5 Best Dog Car Harnesses
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A car lift harness is a crucial tool for ensuring the safety and comfort of your dog during travel. It provides independence, allowing your dog to move freely while reducing stress on your back. These harnesses are suitable for elderly, injured, or physically disabled dogs and can be designed to assist them in various ways, such as walking and giving a lift.
With so many types of harnesses available for different purposes, how do you find the right car lift harness for your dog? Here is a breakdown of harnesses for lifting and what they are best for.
Compare Best Car Lift Dog Harness
OVERALL BEST  1. Kurgo Tru-Fit Enhanced Strength Crash Tested Smart Car Dog Harness | BEST FOR LIMITED MOBILITY  4. Walkin' Lift Combo Rear Dog Harness for Mobility | |||
Safety Crash tested for safe car rides | Safety 3M reflective material | Safety No choke design | Safety Safely gives pets & pet parents the lift they need. | Safety Large padded torso band for added comfort and surface area for lifting. |
Adjustments Control handle for easily assisting dogs | Adjustments Seat belt handle attachment | Adjustments Easy snap buckles | Adjustments Easily and gently support your pets mobility. | Adjustments Adjustable hook and loop closures fits medium to large dogs. |
Price High price range | Price Mid price range | Price Low price range | Price High price range | Price Low price range |
Style Steel nesting buckles | Style Chest o-ring for no pulling | Style Reflective strip | Style Made of high quality nylon webbing | Style Designed to assist dogs that need help getting around or in and out of cars. |
How We Tested
- We purchased five of the Best Car Lift Dog Harnesses
- We spent a few hours testing these harnesses
- These products were purchased with our own money, not in exchange for a favorable review
Harness Features
- LED: An LED dog harness is usually constructed from lightweight materials and comes with a variety of useful features, such as adjustable light modes, reflective strips, and rechargeable batteries for hours of use.
- Back Clip: Back-clip harnesses attach on top of a dog’s back or shoulders. These are best for smaller, calm, or well-trained dogs.
- Front Clip: Front-clip harnesses have a leash attachment on the chest. This gives the owner more control and stops the dog from pulling. These are best for larger dogs or dogs that pull.
- Multi-Clip: Some harnesses come with attachments on both the front and back. This gives you the option to use it as a front or back clip when walking your dog.
- Reflective: A reflective harness is a necessity if you walk your dog at night or in low-light situations. This keeps your dog from harm and makes him easier to see.
- No Pull: No-pull harnesses are a simple way to discourage your dog from pulling. They usually have a front clip attachment, and some have front and top controls for dual control. There are usually straps that cross above the dog’s shoulders and behind their front legs.
- Step-through: A step-through harness means your dog puts his front legs between two loops to get into the harness. Once the dog’s legs are in position, a single buckle attaches behind their front legs.
The 5 Best Rated Dog Car Harnesses
OVERALL BEST
1.
Kurgo Tru-Fit Enhanced Strength Crash Tested Smart Car Dog Harness
Product Info
- Safety: Crash tested for safe car rides
- Adjustments: Control handle for easily assisting dogs
- Price: High price range
- Style: Steel nesting buckles
Pros
- Includes seat-belt loop for car
- Chest plate reduces strain on chest and neck
- No-jingle back D-ring
Cons
- Harness is heavy
- Buckles are in awkward areas
Kurgo Go-Tech Adventure Harness is perfect for the dog who needs a little help getting into the car or over rocks while hiking. It’s a crash-tested dog car harness that keeps your dog safe even while riding in the car. The all-steel Nesting Buckle System is designed by engineers based on harnesses used by rock climbers and linesmen, ensuring strength and safety.
With five adjustments points, it’s easy to get a near custom fit for any type of dog, regardless of size and proportions.
The chest pad reduces stress on the trachea and sternum while dispersing kinetic energy across the chest of the dog. This is important during those rare but dangerous impact crashes or dogs who are strong pullers. The chest pad and straps are also designed with comfort in mind, making this dog car harness a good choice as a lifting harness that can be used daily.
With five adjustments points, it’s easy to get a near custom fit for any type of dog, regardless of size and proportions.
The chest pad reduces stress on the trachea and sternum while dispersing kinetic energy across the chest of the dog. This is important during those rare but dangerous impact crashes or dogs who are strong pullers. The chest pad and straps are also designed with comfort in mind, making this dog car harness a good choice as a lifting harness that can be used daily.
BEST FOR DURABILITY
2.
Chai's Choice 3M Reflective Dog Harness
Product Info
- Safety: 3M reflective material
- Adjustments: Seat belt handle attachment
- Style: Chest o-ring for no pulling
- Price: Mid price range
Pros
- Two leash attachment options
- Mesh padding on chest and belly
- Available in many sizes and colors
Cons
- Best for larger dogs
- Sizes may run small
Chai’s Choice 3M Reflective Dog Harness is a durable and highly reflective option for your daily walks and assisting your dog into the car. This harness is crafted to remove pressure from your dog’s neck and disperse it through cushy and lightweight mesh padding on the chest and belly.
It is also equipped with reflective piping interwoven into its durable nylon exterior to make sure your pup is visible when walking at night. With 4 adjustable straps, nine vibrant color options, and a wide variety of size choices you can customize this harness for your dog.
Getting your dog into the car with assistance is now easy with the attached top built-in handle. You can also buckle your dog in for road trips by slipping a seat belt through the sturdy built-in handle on top of the harness.
It is also equipped with reflective piping interwoven into its durable nylon exterior to make sure your pup is visible when walking at night. With 4 adjustable straps, nine vibrant color options, and a wide variety of size choices you can customize this harness for your dog.
Getting your dog into the car with assistance is now easy with the attached top built-in handle. You can also buckle your dog in for road trips by slipping a seat belt through the sturdy built-in handle on top of the harness.
BEST FOR LARGE DOGS
3.
HDP Big Dog No Pull Dog Harness
Product Info
- Safety: No choke design
- Adjustments: Easy snap buckles
- Style: Reflective strip
- Price: Low price range
Pros
- Large top handle for grip
- Extra padding
- Distributes weight evenly
Cons
- No chest ring attachment
- Bulky for smaller dogs
- Runs large
HDP Big Dog No Pull Dog Harness offers a heavy duty handle for dogs who need assistance getting into cars or over things. This harness is a great solution for daily use with a bonus lifting feature for dogs who maybe injured as well as senior dogs that need a little help.
The extra wide chest padding distributes the weight throughout your dog’s chest and shoulders, which assists dogs with a comfortable walking experience. The top mounted D-ring, it gives dogs plenty freedom of motion while leaving the ultimate control to you.
The extra wide chest padding distributes the weight throughout your dog’s chest and shoulders, which assists dogs with a comfortable walking experience. The top mounted D-ring, it gives dogs plenty freedom of motion while leaving the ultimate control to you.
BEST FOR LIMITED MOBILITY
4.
Walkin' Lift Combo Rear Dog Harness for Mobility
Product Info
- Safety: Safely gives pets & pet parents the lift they need.
- Adjustments: Easily and gently support your pets mobility.
- Price: High price range
- Style: Made of high quality nylon webbing
Pros
- Available in many sizes
- Great for dogs with limited mobility
- Over the head design
- Can be used as walking harness
Cons
- Sizing may not be accurate
- Maybe bulky on small dogs
The gentle lifting support of this Front Lift Combo Dog Harness is designed to support your dog’s forearms, wrists, and elbows. It helps stabilize your dogs front legs during walking, and provides a much-needed boost to climb up and down steps more comfortably, get up from laying down, or get onto beds, furniture and even the car. It’s perfect for pups with joint discomfort, arthritis, limited mobility, or just recovering from surgery, and also ideal for elderly dogs who may need the occasional help.
The soft fleece lining and comfy mesh makes it comfortable for everyday use, and putting it on is easy by simply slipping through front legs and chest, pull up. Adjust the straps for a comfortable height to lift your pup when he needs a boost. This harness can be washed in the included mesh bag and then hung dry. It’s available in different sizes to accommodate dogs of all sizes.
The soft fleece lining and comfy mesh makes it comfortable for everyday use, and putting it on is easy by simply slipping through front legs and chest, pull up. Adjust the straps for a comfortable height to lift your pup when he needs a boost. This harness can be washed in the included mesh bag and then hung dry. It’s available in different sizes to accommodate dogs of all sizes.
BEST FOR ELDERLY DOGS
5.
Outward Hound PupBoost Lift Harness
Product Info
- Safety: Large padded torso band for added comfort and surface area for lifting.
- Adjustments: Adjustable hook and loop closures fits medium to large dogs.
- Price: Low price range
- Style: Designed to assist dogs that need help getting around or in and out of cars.
Pros
- Padded to provide comfort and added support
- Designed to assist dogs in and out of cars
- Fit dogs between 50 and 90 pounds
Cons
- Best for large dogs
- Is made for lifting only
- Some dogs slide out
The Pupboost Lift Harness was designed for injured and elderly dogs that have difficulty jumping in and out of the car. The harness easily attaches around your dog’s torso, and is secured with the fuzzy fastener strap. It’s made from durable nylon with stitched straps that have a broad life handle for a secure grip and the padded back, torso and bottom provide comfort and added support.
This harness makes lifting your dog into the car easier, while preventing strain on his legs and hips.
This harness makes lifting your dog into the car easier, while preventing strain on his legs and hips.
Harness Considerations
- Safety: A crash-tested harness that restrains your dog in the car in case of a sudden stop or impact is the safest kind. Some attach easily to your car’s seat belt system and are also walking harnesses.
- Durability: There are many durable materials used in the construction of dog harnesses, but rip-stop nylon, canvas, and denim are some of the more durable.
- Material: Harnesses are made from leather, plastic, nylon, and other types of fabric. If your dog tends to get wet while on walks, consider something that dries quickly. If your dog chews, then you will need a sturdy harness.
- Adjustments: A harness should have many points of adjustment in order to fit dogs of all shapes and sizes. A harness with at least four adjustment points is ideal for finding your dog’s perfect fit.
- Comfort: Harnesses should be made from comfortable materials to prevent chaffing. Soft mesh and plush fabrics can help provide adequate comfort around nylon, if well designed.
- Cost: A good harness is a small investment. There are many quality harnesses at reasonable prices, depending on your needs.
- Style: There are many harness styles, and the best choice will depend on your dog’s personality and size. Some styles are no-pull, standard, step-through, dual strap, etc.
- Visibility: If you walk your dog in low-light conditions or hike in wooded areas, you may want a high-visibility harness. Some include reflective material or tiny LED lights to make sure your dog can be seen.
Final Thoughts
It is important to take proper care of your dog when getting into the car, especially if he is injured or aging. The best car lift dog harness ensures your dog’s freedom of motion and can support him in many ways. Aging and elderly dogs can greatly benefit from some help from a lift harness when walking and getting into a car.
