8 Best Dog Seat Belts for 2022

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From simple tethers to crash-tested harnesses, these seat belts keep your dog safe during car rides.

With so many safety-rated dog seat belts and harnesses on the market, there's no excuse to put your dog at risk during car rides. Our comprehensive list includes some of the top picks for all sizes of dogs—and all sizes of budgets.

Whether you’re taking a 10-minute trip to the park or making an eight-hour move across state lines, keeping your dog safe and secure in your vehicle is a priority. An unrestrained dog not only puts it in harm's way but also can become a dangerous distraction for you, the driver, if they jump into the front seat, fall onto the floor, or even become trapped under the brake pedal.

In some states, it's illegal to drive with an unrestrained animal in your vehicle. In states that do not have animal-specific driving laws, motorists driving with loose pets can still get nailed with a ticket for distracted driving, especially in the event of a collision.

Dogs should always ride in the back seat—not the front passenger seat, and absolutely not in the driver's lap. Even in a minor fender bender, a deployed airbag can seriously injure or even kill a dog. What's more, at high speeds, an unrestrained dog can become a projectile, possibly resulting in the death of both the dog and passengers.

While most dogs go into a wagging frenzy when it's time to go for a ride, some become a quivering ball of nerves. Dogs that experience car anxiety may feel more relaxed with the right car seat belt. If they’re comfortable and not struggling to keep their balance, they can learn to sit back and enjoy the view. At moderate speeds, you can even crack the windows so your dog can take in the aromas of the outdoors.

If you have a big road trip coming up, plan ahead by testing your dog's new seat belt on short, fun trips. A few quick outings to a nearby park can make all the difference in creating a positive association with gearing up and riding in the car.

To keep your dog safe, their seat-belt harness should be a perfect fit. It’ll be of no use if your dog is able to squirm out while you’re driving. Make sure to review each manufacturer's size chart and fitting recommendations. If your dog is between sizes, it's generally best to size up so you can tighten the straps to fit.

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If you have a puppy who is growing by the minute, or you foster different size dogs often, you may want to consider a tether, which simply attaches the leash clip on your dog's harness to the seat-belt connector in your vehicle. Once your puppy is full-grown, consider investing in a crash-tested harness system.

The seat belt has to fit not only your dog, but your vehicle, as well. Some seat belts attach to rear passenger seat belts, while others clip to baby-seat connectors.

As a longtime pet-industry copywriter and product reviewer, I’m in the know about top pet brands that have high standards for quality. Their products are designed with the same attention to detail you’d expect if you were buying something for a human family member, such as a car seat for your newborn. Many of these featured products have been safety rated or crash tested to ensure they hold up in a collision.

I also took into consideration how the dog would feel about the product because, after all, they’re the one using it. Each product was chosen based on not only their safety rating but also how easy they are to get on and off and how comfortable they would be if worn for hours on end during a road trip. These are the car seat belts I recommend for traveling with your dog.

Key Specs

Like all SleepyPod products, the ClickIt Sport Harness is crash tested and safety rated by the Center for Pet Safety (CPS). The unique Infinity Loop design features an energy-absorbing padded vest to help distribute pressure both when used as a walking harness and in the event of a collision. The step-in-style harness is installed by threading the seat belt through the back straps, which allows the dog to comfortably sit, stand, or lie down. It doubles as a walking harness with a rear D-ring for attaching a leash.

Key Specs

Awarded a 5-star safety rating from the Center for Pet Safety, this unique dog seat belt features a patented design that keeps your pint-size pup in a suspended, upright position. Originally designed for dogs with hip and knee issues, the product has been approved by veterinarians and small-animal spinal surgeons for use by most dogs for up to an hour and a half at a time. The company recommends giving your dog a break to stretch its legs and do its business every 90 minutes.

Key Specs

This double-duty harness is crash tested at the same facility that maintains Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 213 for Child Restraint Systems. It's equipped with both a front and back D-ring leash attachment. When used as a front-clip walking harness, it promotes improved leash manners in dogs that pull. Built for durability, it features all-metal nesting buckles based on the same engineering used in mountain-climbing harnesses. The over-the-head design offers five points of adjustment for a snug fit that helps thwart escape artists.

Key Specs

The Load Up harness is the only design that features a quick-release side buckle for easy on and off. The low-set seat-belt attachment point gives your dog enough leeway to sit, lie down, or stand, and also keeps them in an upright position in the event of a collision. It has been crash tested at MGA Research Corporation under the conditions outlined in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 213 for Child Restraint Systems. It's equipped with strength-rated metal hardware and components.

Key Specs

With its universal design, this seat-belt tether is compatible with most vehicles and most harnesses. Simply attach the carabiner to the leash clip on the back of your dog's harness and insert the end into the seat-belt slot. While the Bungee Tether is not crash tested, it is affordable and easy to use. It's an ideal option for someone who, for example, transports different size foster dogs or has a fast-growing puppy and doesn't want to invest in a harness it will quickly outgrow. The bungee design gives your dog extra wiggle room while keeping them secure in their seat.

Key Specs

Like the Kurgo seat-belt tether above, this product is compatible with most walking harnesses. The aviation carabiner clip is the same as those used for rock climbing, touting the capability to withstand over 850 pounds of max force tension. Constructed with braided steel wire, it stands up to even the most powerful chewers. It's not safety tested, but it can be a great budget option for those who need a quick solution for transporting fosters.

Key Specs

With its breathable mesh liner design, the Happy Ride harness is less bulky than other harnesses, making it a comfortable choice even for small dogs. The simple design is similar to typical walking harnesses, with straps that are easy to adjust. It has a back D-ring leash connection, and the included car tether has a carabiner clip that can attach to a seat belt at multiple connection points for variable range of motion. The Happy Ride harness passed crash testing at the Kettering University Crash Safety Center using Kettering University's Deceleration Sled and a standard Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 213 Child Seat Bench. The materials were stress tested for over 3,000 pounds of force.

Key Specs

The EzyDog Drive harness is a structured yet comfortable option with an ergonomic molded chest plate that conforms to your dog's shape. It's been crash tested at the Automotive Safety Engineering in Australia and meets USA, Europe, and Australia regulations for child-restraint and vehicle-interior standards. The straps are made of vehicle-tested seat-belt webbing. Once adjusted, the Drive Car Harness is easy to put on and take off with two buckle closures. To install, feed the seat belt through the handles on the back of the harness.

Lindsay Pevny is a pet-industry writer who has worked closely over the past decade with pet professionals to spread the word about innovations in behavioral training, veterinary care, and household products that make our pets’ lives happier, healthier, and most important, longer. Through her Popular Mechanics contributions, she features the best pet products to free up those busy shopping fingers for belly rubs and behind-the-ear scratches. When she's not writing about pets, she's making homemade pizza, hunting for mushrooms, and snuggling with her dogs, Matilda and Cow, and her cat Sabrina.

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