The Safest Dog Booster Seats and How to Use Them Properly

For many dog owners, no road trip would be complete without their pup along for the ride. For a pleasant and safe time together, it's essential to keep your dog in a comfortable yet confined space. To prevent your small pup from climbing on your lap while driving (which could cause an accident), give them a dedicated space in the car with a dog booster seat.

Intended for smaller dogs, booster seats, or pet travel seats, add several inches of height beneath your pup so he can look out the window and safely stay put. Some booster seats are designed more like a hammock to strap over the top of a car's back seat and float above the seat while others sit directly on the back seat and use cushioning inside the booster to create a higher elevation. 

The safest booster seat option is one that sits directly on the seat and features an anchoring system that works with the seat belts to secure the booster directly to the seat (like a child's car seat). You should then use a crash-tested harness with the booster seat as well. If a crash were to happen, it's important to find an option that will help keep your pup in place—just like seat belts do for humans.

RELATED: 12 of the Best Dog Car Seat Covers To Keep Your Dog Safe (and Protect Your Car) 

By giving your dog a better view of his surroundings, he may stay calmer, more content, and be less likely to experience motion sickness. Having your pup stay in a confined area will reduce driving distractions and better protect your pup if you have to stop quickly. Plus, he'll stay put until you're ready for both of you to get out.

"While traveling with your pet is appealing, dog owners should understand that pet travel seats are not regulated like children's car seats and boosters," says Lindsey A. Wolko, founder of the Center for Pet Safety. She adds that it's important to look for as many safety features as possible and use your dog's travel seat properly.

Wolko offers these tips:

• Pets should never travel in the front seat of your vehicle.
• Look for a travel seat that connects to the LATCH/ISOFIX anchors of your backseat (like a child car seat does).
• Avoid travel seats with exposed hard plastic bases because they can easily fracture in a crash and create sharp shards.
• Use an approved crash protection harness, not your dog's walking harness or collar, to connect your pet to your vehicle's seat belt system. Avoid connecting your pet directly to the pet travel seat.