The Best Dog Car Harnesses in 2022
- The Best Dog Car Harness
- 1. Kurgo Dog Harness
- 2. Pawaboo Dog Safety Vest Harness
- 3. Mighty Paw Car Dog Harness
- 4. SlowTon Dog Car Harness
- 5. DEXDOG Chest Plate Harness
- 6. RUFFWEAR Load Up Dog Car Harness
- 7. PetSafe Happy Ride Deluxe Car Harness
- 8. EzyDog Drive Safety Travel Dog Car Harness
- 9. Sleepypod Car Safety Dog Harness
- 10. Easy Rider Car Harness for Dogs
If asked to picture a dog in a car, the large majority of people envisage a quintessential Golden Retriever hanging out the window of an RV with their tongue floating in the wind. This is perfectly understandable: after all, this is the stock image for dogs that is plastered all over the internet. However, although we consider happy dogs hanging their heads out of car windows to exemplify what happiness is all about, it's critical for our pet's safety that we only laugh at these funny images online, not in real life.
If you need more convincing, our buying guide and FAQ sections will illustrate why your dog should be restrained in your cat for both your safety as well as theirs. Beforehand, however, we hope the varied selection of dog car harnesses will either change your mind or further reinforce your beliefs that a dog's happiness hanging out the car window is temporary, whereas long-term injuries from a crash remain for life.
The Best Dog Car Harness
1. Kurgo Dog Harness
Key Features
Product has been crash tested up to 34kg
Front D-ring perfect for no-pull training
Lifetime warranty on every Kurgo harness
Kurgo’s dog harness is an exemplary safety product that keeps your dog comfortable as well as safe due to its broad, padded chest plates. Your dog will look simply adorable strapped into the back of your car or RV with their red, grey, blue, or black harness. They’ll probably not want to take it off when you get to your destination; which is why it’s even better that this versatile harness can be used in as a leash, too.
We’re delighted to confirm that Kurgo’s dog harness has indeed been crash tested for dogs up to 75 pounds at Calspan’s Buffalo, NY crash test facility. As the very facility that conducts car seat performance tests for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration body, you can tell Kurgo take the durability of their dog harness seriously.
2. Pawaboo Dog Safety Vest Harness
Key Features
Breathable and durable Oxford fabric resists wear and tear
Soft air mesh padding will be comfortable and breathable for your pooch
Broad sponge padded chest plate fits small and medium dogs to ensure their safety
Pawaboo’s dog safety vest harness is the high-quality car safety harness that every pooch needs in their life. The fast release buckles on either side of the vest harness can be taken off at a moment’s notice, and there are two methods to try (inserting the harness directly or slipping it through the safety belt loop) to guarantee that your dog will be comfortable in the back seat.
This heavy duty harness even includes a handy leash attachment for walking, so your dog will feel super cute outside the car as well as inside. Made of 100% Oxford fabric, the pet car harness will hold up for years. From small dogs like Chihuahuas to large dogs such as Retrievers, one of the four different dog travel harness sizes will keep your dog safe.
3. Mighty Paw Car Dog Harness
Key Features
Made of breathable Oxford fabric so your pooch remains comfortable
Dog harness is adjustable to guarantee safety and a perfect fit
Stainless steel snap hook is electroplated for sturdiness over time
Car travel with your pooch will be a breeze if Mighty Paw’s car dog harness is in play. Suitable for chunky pooches to small dogs alike, the pet harness won’t make car journey an uncomfortable affair for your pet: combined with the Mighty Paw safety belt, your dog will be drifting off to a dreamless sleep in the back of your car.
Four tri-glide buckles guarantee a safe and secure fit, as well as ensuring Mighty Paw’s car dog harness is easy to adjust. Likewise, dog owners will be spoiled for choice by the two leash attachments that make this model the perfect dog harness for car journeys taken to scenic hikes and runs.
4. SlowTon Dog Car Harness
Key Features
Available in many colors including Bottle Green, Burgundy, Dark Blue, and many others
Metal buckle able to rotate 360 degrees to allow for comfort on walks
Double breathable mesh fabric keeps harness comfortable for dogs
Two buckles on chest strap make it easy for dogs to step into the harness
SlowTon’s dog harness and seatbelt set is the perfect pairing to protect your dog’s body in a crash. The double D-ring design on the harness provides the optimal place for a leash attachment, as even the most boisterous of pets won’t be able to break out of two metal buckles. Harnesses are available in four unique colors and six different sizes.
The seat belt connector strap straps in to ensure a snug fit and even contains a 360-degree rotation metal buckle. In the event of a crash, its elastic bungee band is designed to operate as a shock absorber for your pet, and the adjustable nylon straps will secure them in the safest position possible in the car.
5. DEXDOG Chest Plate Harness
Key Features
DEXDOG harnesses feature sliding clips on the straps, making them entirely adjustable
Harnesses comes with a one-year warranty
Padded chest plate will protect your pooch
Reflective detailing allows owner to spot their dog on evening walks
At first glance, the wide range of vibrant colors that DEXIDOG’s Chest Plate harness is available in are perfect for fun-loving dogs who love being the center of attention. While wearing this harness, your dog is still able to enjoy their full range of movement, as the product won’t block shoulder or legs like others. Simultaneously, the harness features a padded chest plate that is a valuable addition to the pet safety system in your vehicle.
An additional feature of DEXDOG’s dog harness that dog owners will come to love is the reflective stitching that effectively illuminates a dog’s body when out on a dark, evening walk. And, if you’re certain that it’s only a matter of time until your dog’s old lead bites the dust, why not buy a matching DEXDOG leash to the color of their harness?
6. RUFFWEAR Load Up Dog Car Harness
Key Features
Seat belt attachment offers a universal fit for all dogs
Tested to withstand vehicle crash test at MGA Research Corp
Designed to attach quickly to existing car seat belts
Dog can stand, sit, and lie down thanks to the flexibility of the harness
Arguably, RUFFWEAR’s dog car harness isn’t only one of the most durable dog car restraint products in this review, but out of the market. Metal strength-rated hardware was specially selected to craft this dog auto harness, which takes no time at all to attach to existing seatbelts in your vehicle.
To ensure their product is of the best of the best, Ruffwear have their harnesses dynamically tested at MGA Research Corp – a renowned test facility belonging to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. All of these tests strictly abide by the conditions summarized in the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 2013, too. Although the price is more expensive than others, it’s because RUFFWEAR take extra precautions to ensure your pet is safe.
7. PetSafe Happy Ride Deluxe Car Harness
Key Features
Available in Small, Medium, and Large so every shape and size of canine will feel safe and secure
Breathable liner keeps dogs from overheating during heatwaves
Drivers will be less distracted from the road knowing that their dogs are safe in the backseat
Product quality guaranteed and crash-test certified
If you’re looking to take your pooch on a road trip, your dog will have enough range of motion to lie down, sit, and stand while being safely strapped into the back seat with PetSafe’s Happy Ride Harness. This optimal range of motion has been achieved thanks to the three different seat belt attachment options available by virtue of the multiple connection points.
This crash-test certified harness has been tested on Small, Medium, and Large crash-test dog dummies and comes available in four sizes. In fact, these crash tested harnesses have endured extensive static testing up to 3000 pounds and more.
8. EzyDog Drive Safety Travel Dog Car Harness
Key Features
High-strength tri-glides made from aluminum alloy to guarantee durability
Harness can be taken off your canine with ease thanks to the Dual SR buckle closure system
Crash-tested product includes ergonomically designed chest plate for increased safety
Rigorous testing of EzyDog safety harness ensures compliance with global child safety standards
EzyDog’s dog car harness is crafted from the best materials available: the tri-glides’ construction from aluminum alloy the vehicle-tested seat belt webbing are only a few of the premium materials that come to mind. The chest pad itself is even made out of ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) – a material that is typically used as a shock absorber, thereby protecting your pooch’s delicate body in the event of a crash.
As no official standards or test requirements for Car Canine Safety products exist thus far, EzyDog are passionate about creating a base level. That’s why they decided to conform their product designs to combine global child safety and vehicle interior standards, thereby putting dogs first at every stage of the testing processs.
9. Sleepypod Car Safety Dog Harness
Key Features
Available in Small to Extra Large as well as four distinctive colors
Three-point infinity loop design reduces forward and lateral movement if a collision occurs
Harness has been crash tested by CPS
Measuring guidelines provide detailed instructions
Offering its user three points of automobile seatbelt contact, Sleepypod’s crash tested safety dog harness is crafted from the finest materials on offer. This wide supportive vest is specially designed to disperse damaging force in a crash all thanks to its exterior’s construction from ballistic nylon. With its power accentuated by the harness’ automotive grade seatbelt webbing, this is one of the best dog harness designs that you don’t want to miss out on.
Warning: This harness should not be purchased as a seat belt restraint for a Greyhound, Whippet, Saluki, Afghan Hound or Borzo due to their large chests but tiny waists.
10. Easy Rider Car Harness for Dogs
Key Features
Available for purchase in Extra-Small to Extra-Large
Uses the car’s seatbelt to protect your dog
Harness doubles as a walking harness
Metal hardware at stress points keep your dog secure in the event of a collision
We’ve decided to exhibit Easy Rider’s safety crash tested dog harness as our final product of this review in the hope that pet owners will realise that investing in car safety products doesn’t have to be an expensive affair. This company’s harness, having been independently crash tested in accordance with the FMVSS 213 for child restraint systems, boasts high-caliber metal hardware are various stress points.
Easy Rider’s harness is highly suitable for both inside the car and for outside for walking thanks to the handy leash attachment. Although this attachment doesn’t swivel like the EzyDog’s high quality harness, the fact that Easy Rider’s model is even able to function as both a walking harness and a seat belt is good enough for us, given that it’s on offer at such an affordable price.
Best Dog Car Harness Buying Guide & FAQ
Why You Need a Dog Car Harness
You'll be able to concentrate better on the road: As the driver, strapping your dog into the back of your vehicle will noticeably improve your focus on the road, opposed to if your dog was unstrapped in the front seat of your car. A survey sponsored by AAA and Kurgo Pet Products backs this statement up with a few worrisome statistics, detailed below:
- 52% of drivers pet their dog while driving
- 17% had their dog sitting in their lap
- 13% give their dog treats when on the road
- 4% even played with their pet during car travel
Ultimately, you'll find that knowing your dog is safely strapped into the back seat will grant you peace of mind, leading to a more enjoyable road trip overall.
Your dog and others on the road will be kept safe: Evidently, this is the principal reason why you desperately need a reliable, crash tested dog harness for your car: to keep your canine and other road users out of harm's way. A chilling statistic that depicts the danger your dog is in when unrestrained is from 2016, when American Humane estimated that at least 100,000 dogs die in accidents each year as a result of them riding in truck beds. This terrifying statistic that doesn't even include the humans who died or were seriously injured from these dogs flying towards their windscreens.
You may also like our article on Dog Car Barriers.
Things to Look for in a Car Harness for Your Pooch
Is the dog harness adjustable?: Being able to adjust the dog harness is a must-have feature for safety harnesses. This feature allows your dog to be mobile in their seat, permitting them to either sit up or lie down in the backseat depending on what they find most comfortable.
Does it have chest and neck padding?: Pet car harnesses worth your while will always have breathable chest padding, whereas premium dog car safety harnesses will include neck padding, too.
Challenges of Car Safety Harnesses
It's very difficult to measure what harness will fit your dog: One of the greatest challenges with dog harnesses is knowing how to measure your canine effectively to ensure their dog harness is a good fit. As finding your pooch the perfect dog harness fit can be a matter of life or death, we've outlined how to measure a dog's body for a harness below:
1 Measure your dog's chest girth: Measuring girth is the most important for deciding the correct size of harness. Place the measuring tape at the back of the neck far up your dog's body and loop it down to just behind their front legs.
2 Now, measure their neck size: To correctly measure your dog's neck, their lower part of their neck should be measured and looped round to guarantee a correct measurement.
Top Tip: If your careful measuring ends up in between two different sizes, choosing the larger harness is recommended. The larger size is hopefully includes adjustable straps and will feature larger chest padding.
Take a look at our reviews of Dog Car Seats and Dog Car Seat Covers for more options.
Our Top Pick
We hope you've profited from our vast selection of the best dog car harnesses on the market. However, if urged to choose our favorite, what dog car harness would we pick for our own pooch to protect them from harm? Kurgo's Dog Harness would have to be our top choice. Tested for dogs weighing up to 75 pounds, the harness has been tested at a reputable testing facility and includes five adjustment points so all breeds of dog are comfortable moving about while strapped in. Besides, as well as protecting your dog in the car, the harness is able to function as a walking harness too. Compatible with every car by virtue of Kurgo's seat belt tether, we recommend buying this fantastic harness for your pet before it sells out completely.
FAQ
Q: Can I use a regular dog harness in the car?
You really shouldn't. We understand why it might be appealing to use your dog's walking harness to strap them in – after all, these things usually include buckles to attach to the car and will save you a chunk of money. However, dog car harnesses are designed for a) restraining your dog so they're in a safe position if a crash occurs, and b) ensuring your dog has the correct padding to protect delicate areas of their body (most notably, their chest and neck) in the event of a collision.
Q: Do dogs have to be restrained in cars by law?
In the UK, it's legal to restrain dogs in your car. To confirm this statement, we've found an extract from the UK Highway Code's 57th rule, which reads as follows:
"When in a vehicle make sure dogs or other animals are suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves, if you stop quickly. A seat belt harness, pet carrier, dog cage or dog guard are ways of restraining animals in cars".
In the USA, however, the law is a little more complicated and differs by states. Only the following states listed below consider it to be an offence if you do not restrain your dog in your vehicle:
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Minnesota
Maine
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New Hampshire
Massachusetts
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Connecticut
Rhode Island
However, legislation for making dog seatbelts mandatory is being heavily considered in many states, and others have passed legislation banning dogs from sitting with drivers in the front, truck bed, or vehicles, and even laps. Therefore, as legislators across the country clash over this hot topic, it makes much more sense to purchase your dog their very own harness to prevent you from being fined and, most importantly, to keep them safe.
Q: Where should my dog sit in the car?
As we elucidated above, certain states such as Arizona don't insist on having dogs wear seat belts, but drivers may be charged if an individual drives with their dog in their lap. The back of the car is the safest place for your dog to chill out in your vehicle for a couple of hours when strapped in with a harness. This will give them the space to lie down and get comfy for the journey ahead.
If in the event of a crash, your dog being in the back seat of the car will stop them from smashing through the front window. Instead, they'll hit off the back of the back seats, instead. Although no situation is ideal, at least the latter situation keeps you dog inside the car.