The Best Car Seats for Dogs

Car seats designed for dogs can make travel less stressful for pups and their owners. But only a few dog car seats can survive an accident, so safety is an important consideration.

Published: June 10, 2026

A cheerful dog strapped into a specialized car seat for dogs looks happily at the camera from the back an SUV through an open rear door. — The safest dog car seats, like the Tavo Maeve shown here, are suitably-sized, crash-tested, and keep the dog contained in the vehicle. Credit: Courtesy of Tavo

Some dogs like to snooze on the back seat, others prefer to sit where they can see everything, and all dogs like to be comfortable riding in the car. Dog car seats are dedicated restraints that position dogs in soft, structured seats attached to the vehicle’s seat belt system or anchor points.