Best dog car seats

When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn moreAfter testing several car seats, we found options from Kong, Sleepypod, and PawsPik worthy of recommendation.Liz Coleman/Business InsiderThere's a lot of confusion about the safest way to travel with a dog in the car, but one thing is clear: Letting them roam free isn't advisable. That's because unsecured pets can be injured during sudden stops or collisions and may distract drivers, says Dr. Jessica Bell, associate professor at Washington State University's College of Veterinary Medicine. The best dog car seats can help minimize these risks by securing your pet in the back seat.Some dogs may even find a car seat calming, says Allie Bender, a certified dog trainer, behavior consultant, and owner of Pet Harmony. Every dog is different, but many find comfort in the confinement, cushioning, and traction that a pet car seat provides. Our top picks at a glanceThe Sleepypod Mobile Pet Bed for dogs up to 15 pounds is the best of the bunch, thanks to its third-party crash test certification.For larger dogs, I recommend the PawsPik Ultra Large Premium 2-in-1 Convertible Travel Dog Bed and Car Seat, which has bolsters for an extra-cozy ride. As a dog guardian myself, I was personally invested in learning about safe car travel and where dog car seats fit in. So I tapped into my experience as a pets reporter and consulted veterinarians, pet safety experts, and a dog behaviorist. Based on my experts' feedback, I chose seven seats for hands-on testing. Ultimately, I landed on recommendations for small and large dogs.Read more about how Insider Reviews researches and tests pet products.Our top picks for the best dog car seatsBest for small dogs: Sleepypod Mobile Pet Bed - $225 at ChewyBest for medium and large dogs: PawsPik Ultra Large Premium 2-in-1 Convertible Travel Dog Bed and Car Seat - $150 at ChewyBest budget: Kong Ultimate Safety Tether and Car Seat - $90 at ChewyWhat is the safest way to transport a dog in the car?While a car seat keeps pets secure, it's important to acknowledge their inherent safety limitations. Aside from the Sleepypod, none are crash-test certified by the Center for Pet Safety (CPS), a nonprofit organization that conducts independent crash testing of pet travel products. With no official safety standards in place, CPS is widely regarded as the gold standard for safe pet transportation.Lindsey Wolko, founder and CEO of CPS, says if you're going to use a travel seat, it should be paired with a CPS-certified harness that connects directly to the vehicle seatbelt system. The dog should not be tethered directly to the car seat. For this review, I used the CPS-certified Sleepypod Clickit Sport Plus Harness, which kept my pup, Olive, restrained yet able to lie down in the larger car seat if she wanted.Best for small dogsBest for: Small dogs under 15 pounds, easy installationSkip this if: Your dog doesn't tolerate being confined to a carrierFor the smallest of dogs, the Sleepypod Mobile Pet Bed is a versatile car seat that also functions as a pet carrier and portable bed. It’s CPS crash-test certified and secures pets with the brand’s Pet Passenger Restraint System (PPRS). This refers to the carrier’s three-point seatbelt connection, which helps distribute forces more evenly and prevents pets from being ejected during a collision. Note that the dome cover must be closed during travel to maintain crash-proof integrity.Sleepypod is continually working to enhance the safety of its travel carriers. The brand’s Research and Development team has made a number of improvements to its crash-test dog dummies, and materials undergo tensile-strength testing to ensure durability. In 2015, Sleepypod added a PPRS Handilock to this carrier. This is a small plastic slide that goes over the carrier’s velcro closure to help keep it in place.Dr. Patricia de Carvalho I. Obeid, a veterinarian and assistant professor at the Midwestern University College of Veterinary Medicine, says the Sleepypod’s enclosed, stable design reduces visual motion, which helps minimize nausea during travel. The circular design is ideal for pups who like to curl up, and the interior cushion is plush and lined in a cozy faux fur.The Sleepypod Mobile Pet Bed is the best car seat for dogs weighing 15 pounds or less.Liz Coleman/Business InsiderThis seat also wins points for practical ease of use. Since there are no latches to fuss with, I found it easy to install. If you run into a snag, the brand provides plenty of installation videos to guide you through the process. The water-repellant liner is easy to remove and toss in the wash.If your dog is used to looking out the window or roaming freely in the car, you should plan for an adjustment period. Since Olive was too big for the Sleepypod, I tested it with her friend, Frances, an 11-pound miniature dachshund. Frances expressed her displeasure with being restrained, loudly and cl

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