If you intend to regularly travel with your dog in the car, a dog seat belt is a necessity. To guarantee the safety of both your dog and human passengers you need to make sure that your dog is properly secured. You can do this by using a highly durable dog car seat belt.
In this guide we run through our favourite dog seat belts and pick out the most important things to consider when buying one.
What To Consider When Buying A Dog Seat Belt
When searching for the best seat belt for your dog, you need to focus on the following before you make your choice:
- What are the safety ratings?
- What type of strap is being used?
- How long do you need the belt to be?
- What breed of dog do you have?
- How versatile is the harness?
- What type of vehicle are you using?
Best Dog Seat Belt Reviews
We have been through our favourite dog seat belts on the UK market.
1) YUCOOL Adjustable Dog Seat Belt
YUCOOL has gained the trust of many dog owners by making products that are simple yet effective. This seat belt comes in 4 colourful designs to choose from, and it features heavy-duty hardware that helps to secure your dog while you’re driving.
It has a zinc clip that allows your dog to move 360 degrees for optimal movement (within the range you’d like them to move.) It also offers a two year warranty from the manufacturer.
Key Features
- Easy to set up by clipping into a standard seat belt attachment
- Compatible with all types of vehicles
- Good for medium-sized and large dogs
- Fully adjustable strap made of durable nylon
- Durable metal buckles
2) Adjustable Dog Safety Belt
This adjustable dog safety belt is a simple but effective way of restraining your dog in the car. The extendable strap simply slots into a standard seatbelt holder which then attaches to your dogs collar or harness.
The material is similar to that made of a traditional seat belt which is secure and safe for your dog. For the price, this dog safety belt is great value for money.
Key Features
- High-quality nylon leash
- Adjustable length from 42cm up to 70cm
- Easy to use
- Durable, very high strength
3) KURGO Seatbelt For Dogs
This is a seatbelt and harness combo which comes in 5 different sizes to suit all dogs. You simply put the harness onto your dog and then use the clip (which is strong enough to hold rock climbers) onto a seat belt. The clip and seat belt combination allow your dog some wiggle room, but will contain it in a small and safe space.
It has a lifetime guarantee which serves as a backup in case anything goes wrong.
Key Features
- Features a non-twist swivel tether
- Connects directly to your seatbelt
- Universal sizing and fit
- Carabiner attachment
4) PAWABOO Dog Safety Harness
The Pawaboo dog safety harness is priced higher than others on this list because it’s a combination of a dog harness and a seat belt. This product has a fully padded harness that is designed to be extra wide which allows for efficient distribution of impact force. This helps to reduce injuries to your dog’s internal organs should the worst happen and there is a crash.
It has clips that are designed for easy-on and easy-off applications. The seat belt is made of 100% polyester fabric construction which gives it exceptional strength and durability. It has different colours that you can choose from.
Key Features
- It’s a combination of a safety seat belt and padded harness
- Can be used as a walking harness
- It has a wide supportive vest
- It has an adjustable strap
5) PETSAFE 3 in 1 Car Harness
This car dog seat belt is available in three different sizes to suit all breeds. The best thing about this product is that it has been crash-tested for safety. It has a padded chest that has a breathable liner which keeps your dog cool whilst traveling.
The PetSafe 3 in 1 Car harness has a tether that attaches to your seat belt and it can be attached to numerous locations. This dog seat belt is easy to put on your dog and it’s compatible with all vehicles.
Key Features
- It’s available in three sizes for different dog sizes
- It has a padded chest area for good comfort
- Numerous attachment points
- Easy and easy to use
- Compatible with all vehicles
6) SLOWTON Dog Safety Seat Harness
The SlowTon dog safety seat belt is a popular dog seat belt. It has a breathable mesh chest style which is breathable and also comfortable for your dog.
It has a durable nylon strap which is fully adjustable for your vehicle and your dog. The harness is easy to use and all your dog needs to do is to step inside. It has four areas of adjustments and this will help your dog to feel comfortable before embarking on your journey. You can also use it as a regular harness.
Key Features
- The chest harness comes with breathable fabric
- It’s easy to use
- Fully adjustable
- Multi-function design
Benefits Of Using a Dog Seat Belt
Your dog’s safety is very important especially when you are driving your car. The dog seat belt helps to prevent injury if you are involved in a car accident.
- It helps to secure your dog
- It helps you drive without distraction
- It helps to keep your dog inside your car
Dog Seat Belt Buyer’s Guide
Before you start looking for the type of seat belt that is the best fit for your dog, consider some factors that are crucial to making the right choice for your dog.
Why Your Dog Needs a Seat Belt
Dog seat belts will help to keep your dog within a confined space and this will keep your dog from distracting you while you’re on the road. Most dogs like playing with their owners and this can be very dangerous while driving. In the UK it is the law to have your dog restrained while driving.
Most dogs like to stay beside the window especially when it’s wined down rather than be restrained in a travel dog crate or similar. It’s normal for dogs to attempt to jump out of the car if they see anything that excites them or when they see any other small animal. If they do, this can be very dangerous for your dog. The right seat belt will help prevent your dog from harming themselves and others while you are driving.
When these factors are carefully worked on, it will help you to make the right decision. You need to consider the following:
Safety Ratings
Safety is the major factor when choosing a seat belt for your dog. Although there are many dog seat belts out there, you need to look out for products that have passed a crash test. Many of the products out there will only keep your dog from distracting you while driving.
In the event of a car crash, some dog car seat belts may survive the impact and your dog may not. Therefore, you need to carefully read the fine print on any products you would like to choose to make sure they are both crash tested and safety rated.
Strap Material and Construction
The nature of the material used for constructing the dog seat belt matters. Sometimes, high-quality material will not always guarantee an excellent product. You have to look at the way the materials are fused to create that particular design. And, most importantly, you need to look at the stitching of the seat belt. It should be the type that will guarantee durability and strength.
Fastening Mechanism
Dog seat belt comes with various fastening mechanisms to secure your dog in your car. Some come in the form of a loop strap while others can be a clip that slides into a standard seat belt receiver. Those seat belts that clip into your car’s existing seat belt receiver usually give a more secure fit.
But they are sized to a specific car model or seat belt size. The dog seat may become jammed in the car’s seat belt receiver if the wrong size is inserted into it. Hence, you have to make sure the size of the dog’s seat belt you want to buy is the same as that of your car’s seat belt.
Still, other dog seat belt fasteners are looped around the headset seat. It’s not car or model specific and you can easily install it. But this might not be as secure as that of the clip because large dogs could easily pull it off.
The Type Of Strap
Some of the dog seat belts have adjustable straps and some are not adjustable. The ones with adjustable straps will help to ensure a proper fit for your dog. It will also help to keep your dog safe and comfortable. Some of these straps are connected to the collar and others are designed to be used as a harness.
We suggest buying a dog seat belt with an adjustable strap which can be adjusted to the size of your dog.
Versatility
Your dogs’ car seat belt should not be the type that can only be used in the car. It should be the type that can also be used as a walking harness. There’s no sense in having a different harness for your car and another one for walking the dog. So you should buy a dog seat belt that can also function as a walking harness.
Durability
Most dog owners enjoy taking their dogs to parks or places where they can swim and play. If your dog seat belt is not made of waterproof material, then it will get destroyed in short while. You’ll want to make sure that the seat belt you are getting for your dog is made of strong materials for extreme durability and includes a waterproof coating.
Final Verdict
Going out with your dog in the car without a seat belt can be dangerous. Using a dog seat belt will make your rides enjoyable for both you and your dog because you will drive hustle-free. You can check the best dog seat belts described above and choose the best fit for your dog.
