An unrestrained dog can distract the driver, and in a sudden stop it keeps moving at the speed of the car. Many products are sold as car restraints, but few have passed an independent crash test. This guide separates certified gear from comfort accessories and compares popular options on what their makers and the Center for Pet Safety publish.
Car Restraint Types at a Glance
| Type | Restrains in a crash? | Good for | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crash-tested harness | Yes, if certified | Dogs riding on the back seat | Fit must be snug; follow the maker's anchoring method |
| Crash-tested crate | Yes, if certified and strapped down | SUVs and cargo areas | Needs strength-rated anchor straps |
| Crash-tested carrier | Yes, if certified | Cats and small dogs | Anchor it the way the maker shows |
| Booster or console seat | Rarely tested | Small dogs who like to see out | Clip to a harness, never a collar |
| Zip line or tether | Usually not tested | Limiting movement | Long tethers allow the dog to hit seats or be thrown |
| Cargo barrier, hammock, seat cover | No | Keeping dogs off the floor or out of the front | Comfort and cleanliness only |
Keep dogs in the back seat or cargo area. Front airbags deploy with great force and can injure a pet. Never attach a tether to a collar; in a sudden stop the force goes straight to the neck.
What Crash Tested Actually Means
There is no government safety standard for pet car restraints in the US. The Center for Pet Safety (CPS), a nonprofit, tests harnesses, crates and carriers with crash-test dog dummies and certifies products that pass its standard. Its earlier studies found that many products marketed as crash tested did not hold up.
When a label says crash tested, ask who ran the test, to what standard, and at what dog weight. A CPS certification names the exact model and size, so check that the one you buy is on the current list at centerforpetsafety.org.
| CPS certified (as listed in 2026) | Category |
|---|---|
| Sleepypod Clickit Sport, Clickit Terrain, Clickit Range | Harness |
| Gunner G1 Small, Medium, Intermediate with strength-rated anchor straps | Crate |
| Lucky Kennel Medium, Intermediate, Large with ratchet strap kit | Crate |
| Rock Creek Crates Medium Aluminum with anchor straps | Crate |
| Diggs Passenger, Away Pet Carrier, PawsInCar carriers, Sleepypod carriers | Carrier |
Popular Car Restraints Compared
How we compare: we line products up on their published dimensions, materials, weight ratings and independent certifications. We do not test products ourselves, and we do not accept payment for placement. Buttons link to retailer search results; some are affiliate links. See How We Make Money.
Sleepypod Clickit Sport
Car safety harness
- Certified by the Center for Pet Safety
- Anchors with the vehicle seat belt through the back panel
- Padded vest spreads load across the chest
- Doubles as a walking harness
Good fit for: Medium and large dogs riding on the back seat.
Check before you buy: Fit takes care: follow the maker's chart for chest and weight, and recheck after the first ride.
Gunner G1 Kennel
Crash-tested crate
- Rotomolded double-wall plastic
- Certified in Small, Medium and Intermediate with strength-rated anchor straps
- Escape-resistant door
- Optional tie-down kit
Good fit for: Dogs that ride in SUV cargo areas or trucks.
Check before you buy: Heavy and expensive. The certification depends on using the rated straps.
Diggs Passenger
Crash-tested carrier
- Listed by the Center for Pet Safety as a certified carrier
- Built-in seat-belt routing
- Structured shell with mesh ventilation
- Shoulder and hand carry
Good fit for: Cats and small dogs in the car.
Check before you buy: Check the maker's weight limit for your pet.
Kurgo Tru-Fit Smart Harness
Car harness with tether
- Maker says it is crash tested at its own facility
- Includes a seat-belt tether
- Front and back leash rings
- Five adjustment points
Good fit for: Owners who want a walking harness that also clips into the car.
Check before you buy: It is not CPS certified. If independent crash certification matters to you, choose a model on the CPS list.
Setting Up Safely
- Back seat or cargo area only, never the front passenger seat
- Attach tethers to a harness, never a collar
- Keep tethers short enough that your dog cannot reach the front seats or the floor
- Strap crates down with rated anchors so they cannot slide or tip
- Do not leave your dog in a parked car; temperatures inside climb fast
- A few states, such as Hawaii and New Jersey, have laws covering how pets ride in cars, so check yours
Common Questions
Is a seat-belt tether on a collar safe?
No. In a sudden stop the whole force lands on the neck. Use a harness designed for the car, ideally one that is crash-test certified.
Is a booster seat safe?
Booster seats keep small dogs in one place and stop them wandering, but very few have been crash tested. Pair one with a crash-tested harness if you use it.
Crate or harness for car travel?
Both can work if they are certified. Crates suit SUVs and dogs that settle in a den; harnesses suit dogs riding on the back seat. Compare crates in Dog Crates & Carriers Compared.
Every guide is researched and written by the PetCareHall Editorial Team using AVMA, AAHA and WSAVA guidance and other published sources. We are not a veterinary practice and this is not veterinary advice.
We draw on AVMA, AAHA and WSAVA guidance and other published research, not trends or marketing.
Affiliate relationships never influence recommendations. See our Editorial Policy.