier requires some assembly, 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.
The Petleso Dog Goggles protect your pooch's eyes from flying debris when they stick their head out the window. These sunglasses also offer UV protection and help your dog see in snowy conditions.
Their soft, ergonomic, and oversized design means your dog is less likely to try to paw them off.
Oversized design
Soft material
UV protection
May not fit all dogs
Some dogs may paw it off The Petleso Dog Goggles come in black and white. The only downside is that they're currently made for large dogs only. For the small dog version, check out the goggles sold by SLDPET.
At $550 for its smallest kennel, the Gunner GI Kennel G1 is hands down the priciest dog 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 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.
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, 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, though—some customers have said 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.
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, 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.
No, we haven't lost our marbles—a back seat cover really is a safety device for pets. The key is to find one with fabric that connects the back seat to the front seats, like the Active Pets Back Seat Cover.
This hammock design stops your dog from falling to the floor if you brake suddenly and don't have them restrained. Of course, we recommend using a harness when possible, but this "seat hammock" is a decent backup option for dogs who want nothing to do with a seat belt.
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, consider your own safety as well.
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 dog 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.
Our top pick, the Sleepypod Clickit Sport Harness, is a great choice for safety. But there are other ways to travel with your pet comfortably and confidently. Take time to discover your pet's preferences to make sure car rides remain fun experiences for all involved.
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 where 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.
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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