Products That Keep Pets Safe When They Ride in Your Car

Cars are equipped with seat belts and air bags. They undergo crash tests and receive safety ratings.

Pet crates and carriers aren’t held to the same standards, however.

As the nonprofit Center for Pet Safety explains in a recent press release:

While many crate and carrier manufacturers claim their products are crash-tested and safe for use in a vehicle, there are currently no test protocols or performance standards in the U.S. to substantiate these claims.

That’s why the research and consumer advocacy organization has partnered with Subaru of America to test the safety of pet crates and carriers for travel.

For the 2015 Crate and Carrier Crashworthiness Studies, they put pet crates and carriers through crash testing using canine crash-test dummies and procedures based on the federal vehicle safety standards for child seats.

For crates, the center defined successful test outcomes based on whether the crate:

• Contacts the simulated seatback in initial testing.
• Has anchor straps and connections that retain integrity.
• Provides full containment of the test dog before, during and after the crash simulation with no breach of the crate structure or door.

Based on this definition, one crate was designated as “far and away the most impressive crate:” Gunner Kennels G1 Intermediate with 8′ Tie Down Straps

For carriers, the center defined successful test outcomes based on whether the carrier:

• Fully contains the test dog before, during and after the crash test.
• Remains wholly connected to the test bench for the entirety of the test (including all device connection points).

Two carriers were named top performing pet carriers: PetEgo Jet Set Forma Frame Carrier with ISOFIX-Latch Connection, and Sleepypod Mobile Pet Bed with PPRS Handilock

Have you ever considered the safety of your pets when they ride in your car? Share your thoughts with us below or on Facebook.