There’s nothing more exciting for every dog lover than having a puppy in the household. Though having one makes you smile with his innocence, it’s mandatory for you to provide your puppy’s basic needs for him to stay healthy as he grows.
In most cases, going to the veterinarian or on an adventure requires your dog to get in your car. Unlike humans, dogs are incapable of abiding by the rules and securing their safety. Hence, it’s your responsibility to position your dog in the car safely by using the best dog car harness.
In this article, we have sorted out which dog car harnesses are proven to be the best for your dog and provided you with a guide of the things you have to consider before purchasing one.
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Why Use a Dog Car Harness?
Restraining your dog with a dog car harness can be beneficial for you and your dog. Putting the harness to work will keep your dog from distracting you while driving, and it will also make the passengers, especially children, feel safe throughout the journey.
As for the dogs, this will help them stay put instead of anxiously moving around. In addition, the harness will ensure restraint on your dogs when an accident occurs.
Just like a dog harness during your daily walk with your furry friend, a dog car harness also restrains your dog’s movement, allowing you to limit his movements and minimize the risk of your dog getting choked or uncomfortable as he moves around.
The harness is placed on the dog’s body which ideally should be strong enough to hold him without making him uncomfortable. The aforementioned simply balances the force exerted in restraining a dog’s movement.
How to Choose the Best Dog Car Harness?
Ensuring your safety and that of your dog and passengers is the utmost priority during a car ride. As such, you have to consider these things when you go shopping:
Check Your Dog’s Size
Choosing the best dog car harness for your four-legged friend can be tricky due to the variety of size options available. The first thing you must consider is finding a harness that best fits your dog – one that’s neither too tight for your dog to feel uncomfortable nor too loose for him to easily escape.
Know Your Dog’s Personality
Your dog’s personality, on the other hand, is another factor to be considered when searching for the best dog car harness. Some dogs remain calm wherever they go; however, some are too active to stay put in one place. Due to this, you should familiarize yourself with your dog’s personality so you can find the best harness that can suit him.
Study the Materials Used in the Harness
Apparently, dogs are susceptible to allergic reactions as well. While you don’t get to immediately identify your dog’s allergens, it’s certainly best to always keep an eye on your dog’s skin after using the harness. If you detect redness or if your dog’s fur is irregularly shed off, resort to another harness based on a different material.
8 Best Dog Harness for Car
PAWABOO Dog Safety Vest Harness
Easily Adjustable Harness with Excellent Comfort Level
First on the list is this vest harness from PAWABOO. This product allows your dog to be placed into safety without feeling fully restrained. Made of Oxford fabric and 100% polyester, it’s a durable and lightweight harness that’s easy to wear on your dog and remove as needed. It also comes with soft padding for additional comfort.
Its vest harness can easily connect with the seat belt attachment loop hook, allowing your pup to remain safely secured during the car ride. It also has an electroplated standard stainless steel snap hook for added durability and resistance to abrasion.
As it is designed for medium-sized dogs, using this for large ones is not an ideal option since hooking the strap to the seat belt attachment loop hook will be difficult or impossible at all. The chest area is also within reach for your dog to chew.
Why We Like It:
- It’s durable, lightweight, and soft
- An ideal option to make your dog comfortable throughout the trip
- Can be attached to your car’s seat belt attachment loop hook
What We Don’t Like:
- Not suitable for large dogs as hooking the harness to the seat belt is difficult due to its size
- Dogs not used to wearing harness may find the product uncomfortable
RUFFWEAR Load Up Dog Car Harness
The Perfect Option for the Big Boys
Another product that you might want to consider on the list is the dog car harness from RUFFWEAR. This is an ideal option for someone with large or extra large dogs. Built with universal seat belt attachment, this product will provide safety for you and your dog as you drive your way to places.
Although it ensures safety for your dog, it also allows him to sit, stand, and lie down without feeling too constricted. As a result, you’ll be making your dog feel comfortable throughout the entire trip. It’s also dynamically tested at the MGA Research Corporation under the conditions emphasized in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213.
Safety aside, this product may come as way too pricey for some. Though it’s built from sturdy materials, adjusting the strap can somewhat be difficult to achieve.
Why We Like It:
- Dogs can still freely sit, stand, and lie down without any struggle
- It’s dynamically tested at MGA Research Corporation as proof of its sturdiness
- Comes with a durable and comfortable construction
What We Don’t Like:
- A bit too expensive
- Adjusting the strap may be too difficult
Kurgo Car Safety Harness for Dogs
Durable and Reliable Harness with Crash Testing Certification
Third on the list is this crash-tested harness from Kurgo. This dog harness product is sold in North America and has been tested on University ground facilities using the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS).
The material used in making the harness is similar to the harnesses used by rock climbers and linesmen. Hence, safety is guaranteed for your dog. Products with manufacturing defects can be repaired or replaced for free as claimed by the manufacturer. The company also provides a lifetime warranty for customers who purchased from authorized sellers.
As much as the product ensures your dog’s security, the clips used around the belly are simply slip on instead of a latch. This gives easier access for dogs to get out from the harness. The harness is also quite heavy, so this may seem a little bit uncomfortable for some dogs.
Why We Like It:
- Materials used are comparable to that of rock climbers and linesmen
- The harness is strictly crash-tested for quality assurance
- Adjustable for a more comfortable and secure fit
What We Don’t Like:
- The clips around the belly are slip-on, making it possible for dogs to escape from the harness
Mighty Paw Vehicle Safety Harness
Weatherproof Harness for Extended Durability
The materials used for the Mighty Paw harness are of top quality, ensuring it to be weatherproof for longer use. In addition, it’s easy to clean and has lightweight padding to further increase comfort. This product serves not only as a car harness but also as a regular harness if you decide to take your dog for a walk.
However, the chest strap can easily be chewed by your dog if they feel uncomfortable with it. Also, the latches are made of plastic which is prone to easy breakage.
Why We Like It:
- It has a good quality which includes the material being weatherproof
- The harness is built with reflective stitching
- Made of high quality material
What We Don’t Like:
- The chest strap can easily be torn off due to dogs chewing it
- Latches are made of plastic
SlowTon Dog Car Harness
A Dog Leash and Car Harness in One
Just like other dog harnesses, this product from SlowTon also provides utmost safety for your four-legged friend. What makes this harness unique is that it comes with a retractable dog leash which lessens your hassle in bringing a car harness and a leash at the same time.
The material is made of polypropylene while the ring is made of iron-plated nickel. Two buckles are positioned on the chest part to allow it to be easily wearable. There are also four adjust buttons on the harness strap for hassle-free adjustments.
Although it’s made of sturdy materials, this product can less likely withstand large dogs with enormous strength. The tether also seems too long in preventing the dog from reaching certain areas.
Why We Like It:
- Can be used both as a car harness and a leash
- Made of durable polypropylene
- Comes with a quick release mechanism
- Comes with a breathable mesh design
What We Don’t Like:
- Not ideal for larger and more aggressive dogs
- The tether is too long
PetSafe Solvit Deluxe Car Safety Dog Harness
Quality Crash-Test Certified Harness
This is another quality dog harness which is made by Solvit. Apart from the usual characteristics of an ideal dog harness, this product is crash-tested in a DOT-approved facility. It has also undergone static testing up to 3,000 pounds to accurately ensure strength and durability.
However, this harness doesn’t fully guarantee to hold large-sized dogs. Also, dogs tend to get tangled up.
Why We Like It:
- Crash-tested in a DOT-approved facility
- Undergone static testing up to 3,000 pounds
- Comes with a fully padded chest area for added comfort
What We Don’t Like:
- Dogs are prone to get tangled
EzyDog Drive Safety Travel Dog Car Harness
Highly Durable Aluminum Alloy Construction
This harness from EzyDog has also been crash-tested for safety assurance and is designed for a quick, one-time fit to easily wear it on your dog. Double D-rings are used for leash attachment, and it also uses a Mag-Lok system for a secure and instant fit. However, compared to the other harness products on this list, this one is way too pricey.
Why We Like It:
- Crash-tested to ensure your dog’s safety
- Highly durable thanks to its aluminum alloy material
- Instantly fits on your dog with its Mag-Lok system
What We Don’t Like:
- Too expensive
- Bulky to wear
Sleepypod ClickIt Car Safety Dog Harness
Durable Ballistic Exterior Construction
ClickIt’s dog harness design comes with an infinity loop together with an energy absorbing padded vest to reduce damaging forces in an accident without attachment straps or other materials that provide protection.
It has a ballistic nylon exterior and automotive grade seatbelt webbing for quality assurance. Cleaning the harness only requires wiping, but for extremely soiled cases, hand washing may be required.
It may be a good option for large dogs, but certain breeds are not “compatible” with this product. Inserting the harness to the seatbelt may be difficult since this product solely practices a loop system.
Why We Like It:
- The infinity loop provides extra security for your dog
- It’s easy to clean
- Comes in various colors and designs
- Distributes damaging forces evenly
What We Don’t Like:
- Not compatible with certain dog breeds
- Attaching the harness to your car’s seatbelt can be difficult
FAQs
Q: What’s the difference between dog car harness and dog car seatbelt?
A: While both accessories share the same purpose of guarding your dog in a dog car seat, they do differ in terms of principle. A dog car harness may limit your dog’s movement in the back seat, but it does provide much safety to your dog when a collision occurs.
Meanwhile, a dog car seat belt gives dogs the freedom to sit, stand, or lie down. However, seeing your dogs tumbling down is a usual occurrence for this option.
Q: What makes crash-tested harnesses different?
A: Harnesses which are crash-tested certified means that they have been proven to protect a dog in the event of a car crash or collision by having them undergo several testings. In most cases, however, they tend to be quite expensive compared to the usual harness.
Q: Should I buy a dog car harness?
A: A dog car harness is important if you travel with your dog in the car, even if it’s just occasionally. There are certain restraint options you can use, but a car harness is considered the most affordable option and the easiest to use as well.
Final Thoughts
Unlike humans, dogs aren’t capable of knowing when to stay still and follow protocols during a car ride. They prefer to move around and jump from one area to another, hence increasing the risk of accidents and distractions throughout the ride.
With the right dog car harness, your dog won’t simply be stationed in one place, but he will also be provided with safety, especially during unexpected accidents.