The Best Car Safety Products for Pets in 2024

Traveling 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. 

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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.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

• 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.

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.

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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