Car rides with dogs can be dangerous. They can be a big cause of distraction while driving, especially if they are energetic and you’re driving alone.
It is for such instances that dog seat belts were made. By having the best dog seat belt, you can protect you and your dog by keeping him secure and allowing you to keep your eyes on the road.
If you have money to spare, you can also buy a dog car seat to secure your dog and protect your car’s interior at the same time. However, dog seat belts are a good and cheap alternative, and you can pair them up with dog car seat covers for your car.
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How to Choose the Best Dog Seat Belt
Unless you’re thinking of making a DIY seat belt for your dog, there are certain features you need to consider when looking for the best dog car seat belt in the market. They are as follows:
Durability
Since seat belts are meant to keep your dogs securely attached to your car, it’s important that the material it’s made of is durable as well. The seat belt should be able to withstand the force of a dog who’s trying to break free. You also need to consider the material the band is made of and the hardware attached to it, as dogs might be able to chew through the seat belt or break it during use.
Adjustability and Length
This will depend on your dog and your car seat’s size. You don’t want to restrict your dog too much that he’ll become uncomfortable, and you don’t want the belt to be too loose that it defeats its purpose either.
Seat belts are meant to give dogs enough freedom of movement that they can switch positions however they want to while at the same time keeping them restrained to the seat. Dogs come in different shapes and sizes, and so do car interiors, so make sure to get a seat belt that works for both.
Setup
There are different ways that dog seat belts attach to your car, and your choice will depend on your dog, your car, and your preferred setup.
There are those that buckle to your car’s female seat belt slots, offering you with ease of use. However, while it might save you time, you have to check if it’s compatible with your car. Otherwise, it won’t fit or work the way it should.
For particularly energetic dogs, buckles may not be a wise choice as they might accidentally step on the seat belt release and detach themselves.
Other people opt for seat belts with hooks or clips that attach to latch bars instead. This is less convenient than the buckled ones as you have to look for somewhere to attach it to, but it eliminates the chances of it being accidentally detached because of your dog stepping on the seat belt release.
The last type of seat belt attachment is a headrest restraint which simply wraps around your car’s headrest. This eliminates having compatibility issues with your car type and avoids the problem with buckle-type seat belts. Aside from that, it can also be used outside of your car and as a leash.
9 Best Dog Seat Belts
Kurgo Seatbelt Tether for Dogs
The Perfect Seat Belt for Adventures
First on our list is the Kurgo Seatbelt Tether for Dogs. One end of this belt attaches straight to the female seat belt slot on your car, providing a very easy click-and-go installation process. Meanwhile, the other end is a carabiner which attaches to your dog’s harness.
This product boasts of a swivel carabiner attachment to give your dog tangle-free freedom of movement. Its buckle is made of stainless steel which is capable of holding up to 2,000 pounds of force. Additionally, the length of the seat belt can be adjusted from 15 to 22 inches.
Why We Like It:
- Works for smaller dogs
- Swivel clip attachment makes it tangle-free
What We Don’t Like:
- The buckle that attaches to the car’s seat belt can be easily undone and pulled loose
Mighty Paw Safety Belt
Made by Dog Lovers, for Dog Lovers
Mighty Paw believes that if there’s a better option for child safety in cars, then dogs deserve the same. Therefore, their dog seat belt uses a hook that attaches to your car’s latch bars that are meant for child car seats, ensuring optimal dependability.
The belt is made of high-quality weather-proof nylon, and the length can be adjusted from 16 to 26 inches. It also boasts of all-metal hardware for optimal durability, and the carabiner that attaches to your dog’s harness is made of strong but lightweight aviation aluminum that can withstand up to 400 kilograms of force. Your dog will also enjoy tangle-free movement due to the carabiner’s swivel attachment.
Why We Like It:
- All-metal parts (no plastic)
- Latch bar attachment makes it more inclusive of car types
- Swivel carabiner attachment makes it tangle-free
What We Don’t Like:
- The strap can be easily chewed through
EzyDog Click
Click-and-Go Application
EzyDog’s Click is a dog seat belt with a simple “click it and go” mechanism. It uses a buckle made of cold rolled steel that directly attaches and clicks to your car’s seat belts. Meanwhile, its electroplated and abrasion-resistant snap hook makes use of a swivel attachment for flexible movement in the car.
Its strap is also abrasion-resistant and is made of precision computer-stitched nylon seat belt webbing, allowing it to have a 2,400-pound breaking strength. Apart from that, its length can be adjusted from 17.5 to 26 inches. It’s advertised for use with other EzyDog products, but it can be used with others as well.
Why We Like It:
- Swivel snap hook attachment makes it tangle-free
- Simple yet functional and convenient design
- Very high breaking strength
What We Don’t Like:
- Easy for dogs to chew through, and some customers have reported that it’s not long enough for big dogs
iBuddy Dog Seat Belt
Dual-Safe Hook for Dual Safety
If you’re looking for more safety features, then this iBuddy Dog Seat Belt is for you. This product boasts of a superior dual-safe hook that connects to your dog’s harness and high-density nylon webbing. It also has an elastic nylon fabric bungee with buffer damping design for reducing the force of impact should a sudden movement occur.
This seat belt is a buckle-type that clips directly to your car’s seat belt, making it easy to install and use. However, it has a design that makes use of a headrest restraint instead. The product also has separate models for large and small dogs, so you can find a length that’s more fitting for your needs.
Why We Like It:
- Elastic buffer design keeps your dog safe from sudden movement
- Swivel and dual-safe hook attachment make it tangle-free and more secure
What We Don’t Like:
- Some reported difficulty in attaching the small hook to harnesses of large dogs
- Seat belt buckles don’t stay clasped
Friends Forever Cat Car Dog Seat Belt
For Both Your Furry Canine and Feline Friends
Friends Forever’s seat belt is advertised for use with either cats or dogs and has a one-size-fits-all fitting. It’s a buckle-type seat belt for easy latching to your car, and it uses USA industrial-level zinc alloy metal and high-quality nylon fabric with enhanced Penta-layer sewing for extreme durability.
This product comes in a pack of two with two available models: elastic and non-elastic. The belt strap can extend from 20.5 to 30.5 inches for the elastic model and 20 to 32 inches for the non-elastic one.
Why We Like It:
- Comes in a pack of two
- Includes an elastic and non-elastic version
- Swivel clip attachment makes it tangle-free
What We Don’t Like:
- Not chew-proof and the buckle doesn’t stay clasped
- Too long according to some customers
Vastar Dog Seat Belt Harness
Easy-to-Use Application
Since this dog seat belt uses a buckle attachment, this Vastar product is very easy to use. Simply snap it to your car’s seat belt and your dog is secure. Its belt strap is made of high-quality nylon fabric, and the zinc alloy snap uses a swivel attachment for tangle-free movement. It can also be adjusted from 21 to 31 to 36 inches.
Why We Like It:
- Comes in a pack of two
- Elastic buffer design keeps your dog safe from sudden movement
- Swivel clip attachment makes it tangle-free
What We Don’t Like:
- Too long for small dogs
- Can unbuckle easily and easy to chew through
Blueberry Pet Classic Dog Seatbelt
Elegant and Simple Design
Blueberry’s Pet Classic Dog Seatbelt is intended for those who are looking for a more fashion-forward look. This product comes in so many colors, and you can even buy a matching set with a personalized collar with your dog’s name and number on it.
This elegant seat belt is made of high-density webbing for added durability and makes use of a buckle to attach directly to your car’s seat belt. It also has a swivel snap attachment, and the length can be adjusted from 16.5 to 25.5 inches for your dog’s freedom of movement.
Why We Like It:
- You can buy the seat belt with a matching personalized collar and harness
- Tangle-free, thanks to its swivel snap attachment
What We Don’t Like:
- Not good for chewers
Pawaboo Multi Functional Dog Seatbelt
Flexible Doggy Seatbelt For Safer Car Journeys
The Pawaboo multi-functional dog seatbelt has a lot to offer pet owners who want to keep their pet safe and secure during car journeys. Made with quality materials, and with functionality in mind, it’s a really good choice if you’re looking for an alternative to car crating and pet shields.
The belt, which is compatible with all cars, comes as one middle rope with two strong connectors, one soft handled rope with a connector on one end, and one strong rope with two D rings attached (one on each end). This provides multiple applications of the belt, including attaching two dogs with one seat belt, and applying more length for larger pets. The heavy duty rope can also be used as a training leash for multiple dogs, making it the ultimate adventure accessory for pet owners.
For your peace of mind, the product is incredibly strong, but also elasticated, so there’s no jolting of you or the pet in any instance of sudden acceleration. Even better, the straps are reflective for night time visibility and the clips have 360-degree rotation to avoid tangling both in the car and on walks.
Why We Like It:
- Versatile use
- Strong and flexible
- Reflective
- Perfect for multiple pet households
What We Don’t Like:
- Unsuitable for dogs who chew through accessories
- May take some training to get the dog used to it
Leash Boss Dog Car Seat Belt Restraint
Heavy-Duty Option for Aggressive Chewers
If your dog has a history of chewing, then you’ll want this dog car seat belt restraint from Leash Boss. This heavy-duty product is made of nylon-coated steel rope so your dog can’t chew through it while keeping him secure in your car.
This seat belt attaches to a latch bar in your car, ensuring safety and no accidental unbuckling. It also uses a metal carabiner for attachment to your dog’s harness. The downside is that its length is not adjustable. It comes with five sizes, and you’ll have to measure your dog properly to find one that works for you.
Why We Like It:
- Chew-proof
- Latch bar attachment makes it more inclusive of car types
- Perfect for aggressive chewers
What We Don’t Like:
- Not adjustable
- Difficult to attach to latch bars and the clip breaks easily
FAQs
Q: Can I use collars with dog seat belts?
A: You can, but it is not recommended. A collar attached to a seat belt can choke your dog when the car does a sudden jolt. Have your dog wear a car harness instead so that the force of a sudden movement will be spread across his body than on his neck.
Q: Should I buy a dog car harness or a seat belt?
A: Both do their job of securing your dog safely to your car seat, so it all boils down to preference. Seat belts allow more freedom of movement compared to harnesses, but the latter will probably protect your dog better should you get in an accident. Most owners likely already have harnesses that their dogs are comfortable with, so simply buying a dog seat belt will work for them.
Final Thoughts
Of all the types of dog seat belts available, it’s important to know what to look for in order not to compromise you and your dog’s safety. Make the job easier for you with this guide on how to find the best dog car seat belt in the market.
2 Replies to “The Best Dog Seat Belts in 2021”
I see by your comments that the seatbelt clasp that fit into the the seatbelt clip canbe unclipped by the dog standing on it. I have a staffie and he is always doing this.
Can you recommend a solution for this.
I also have a pug who ended up on the floor with the seatbelt pulling her. So I also need a solution for her. Her seatbelt was as tight as it could go.
Hi Anne-Marie,
Belts like Mighty Paw Safety Belt https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01F74QLO2/ may be worth giving a try in your case.