Every pet owner loves taking their dog for a ride. In most situations, your dog loves it, too. When in the vehicle, however, it is up to us, as owners, to ensure our pet’s safety. This is why it is so important to choose the best dog seat belt. Our reviews of the top 10 dog seat belts will help you determine which one is ideal for your pet. Read on below and grab a safety device and hit the open road with your dog.

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The 10 Best Dog Seat Belts

1. Dogit Car Safety Dog Belt – Best Overall

Our pick for the best overall dog seat belt is the Dogit Car Safety Dog Belt. This car safety device attaches to your dog’s harness to keep it safely secured during short or long drives. An included end attaches to the car’s seat belt directly to provide added protection for dogs while you drive. This strap is made from sturdy nylon material and is designed to stay strong under strain and pulling.

While this safety belt is adjustable and designed for all dog breeds, small and toy breeds may be difficult to strap in properly. Another issue we noticed is that there is no protective covering over the buckle end of the strap. This lets your dog accidentally step on the latch and unhook themselves during drives.

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2. SlowTon Adjustable Dog Car Seat Belt – Best Value

If you’re in the market for the best dog seat belt for the money, then our choice for best value is the SlowTon Adjustable Dog Seat Belt. This adjustable seat belt works with most vehicles and is designed to allow your pup the opportunity to sit or lie down in comfort and safety. The metal hardware and nylon straps are sturdy and dependable. Each purchase includes two belts, is very affordable, and is perfect for owners with multiple dogs and a fixed income.

While we liked that this dog seat belt fulfills its purpose and protects our pooches from sudden stops, it is disappointing that so many car brands are incompatible. This includes most Honda and Subaru models, along with several others. Double-check for compatibility before purchasing one of your own.

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3. Kurgo Tru-Fit Tested Car Dog Harness – Premium Choice

If money is no issue, the Kurgo Tru-Fit Smart Car Dog Harness is a great way of keeping your dog safe while taking the long drives the two of you love. This system features a crash-tested harness and buckle system for safety and comfort. The Nesting Buckle System is made of steel and designed to immolate those used by rock climbers. The seat belt loop is 10 inches with a carabiner to fit any seat belt system. The chest pad of the harness helps protect your dog’s sternum and trachea in the event of an impact or accident.

We love that this dog seat belt and harness set up is so protective for dogs, unfortunately, it’s also quite heavy for them to wear. We also noticed that getting a dog into the harness, adjusting, and into the car properly takes a bit of time. This can be an issue for pet parents in a rush.

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4. Vastar Dog Seat Belt Harness – Best for Puppies

If you’re looking for a seat belt to keep your new puppy secure while driving, the Vastar Seat Belt Harness is a solid option. While this seat belt isn’t made entirely for pups, it’s fully adjustable and can easily be made to fit your little one. The nylon elastic bungee is perfect for protecting your dog during a crash without harming them due to restriction. The metal buckles are durable and easily snap into your vehicle’s seat for securing your pet.

As with any product designed for dogs, chewing can be an issue. This is especially true when trying to secure a puppy. If your little pooch chews a lot, the nylon on this seat belt may become their next target. If they are wigglers during the car ride, it’s also possible for your pup to accidentally step on the seat belt release. If this happens, pull over immediately to resecure your pet.

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5. BWOGUE Pet Dog Cat Seat Belts

The BWOGUE Pet Dog Seat Belt features the safety features you want for your pet. Featuring a belt of top-quality nylon and a zinc alloy swivel and buckles, this belt easily adjusts to the perfect size you need to keep your best pal safely secured on those fun car rides. The nylon straps are also easy to remove and are designed to be tangle-free, which is great for pet owners with more than one vehicle. A nice additional feature with the dog seat belt is that it can be converted into a leash once the car ride is over so you and your pet can take a walk during scheduled potty breaks.

This dog seat belt is designed to fit over the headrest area of your car’s seat. If your vehicle doesn’t have adjustable headrests, this may not be right for you and your dog. It is also important to note that adjustments must be made properly to avoid issues with your dog slipping and possibly choking during the ride. As always, use it with supervision.

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6. Pawaboo Dog Safety Vest Harness

While the Pawaboo Dog Safety Vest Harness is one of the more expensive options on our list, it is easy to see why. Not only do you have a method to secure your dog into your backseat, but you also get a comfortable protective harness to add additional protection for the road. The padded harness helps distribute impact and offers an added layer of protection for your pet against internal injuries. This product is also designed with Oxford fabric for comfort and easy-to-use buckles and straps. You can also choose your pet’s signature color during purchase since the harness can also be used on walks.

The biggest downside with this seat belt and harness combo is the adjustable straps. This is not a no-slip buckle. This allows pets actively moving and excited during a ride to loosen the attachments. This can be dangerous for owners as they are driving if the pup can get free and pop into the front seat.

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7. PetSafe Happy Ride Car Safety Dog Harness

For this review, we chose the PetSafe Happy Ride Car Safety Harness for medium dog breeds. You’ll find that this harness is available in four different sizes to accommodate different dog breeds and their sizes. Crash tested for safety, this harness is padded to provide your dog with comfort while they safely ride in the back of the car. Several attachments are available to make it easier to attach this harness to your seat belt properly and keep your dog in a safe position during your rides.

While we enjoyed the overall design of this safety harness, we must admit it can be difficult to figure out. No clear instructions were included,  leaving us to determine which attachments and positions best suited our pets. We also noticed the harness itself tended to slide when dogs were moving. This seemed uncomfortable for the dog and required additional adjustments.

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8. SlowTon Car Safety Dog Harness with Seat Belt

The SlowTon Car Safety Harness and Seat Belt utilizes breathable mesh as the main material for the harness. This material is breathable and more comfortable for dogs, and this is why many pet owners choose this combo. Being easy to use is another great aspect of this combo set. Your pet simply steps inside, and you use the adjustable straps and multiple adjustment areas to secure your pet for the ride. The quick-release design is ideal for when you’re ready to walk your dog on stops with the multi-faceted harness.

This combo set is available in multiple sizes for different dog breeds. Unfortunately, when it comes to larger dogs, this may not be the set for you. The harness is great and comfy, but the seat belt is short and may not work well with big dogs.

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9. Mighty Paw Dog Vehicle Safety Belt

The Mighty Paw Dog Safety Belt is designed with your pet’s safety as its top priority. You won’t worry about your dog accidentally stepping on the release and escaping as this belt attaches directly to your car’s frame to keep them snugly in place. The included attachment, which allows your dog to sit or lie down while riding, is designed to be tangle-free to avoid issues with choking or tangling. The metal hardware provides the durability you expect and the additional security you need while in the car.

As we mentioned, this safety belt attaches to the car’s frame. This may leave pet owners struggling to install the device properly. In some cases, consulting your vehicle’s owner’s manual may be required to locate the proper area for installation.

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10. EzyDog Seat Belt Restraint

The EzyDog Seat Belt is designed to be universal and fit into any car with a seat belt. This is ideal for pet parents as they don’t need to search for seat belts for their vehicle model. The cold-rolled steel buckle attaches easily, while the reinforced nylon provides your dog with great protection with 2,400 pounds of strength. A swivel attachment allows your dog to sit or lie down without worries of tangling on the ride.

Our biggest concern with the EzyDog Seat Belt is the lack of adjustability. Once in place, your dog can’t move much at all. This device is also very difficult with larger dogs as it can fit too snugly and be uncomfortable for longer car rides. Keep your dog’s size in mind when choosing this option.

Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Dog Seat Belt

If you’ve never bought a seat belt for your dog, you may be unclear about what you should look for. While testing the belts in our review, we kept a few things in mind. In this buying guide, we’ll look at the important guidelines you should consider when purchasing a seat belt for your dog so you can make the most informed decision possible.

Crash Tested Dog Seat Belt

A seat belt that is crash-tested is often the best one to choose. This means they have been tested thoroughly to ensure the straps, hardware, and design will hold up and offer protection to your pet in the event of an accident. However, even though a belt is crash tested, owners who install the belt incorrectly or don’t properly adjust it to their dog’s size are losing some of the safety aspects of the belt system itself.

Dog Seat Belt Durability

Durability is crucial when choosing a seat belt for your dog. The last thing you want to do is take the time to purchase, adjust, and install a seat belt that suffers from frayed nylon or busted buckles after only a couple of uses. Sturdy materials are a must if you want to keep your pet safe while driving. Avoid plastic buckles or attachments. For your pet’s safety, metal and steel, along with sturdy nylon, are your best options.

Easy-to-Use Dog Seat Belt

By choosing a seat belt that is easy to use, pet owners help eliminate mistakes that could be costly in the event of an accident. In most cases, clear instructions will be included with your dog’s seat belt. Follow them closely to ensure your dog is properly restrained and the nylon straps are securely tightened to hold your pup.

• Related Read: 10 Best Dog Car Seats: Reviews & Top Picks

Conclusion

If you’re ready to hit the open road with your dog, a trusted dog seat belt is a must. Our choice for the best overall dog seat belt is the DogIt Seat Belt. This belt is easy to adjust and great for most sized dogs. Our best value dog seat belt is the SlowTon Dog Seat Belt. This belt offers your dog the protection they need at a price you can easily afford. If these two dog seat belts aren’t what you’re looking for, check out the others in this review to find the one for you and your pooch.

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Featured Image Credit: Andrey_Popov, Shutterstock