Seat belts aren’t only necessary for humans, if you take your canine companion on the road, it’s wise to invest in one of the best dog seat belts. Should you get into an accident, an unsecured pet could be badly injured or worse.
There are a number of dog seat belts on the market, and we reviewed several to find those that are easy to use, secure, and comfortable – as far as we could determine based on our dog’s behavior.
In this article:
- 5 Best Dog Seat Belts
- #1 Best Overall Dog Seat Belt: EzyDog Drive Harness
- #2 Runner-Up: Sleepypod Clickit Sport
- #3 Easiest To Use: Ruffwear Doubleback
- #4 Budget Pick: Kurgo Tru-Fit
- #5 Also Consider: Kurgo Universal Car Tether
- Buyers Guide: Best Dog Seat Belts
- Our Review Standards
- Frequently Asked Questions
5 Best Dog Seat Belts
- EzyDog Drive Harness
- Sleepypod Clickit Sport
- Ruffwear Doubleback
- Kurgo Tru-Fit
- Kurgo Universal Car Tether
#1 Best Overall Dog Seat Belt: EzyDog Drive Harness
The EZYDog Drive Harness has been crash-tested by Automotive Safety Engineering in Australia (ASEA) experts, making it the best dog car harness. This group is responsible for the official certification of child safety seats in the US, Europe, and Australia.
Three different sizes are available for dogs with chest circumferences ranging from 11.0 to 42.0 inches.
Cost: About $125
Our Experience
The strap tightening and loosening system is difficult to use. It took us some time and effort to properly adjust this harness. However, there are markings on the harness to help you adjust to the perfect position based on your dog’s specific measurements.
Our test dog, Louise, found the harness comfortable. She was able to lay down or sit up in relative comfort. Louise seemed content to wear the harness with no issues breathing or relaxing. The broad chest plate fit her well.
This harness is well-constructed, with high-quality buckles and thick, well-stitched straps. The chest plate is a little rigid, but this didn’t seem to bother Louise. Overall, the EzyDog is our top pick because of its quality construction.
| Overall Rating | 4.2 out of 5 |
|---|---|
| Material Quality | 4.5 out of 5 |
| Adjustability | 3.5 out of 5 |
| Dog Comfort | 4.5 out of 5 |
What Customers Are Saying
The EzyDog harness has more than 500 ratings on Amazon, which give it an average score of 4.3 stars. A total of 81 percent of reviewers give this dog car harness 4 or more stars.
A few Amazon reviewers were in accidents while using this car harness, and all of them reported that their dogs emerged unharmed.
Most feel that this harness fits well once properly adjusted, and many report comfy dogs. However, the EzyDog doesn’t accommodate all animals. A few owners said their pets were uncomfortable. In one case, a small-breed dog was able to slip out of the EzyDog harness.
#2 Runner-Up: Sleepypod Clickit Sport
Sleepypod manufactures a number of pet products from travel carriers to safety harnesses. The Clickit Sport harness is designed for safety and comfort and is available in four sizes (accommodating dogs with chest diameters running from 16.5 to 40.0 inches and up to 90.0 pounds).
The Sleepypod Clickit Sport has been independently crash-tested by the Center for Pet Safety (CPS). It is one of the few dog seat harnesses endorsed by this group.
In addition to being a dog safety belt, the Clickit Sport doubles as a harness for walks. It comes with a buckle shield and an S clip.
Cost: About $120
Our Experience
We had some difficulty adjusting the Clickit Sport. It is a laborious process to tighten and loosen the straps. However, these adjustments only need to be made once, and then only tightened occasionally. Fastening the buckles and attaching the harness to our test dog did not present issues.
Louise seemed comfortable during her test ride. She was able to sit upright and look out the window. While the harness kept her close to the seat, it did not prevent her from adjusting her sitting position or lying down.
The materials are soft, and the chest shield does not fit too tightly. The included seat belt buckle shield is a nice touch for added comfort.
| Overall Rating | 4 out of 5 |
|---|---|
| Material Quality | 4.5 out of 5 |
| Adjustability | 3 out of 5 |
| Dog Comfort | 4.5 out of 5 |
What Customers Are Saying
The Clickit Sport has just over 100 ratings on Amazon and an average score of 4.2 stars out of 5. A total of 78 percent of reviews rate the dog harness 4 or more stars.
Nearly all reviewers agree that this is a safe and secure harness, no doubt basing this opinion on the crash tests conducted by the CPS. We were unable to find reviews from users that experienced an accident while using this harness.
Those that like the harness think it fits great and report that their dogs are comfortable. Many appreciate that it doubles as a harness for tethering a leash.
Some say the Clickit Sport doesn’t fit their dog well, especially around the neck. Our test dog has an especially broad chest, and it fit her very well. Large dogs (above 90.0 pounds) seem to have the most trouble with this harness. This seat belt harness also doesn’t fit many miniature breeds (like Chihuahuas).
#3 Easiest To Use: Ruffwear Doubleback
The Ruffwear Doubleback is designed as a belay harness for dogs (for rock climbing). It is a rigorous, robust harness that could also be used to secure your pet in a vehicle (by threading the seat belt through the top loop). The multi-strap system and padded vest ensure even weight distribution. That said, this product is not crash-tested for dogs.
The Doubleback features aluminum buckles and strength-rated adjustable straps. The vest portion is padded for comfort. There is even a small carrying pouch included. This harness features leg loops, which are more suitable for using this harness as a belay. When not in use, these loops tuck neatly into a zippered pouch in the back.
Cost: About $130
Our Experience
We like the Doubleback because we found it so easy to use. The straps are easy to adjust while being secure once set in place. While the system seems complex at first, once we figured it out, we had the harness properly adjusted in no time.
Even at its loosest, this harness was tight around the neck, at least for our test dog. Among the car harnesses we tested, the Doubleback seemed to be of average comfort for our test dog. Louise has a broad chest for her size, so it may fit other breeds better. It could be that she needed a larger size than we tested.
When it comes to material quality, we think the Doubleback is top-of-the-line and one of the best dog seat belts available. High-quality nylon straps and durable buckles are designed for extreme conditions and rough use.
| Overall Rating | 3.8 out of 5 |
|---|---|
| Material Quality | 4.5 out of 5 |
| Adjustability | 4 out of 5 |
| Dog Comfort | 3 out of 5 |
What Customers Are Saying
The Ruffwear Doubleback has an average Amazon rating of 4.2 stars based on around 200 reviews. A total of 80 percent of reviewers give this dog harness 4 or more stars.
Users review this dog harness mostly for its intended purpose: for rock climbing and other outdoor dog adventures. Many use this for older dogs to help pick them up and assist their climbs into high vehicles. The straps are ideally situated for supporting a dog’s hips.
Many seem pleased with the comfort the Doubleback offers and are impressed by the rugged design. Reviewers also note that this harness is easy to adjust.
Some dogs find the rear leg loops to be very uncomfortable. This was also the case with our test dog. Another downside to this harness is that while the straps are easy to adjust, it can be hard to get the harness over a dog. You must pull this harness over your dog’s head and paws more like a T-shirt, and this can be difficult for older dogs to accomplish.
#4 Budget Pick: Kurgo Tru-Fit
The Kurgo Tru-Fit is available in five sizes and rated for dogs up to 75.0 pounds. Kurgo harnesses are crash-tested in a testing facility that handles testing child seat belt restraint systems. Both static and dynamic crash tests have been conducted on this harness.
This dog car seat belt has five points of adjustment for optimal fitment.
Cost: About $40
Our Experience
The Kurgo Tru-fit is much easier to adjust than the EzyDog or the Sleepypod. However, our test dog found this harness less comfortable than the other two. While she did not seem pained and was able to comfortably sit in our test vehicle, Louise was noticeably less pleased with the fit of this harness. As mentioned, our test dog is broad-chested.
The materials don’t seem as durable as the other harnesses we’ve recommended, but they’re not flimsy. The durable nylon should be chew-proof for most dog breeds.
| Overall Rating | 3.7 out of 5 |
|---|---|
| Material Quality | 3.5 out of 5 |
| Adjustability | 4 out of 5 |
| Dog Comfort | 3.5 out of 5 |
What Customers Are Saying
This dog car seat has more than 5,100 ratings on Amazon. It has an average score of 4.4 stars, and 85 percent of reviewers rate the Kurgo Tru-Fit 4 or more stars.
Though a few people mention that it takes time to get accustomed to using the fasteners, this dog harness is generally easy to use. Reviewers say the straps are sturdy and durable. The high-quality buckles offer peace of mind to many dog owners.
Some dogs don’t like the fit. Those with broad-chested dogs report that the Kurgo is too tight in the chest and too loose in the waist if sized up. This tracks with our experience, as our broad-chested dog didn’t seem quite as comfortable in the Kurgo.
#5 Also Consider: Kurgo Universal Car Tether
The Kurgo car tether is not a harness like the other dog seat belts we recommend. Rather, this seat belt clip hooks onto a dog harness and buckles directly into the car’s seat belt. The Kurgo tether has not been crash-tested. While we are uncertain if this device would stay clicked in during a high-speed crash, it is useful for keeping your pet settled in the back seat and can offer some protection during a low-speed collision.
Cost: About $15
Our Experience
We give the Kurgo tether high points for adjustability and comfort because it can be used in conjunction with any dog harness. The Kurgo attaches via a solid metal carabiner to keep your dog secured in the back seat.
This adjustable dog seat belt clips into your car’s seat belt slot, but is not otherwise secured. While the nylon fabric seems robust, with enough force, the connector clip may become dislodged.
| Overall Rating | 3.7 out of 5 |
|---|---|
| Material Quality | 3 out of 5 |
| Adjustability | 4 out of 5 |
| Dog Comfort | 4 out of 5 |
What Customers Are Saying
There are over 6,000 ratings for the Kurgo tether on Amazon, giving the dog seat belt an average score of 4.6 stars. A total of 91 percent of reviews rate the Kurgo tether 4 or more stars.
There are a few reviewers who report getting into a wreck while using the Kurgo tether. In every mention of an accident that we could find, users reported that their animal was kept safe during the accident.
However, these reviews either didn’t mention the type of dog or had a small dog (under 40.0 pounds). It’s unclear if the tether would be effective for heavy dogs. At least one review said their animal was able to tug the tether out of the seat clip with enough effort.
Buyers Guide: Best Dog Seat Belts
The most important feature of any dog seat belt is safety. A dog car harness should be made of durable materials with strong metal buckles and quality stitching. Should you get in an accident, you don’t want a product that will tear or malfunction.
Other factors to consider are adjustability and dog comfort. An adjustable-length harness is easy to use and can fit your dog in a way that is both comfortable and secure. Canines are an extremely varied species that come in a range of sizes and shapes. You may need to try several options to determine which harness has the best compatibility for your dog.
Some brands are better for smaller dogs and others for larger animals. You may need to test several before you find the perfect pet harness for your furry friend.
Crash Tests
Dog seat belts are not regulated like human restraint systems. Therefore, there aren’t many organizations that perform rigorous crash tests for dog safety harnesses. One group, the Center for Pet Safety, has conducted some harness tests but only on a small handful of products. Its most recent test was conducted in 2018.
A few companies conduct their own tests, contracting facilities that test human safety restraint systems. These tests offer some assurances, but as the company performing the testing is paid by the company requesting the testing, we feel these results aren’t as reliable as independent crash tests.
Our Review Standards
The dog seat belts in this article went through two rounds of reviews. We started by searching Amazon for top products, looking at factors like Prime shipping eligibility, customer ratings, Amazon superlatives, and price.
The dog seat belts that best met these standards were ordered by our team for testing. A team member tested each product on a car, taking note of material quality, adjustability, and dog comfort. Each seat was given a rating out of 5 stars based on this criteria.
Material Quality
Heavy-duty materials and durable construction translate to increased vehicle safety in the event of an accident. While this isn’t the only factor to impact safety, it is an important one. Well-made harnesses will also last longer. We closely inspected each harness to assess material quality.
Adjustability
A more adjustable car safety harness will better fit your dog. To properly secure your pet, the best dog car harness should be appropriately tightened. A harness that is too tight is uncomfortable, and harnesses with multiple points of adjustment are ideal to fit most pets.
We gave the best adjustability scores to harnesses that offered a number of adjustment points and to those harnesses that were easiest to adjust to fit our test pup.
Dog Comfort
While safety should be your number one concern, it’s also important that your pet is comfortable. We based our comfort scores on the mood of our test animal once secured in the harness. Mood could be assessed by dog posture, whining (or lack thereof), panting (or lack thereof), and ear position.
Dog Seat Belt Testing Process
We tested all of the dog seat belts we recommend with the assistance of Louise, a medium-sized beagle mutt. Each harness was attached to Louise and then secured according to included directions. After strapping in our test dog, we took her for a drive around the block.
Special attention was paid to Louise's mood throughout each drive. We also carefully inspected each product for material quality, examining every strap and buckle, as well as stitching.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the safest dog seat belt?
The safest dog seat belt is one that properly fits your dog and is correctly installed. Some dog seat belts have been crash-tested, such as the Sleepypod ClickIt. While there are no federal testing standards for animal car safety devices, the Center for Pet Safety conducts some tests.
What type of dog seat belt is best?
The best type of dog car restraint is a safety harness designed to integrate into your car’s existing seat belt system. These harnesses offer a loop through which you thread your seat belt strap. We recommend the Sleepypod ClickIt Sport, Ruffwear Doubleback, EzyDog Drive Harness, and Kurgo Tru-Fit.
Are dog seat belts a good idea?
Yes, a dog safety seat belt is an excellent idea. In fact, it’s a bad idea not to use a dog seat belt when bringing your pet along for a car ride. Even a minor accident like a sudden stop can injure your pet if it isn’t properly secured. Should you get into a major accident and your pet is unsecured, it could be seriously injured or killed.
Are seat belt tethers safe for dogs?
It depends how you use the tether. Securing a seat belt tether to your dog’s collar is dangerous and likely to do more harm than good. However, a seat belt tether attached to the best dog car harness can help keep your pet secure in a crash. But the safest means to secure your animal is to use a crash-tested car harness like the Sleepypod ClickIt.
*Data accurate at time of publication.
