How to Secure Dog Crate in Car 

Welcome, my fellow canine enthusiasts! Today we’re going to talk about one of the most important aspects of dog ownership – ensuring your furry friend’s safety while on the road. As a dog lover and writer, I’ve seen firsthand the joy and companionship that our four-legged friends can bring to our lives. But let’s not forget that with that joy comes a great responsibility – to keep our pups safe, happy, and healthy. That’s why I’m excited to share with you some tips on how to secure your dog’s crate in your car. Whether you’re planning a road trip or simply running errands around town, it’s essential to make sure that your dog is secure and comfortable while traveling with you. So let’s dive in and learn how to keep our furry passengers safe and sound!

Is your dog crate crash tested?

Chances are if you have a dog crate already it’s not crash tested. Unlike humans, strict safety standards and testing are not required. So here are some recommendations.

My first recommendation is the Variocage dog crate. The Variocage dog crate is probably the most well-constructed dog crate in the industry. It’s also probably the most expensive, but you do get what you pay for. Click on the image and it will take you to Amazon to check out this product. They have a video on their listing you need to check out. This crate is tested against other well-known quality products and comes out on top by far. Check it out here on Amazon.

My second choice is Orions Kennels. The Orions Kennel product is less expensive. However, it is a well-made product. If you go to the Orions Kennel product listing on Amazon you can watch several videos on the Orions Kennel dog crate. You’ll see a video on what went into the thought process into the making of the Orions Kennel. Also, see a shock test on the quality of the product under crash type conditions. And then another video on how to secure your Orions Kennel Dog Crate. Check it out here on Amazon.

If you have your dog with you and you are in a serious accident there’s no guarantee your dog will survive. However, I believe the options I have given you here will offer the best possible chance for the survival of your pet. And if you know how to secure dog crate in car, this will help.

The best position to anchor your dogs crate

First off, It’s a little like a baby car seat. You don’t want to put your pet in the front unless you disable the front seat airbag. In case of an accident, you don’t want the airbag to hit into the crate and possibly cause more of an impact. This could create more injury.

Today’s vehicles have crunch zones. Consequently, you don’t want your dog in an area that is designed to collapse in the event of an accident. So if you have an SUV, you don’t want your pet in the back where you put your groceries. This area is usually a crunch zone. The back seat or if you have an SUV, the middle or third row is good.

Secure the crate to your seat

You want the best possible attachment from your crate to your seat belt connections. It’s best if you can hook your crate in the front and the back. The photo of the dog in the back seat is in a harness. But this seatbelt set up can be also used for a crate. With these hookups, you can attach one end to the seatbelt and the other to the latch bar.

The idea here is that in case of an accident you want the crate to remain as secure as possible. You’ll need to experiment around to figure out the best way to secure your crate. Just be sure to adjust the straps snug so the crate can’t move around much.

Click on the image of the dog in the back seat harness to check out this strap hook setup.

Dog safety in your vehicle 

Your dog safety is important here at dog restraint. And we always want you and your pet to be safe. Therefore It’s always a good idea when riding with your pet to keep him or her restrained in some way. Either in a harness or in a crate.

If your dog is allowed to roam around free while you are driving and you get into an accident the outcome will not be good. I’m sure the extra effort needed to secure your dog will be greatly appreciated in such an event. I’m sure you agree.

Not only will your dog be safer, but you’ll be safer. Many accidents are caused by distraction. This could be talking on the phone, talking to someone in the vehicle, or having your dog jumping around. Also if your dog isn’t properly restrained and you are in an accident. Your pet will become a projectile flying through the air. This is of course not good for your dog, and anyone they slam into may receive more injury.

If you do get in an accident and your dog is with you your dog may panic and runoff. You may not be able to watch out for your pet in such a situation. So a dog restraint is a good idea.

Restraint laws for dogs in vehicles 

As of the time writing of this article here are some states that are enforcing using dog restraints while driving.

In New Jersey, you can be stopped if an officer believes you are not properly restraining your pets. Fines can range anywhere from $250-$1000 per animal.  In Hawaii, you are breaking the law if a pet is riding in your lap or is not restrained. You can be fined $97 for a dog in your lap and $57 for not being restrained in some way. In Arizona Connecticut and Maine distracted driving laws can be applied to your dog. More states are looking at laws that will enforce this in some way.

In conclusion:

Keep you and your dog safe. You wouldn’t take your baby for a ride without being in a baby seat, right? Well if you care for your pet then give them the same consideration. Either put them in a good quality crate or a dog harness seat belt.

Hopefully, this helps you with how to secure dog crate in car.

Below is a video that shows what can happen to a dog crate in a car that gets in an accident.