Some dogs like to snooze on the back seat, others prefer to sit where they can see everything, and all dogs like to be comfortable riding in the car. Dog car seats are dedicated restraints that position dogs in soft, structured seats attached to the vehicle’s seat belt system or anchor points.
Dog car seats are popular because they can:
- Reduce injury to pets and passengers if they securely restrain dogs during sudden stops or collisions
- Prevent dogs from jumping into the driver’s lap, roaming, or creating distractions
- Provide elevation for small dogs so they can see out the window, reducing anxiety and motion sickness
- Make car rides more comfortable, rewarding experiences for dogs of all ages
Dog car seats come in different shapes and sizes to fit different breeds and vehicles. Most of the car seats available today are for small dogs, though a few car beds and hammocks accommodate large breeds.
How Do Dog Car Seats Work?
Most dog car seats attach to a car’s seat with straps or seat belts. Common design features include:
- A harness tether or clip-in leash to help prevent the dog from jumping or falling
- A non-slip base that prevents the seat from sliding during turns
- A rigid or semi-rigid frame that prevents the seat from collapsing during sudden stops or braking
- An interior padded with foam or fiberfill to cushion and absorb movement
- Bolsters or raised walls that add security and comfort
- Straps that loop around headrests or bucket seats for attachment or connection to seat belts
Dog Seat Sizes
Small dog car seats are the most popular and widely available. Dogs weighing less than 25 pounds have many options, including compact, lightweight booster seats that provide elevated positioning for canine window viewing.
Medium dog car seats fit dogs weighing 25 to 50 pounds, usually in a bucket or hammock style. These dog car seats may feature reinforced sides and multiple straps, balancing containment with room to move, and they often double as travel beds.
Large dog car seats designed for dogs weighing more than 50 pounds often span multiple seats or entire back rows. Built with thicker foam and wider bases than car seats designed for smaller dogs, they use multiple anchor points for security. Some models resemble car seat extenders or padded platforms for trucks and SUVs.
Many dog car seats include storage pockets for leashes, treats, toys, and accessories. Waterproof materials protect against dirt and accidents, and all dog car seats help protect vehicles from scratches, shedding, and upholstery wear.
“Restrained” vs. “Secured” Dogs
A restrained dog is attached in some way to the vehicle, such as with a single tether that attaches to the dog’s harness. All dog car seat manufacturers recommend that dogs wear a harness that’s attached to the seat’s tether, not a collar attached to the tether. While restrained dogs can’t jump into the front seat or create similar distractions, in a collision they can crash through windshields, harm passengers, become seriously injured, or die.
A secured dog is fastened to the vehicle in a sturdy harness, crate, or crash-tested dog car seat or carrier that remains attached to the car and prevents the dog from being thrown forward. Secured dogs are more likely to survive sudden stops, collisions, and other car accidents.
In 2019, Volvo Car USA and the Harris Poll published a study examining how driving with an unrestrained pet affects driving behavior compared to driving behaviors when pets are restrained with a pet seat belt, harness, crate, or carrier. Unsafe driving behaviors more than double when unrestrained pets are loose in a car and stress shown by elevated heart rates increase in both people and pets, while drivers’ heart rates drop significantly when dogs are buckled in.
A 2011 survey conducted by the American Automobile Association (AAA) asked 1,000 dog-owning members about their driving habits with dogs in the car. The survey found that 56% had driven with their dog at least once a month in the past year; 23% used their hands or arms to hold a dog in place while applying brakes; 19 percent used their hands or arms to keep a dog from climbing into the front seat, 18% allowed a dog to sit in their lap while driving; and 3% had taken photos of their dog while driving. That was 15 years ago, so the photo percentage is likely higher now.
According to the study, an unrestrained 10-pound dog in a 30-miles-per-hour crash will exert roughly 300 pounds of pressure on impact, while an unrestrained 80-pound dog in the same crash will exert 2400 pounds of pressure. Faster speeds increase the crash pressure significantly. Unrestrained dogs of any size in any crash can be dangerous projectiles, seriously injuring passengers and themselves.
Will You and Your Dog Survive a Serious Car Crash?
If your dog is in a booster seat with a single tether attached to his collar or harness, the answer is probably not. In 2015, the Center for Pet Safety conducted a pilot study of popular dog car seats, several of which failed because their anchor straps broke on impact, their connections failed, or their connection hardware experienced significant deformation. Booster seats with a single tether attached to the dog’s collar or harness were most likely to malfunction in a car crash. Other car seat designs are popular because they restrain dogs, provide a comfortable location, offer an outside view, or are easy to use—but very few of them can protect dogs or passengers in sudden stops, collisions, or accidents.
Given these safety concerns, all of the products in this review have been crash-tested (see “What Does “Crash Tested” Mean for Dog Car Seats?” below for more information on crash testing for pet products).
The Safest Dog Car Seats
| Product Name, Maker | Crash Test | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tavo Maeve | UN ECE R129 | $250 | For dogs up to 30 pounds, the Tavo Maeve Pet Car Seat has a rigid shell, padded interior, and an energy-absorbing stabilizing leg. Available in 8 colors and 3 small sizes. |
| Sleepypod | CPS 5-star | $225 | For dogs up to 15 pounds, this sturdy round bed with a mesh top comes in 11 colors. The SleepyPod Air ($215) for dogs up to 18 pounds is soft-sided and airline-approved. The SleepyPod Mini ($200) for dogs up to 7 pounds fits under an airline seat. |
| PawsInCar | CPS 5-star | $139 | For dogs up to 25 pounds, this black soft-sided pet car seat with mesh ventilation doubles as a hand-held carrier. The expandable PawsInCar pet car seat ($99) comes in 2 sizes for dogs up to 12 pounds. The fashionable vegan leather PawsInCar carrier ($250) for dogs up to 10 pounds comes in 5 colors. |
| PupSaver | MGA/FMVSS-213 | $210-$250 | For dogs up to 45 pounds, this rear-facing dog car seat comes in 2 sizes and 3 colors. The basic PupSaver fits both front and back seats and the larger PupSaver 45 is for the back seat only. |
The Tavo Maeve Pet Car Seat ($250) protects dogs weighing up to 30 pounds safe with a rigid safety shell, padded interior, and high-grade textiles that come in 8 colors. The Tavo Maeve is UN ECE R129 crash-tested at a Tavo facility, and its base has an energy-absorbing leg that helps keep the car seat stable. The Maeve offers protection similar to that of child car seats and comes with a 2-year warranty.
The SleepyPod Air ($215), a soft-sided airline-approved carrier for pets weighing up to 18 pounds, doubles as a car seat and as a comfortable pet bed. SleepyPod’s Mobile Pet Bed ($225) and SleepyPod’s Mini ($200) are sturdy carriers with a hard shell and plush washable bedding. These luggage-grade carriers come in 11 colors, keep pets weighing up to 15 pounds safely attached to a car’s seatbelt straps, and feature mesh panels that provide air flow and visibility. All SleepyPod carriers are 5-star certified by CPS and covered by a 1-year warranty.
The PawsInCar Dog Car Seat ($139) is a soft-sided carrier made of sturdy Oxford fabric with mesh ventilation for pets weighing up to 25 pounds. When not strapped into a car, the car seat doubles as a hand-held carrier or pet bed. PawsInCar also makes a multi-window pet backpack for carrying dogs under 18 pounds ($119 for regular or $129 for the expandable version), an expandable pet carrier for dogs under 12 pounds ($99), and a stylish vegan leather pet carrier with 5 color options for dogs under 10 pounds ($250). All are 5-star certified by CPS.
The PupSaver Car Seat ($210 – $220), recommended for dogs weighing up to 30 pounds, is a rear-facing car seat that attaches to both front and back seats. Crash-tested at MGA Research Corporation using FMVSS-213 standards, the PupSaver uses an all-metal tether system and heavy-duty metal hooks that easily latch onto lower anchors. When parked, it doubles as a cozy pet bed. The PupSaver 45 ($250) is recommended for dogs weighing 30 to 45 pounds with a body length less than 24 inches. The PupSaver 45 is used in the back seat only. PupSaver has a 30-day refund policy.
What Does “Crash Tested” Mean for Dog Car Seats?
A “crash tested” dog car seat, seatbelt harness, or travel crate has been evaluated in a simulated vehicle collision for its ability to stay attached, restrain the dog, and limit dangerous movement.
Crash testing is expensive and difficult, so only a few manufacturers pay for independent testing. Many car-restraining designs, especially booster seats with tethers, fail crash tests. Most dog car seats are not crash-safe. Dog owners concerned about safety have to weigh the risks inherent in dog-restraining (but not dog-securing) products against their convenience and affordability.
The Center for Pet Safety (CPS), an independent consumer safety group, was founded in 2011 by Lindsey Wolko after her dog Maggie was injured by a harness that failed in a sudden stop. CPS uses independent laboratories and crash-test methods similar to those used for child restraints in its testing of dog car seats, travel crates, and seatbelt harnesses. Products are evaluated on excursion distance, hardware/webbing integrity, and whether crate doors or latches hold during impact. Its 5-star certification is its highest rating.
MGA Research Corporation provides specialized testing services for automotive safety, including crash testing and sled testing. Crash testing is a scientific process that simulates real-world vehicle collisions under controlled conditions. The goal is to evaluate how a vehicle or its equipment protects occupants during various types of crashes. Sled testing involves mounting a vehicle seat—or an entire vehicle interior section—onto a guided platform that simulates the rapid deceleration of a crash. The sled is accelerated and then abruptly stopped, mimicking g-forces generated during actual frontal or rear impacts. MGA Research uses FMVSS-213 testing standards.
FMVSS-213 (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number 213) is the federal standard used to test children’s car seats. If tested against these criteria, dog car seats must remain within excursion limits (32 inches for dogs up to 50 pounds or 36 inches for dogs between 51 and 75 pounds) while maintaining structural integrity (hardware and webbing must not break or completely separate).
UN ECE R129 is a European child restraint standard, and some manufacturers have tested their crates and car seats at dynamic testing facilities that employ this United Nations standard.
“Manufacturer Crash Tested” is not an independent certification and its pass criteria may be unclear or nonexistent. To learn about a product’s testing, visit its website to see what evidence it offers, such as videos taken at MGA Research or other facilities, or crash test reports from those facilities.
Why Don’t More Owners Insist on Crash-tested Products?
The majority of dog owners don’t invest in crash-proof products because:
- Crash-tested products are expensive
- They can restrict a dog’s movement
- Many dogs who are used to being loose in cars don’t like them
- It can be time-consuming to correctly fasten a dog car seat or harness to the car’s seatbelt or connect a crate to the car’s anchor points
- Many owners assume that because their dogs are calm, they don’t need a secure product
- Many owners assume that because they take only short trips, their dogs are never in danger,
- Most owners don’t know that crash-tested dog products exist
No car seats, wire crates, hammocks, or travel beds for large dogs have passed independent crash tests, so the safest way to secure large dogs is in a crash-tested harness or travel crate. Most harness sizes are determined by girth (chest length measured just behind the front legs), and manufacturers provide detailed instructions for determining a dog’s correct size.
SleepyPod Click-it Range Harnesses ($127 – $143) come in 5 sizes, 2 lengths, 4 body types, and 3 colors fitting dogs 19 to 44 inches in girth and weighing up to 110 pounds. SleepyPod Sport Harnesses ($104 – $127) come in 9 colors and 4 sizes fitting dogs16.5 to 40 inches in girth and weighing up to 90 pounds. Both are 5-star crash test certified by CPS. These harnesses can be used with a leash for walking. Because any harness involved in a collision or accident should not be reused, SleepyPod has a free crash replacement program.
Saker Bomber Harnesses ($190), which are manufactured in Canada, come in 4 sizes and 6 colors fitting dogs from 13 to 45 inches in girth and weighing 22 to 200 pounds. They are 5-star crash test certified by CPS and adapt with accessories to a canine backpack, rescue sling for carrying your dog on your back, and a traction leash that lets your dog pull you up steep hills or through snow. The Saker Bomber has a 6-month warranty.
Kurgo Car Safety Harnesses were crash-tested at Calspan’s Buffaly, NY, crash test facility using a test procedure adapted from FMVSS-213’s child safety standards. The Enhanced Strength Tru-Fit harness ($30) comes in 5 sizes and 4 colors fitting dogs 12 to 44 inches in girth and weighing 5 to 110 pounds. It can be used with a leash for walking. The Impact Car Dog Harness ($79) in black comes in 3 sizes for dogs weighing 10 to 108 pounds and, although it has a leash attachment on the back, it is recommended as a car travel safety harness only. Both come with a lifetime warranty.
The black EzyDog Drive Car Harness ($125) from Australia comes in 3 sizes from 11 to 42 inches in girth for dogs weighing 15 to more than 65 pounds. It was crash-tested by Automotive Safety Engineering of Australia using the USA’s FMVSS-213 standards. This harness is recommended for vehicle use and has a one-year warranty.
RuffWear’s slate blue Load Up Harness ($99) comes in 5 sizes fitting dogs measuring 13 to 42 inches in girth and was crash-tested at MGA Research Corporation using FMVSS-213 standards. This harness is for vehicle use only. The LoadUp has a lifetime replacement guarantee.
Gunner G1 Kennels ($550 – $625) work best in vehicles with dedicated cargo space, secure anchoring points, and enough clearance for the crate’s dimensions, which range from 24.5 inches by 14.5 inches by 15.5 inches (size small) to 28 inches by 18 inches by 20 inches (size large). These double-walled crates are heavy; the empty large-size kennel weighs 72 pounds. Available in 4 sizes and 14 colors, G1 kennels received 5-star safety ratings from CPS when tested with tie-down straps that cost an extra $90. Lifetime warranty.
Lucky Duck Travel Crates ($550 – $700) come in 3 sizes and 3 colors, accommodating dogs weighing up to 50 pounds (size medium), 75 pounds (intermediate), or 110 pounds (large). The empty large-size crate measures 38 by 24 by 29 inches and weighs 45 pounds. All Lucky Duck travel crates received a 5-star certification from CPS when tested with nylon webbing ratchet straps, which cost an additional $99. Lifetime warranty.
Check Your Local Laws Regarding Restraining Dogs in Vehicles
A growing number of states have passed legislation requiring that dogs in cars be restrained or secured. Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Washington are among states with laws that apply to dogs in cars. Even if a state does not require car seatbelt harnesses, travel crates, or car seats, laws against distracted driving can apply when dogs are loose in the car.
It appears the RuffWear Load Up Harness link above is for a scam website. The price is discounted from $99 to $30 with a further 10% discount and important product information is missing from the website.
Have used the Sleepypod Air for my 14 lb maltipoo. Love the peace of mind that comes from having my dog in a secured carrier that has been crash tested. We have traveled all winter for 14 years and my dog always travels in the Sleepypod and she very comfortable traveling that way. A weak point in this Sleepypod model is that the zipper begins separating, so we have had to replace it every couple of years. Yes it is expensive but we travel a lot and it is worth it for the safety and peace of mind. Good article, thank you.
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