Dog Seat Belts

Dog seat belts attach a dog harness to a strap with a buckle that fits in a vehicle's typical seat belt device. It's used to restrain your dog and keep them secure in a seat during a drive. In the event of an accident or sudden slamming of breaks, the pressure will be distributed equally along your dog's chest and back, minimising the strain on their necks.  

The best dog seat belts should be heavy-duty and have thick, padded straps. Also, the belt should be long enough that your dog can sit and lie whenever they want and short enough to ensure they won't fly around or crash onto the front seat. 

The purpose of a dog seat belt is restraint and safety. In 2019, Volvo and The Harris Poll conducted a study, Volvo Reports: Keeping Pets Safe on the Road, which found that driving with an unrestrained dog isn't just unsafe for the dog but also for everyone else in the car. 

If you use a dog seat belt, the dog cannot move around within the car and therefore has less potential to disrupt the driver. In the chance of collision, your dog will less likely be a flying saucer, thereby decreasing the risk of injury to the dog and the passengers. Furthermore, the belt's restraint will prevent the dog from jumping out of a moving car's window or dashing out when the door is open. 

The safest way to have a car ride with your dogs is with a seat belt restraint attaches to the D-Ring of your dog's harness to keep them restrained. Still, research your options before selecting a brand if your dog doesn't normally wear a harness. Look for crash-tested seat belt and harness certified by the Center for Pet Safety to give you that extra peace of mind. 

Also, as long as they are wearing the right size harness, seat belts are safe for your dogs. If it’s too large, they can try to wiggle out and escape. With the right dog car harness, you can keep any size dog safely strapped in the back of your car. So, fret not! They're specifically made for your dog's safety.

Harnesses and seat belts work in harmony. Seat belts are typically attaches through the D-ring at the back of your dog's harness and secured with a buckle. A harness comes with a lower risk of neck injury compared to attaching the seat belt to your dog's collar. We do not recommend using a seat belt restraint with a dog's collar in case you need to suddenly stop the car, or your pup has a tendency to try lunging out of the car as you open the door. They are not tacky or uncomfortable at all. They both work wonders.

You can even make your ride more quirky with NALZO’s dog seat belts pawfectly matching our dog harness bundles! 

They should never call shotgun! 

A friendly reminder to all fur parents: Dogs do not belong in the front seat and definitely not on your laps. Letting your dog roam around the car or placing them on your laps is a recipe for disaster, especially when you allow them to climb over you while driving. In fact, it's illegal.

Although used inside the car, seat belts can still smell a little funky after a while. Keeping them clean is a must. But, you have to do it properly. NALZO recommends hand washing with warm water and mild soap or spot wipe instead. Machine wash and tumble dry is highly discouraged.