Walking & Travel
Best Dog Car Seats
A dog car seat keeps a small or medium dog in one place, off your lap and out of the footwell. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) says it is unsafe for pets to be loose in a moving vehicle [1].
Be clear about what these seats are, though. None of our three picks claims crash testing, and there's no U.S. standard behind "crash tested" pet products anyway [3]. We picked a seat for small dogs, an elevated booster and a larger seat for bigger dogs, and we explain where to put them.
The safest way for a dog to ride is in the back seat, in a restraint that has passed independent crash testing, clipped to a harness rather than a collar. Most dog car seats, including the three below, make no crash claim, and AVMA News reports there are no standards or industry tests for pet restraints [3]. A car seat keeps a small dog settled and contained; for crash protection, look for Center for Pet Safety certification [4].
Our 3 picks at a glance
- Best for Small DogsBurgeonNest Dog Car Seat for Small DogsFor dogs and cats under 25 lbsCheck price on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)
- Best ElevatedLealchum Elevated Dog Booster Car Seat (Medium)Raised cushion so your dog can see outCheck price on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)
- Best for Bigger DogsJOEJOY Dog Car Seat for Medium/Large Dogs30 × 19 inches, for one dog up to 55 lbs or two small dogsCheck price on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)
How we chose these car seats
We searched Amazon for dog car seats and read the top organic results. We left out seat covers and hammocks, which protect the car rather than hold the dog.
We kept three seats for three dog sizes and read each listing for weight limits, tethers and where it can go in the car. Car-safety guidance comes from the AVMA and the Center for Pet Safety [1][2][3][4][5]. For walks once you arrive, see our harness guide. For big dogs that need help getting into the car, see our dog ramp picks. Short-coated dogs that ride in a cold car may want a layer; see our dog sweater guide.
What vets say about dogs in cars
The AVMA's policy is that it's unsafe for pets to ride loose, and that the preferred options are a correctly sized crate or carrier, or a properly designed safety harness. It adds that there is little science on the safety of individual products [1].
Seat position matters. The AVMA's travel brochure says that if your car has airbags, keep dogs out of the front passenger seat, and never let a dog ride on the driver's lap [2]. Its owner guidance warns that deployed airbags can crush unrestrained pets [5]. Two of our picks say they fit the front or back seat; we'd use the back.
On "crash tested": AVMA News reported in 2023 that there are no standards or industry tests for pet restraints [3]. The Center for Pet Safety, a nonprofit, runs a voluntary certification with independent standards [4]. None of our picks is marketed as crash tested or certified. Think of them as a way to keep your dog settled and in place, not as crash protection.
What is the safest car seat for a small dog?
There's no federal standard to point to. AVMA News reported in 2023 that pet restraints have no standards or industry tests, and that neither NHTSA nor the CDC collects data on pets hurt or killed in crashes [3]. The only independent benchmark is the Center for Pet Safety (CPS), a nonprofit that runs a voluntary certification [4].
CPS's own studies show why marketing claims aren't enough:
- Harnesses, 2013: CPS bought 11 harness brands that claimed testing or crash protection. Four failed a preliminary strength test and weren't crash tested at all. CPS also found makers that had crash-tested only one size but claimed all sizes, or done only a pull test while claiming crash protection [6].
- Carriers, 2015: of eight carriers tested, several released the test dog when connections let go or plastic cracked. The two top performers each failed on their first run and passed only after a design change [7].
So for a small dog, the safest setup is a product currently on the CPS certified list, in the back seat [4]. A booster or box seat like the BurgeonNest is a different job: it keeps a small dog in one place and off your lap, which the AVMA supports, but it isn't evidence of crash protection [1].
Booster seat vs harness vs crate: which should you use?
The AVMA's preferred options are a correctly sized crate or carrier, or a properly designed safety harness [1]. Emergency vet Elisa Mazzaferro, quoted in AVMA News, names safety harnesses connected to a seat belt and crates secured with a seat belt in a sedan or placed in the far back of an SUV as the safest choices [3].
| Option | Best for | Crash evidence | Main caution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Booster or box seat | Small dogs that settle when they can see out | None of our picks claims testing | Tether must clip to a harness; keeps a dog in place, not crash-protected |
| Seat-belt safety harness | Medium and large dogs on the back seat | Some CPS-certified models exist [4] | Long tethers rated dangerous by CPS [6] |
| Crate or carrier | Any size; SUVs and hatchbacks | Varies widely; several failed CPS tests [7] | Must be secured; plastic can crack [7] |
| Loose in the car | Never | AVMA: unsafe [1] | Airbags, distraction, thrown in a stop [3][5] |
Check the Center for Pet Safety's current certified list before buying for crash protection [4].
If your dog is too big for a booster, a secured crate or a certified harness fits the AVMA's advice better than a larger seat; see our dog crate guide. For a cat, use a carrier, not a dog seat; our cat carrier guide explains why.
BurgeonNest Dog Car Seat for Small Dogs
Sold by WEISHANGSHIDA, ships from Amazon.
This is a soft, box-shaped seat for small dogs and cats up to 25 pounds. It buckles to the top and back of the car seat and has an adjustable strap with a buckle that the listing says keeps a puppy in place without jumping out.
The cushion is two-sided (fluffy on one side, fabric on the other), and the cover and filling come apart for washing. The listing says it fits front or back seats. Follow the AVMA and use the back if your car has passenger airbags [2].
Good to know
- Washable cover, with the filling in separate bags
- Two storage pockets
Keep in mind
- Small dogs only: 25 pounds maximum
- The listing makes no crash-test claim; think of it as a way to keep your dog in place
- The listing suggests sizing up for long-bodied dogs
Lealchum Elevated Dog Booster Car Seat (Medium)
Sold by YIYUSU, ships from Amazon.
Some dogs settle better when they can see out of the window. This booster sits your dog on a foam pad about 6 inches (15 cm) high, with a raised backrest and adjustable leashes, shoulder straps and a harness channel underneath, per the listing.
The listing says the seat "ensures" your pet's protection; we'd treat that as marketing.
Good to know
- Raised 6-inch pad for a view out
- Fully detachable, machine-washable cover
Keep in mind
- Weight limit conflict: the title says 35 lbs, the spec says 30 lbs; go by 30
- The spec lists "No warranty"
- Its safety wording is marketing; no crash testing is claimed
JOEJOY Dog Car Seat for Medium/Large Dogs
Sold by "consent" (third-party seller), ships from Amazon.
Many car seats are sized for small dogs. This one is 30 by 19 inches and, per the listing, fits a dog up to 55 pounds or two small dogs under 20 pounds each. It threads onto the seat belt, straps to the headrest, and has two clip-on leashes.
The cover is reversible, plush on one side and faux leather on the other, and unzips for machine washing. The listing says it fits most back seats or "trunks"; at most we'd read that as the cargo area of an SUV or hatchback. A closed car trunk is never a place for a dog, and the AVMA says open cargo areas such as truck beds aren't safe [1].
Good to know
- The only pick for dogs up to 55 lbs
- Fits most back seats, per the listing
- Reversible, washable cover; 1-year warranty
Keep in mind
- The listing gives the height as 14 and 15 inches, and calls the foam both memory foam and egg-crate
- For a dog this size the AVMA's preferred options are a correctly sized crate or carrier, or a properly designed safety harness [1]
- The included-components line lists only straps, though the bullets describe two clip-on leashes
Weight limits and tethers compared
| Product | Max dog weight | Size | Seat position (listing) | Tether |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BurgeonNest | 25 lbs | 21.7 × 19.7 × 13.8 in | Front or back | Adjustable strap |
| Lealchum (M) | 30 lbs (title: 35) | 19 × 19 × 19 in | Front or back | Leashes + harness channel |
| JOEJOY | 55 lbs, or 2 dogs under 20 | 30 × 19 × 15 in | Back seat or "trunk" (listing) | 2 clip-on leashes (per bullets) |
Specs as stated on each Amazon listing, checked September 2026.
Can a dog sit in the front seat?
Not if the car has a passenger airbag. The AVMA's travel brochure says to keep dogs out of the front passenger seat in cars with airbags and never to let a dog ride on the driver's lap [2], and AVMA News notes that pets, like people, are at risk of death when an airbag deploys [3]. Airbags inflate toward the seat at high speed, and a dog in a raised booster sits right in that path.
Two other front-seat habits are worth dropping. AVMA News reports that dogs riding with their heads out of the window can get eye abrasions from debris and wind [3]. And a loose dog is a distraction: AVMA News cites a 2010 AAA survey in which over 80% of drivers recognized the danger of unrestrained pets but only 16% used a restraint [3].
Is it illegal to have an unrestrained dog in the car?
Mostly it isn't addressed. Dr. Mazzaferro told AVMA News that there are recommendations but no rules [3]. A few state traffic laws do touch it: Hawaii's, for example, bars a driver from holding an animal in their lap, or letting one be in the driver's immediate area, if it interferes with control of the vehicle [8]. Distracted-driving and animal-cruelty laws vary by state, so check yours before a road trip.
How to secure a dog in the car with a seat belt
- Put on a well-fitted harness. Never clip a car tether to a collar. In a 2020 study on a model neck, seven collars and a slip lead put 83 to 832 kPa of pressure on the neck under ordinary leash pulls, and the authors found no collar low enough to limit injury risk [9]. A sudden stop loads the neck far harder than a pull on a walk. Our harness guide covers fit.
- Use the shortest tether that lets your dog sit and lie down. The Center for Pet Safety calls long tethers inherently dangerous, and rates tethers that can't be adjusted to 6 inches or less as more dangerous than short ones [6].
- Attach to the anchor the product names, such as the seat belt, the seat's child-seat anchor or the headrest, and follow the maker's instructions. CPS found that how a restraint connects to the car decides whether it holds [6][7].
- Seat the dog in the back. A short tether on the back seat also keeps the dog from reaching the front, which AVMA News says helps prevent driver distraction [3].
- Check before every drive that the tether clip is on the harness's back ring and that you can slide two fingers under the harness straps.
With a booster seat, the same rules apply: clip the seat's built-in leash to the harness, not the collar. The Lealchum lists a harness channel underneath for this; the BurgeonNest has an adjustable strap; the JOEJOY has two clip-on leashes per its bullets.
If a crash does happen, AVMA News says injuries may not show for days, so have your dog checked by a vet even if it seems fine [3].
How to clean dog pee from a car seat
All three seats here have a removable, machine-washable cover, which is the easy part. For the car's own upholstery, Humane World for Animals (formerly the Humane Society of the United States) gives this order [10]:
- Soak up as much urine as possible with paper towels or an old towel, pressing down until the area is barely damp.
- Rinse with clean water and blot again.
- If you can still see or smell it, use an enzymatic cleaner, which breaks down the odor compounds.
- Wash removable covers with your usual detergent plus baking soda, and air dry if possible.
The same source says to avoid ammonia or vinegar, because strong chemical smells may encourage a pet to mark the spot again, and to avoid steam cleaners on urine in upholstery [10]. Our pet stain remover guide compares enzyme cleaners.
What makes a dog car seat setup safer
Back seat
The AVMA says keep dogs out of the front passenger seat if your car has airbags [2]. Use the back even when a listing says front is fine.
Tether to a harness
In our view, clip the tether to a harness rather than a collar. The AVMA names a properly designed safety harness as a preferred way to restrain a dog [1].
Weight limit
Go by the lower number when a listing gives two.
Which dog car seat fits your dog
- Best for Small Dogs: The BurgeonNest is for small dogs up to 25 pounds.
- Best Elevated: The Lealchum lifts your dog to see out, but go by its 30-pound spec.
- Best for Bigger Dogs: The JOEJOY fits a dog up to 55 pounds in the back seat.
Dog car seat FAQ
Are dog car seats safe?
They keep a dog in one place, and the AVMA says loose pets are unsafe. But its preferred options are a correctly sized crate or carrier, or a properly designed safety harness [1]. None of our picks claims crash testing, so don't treat them as crash protection.
Can my dog ride in the front seat?
The AVMA says to keep dogs out of the front passenger seat if the car has airbags [2]. Use the back seat.
What does "crash tested" mean on a dog product?
What size dog car seat do I need?
Go by the listing's weight limit and your dog's length. Our picks run from 25 pounds (BurgeonNest) to 55 pounds (JOEJOY).
Should I attach the tether to a collar or a harness?
We'd use a harness. The AVMA names a properly designed safety harness among its preferred ways to restrain a dog in a car [1], and the Lealchum has a channel for one.
Should a dog see a vet after a car accident if it seems fine?
Yes. AVMA News reports that some injuries to pets in crashes may not appear for days, and advises having the animal examined by a veterinarian even if it seems unhurt [3]. Injuries it lists range from abrasions to fractured limbs, broken spines and internal bleeding, many from being thrown inside or out of the car. Watch for limping, labored breathing, pale gums or reluctance to move, and get help at once if you see them.
Is it safe for a dog to stick its head out the car window?
It carries real risks. AVMA News reports that pets riding with their heads out of a car window can get eye abrasions from debris and wind [3]. A dog leaning out is also unrestrained, and the AVMA says loose pets in a moving vehicle are unsafe [1]. Crack the window for air if you like, but keep the dog tethered on the back seat with a short harness tether so it can't reach the opening.
Is a crate safer than a dog car seat?
It can be, if the crate is built and secured for crashes. The AVMA lists a correctly sized crate or carrier among its preferred restraints [1]. But in the Center for Pet Safety's 2015 study, several carriers cracked or came loose and released the test dog, and CPS concluded that structure and connection matter more than appearance or marketing [7]. Check the CPS certified list, then secure the crate as its maker directs [4].
How long should a dog car seat tether be?
As short as possible while still letting your dog sit and lie down. The Center for Pet Safety considers long tethers inherently dangerous and rates tethers that can't be shortened to 6 inches or less as more dangerous than short or adjustable ones [6]. A short tether also keeps a dog from reaching the front seats or a window. Always clip it to a harness, never a collar.
Sources
- AVMA. Safe non-commercial transport of pets in motor vehicles (policy). avma.org
- AVMA. Traveling with your pet (client brochure), 2023. ebusiness.avma.org
- Lederhouse C. Data, safety regulations lacking when it comes to pets and vehicles. AVMA News, September 11, 2023. avma.org
- Center for Pet Safety. Center for Pet Safety Certified. centerforpetsafety.org
- AVMA. Pet safety in vehicles. avma.org
- Center for Pet Safety — 2013 Harness Crashworthiness Study, summary (2013). centerforpetsafety.org
- Center for Pet Safety — 2015 Carrier Crashworthiness Study, summary (2015). centerforpetsafety.org
- Hawaii Revised Statutes §291C-124 — Obstruction to driver's view or driving mechanism. data.capitol.hawaii.gov
- Carter A, McNally D, Roshier A. Canine collars: an investigation of collar type and the forces applied to a simulated neck model. Veterinary Record (2020). doi.org
- Humane World for Animals — How to remove pet stains and odors. humaneworld.org