Risk Factors

• Driving a car with a dog free to move around may be an accident ready to happen. The dog may distract the driver, jump out of the window and in case of an accident, the dog may get bounced around the car and even become a projectile, being tossed out of the windshield and or even seriously hurting the driver.
  
  

Benefits

• Seat belts for dogs therefore, can be a life saver. Because the dog is restrained, drivers can keep windows open, drive safely without worrying about their dog, and in case of an accident, seat belts may prevent the dog from escaping or from interfering with the paramedic's work.
  
  

Types

• A harness type of seat belt works by holding the dog in place with a strap that attaches to the car's seat belt system. This type of harness does not put pressure on the dog's neck in case of an accident, rather pressure is transferred to the stronger chest area.
  
  

Alternatives

• Other choices are carriers that strap into the car's seat belt system or booster seats like those available for children, which may be restrained with a seat belt.
  
  

Considerations

• Not all dogs will be happy to be restrained in the car, especially those that have been allowed to roam in the car for some time. Yet, the thought of having the dog safely restrained and considerably lowering the risks of him flying out of the car, should be top priority