When it comes to caring for the furriest member of your family, car safety can often be overlooked. This is generally because it's the place where your four-legged friend will spend the least time, but that doesn't make it any less important. Ensuring pet safety in cars is vital. Even if you have the safest car, its still important to protect your furry friend. With that in mind, we've rounded up some of the best car safety products for pets to help ensure every ride goes smoothly.
4 min readSafeWise experts have years of firsthand experience testing the products we recommend. Learn how we test and review.
Top car safety products for pets
- : Best car harness
- : Best dog seat belt
- : Best dog car seat
- : Best car seat cover
- : Best pet carrier
Compare car safety products for pets
Product | Best for | Price | Suitability | Learn more | |
| Best car harness | $58.86 | Dogs up to 32kg | View on Amazon | Read review | |
| Best dog seat belt | From $12.65 | Dogs of any size | View on Amazon | Read review | |
| Best dog car seat | From $98 | Single: One small dog Double: Two small dogs or one medium to large dog | View on Petstock | Read review | |
| Best car seat cover | $59 | Pets of any size | View on Amazon | Read review | |
| Best pet carrier | From $115 | Pets of any size | View on My Pet Warehouse | Read review |
Prices are accurate as of post date. Read full disclaimer.
Reviews: Best car safety products for pets
1. Company of Animals Dog Car Harness: Best car harness
Best car harness
Company of Animals Dog Car Harness
Starting at
$58.86
Price is accurate as of post date. Read full disclaimer.
An approved harness is one of the best ways to ensure your pet's car safety. You'll want to ensure that your chosen harness is crash tested and appropriately sized for your pet. Our top pick for this category is the Company Of Animals Dog Car Harness.
Though there isn't a process for testing pet car safety products in Australia, the fact that this harness has been crash-tested for dogs up to 32kg by the Michigan Transportation Research Institute some real peace of mind.
Pros
Crash tested for safety
Available in multiple sizes
Padded for extra comfort
Connects to your car seat belt for easy installation 
Cons
Only tested for dogs up to 32kg
Not suitable for dogs with a neck over 60cm 2. BWOGUE Dog Seat Belt: Best dog seat belt
Best dog seat belt
A dog seat belt is an important part of keeping your pet safe in the car. Unless their harness connects directly to your standard seat belts (like our top pick), you're going to need a separate dog seat belt in order to keep your pet in place. With over twenty thousand reviews and an average rating of 4.6 stars, our recommendation for this category is the budget-friendly BWOGUE Dog Seat Belt.
It comes in multiple fun colours and there's even a bungee material version that allows for a little more flexibility while still keeping your pup restrained.
Pros
Low price
Easy headrest installation
Durable construction
Adjustable length to suit many pet sizes Cons
Different colours cost extra
Hand wash only 3. Buddy & Belle Pet Car Seat: Best dog car seat
Best dog car seat
If you want to give your dog an enclosed space all to themselves in the back seat, a car seat is the best way to go. We recommend the Buddy & Belle Pet Car Seat as it provides benefits for safety, comfort and organisation.
We love that it comes with reversible lining to provide warmth in winter and keep them cool in summer. There are also two sizes available, single, which suits one small dog, and double, which suits two small dogs or one medium to large dog.
Pros
Available in single or double size
Multiple anchor points for added security
In-built attachments for your pet's travel harness
Reversible lining Cons
Does not include a built-in harness
Single version only suitable for small dogs
Lower sides than some other options 4. Elephant House Car Seat Cover: Best car seat cover
Best car seat cover
A dog car seat cover is an ideal way to keep both your pet and your car safe. With over one hundred 5-star reviews, the Elephant House car seat cover provides a safe and comfortable place for your furry friend to hang out in the car.
There's even a mesh window in the middle so your pup can still see you, plus pockets for handy storage of treats, leashes and other goodies.
Pros
Waterproof double lattice construction
Universal sizing fits most vehicles
6-point secure installation with non-slip backing
Inbuilt slots for your dog seat belt Cons
May be too large for small vehicles
Doesn't include seat belt or other restraint 5. K9 Pet Carrier: Best pet carrier
Best pet carrier
Basic, yet durable, the K9 Pet Carrier is one of only a few IATA-approved pet carriers available in Australia that provides a safe place for your pet no matter how you're travelling. It's available in five sizes (extra small, small, medium, large, and extra large) so it's just about guaranteed to suit any size pet.
We also like that it includes a food bowl and water funnel to keep your furry friend fed and watered during the journey.
These types of carriers are also great for moving house with your pet and ensuring their safety during an emergency situation.
Pros
Multiple sizes to suit all pets
Well ventilated
Built in tie down strapping points
Includes food and water amenities
IATA-approved Cons
Not the most comfortable without accessories
Not ideal for pets who don't do well in small spaces A note on car barriers
If your furry friend rides in the back of your SUV or wagon and you want to be extra sure they stay safe back there, investing in a pet car barrier is a good decision.
There's no one-size-fits-all option here, so an entry on our list wouldn't be overly helpful, but these car safety tools certainly deserve an honourable mention. We suggest selecting one that's designed for your vehicle and allows your dog's harness to be connected to it for the best security.
Those who keep their furry friend in the back seat can also purchase a barrier that prevents them from being able to get into the front seat, however, these should not be relied upon as a standalone safety measure.
Final word
Keeping your four-legged family members safe while out and about should definitely be a priority. With the products highlighted in this article, you should be able to get everything you need to ensure their safety no matter if it's a quick drive to the dog park or a longer road trip. For more information on protecting your furry friends, check out our tips for travelling safely with your pet.
Pet car safety FAQ
While the rules vary from state to state, the general consensus is that pets must be secured when travelling in your vehicle. Fines can reach over $10,000 if your pet is injured in a crash because you weren't following car safety laws, and you may even face jail time.
Having said that, your chosen pet safety restraint doesn't necessarily have to be a dog seat belt or harness, you are free to choose the safest option for your particular pet.
Dog booster seats will have specific installation instructions that explain the safest way to anchor the product to your vehicle.
When dealing with a pet carrier, you will want to secure it either with your car's seat belt, or proper anchor straps. In this instance, the best choice will depend on what gives the most secure fit and minimises movement of the pet carrier within the car.
Short answer, no. No pet should ever be left unattended in a vehicle for any amount of time. If you're on a road trip and need to make a run for the bathroom, your pet should be fine while you pee (as long as they're properly secured and you leave a window down) but any period of time longer than this can pose significant danger. When in doubt, take your pet out.
The safest place for your pet to sit in your car is always in the back seat. However, they should never be placed in the centre seat regardless of whether they're in a dog seat belt, pet carrier or a dog car seat as this enhances the risk of them flying forwards in the event of an accident.
The only exception to this is if your pet is too large to fit in one seat, in which case, they should be kept as close to the door as possible.
Disclaimer
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time of publish and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on the retailer’s website at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. SafeWise Australia utilises paid affiliate links.
