So, you’re headed out on a road trip or you’re just making a quick run to the park. Whatever the reason for your travel may be, if your dog is coming with, you’ll need to buckle up double!
Making sure your dog is safe and securely strapped in before you get behind the wheel is just as important as any other passenger in your vehicle. In the event of a crash, a dog who is not secured could end up getting loose, running away and/or suffering some serious injuries. Not to mention, an unsecured dog can serve as quite the distraction, making them a danger to the driver and passengers.
Having your dog restrained while in the car is required by law in some states. With all that said, there really is no reason not to make sure your dog is secured. Not to mention, it doesn’t have to cost a fortune to put their safety at a priority.
In this article we’re going to show you some ways to make sure Fido is buckled up, with minimal expenses and accessories.
The Secret to Easy Car Travel: Dog Seat Belts
Have you ever heard of a doggy seat belt? That’s right, it’s exactly what you’d expect – a seat belt that keeps your furry friend safely secured to the seat, just like your own seat belt does! Doggy seat belts are a great way to ensure your dog’s safety in the car with minimal accessories or necessary car space.
The basic doggy seat belt model will clip directly into the seat belt clips of your car, so you can simply clip the belt and strap your furry friend in. Once the seat belt is attached securely to your car, you can attach the other end to your dog’s collar or harness. (Continue reading for more information on collar vs. harness when it comes to car safety.)
Check out this model on Amazon. This one size fits all doggy seat belt is available in 6 different colors and is constructed out of sturdy nylon fabric making it strong and chew resistant. Its also adjustable in length from 24″ to 31″ making it easy to give your dog the amount of leeway he needs. Keeping your dog buckled in with this doggy seat belt is a great way to make sure he’s safe and secure in the event of an accident.
No Doggy Seat Belt – Can You DIY One?
If you’re not able to swing getting a doggy seat belt, you can makeshift a solid car safety system using the actual seat belt to your vehicle. Using a basic carabiner clip, you can clip around both the shoulder and waist seat belt in your car before finally attaching the carabiner to your dog’s safety harness. This will keep them secured to the back of the seat, where they can be comfortable but not have the room to roam around the entire car.
The Golden Rule: Back-Seat Only
First and foremost, your dog should be riding exclusively in the back seat of your car. We know, it’s fun to have them sitting next to you with the wind flapping through their ears and their head sticking out the window. In actuality, though, the front seat is really the worst place your dog can sit. This area of the vehicle is known as “the crumple zone,” and in the event of a crash, your dog is extremely vulnerable.
A dog in the front seat can also be quite the distraction while you’re trying to drive. Allowing them to hang out the window can allow for debris and other foreign objects to fly into their eyes, nose and mouth as well. It’s for their safety that they ride in the back seat at all times – you can have your fun playtime with them when you reach your destination.
Harnesses vs. Collars for Car Safety
If you’re new to traveling in the car with your dog, you may not yet have a harness for your pet. Generally speaking, harnesses are typically a better bet all around when it comes to pet care, whether that be a matter of going to the park or going on a drive.
Collars can cause damage to the trachea and throat region if there is a significant amount of pulling, and can make it more difficult to control and ease your dog while on a walk or in the car.
Harnesses are a great option all around because they offer you more control, discourage pulling, and help to distribute weight evenly so there is not too much stress on the neck. When it comes to the car, a harness is a better bet as well because they distribute weight accordingly, so your dog isn’t being pulled at every turn or bump in the road.
What Harness do I Buy?
There are a plethora of great options when it comes to purchasing a harness for your furry friend. Kurgo is an excellent brand that offers both quality and affordability, and offers sizes for all dogs. They are an excellent choice for an everyday harness and for short car rides to the park or out on errands.
Check out this Kurgo harness on Amazon.
This everyday harness is super comfortable and is great for walking your dog. It has quick release buckles that make it easy to put on and take off. The D-ring on the back of the harness is perfect for attaching your leash to, or a doggy seat belt. Its available in 5 different sizes and 4 colors. Definitely check it out if you want a high quality harness that is doggy seat belt friendly.
If you really want to make sure your dog is safe when it comes to car rides, however, you’ll want to make sure the harness you buy is crash tested. Crash tested harnesses, like this one on Amazon, are safer for your pet in the event of an accident. This style of harness acts as a safety vest for your dog and can be used simply by looping your car seat belt to the harness’s attached seat belt clip.
While crash-tested safety vests for your dog are a great option for keeping them car-safe, they are not necessarily a mandatory investment. The prices on those models can easily exceed $100, so if you’re looking for something a little more affordable and just as trusty, check into the Kurgo harness and safety seat belt.
How Should the Harness Fit?
When it comes to fitting the harness on your dog, it should be loose enough to easily slip over your dog’s head. Once the harness is on, you can tighten it as needed. At any point on the harness, you should but able to slip two fingers in between the harness and your dog. This is a delicate balance, though – because you don’t want to be able to slip more than two fingers in between, either.
Got the Harness, Got the Seat Belt. Now What?
Installing the harness and belt is really quite easy. Here’s three simple steps for most standard safety harnesses.
- Fit your dog’s harness. There should be room for two fingers between the harness and your dog’s body at any point on the harness. Room for three fingers is too much. The fit should be snug but comfortable!
- Attach the safety belt clip on the back of the harness. This end of the belt is typically identical to your dog’s leash clip.
- The other end of your safety belt likely resembles the clip on the end of your car seat belts. If that’s the case, you can simply buckle that end into your car’s belt clip and you’re done!
-OR-
If your safety belt doesn’t have the clip to match that of your car, you can attach it directly onto your car’s seat belt by clipping both the waist and shoulder strap together. Clip the opposite end of the belt around the two straps.
*Your dog should have the leeway to lay down and sit up, but not so much that they are able to roam all over the backseat.
No Safety Belt For Your Dog – What Now?
A safety belt is really a great accessory to have for securing your dog in the car, but if it’s a last minute trip or you’re just unable to get one, you can makeshift a secure system using just a leash and seat belt.
- Once again, your dog should fit in the harness correctly, with room for exactly 2 fingers at any point.
- Attach your dog’s leash to their harness.
- Using your car’s head rests, you can tie a knot around the metal rods that connect it to the seat. The knot should be tied in the leash about a quarter of the way down. You should have the majority of the leash still remaining for your dog to sit comfortably and look out the window without having too much room to roam.
-OR-
You can mimic the seat belt step provided above by pulling the two straps (waist and shoulder) together, before tying a knot in your leash around them.
My Dog is Tiny – Is a Seat Belt Really a Good Idea?
Some dogs are really, really small – if your dog is under 10 pounds, it might not be the best idea for them to have a doggy seat belt. Use your own judgement when it comes to the size of your backseat, the give of your seat belts and the fit of their harness. If your dog is too small to support its own weight in the backseat alone, it may be a good idea to look into other options.
Booster seats are created for small dogs, and can also clip directly into your car’s seat belt clips, or attach directly to the seat belt itself. You also have the option to use tightening straps around the headrest of your car seat to get the most secure fit. If this sounds like a viable option for you, check out this pet booster seat on Amazon.
This is a great option for anyone who has a small dog that cant be secured safely with a harness alone. Definitely check this out if your dog is a small or toy breed.
In Conclusion
We know, it’s a lot of information to take in at once – just know that the research, time invested and money spent is well worth your dog’s safety, not to mention your own. Ease your mind and keep your dog secure on that next road trip, and you’ll both be able to glance out the window with a smile. I hope this article has been helpful. Thanks for reading!