The best crash tested dog harness for your dog
Using the best crash tested dog harness for your dog
As responsible pet owners, we prioritize the safety and well-being of our dogs in every aspect of their lives. When it comes to traveling by car, ensuring their safety in the car is really important. Just as we buckle up for our own protection, it’s crucial to provide the same level of safety for our pets.
Many of us love to take our dogs on adventures, whether it’s a quick trip to the dog park or a longer journey to explore new destinations. However, traveling in a car with an unrestrained pet can pose serious risks to both the pet and the humans in the vehicle.
Imagine what could happen in the event of a sudden stop, a sharp turn, or, worst-case scenario, a collision. An unrestrained pet could become a projectile, injuring themselves, other passengers, or even causing accidents by distracting the driver. Moreover, in the unfortunate event of a crash, an unsecured pet is at risk of severe injuries or even fatalities.
The importance of third party crash testing
This is where crash-tested dog car harnesses and crates come into play. These specially designed restraints are engineered to keep your dog safe and secure during car rides. Sadly, any company can say they crash tested a product; which may simple just be a simple test which is why it’s important to get products that pass third party crash testing. Want to dig into this more? Check out our blog article here on car safety with dog harnesses.
Crash testing ensures that these products meet rigorous safety standards, providing peace of mind for pet owners. They undergo thorough testing to simulate real-world crash scenarios, ensuring that they can withstand the forces exerted during an impact and effectively restrain your dog to prevent injury.
When choosing a dog car harness or crate, it’s essential to look for products that have been independently crash tested and certified by reputable organizations.
In our upcoming list of favorite dog car harnesses and crates, we’ve carefully selected products that have undergone rigorous crash testing and earned certifications from trusted authorities. From durable harnesses with adjustable straps to sturdy crates that fit seamlessly in your vehicle, these products prioritize safety without compromising on comfort.
Remember, investing in a crash-tested dog car harness or crate is not just about following the rules—it’s about safeguarding the well-being of your dog (or cat) and ensuring that they can continue to join you on all your adventures for years to come. So let’s make every car ride a safe and enjoyable experience for both you and your dog (or travel cat).
Lastly, let’s hope you never need to put to test how great these products are but should you ever get involved in an accident contact the company it’s from, many times these products need to be replaced and most will do so for free.
See a video of the our favorite pet products for the car (linked below) used in my car here:
Choosing between a car harness and a car crate
Below we will go over my go to choices for third party crash tested harnesses and crates. Lets go over the differences so you know what type of product to start comparing.
Crash tested harnesses and carriers listed below use your cars seatbelt with the harness, the crash tested car harness in an event of an accident prevents rotation of your pet, absorbs the kinetic energy of the accident and keeps the pet on the seat. After an accident crash tested harnesses should be replaced. While wearing the harness your dog will be able to sit up and lay down and change position but not roam the back seat. This may not be a fit until after some training for a dog that is trying to chew your seatbelts or spin around.
If your pet is under 18lbs they should be riding in a crash tested carrier and not a harness.
Crash tested crates are generally kept in your trunk (or bed of truck) and attach to your D-ring’s. The problem with crates is there is no standard on how strong those D rings are. But overall these crates have performed amazing in crash testing and these are the two I personally use (in addition to the Sleepypod Pod and harness from above). You will need to make sure these fit in your car, if you have a larger car you may have a harder time finding a crate that fits. Some put their seats down flat and place the crate there but note in most cases that is not how crash testing is done or how the product is intended to be used – so use at your own risk.
I do love car crates for dogs that may have a hard time settling in the car and may get twisted in a harness, dog’s I don’t trust to not chew up my seatbelts, situations where I want to lock them in for safety (ie I’m running into a store or at a dog show), or times I want them to be able to change positions more.
A note on car seat belt tethers for dogs
A quick reminder that no tethers pass third party crash testing, your dog’s car harness should be used with your cars seatbelt and not a tether.
In the event of an accident car tethers do not prevent rotation, keep your pet in the seat and can actually act like a catapult as your pets launches forward they snap back with the spine incurring the most damage at a greater force. It is said it is safer to use nothing at all over a tether.
Best dog harness and carriers for car travel
- 5 star crash tested by the Center for Pet Safety, a third party crash testing site
- Sleepypod has never had a pet injured in an accident in their products
- Dogs under 18lbs should ride in a crash tested carrier (Sleepypod carries those too).
- In the event of an accident Sleepypod will replace your harness free of charge.
- D-rings on back to hook a leash onto
- Easy to clean ballistic nylon.
- No front clip to help with pulling on walks (makes sense, was built for the car).
- 5 star crash tested by the Center for Pet Safety, a third party crash testing site
- Easy to clean ballistic nylon
- No front clip to help with pulling on walks (makes sense, was built for the car).
- 5 star crash tested by the Center for Pet Safety, a third party crash testing site
- Hard sturdy bottom so when lifted carrier won't become a taco taco
- Interchangeable, washable inside
- Easy to clean ballistic nylon
- Great airflow
- Is not airline compatible
- 5 star crash tested by the Center for Pet Safety, a third party crash testing site
- For pets up to 18lbs
- Longest airline approved carrier
- Slides on top of a suitcase for ease while traveling
- Hard botton, so when you picked your pet is sturdy
- Great ventilation
- Slides on top of a suitcase for ease in airport
- Easy to clean ballistic nylon
- Can a bit awkward to carry as a carrier due to length
- Crash tested for the car
- Fits most airlines
- Fits ontop of a suitcase
- Lightweight
- Many pockets!
- Front and top access to pet
- Sleek easy to clean material
- Not as long as the Sleepypod Air
- 5 star crash tested by the Center for Pet Safety, a third party crash testing site
- For pets up to 12lbs
- Airline approved
- Slides on top of suitcase for ease while traveling
- Easy to clean ballistic nylon
Best dog crates for car travel
- Dog can slightly change positions and readjust
- Passes center for pet safety third part crash testing
- Has a lock & key
- Need to make sure you have strong D-rings in car to attach to
- Have seen some dogs that are destructive in crates gnaw at the inside a lot
- Passes third part crash testing
- Lightweight
- Folds up
- Extremely durable against claws and chewing
- Inflatable within minutes
- Roomier than the comprable Gunner size
- Will need to bring pump if pumping up when traveling (such as at a hotel).
- Make sure it height fits your car
