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Can I put a seat belt on my dog?

I recently adopted a dog, and I booked a weekend getaway and want to bring him. He’s not a big fan of crates, but I don’t want him loose in the back seat. Can I put a seatbelt on him to keep him safe?

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Andrea Barrett · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Yes, you can put a seatbelt on your dog, but you’ll want to purchase a pet-specific one from your local pet store. Although putting a regular car seat belt on a dog may seem feasible, it’s not designed to contain animals, so it won’t offer the same level of safety.
A dog harness seatbelt is the most popular option. It secures your dog in one position with a strap that plugs into the seatbelt buckle. However, make sure your dog doesn’t chew through the harness! This is an excellent option for both small and large dogs.
A loose dog in the back seat isn’t just dangerous for your dog; it’s also dangerous for the driver. Here are some of the dangers that unrestrained dogs present to drivers:
  • Energetic or anxious dogs can escape through the window
  • Dogs hanging their heads out the window risk injury by external debris
  • Airbags deployed if involved in an accident can injure dogs in the front seat
  • Using a tether with a collar can lead to severe injury in a crash or sudden stop
  • An unrestrained dog in the backseat during a collision can become a dangerous projectile
Long story short, a dog seatbelt is a great and safe idea! On top of thinking about your dog’s safety, consider your own and take a minute to upgrade your
car insurance
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.

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