Best Car Seats To Protect Your Precious Cargo

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Your dog’s obsessed with riding in the car because he loves looking out the window and seeing everything pass by.

But you’re obsessed with keeping your dog safe in the car because, duh — he’s precious cargo.

If you have a small- to medium-sized pup, there are actually dog car seats you can get that will keep him happy and safe.

The Dodo spoke with Dr. Bernadine Cruz, a veterinarian with Laguna Hills Animal Hospital in California, and Dr. Linda Simon, a veterinary surgeon and a veterinary consultant for FiveBarks, to learn how to find the best dog car seat so you can get the right one for your pup.

Dog car seats can benefit your dog in a few ways, like keeping him comfortable and giving him a boost so he can see out of the car window.

“They allow [dogs] to look out windows, reduce chances of motion sickness and allow them to lay down in comfort,” Dr. Cruz told The Dodo.

Some dog car seats are so comfortable they might even chill your pup out a bit during car rides since he’ll have a snuggly spot all to himself.

“For most dogs, they’ll snuggle down and drift off as soon as the engine starts to hum,” Dr. Simon told The Dodo.

They’re also designed to keep your dog safe and secure, thanks to the adjustable straps that attach the basket to the seat of your car and safety belts that keep your pup in his seat.

“Their main draw is that they prevent dogs from jumping about the car, minimizing the risk of accidents,” Dr. Simon said.

According to Dr. Cruz, a booster that attaches to your car’s seat belt provides extra stability, so be sure to look for one with seat belt loops or other attachments.

For additional security, look for one that attaches to your dog’s harness or collar, or even one that buckles him into the seat itself.

“Some dog car seats come with safety belts attached as your dog should not be able to leave the seat while the car is moving,” Dr. Simon said. “Most will contain a tether or secure lead that can attach to your dog’s harness, keeping them inside the seat.”

When looking for the best car seat for your dog, you should also consider any health issues he might have that could come about during travel, like car sickness.

“For those who own dogs prone to car sickness, their main priority may be a seat that is detachable and easily cleaned,” Dr. Simon said. “Most car seats have mesh walls and open tops. This is especially important for those dogs who can be prone to breathing difficulties.”

And while dog car seats are best for smaller breeds, there are also a couple options that are good fits for bigger pups, too, like dog car hammocks.

The Dodo rounded up some of the best dog car seats that include seat belt loops and harness tethers to make sure your pup has the safest, comfiest ride.