Do you like to bring your dog with you to the park or on hikes? Does your dog tend to jump into the front seat or roam around the back seat of your car while you are driving? If this sounds like your pup, a dog car harness may be helpful.
This post will look at what a dog car harness is, why you may want to use one, and what to look for if you decide to get one for your pup.
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Related: Best Dog Crates For Car Travel, Car Window Guards For Dogs, Best Car Seats While Traveling With Your Dog, Best Personalized Dog Harness For Your Pup, Best Harness For Large Dogs, Dog Pulling On Walks? A No Pull Harness Can Help, Using A Tactical Dog Harness For Your Dog, The Best Harness And Leash Set For An Effortless Stroll With Your Dog, Using A No Pull Dog Harness: Does It Work?, How To Choose The Right Dog Harness
What Is A Dog Car Harness?
A dog car harness is a harness worn by your dog that allows for your dog to be secured into the back seat of your car with the car’s seat belt.
This can include weaving the seat belt through a section of the harness or a seat belt attachment that buckles into the seat belt buckle of your car.
Who Is A Car Harness Good For?
A car harness is good for:
- Dogs that like to jump into the front seat.
- Pups that tend to roam around the back seat.
- Those that are scared to be in the car.
- Dogs that share the back seat with other dogs or children.
Are Car Harnesses For Dogs Good?
Car harnesses for dogs can help to keep your dog in the back seat of your car, preventing them from jumping into the front seat or roaming around the back seat, causing a distraction for the driver.
Is A Car Harness Better Than A Seat Belt?
A car harness is more secure than a seat belt for your dog. While a harness may be more restrictive for your dog, it can be more secure by keeping your dog close to the car seat without free range movement that a seat belt may allow. A car harness is also made of strong materials to keep your dog safe in the case of an accident.
How Do I Measure My Dog For A Car Harness?
To measure your dog for a car harness, you will want to take two measurements: the neck and girth.
To measure the neck: measure around the widest part of your dog’s neck. This will be where the neck meets the shoulders.
To measure the girth: measure around the widest part of your dog’s chest. This will be just behind the front legs.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on whether to size up or down based on your dog’s measurements.
What Are The Benefits Of Using A Car Harness?
Using a car harness can offer several benefits for both you and your dog:
- Keeps your dog safe in an accident by preventing them from becoming a projectile.
- Prevents distracted driving by keeping your dog in one place in your car.
- Some can also be used as an everyday harness in addition to being used in your car.
- Stops your dog from being able to jump out of the car.
What Are Some Cons To Using A Car Harness?
While there are good reasons to use a car harness for your dog, there are a few things to be aware of.
- It may be difficult to fit your dog properly. Some people have a hard time adjusting the harness to get the right fit for their dog. Have patience when fitting the harness on your dog.
- The car harness will restrict your dog’s movement. They should be able to sit and lay down on the back seat when belted in.
- There have been some complaints about a few dogs being able to get out of their harness. If your dog is an escape artist, these may not be a great fit for your dog.
Which Harness Is Best For The Car?
When choosing a harness to use in your car, it is best to look for one that has been crash tested.
The Center For Pet Safety conducts independent crash tests on harnesses and other products to determine if the product will protect your dog in the case of an automobile accident.
Most crash tests for dogs base their results on crash tests conducted for human children and apply those rules to safety for dogs. This means when testing a product, it is based on a car going 30 miles per hour.
Some companies prefer to perform their own crash tests. These tests are done in a facility of their choice, but are based on the same qualifications as above.
What Should I Look For When Choosing A Car Harness?
When choosing a car harness for your dog, here are some things you may want to look for:
Material
Choose a strong material that will be able to support your dog and not be easily torn or chewed on by your dog.
Crash Tested
Look for a harness that has been crash tested. Other car harnesses are designed to keep your dog in one place in your car to keep them safe. A crash tested one has been shown to protect your dog in an accident with a car going 30 miles per hour.
Seat Belt Attachment
How does the seat belt attach to the harness? Some allow for your car’s seat belt to be threaded through a handle or loop on the back of the harness. Others have a separate attachment that connects from your harness and snaps into the seat belt buckle. A harness that allows for the seat belt to be threaded through will offer more protection by keeping your dog closer to the seat, however, it will be more restrictive for your dog.
Leash Attachment
If you plan on using the car harness as a regular harness for your dog, look at where the leash attachments are and be sure it is suitable for your needs.
Padded Vest
A secure car harness should offer a padded chest area to give your dog comfort and protection.
Adjustable
A car harness should be easily adjustable to get a secure fit for your dog.
Reflective Stitching
This is helpful when using the harness on your dog in low light conditions. This is especially good if you are going to use the car harness as a regular harness when walking your dog.
Best Dog Car Harness For Your Pup
Crash Tested Harnesses
These are some crash tested car harnesses available. Product information is according to the manufacturer.
SleepyPod ClickIt Sport
This harness has a padded vest, seat belt grade straps, and stress tested buckles.
- 5 star rating by the Center For Pet Safety for dogs 18 to 90 lbs.
- Reduces and distributes harmful forces in the event of a collision.
- Available in multiple colors.
- Padded vest.
- Seat belt grade straps.
- Stress tested buckles.
- Infinity loop webbing design.
- Three points of contact to reduce forward and lateral movement.
- Reflective strips.
- Quick release buckles.
- Double D ring.
- Adjustable straps.
Check Price At: Sleepypod
SleepyPod ClickIt Terrain
This harness has a padded vest, removable reflective patches, and shock absorbing sleeves.
- 5 star rating by the Center For Pet Safety for dogs 18 to 110 lbs.
- Available in multiple colors.
- Shock absorbing sleeves.
- Padded vest.
- Infinity loop webbing design.
- Reflective patches.
- Double D ring.
- Quick release buckles.
- Removable patches to add your own service dog patches.
- Adjustable straps.
Check Price At: Sleepypod
Kurgo Enhanced Strength Tru-Fit Dog Car Harness
This harness has a padded chest plate, metal nesting buckles, and a steel carabiner to attach to the seatbelt.
- Independently crash tested for dogs up to 75 lbs. for speeds up to 30 miles per hour.
- Available in multiple sizes.
- Comes in various colors.
- Padded chest plate.
- Metal nesting buckles.
- Steel carabiner to attach to the seatbelt.
- Back leash attachment.
- Front D ring.
- 5 adjustment points to customize the fit.
- To use: fit both the lap band and chest strap of your car’s seat belt into the carabiner and then attach the carabiner to the harness.
EzyDog Drive Dog Car Harness
This harness has a molded, padded chest plate, dual buckle closure, seat belt grade webbing.
- Independently crash tested for dogs up to 75 lbs. for speeds up to 30 miles per hour.
- Available in multiple sizes.
- Aluminum buckle.
- Dual buckle closure.
- One time fit.
- Cross link technology for added safety.
- Molded, padded chest plate.
- All webbing is made of seat belt webbing.
Non Crash Tested Harnesses
Petsafe 3-in-1 Reflective Dog Harness With Car Control Strap
This harness has padded adjustable straps and a car control strap to put a seatbelt through.
- Comes in multiple sizes.
- Available in various colors.
- Has a no pull front attachment.
- Comes with a standard back attachment.
- 5 points of adjustment for a custom fit.
- Padding under straps for comfort.
- Quick snap buckles.
- Reflective stitching.
- Car control strap allows you to put a seat belt through to keep your dog secure in the seat.
- Top grab handle.
SlowTon Car Safety Dog Harness With Seat Belt
This harness has a bungee seat belt attachment, air mesh design, and quick release buckles.
- Available in various sizes.
- Comes in multiple colors.
- Air mesh design.
- 360 degree rotating swivel buckle.
- 4 points of adjustment for a custom fit.
- Quick release buckles.
- 2 D rings on the back.
- Includes a bungee seat belt attachment.
Mighty Paw Car Dog Harness
This harness allows for a seat belt leash attachment to be used, has a padded chest, and all metal hardware.
- Available in multiple sizes.
- Padded chest.
- 4 points of adjustment for a custom fit.
- All metal hardware.
- Front and back leash attachments.
- Reflective stitching.
- Seat belt leash attachment is sold separately.
Check Price At: Amazon
We all want to keep our beloved dogs safe while they are in the car. A dog car harness can help to keep your dog safe by protecting them from harm should you get into an accident, as well as keeping them from wandering around the car while you are driving, and helping to prevent them from jumping out of the window while the car is in motion.
Please check out our other posts on Health, Indoor, Outdoor, and Travel accessories for your dog, as well as Reviews of various products and travel destinations.