Take Your Pet for a Ride with the Best Dog Car Crates, Carriers, and Restraints, Picked by Experts (2024)

As for things like crash testing, etc., obviously we weren't going to put our personal pets at risk or crash any cars. Instead, we relied on testing data obtained from the experts at the Center for Pet Safety.

CPS grades on a point system for specific elements and uses high-level measurement tools like digital calipers and high-speed cameras to assess their work. The testing elements below are not the entirety of their scientific approach to testing, but they are intended to give you a good idea of what they are looking at to ensure safety. We thank CPS for their hard work.

CPS has strict criteria for passing these products. All products are tested at 30 mph.

HARNESSES

• Tested on second-row benches
• Excursion distances (how far the pet launches forward)
• Strap movement (how much does the harness loosen during impact)
• The legs of a pet cannot come loose during impact, the harness cannot break, and any product with an extension tether is immediately disqualified

CARRIERS

• Tested on second-row benches
• Excursion distances (how far the carrier launches forward)
• Carrier lift (measuring the largest angle between the bottom of the carrier and the bench seat)
• Stitching and zippers must remain intact
• Strapping at anchor points cannot tear or rip
• If any part of the carrier fails, allowing the pet to escape, the carrier automatically fails

CRATES + STRAPS

• Tested on carpeted sled machine (to simulate rear SUV hatch and truck bed)
• The doors and windows must remain closed and locked
• The crate and straps cannot fracture or break in any way
• All crates must be anchored down with straps that the company provides

The Best Pet Car Seats, Harnesses, and Restraints

It's rare that we open a box and are immediately impressed, but that's what happened with the Gunner G1. Gunner car kennels are designed and marketed with hunters in mind, yet we see no reason this crate wouldn't be an excellent fit for anyone with a dog. We'd be hard-pressed to find a city-, suburban-, or country-living pet owner who wouldn't be captivated by this crate. It's that good.

The double-wall, rotomolded design results in sturdy walls. The robust door features three locking points—one key and two slider locks. And it comes in small, medium, intermediate, and large sizes. The small G1 is certified for the back seat and rear installation, while the other sizes must be in the truck bed or cargo hold only. Basically, the Gunner G1 car kennel is a tank and is clearly built to last. But quality comes at a cost, and its materials and construction also mean it's relatively heavy and quite cumbersome.

Safety Testing

Gunner has done its work in research, development, and safety. In the video below, you'll see some sliding about, but the carrier's shape remains intact, the straps stay attached, and the door stays secure. Gunner has also tested with other third-party facilities, including running this enlightening drop-crushing test to simulate crumple zones in a car accident.

Notably, the G1 needs to be strapped down, of course, and Gunner's accessory straps will set you back another $100. Now, while it would appear normal ratcheting cargo straps might work just fine to secure the crate, CPS does not certify non-OEM equipment. So, use your own straps at your own risk. (Moreover, CPS notes that the Large G1 did not pass its safety certification process.)

Still, there is plenty of anecdotal evidence by real users on the company's testimonials page. Real dogs in Gunner kennels are coming out unscathed after some pretty gnarly pickup-truck accidents. If that doesn't convince you that Gunner kennels are the best car pet crates you can buy, we don't know what will.

If you're looking for a walking harness and a safety-certified car restraint, the Sleepypod Clickit Sport is the perfect choice. The front portion of the harness is lined with a shock-absorbing padded vest. The back portion is typical of most walking harnesses, except for the addition of two automotive-grade seatbelt loops connecting the harness's top to the bottom. Using the vehicle's seatbelts, you run the latch plate through the two harness loops and into the buckle, and now you have a properly secured pet.

We were initially apprehensive, thinking a restraint on a dog's back might be agitating. Yet, when we secured Bodie to the seatbelt, he seemed perfectly content, and we could see it wasn't pulling with much pressure. The seatbelt is not meant to lock, so your pet should be able to sit up, lie down, and shift position comfortably. It turns out that what we thought would be a problem wasn't much of one, at least for Bodie.

While we (and Bodie) were pleasantly surprised by the Clickit Sport, we must admit the harness's double-looped strap system required serious brain power. Instead of pulling out your hair like us, we suggest you watch this instructional video on how to do it.

Safety Testing

For the harness testing, CPS looks at "excursion measurements," meaning they are concerned with how far the pet will travel after impact. Paying attention to the red and yellow flags shows that the chest generally stays within the first flag. This is partly because of the seatbelt locking up but also, in part, because of the tight double-loop strapping mentioned above. CPS marks the initial buckle placement during testing and measures the loosening distance after impact. After realizing this was a testing parameter, it makes sense why the harness uses such a complex adjustment design.

Regarding harnesses, we were surprised that the product didn't come with an extension. Like many people, we imagine dog restraints in cars with a harness attached to the seatbelt buckle or headrest. However, it turns out this setup is categorically unsafe for your pet. "Extension tethers are extraordinarily dangerous," Wolko says. "If a brand includes an extension tether or component, they are automatically disqualified from participating in [CPS testing]." Wolko emphasized this in our interview. Read more in our FAQs.

The Diggs Travel Pet Carrier was designed with both automotive and airplane travelers in mind. The carrier stacks on top of your roller luggage, secured by a firm strap on the carrier that threads through the handle. It has several storage pockets to access your passport, phone, leash, etc., quickly.

Staff photographer Michael Simari took the Diggs home to test with his cats. "My cats immediately checked it out and even went in on their own, which never happens," Simari says. "They avoid carriers at all costs." After a few days of acclimation, his cats freely entered the carrier, and he could buckle them up in the car. While we know this is anecdotal and every pet will be different, if a couple of carrier-apprehensive cats were comfortable after a single weekend, we reckon Diggs is on to something.

For installation, there are three anchoring points to consider. First, you wrap the waist belt around the bottom of the carrier and loop it through two swivel clamps. Next, connect the chest belt over a clip loop at the carrier's top. Our main beef about the Diggs is that it didn't come with instructions, so we had to go digging online for this TikTok how-to. This was not a huge barrier for us, but it could be a big deal to someone who isn't digitally proficient.

Safety Testing

For testing carriers, CPS is concerned with how far the carrier launches forward, the lift angle, and whether or not any features like zippers and stitching failed. In the footage, you can see the red and yellow flags that show the farthest a carrier can travel and still pass, and the Diggs Travel Pet Carrier stayed well behind the limit.

If you appreciate functionality and a unique aesthetic, the Sleepypod Mobile Pet Bed might suit you. Its round shape sets it apart from other carriers on the market, and in our professional opinion, pets somehow seem even more precious in a round carrier than a square one.

We especially liked that the Sleepypod doubles as a bed, seamlessly integrating the carrier into your pet's daily life. Since getting a cat into the car can be stressful, we appreciate that the Sleepypod considers the entirety of a pet's relationship with the carrier. Adapting the bed into a carrier is easy—slip the mesh dome over the bed, zip it up, and your pet is now secure in a safe space.

Installation is straightforward. The lap portion of the seatbelt wraps around the bottom of the round bed, and the shoulder portion is routed through the security strap at the top of the dome. The only difficulty we had with the carrier was fitting the security straps back through the plastic clips. We figured it was a tight squeeze to meet safety standards, but it was definitely a struggle.

Safety Testing

During impact testing, forward motion is relatively contained by the safety belt attached to the lap and shoulder strap. The rebound lift is minimal, and the hefty zippers and straps remain intact even with the pet noticeably rebounding inside.

Sleepypod has tested all its products with CPS. While we are specifically featuring the Sleepypod Mobile Pet Bed, it's important to note that the Sleepypod Atom (five stars), Sleepypod Mini (five stars), Sleepypod Air (four stars), and both of their harnesses are also CPS certified.

GunDog is Cabela's line of hunting-dog accessories, and the Intermediate Kennel might be your best bet for an affordable crate. This crate is like other ones you're probably familiar with—a single-wall molded plastic crate with a stainless-steel door. The handles are part of the molding, making them sturdy and easy to move. Plus, it's lightweight, so our testing team found it easy to shift around.

While the GunDog doesn't have many standout features, its simplicity is its strength. In a world of bells and whistles, Cabela's has kept it straightforward. It comes in one color, includes straps, uses an additional manual slide lock for security, and is molded as a single-body construction. It's nothing flashy, but the price reflects that. It's simple yet effective, making it a great budget option for a safety-tested crate.

The main complaint we have about the Gun Dog is the strap-down pattern. The crate must be strapped correctly to maintain the safety certification. But boy, did we find it challenging to get right. We recommend double- and triple-checking your work, especially if spatial awareness is not your strong suit. Incorrect strapping could unknowingly put your pet at risk during transport.

Safety Testing

The Center for Pet Safety awarded the Cabela's GunDog crate five stars, meaning it has passed the main parameters: The doors remained locked, sliding is minimal, straps did not break, and the crate isn't fractured or broken.

However, while the crate meets safety standards, it may deform during impact, as seen in the footage. "It did have a fair amount of crush," Wolko says. "But it popped right back into place when we removed those straps."

What is a dog car seat?

A pet car seat or restraint is specially designed for safely transporting pets in your vehicle. Like any unrestrained car occupant, if your pet is not restrained correctly, it can become a projectile within the cabin during an accident, causing injury or worse. A crate, carrier, or restraint should contain your pet during and after an accident.

The Gear Team recommends purchasing only carriers and car seats tested and approved by the Center for Pet Safety.

Can my cat use any of these carriers?

Yes, any carrier within the carrier category is suitable for cats, as long as they fit comfortably and are within the weight restriction.

How can I be sure my pet seat has been adequately tested?

This article features only a handful of dog car seats, and several more are on the market that meet strict safety criteria. If you want to explore more products that CPS has tested, visit their website at www.centerforpetsafety.org. You can learn more about other tested and certified products under the "CPS Certified" tab.

Are dog and pet car seats easy to install?

While these seats have passed rigorous testing, their effectiveness relies on proper attachment to the anchoring points. This ensures that in an accident, the carrier will perform as expected. Always read and practice installation instructions for optimal results.

Can pet car seats be used in all types of vehicles?

Yes and no. Harnesses are generally compatible with all seatbelt restraint systems. Carriers are compatible with seatbelt restraint systems but should be used in the second row. Crates are compatible with the rear hatch of a larger SUV and truck bed. Always confirm with the seat manufacturer before purchase that your car is compatible.

Can dog car seats accommodate more than one dog?

Would you put two kids in a child car seat? Probably not. One carrier/restraint per pet, please.

Why can't I attach my dog's harness and leash to the anchor points of my car?

If you decide to go the harness route, you should be clear about the difference between distraction and crash-safety devices. A harness attached to any extension tether may effectively prevent driver distraction, but it is categorically unsafe for the pet during an accident. According to CPS, any harness with an extension rope as part of their product is automatically disqualified for crash-safety certification. This video does an excellent job of explaining the risks of a harness-plus-extension combination during an automotive collision.

Hearst Autos combines the talent, resources, and expertise of three of the largest, most influential automotive publications in the world. The Gear Team has tested a wide variety of automotive products, parts, accessories, and gear, such as dash cams, portable jump starters, and snow brooms and ice scrapers. We get our hands on each and every product we test. Most are purchased; some are supplied by manufacturers.

Hearst Autos doesn't need to game algorithms for traffic or promote lousy products. We're more concerned with our legacy, our reputation, and the trust that our readers have in Car and Driver, Autoweek, and Road & Track to deliver honest opinions and expert evaluations.

Visit our page to see the very best in automotive gear. Read more about our product testing and evaluation process here.