A GROWING NUMBER OF states — New Jersey, Hawaii, Arizona, Connecticut and Maine, among others — have laws regulating the safety of people and their pets in transit. Even when it’s not mandatory, pet owners are catching on to the importance of safely transporting their animals and limiting driving distractions. Here are eight restraints and other accessories, some crash-tested and all pet-approved.
Buckle n’ Go
K&H Pet Products
KEY FEATURES: Mesh-sided safety seat keeps pet contained. Lead attaches to pet’s collar or harness and snaps into seat belt buckle. Comes in two sizes and two colors.
SALES TIP: One-year limited warranty can add to pet owners’ peace of mind.
khpet.com, (877) 738-5188
$82.99 / $99.99
Impact Dog Car Harness
Kurgo
KEY FEATURES: Available in four sizes, for dogs 10-110 pounds. Crash tests conducted on small, medium and large dummies. Design features four adjustment points and padded chest plate.
SALES TIP: Show Kurgo’s 30-second video of their product crash tests and you’ll likely convert some skeptics.
kurgo.com, (877) 847-3868
$79
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Natural-Step Ramp
Gen7Pets
KEY FEATURES: Getting up and down steep surfaces can be tough on older dogs. This 7-foot long ramp features a wide surface, auto-locks in place and has fake grass for easy gripping.
SALES TIP: Ramp folds up for easy storage and weighs only 17 pounds.
gen7pets.com, (610) 913-1906
$99.99
Bergan Auto Harness
Coastal Pet Products
KEY FEATURES: Crash-tested, available in four adjustable sizes. Run seat belt through harness loops. D-ring connects to any leash for transition from car to walk.
SALES TIP: If the pet is involved in a crash, Coastal will replace the harness for free.
coastalpet.com, (800) 321-0248
$24.99-$33.99
SHERPA Forma Frame Carriers
Worldwise
KEY FEATURES: Crash-tested carriers that use existing LATCH and car seat tether systems for three strong points of contact. Two sizes, for cats and small dogs.
SALES TIP: It’s multi-modal: Extra-small size is part of the Guaranteed On-Board program, a partnership with airlines to standardize pet carriers.
worldwise.com, (303) 623-3327
$149.99 / $199.99
Load Up Harness
Ruffwear
KEY FEATURES: Built with strength-rated hardware and components that withstood rigorous crash testing. Attaches to existing seatbelts, allowing dog to sit or lie down.
SALES TIP: Restraining the dog in the back seat is the goal, while also maintaining comfort on roadtrips.
ruffwear.com, (888) 783-3932
$7.49
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Sleepypod Atom
Sleepypod
KEY FEATURES: Sleek, modern pet carrier doubles as a car seat and airplane travel carrier. For dogs and cats up to 12 pounds.
SALES TIP: Atom has many of the same design features as the Sleepypod Air, with a scaled down size and smaller price tag.
sleepypod.com, (626) 421-6818
$109.99
Drive Harness
EzyDog
KEY FEATURES: Crash-tested safety solution for dogs, featuring an EVA foam that conforms to the dog for a custom fit. Comes in three adjustable sizes.
SALES TIP: Point your customers to the website, which has detailed instructions and video tutorials for getting the perfect fit.
store.ezydog.com, (877) 3EZYDOG
$99