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Dogs make great car companions—until they try to jump in your lap while you’re driving! But even if your dog settles quietly in the back seat, it’s a good idea to secure them, just as we humans put on our seatbelts. The truth is that dogs on car rides are just as susceptible as humans to injury if an accident were to occur. That’s why we’ve rounded up some of the best car dog harnesses to help you protect your pup from injury in the rare case of a collision.
Properly securing your dog with a car safety harness and/or a dog seatbelt every time you drive is a smart idea. In fact, six states require it. (Check this interactive map to see the status of canine car-safety regulations in your state.) Wherever you live, a car harness may save your dog’s life in the event of an accident. It also has the added benefit of keeping dogs from leaping into the front seat during rides or from hopping outside when you open the car door.
Sleepypod ClickIt Sport Crash-Tested Car Dog Harness
This harness has undergone intensive crash-testing to ensure its safety and is recommended by Dog People panelist and dog trainer, Nicole Ellis.
When evaluating car harnesses, there are a couple of features you may want to look at along with price:
- Whether the harness is crash-tested: Only a few car harnesses have been crash-test certified by the Center for Pet Safety. Owning a crash-tested dog harness may give you extra peace of mind that the harness will hold up in the event of a crash. Expect a crash-tested harness to be at the higher end of the price range.
- Whether a seatbelt attachment is included: Although some harnesses are sold as a set along with the seat belt attachment, others may sell the attachment separately.
- Sizing: You’ll want to choose the size of a harness based on your dog’s chest, neck, and length measurements, rather than his weight, to ensure a good fit. Measure your dog carefully before buying.
- Convenience and adaptability: Some car dog harnesses can easily be used as everyday walking harnesses. You’ll want to think about whether you want to invest in a car-specific harness in addition to the one you may already have, or if you want a harness that can perform more than one function.
- Comfort and construction: Look for details like a padded chest plate, cushioning to prevent chafing, and durable stitching and materials. We especially love to see a lifetime warranty, as offered by Kurgo and Sleepypod.
Safety note: Use a car harness only when you, or another person, are in the car with your dog. If you ever plan to leave your dog alone in a vehicle, make sure to unbuckle your dog first. Left alone, the dog could become tangled in a car harness or seat belt strap and injure themselves.
The Best Car Dog Harnesses
We dug deep into reviews, research, and expert advice to curate this list of the best car dog harnesses. One harness rose above the rest for overall safety, durability, and ease of use—the Sleepypod ClickIt Sport. Read on to find out more about it and nine other great car harness options.
Certified by the Center for Pet Safety, this car dog harness is made of durable ballistic nylon and has undergone intensive safety testing. “It’s unique because it’s actually crash-tested,” says Rover’s Dog People Panel member and expert trainer Nicole Ellis, who highly recommends this dog car harness.
It features a three-point design to reduce forward and sideways movement and attaches to the seat belt directly. It can also be used as a walking harness, as it sports a D-ring leash attachment on the back of the neck strap.
Note: This harness is not recommended for Whippet, Greyhound, Saluki, Afghan Hound, or Borzoi dog breeds.
Sleepypod ClickIt Sport Crash-Tested Car Dog Harness
This harness has undergone intensive crash-testing to ensure its safety and is recommended by Dog People panelist and dog trainer, Nicole Ellis.
Whether you plan to use it in the car or while out on walks, this Kurgo Tru-Fit harness has you covered. It comes with a seat belt attachment, all-steel buckles, and a no-pull style front D-ring leash attachment for walking. This harness also boasts five adjustment points on the straps to ensure a perfect fit for your dog.
Verified review: “The fit was spot on. Whiskey is a boxer mix, medium-sized (45 lbs.) and has a very broad chest but tiny waist. Sometimes it’s hard to find harnesses or coats that are big enough for his chest area. This one was perfect! Whiskey is a puller, so it’s nice to have the option to clip in front or back. The firm fit gave better support and Whiskey seemed to like it a lot on our walk to the beach.”
Kurgo Tru-Fit Car Dog Harness
Another crash tested option, this harness is ideal for both car rides and walks, and its five adjustment points ensure a perfect fit.
The PetSafe car dog harness is easy to use and the padding in front makes it comfortable for dogs to wear. In addition, the harness comes with a leash attachment (so you can use it for walks and potty breaks) plus the strap needed to attach it to the seat belt.
PetSafe Happy Ride Dog Safety Harness
There’s not a lot of bells and whistles, but it’s an affordable, basic, and easy-to-use car dog harness.
If typical car harnesses don’t work with your vehicle, consider this VavoPaw car dog harness. It’s a convenient option to use to resolve compatibility issues when you don’t have an open seat belt in the back seat to buckle a harness into or your vehicle’s seat belt buckles are not a universal size. You can use the carabiner to attach the harness’ safety belt to your car’s headrest rod or latch bar instead. Plus, the harness is constructed with durable Oxford material to keep your pet comfortable and secure.
VavoPaw Vehicle Harness
The connection options for this versatile harness make it convenient to use.
Because of its heavy-duty construction, this car dog harness gets the thumbs-up from owners of medium and large dogs. It’s made of nylon with a locking clasp and can convert to a walking harness, too.
Sherpa Dog Car Harness
With a heavy-duty construction and successful crash test at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, this harness is especially ideal larger breed dogs.
This Mighty Paw car harness slips easily over a dog’s head, making it a great option for dogs averse to step-in harnesses. With two leash attachment rings, on the front and back, it can double as a no-pull walking harness. You can also adjust the length of the tether. Note that you will need to purchase a seat belt attachment separately, as one is not included with this harness.
Mighty Paw Vehicle Safety Harness
This over-the-head harness is a great option for dogs who are averse to step-in harnesses.
This car dog harness is a wallet-friendly option for keeping your furry friend safe while traveling and contains a leash attachment ring so your dog can wear it on short walks as well. Made of mesh fabric, it slips easily over a dog’s head and comes with an elastic bungee cord seat belt attachment, designed to prevent jerking if your car stops suddenly. This harness comes in six sizes, including XXX-small for a puppy or tiny dog.
Lukovee Dog Safety Harness and Seat Belt Set
This wallet-friendly harness comes in a wide range of colors and sizes.
The Easy Rider car dog harness also functions as a walking harness, so you’re ready to hit the ground running when you arrive at your destination. It’s designed to connect to a front or rear seatbelt and incorporates a padded chest strap for comfort. This harness has been crash-tested by the manufacturer.
Easy Rider Adjustable Car Harness
This crash-tested option can be used as both a car and a walking harness.
This top-of-the-line harness from Kurgo is constructed from a single piece of high-tensile tubular webbing. It has a padded, broad chest plate for comfort and protection, designed to reduce forward motion in the event of sudden stopping or impact. Crash-tested by the manufacturer.
Kurgo Impact Car Dog Safety Harness
This single-piece harness is designed to reduce forward motion in the event of a sudden stop.
Available in a variety of sizes and color options, the Slowton car dog harness is designed for use in the rear passenger seat of your car and can double as a walking harness too. It features a breathable mesh vest design that secures your dog’s entire torso and offers quick connection and release when used with the included car seatbelt.
More Dog Car Safety Tips
Packing for a road trip? Your dog needs car snacks, water, and potty breaks—just like you do. Make water readily available to your pup to avoid dehydration. Meals, treats, and chew toys are all great options to keep your dog busy and distracted in the car—a Classic Kong gives them all of those things at once.
If you have to leave your dog in the car briefly, be sure to first assess the temperature. What feels like a mild day outside won’t feel so mild inside the car. Surprisingly, the temperature inside the car on a 75-degree day can easily reach 100 degrees! Pets can die inside hot cars, even if the windows are left slightly open.
Keep in mind that many jurisdictions have enacted laws against leaving a dog in the car. When in doubt, and whenever you can, take your pup with you when you leave the car. A harness that has both car and leash attachment points will help!
Need more great pet travel suggestions? From carriers to travel bowls, see what’s new on the Rover Store.