Best dog car safety gear: harness, seat cover, booster

Which car gear, fast

Dog loose in the back seat? Buckle him into the Sleepypod Clickit Sport. The Center for Pet Safety crash-tested it and rated it 5 stars in all four sizes. Only mud and hair to deal with? Cover the seat with the URPOWER hammock.

Two jobs, two kinds of gear. Restraint keeps him in place when you brake. Covers and liners keep the car clean. Pick the job your drive needs.

What changes the pick

• Your dog's weight: The Sleepypod sizes run up to 90 lbs, the booster seat stops at 35 lbs.
• Where he rides: Back seat, SUV cargo area or a booster.
• The mess: Mud and hair call for a waterproof cover.

Our pick: Sleepypod Clickit Sport Dog Car Safety Harness

Hard brake, back seat, 60 lb dog. This is the harness the Center for Pet Safety (CPS) actually crashed. CPS crash-tested the Clickit Sport in all four sizes and rated it 5 stars. It is a padded vest that connects to the seatbelt your car already has, so there is no extra tether to buy.

Best for: road trips and holiday drives, dogs up to 90 lbs

• CPS rates the Small up to 25 lbs and the bigger sizes up to 90 lbs
• Off the seat it works as a walking harness, with reflective strips for night, Sleepypod says
• Sleepypod runs a crash replacement program if the harness is ever in an accident

The catch: measure before you order, and put the vest on before he hops in. It is a full vest, not a clip-on tether. Buckle him in the back seat, never the front.

Skip it if your dog is under 35 lbs and wants a view: the JOEJOY booster below is sized for it. A small dog or a cat can also ride in a carrier strapped to the back seat.

Budget pick: COOYOO Retractable Dog Car Seatbelt

Basic car restraint

Check price at Amazon

Every hard brake sends him toward the front seat. This tether clicks into the seatbelt buckle you already have, and the retractable line lets him shift without launching forward.

Best for: daily commutes and basic restraint

• Clips into any standard seatbelt buckle
• Adjustable length, in a 2-pack for a two-dog car

The catch: it is not crash-tested. Clip it to a sturdy harness, never a collar.

Skip it if you want a harness the Center for Pet Safety crash-tested: that is the Sleepypod above. Details on the COOYOO page.

Best for mud and hair on the back seat: URPOWER Dog Car Seat Cover Hammock

Messy dogs

Check price at Amazon

Mud, hair and a wet dog. Your back seat didn't sign up. The hammock hangs across the seat and keeps him on it instead of wedged between the seats.

Best for: messy dogs and nice interiors

• Waterproof 600D heavy-duty fabric
• Non-slip rubber backing, machine washable

The catch: it takes over the back seat, so passengers ride up front. It can trap heat, so check on him on warm drives.

Skip it if you need the back seat for people: the PETICON liner below covers the cargo area. Details on the URPOWER page.

Best for an SUV cargo area: PETICON SUV Cargo Liner

SUV owners

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Wet dog, muddy paws, and the back of your SUV. After the dog park you shake out the liner instead of vacuuming the car.

Best for: SUV owners whose dog rides in the cargo area

• Waterproof four-layer quilted 600D oxford fabric
• A bumper flap covers the bumper when he jumps in and out
• Non-slip rubber backing holds it in place

The catch: it is made for SUV cargo areas, so check your space before you order. Setup takes a little time, then it lives in the car.

Skip it if your dog rides on the back seat: the URPOWER hammock covers that. Details on the PETICON page.

Best for small dogs who want a view: JOEJOY Elevated Dog Car Booster Seat

Small dogs up to 35 lbs

Check price at Amazon

Small dog, big window, finally at the right height. A memory foam booster with a built-in tether and a washable cover.

Best for: dogs up to 35 lbs

• Memory foam cushion lifts him to window height
• The cover comes off and goes in the washer

The catch: it is for small dogs only, up to 35 lbs, and it takes a whole seat.

Skip it if your dog is over 35 lbs. The PROZAR Back Seat Extender for Dogs supports up to 400 lbs. Details on the JOEJOY page.

Keep the car clean too

Hair already in the carpet? Read how to get dog hair out of your car. Smell in the seats? Try getting the smell out of car seats.

Gifting for a road-trip dog? 16 gifts for dog owners who hate the mess, with a road-trip section.

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