Seatbelt Buckle Dog Collar is essential to have especially when you’re always travelling with your pup in a car. It’s very simple and cost less than harness, but does the job done!
Are Dog Seatbelts Required By Law?
Well, yes, in countries like UK, Australia and some states in US. A dog that is not suitably restrained by a seatbelt, harness or crate can be deadly according to experts. A study made by Volvo and the Harris Poll showed that accidents doubled due to this.
Penalties vary from each countries mentioned. If you’re driving around, let’s say, UK, and a police officer sees your dog sticking its head out or sitting on your lap, there is a chance that you will be fined. There’s no list of actions of what can be considered careless driving.
If the police officers felt that your driving does not comply with their standard of driving, then you will face potential penalties for noncompliance. Or, your driving showed that you’re not “reasonably” considering the safety of other drivers.
What are The Suitable Restraints?
There are a number of options to choose from when it comes to dog restraints. To find the most suitable restraint for your dog, look for something that is appropriate for your dog’s size and the type of vehicle you have.
Here’s the most common dog restraints:
Dog Seatbelt
Dog seatbelt is the most common type of dog restraints as it works best for large and medium-size breed dogs. It consists of two parts: a safety belt and a collar or a harness. You can buy both separately or together. The safety belt looks like a leash attaching the dog collar or harness to the car’s seat.
Attachment style varies depending on the safety belt type. There’s a safety belt that buckles directly to the car’s seat called clip-in. If you prefer something that loops around the car’s head rest and that you can use as a leash for walking your dog, find a seat belt that features a loop strap leash attachment.
Also, it’s important to note that you should only purchase dog seatbelts which carries the Center For Pet Safety (CSP) stickers. This sticker certifies that the dog seatbelt has been tested for safety and durability and has passed the CSP safety standards.
Dog Carriers
This works best for small breed dogs or puppies or medium-sized breed dogs who are crate-trained already and are relatively calm. Carriers are enclosed and got doors typically on the side, however there are options that have doors on top. Good thing is, they can be strapped on the seatbelt or the car’s LATCH/ISOFIX anchors. Moreover, they’re collapsible and foldable.
Carriers generally prevent dogs from roaming inside the car. They do not necessarily keep dogs safe during accidents. However, there are carriers that, like dog seat belts, are built to be stronger and more durable. If you’re looking for a carrier that will prevent your dog from distracting and at the same time will keep your dog safe in case of an accident, check for the CSP sticker.
Dog Travel Crates/ Kennels
This also works best for small breed dogs. Like carriers, they are enclosed and can be strapped on the seat. The differences are that, carriers are made of heavy-duty construction materials and have multiple vault doors for extra security. Moreover, they typically feature a 360 ventilation.
If you’re travelling with your dog by plane or by car, travel crates are great option. However, if your pup is not crate-trained and tends to be aggressive when contained, seatbelt might be a better option than carriers. If you really want to purchase one, make sure it got the CSP sticker.
What is a Seatbelt Buckle Dog Collar?
Seatbelt buckle dog collar is a dog collar with a buckle closure type that usually comes with a press-button release. They look simple but you’ll be surprised by the variety of styles available in the market, from plain ones to collars with artworks and SPIKES. Material types are also great. There are dog collars that are made of leather, polyester, nylon, and cotton.
And, they come in a lot of different width sizes and adjustable lengths too. The small-sized seatbelt buckle dog collar typically has 1 inch width while the large-sized one has a width around 1.5 inches. When it comes to adjustable lengths, there’s an extensive range. There are seatbelt dog collar that adjusts up to 32 inches! It’s something that really grows with your dog.
But you might be wondering..
Which is better: Harness or Seatbelt Buckle Dog Collar?
Harness and Seatbelt Buckle Dog Collar both prevent distraction and offer security and protection for dogs during car rides. The answer to the question which is better could only be known when your dog has tried both. Some dogs prefer collars over harness while it’s the other way around for some.
Generally, harnesses are preferred by most pet owners who have dogs that tend to pull on the leash. For pet owners who have relatively calm dogs, dog collars are much preferred. This is so because harnesses distribute the pressure evenly while collars don’t. The pressure concentrates on the dog’s neck area which if prolonged could lead to injury.
When it comes to convenience, seatbelt buckle dog collars are better option. They’re easier to wear and remove. They typically feature a center button release that unclasps the buckle with just one press. Besides that, they’re more breathable unlike harnesses that goes around the back and chest which can be quite uncomfortable.
The truth is, both are essentials. So, whether you will purchase a harness or a seatbelt buckle dog collar now, it’s most likely that your dog will have both eventually.
What To Look For in a Seatbelt Buckle Dog Collar?
When looking for a Seatbelt Buckle Dog Collar, there’s a multiple of things that you should and need to consider:
Sponge Padded Chest Plate
When looking for a seatbelt buckle dog collar, check if the chest plate features a sponge lining pad. This feature will provide your dog with more comfort and protection during your rides. If the chest plate is not padded, it will slam against your dog’s neck and will most likely cause bruises and cuts.
Robust material
Seatbelt buckle dog collar varies with material type. Check the construction as this determines the durability and damage tolerance of the collar. The most common material types are Nylon, Polyester, Cotton and Leather. Each has uniquely superior attributes but if it’s durability that is your top consideration, choose Nylon.
Nylon is the most robust material type among the four. It is weather-resistant and more durable. It’s also used typically for outdoor gears. However, it’s slightly a bit more expensive than other options. Polyester is less robust but is more abrasion-resistant. Leather is also strong and resistant, however, it’s not moisture-resistant and molds and rots pretty quickly.
Comfort & Style
Leather is our top choice when it comes to comfort and style. If it’s treated with waterproof wax finish, it could perform better than Nylon. It’s soft and exerts less pressure on the dog’s neck than the usual collar. It’s also hypoallergenic. So, if your pup has a sensitive skin, consider a leather seatbelt buckle dog collar.
Best Seatbelt Buckle Dog Collar on Amazon
Adjustable
This feature makes it possible to optimally adjust the seatbelt buckle dog collar to your dog’s size. Typically, seatbelt buckle dog collar comes with an adjustable strap. Two things that you need to consider when looking for the right one for your dog are speed and ease of use.
Make sure that it adjusts easily and effortlessly. Also, it should fit snugly around your dog’s neck. When we say snugly, we mean not too tight but not also too loose that your dog can reach it with his mouth.
Ease of Use
You’ll likely find seatbelt dog collars that’s got buttons in the middle of the buckle. That’s a push-button release. When you press this button, it releases the hook from the clasp. Easy-breezy! This is a great option if you’re looking for a seatbelt buckle dog collar that features speed and ease of use.
Crash-Tested by CSP
Again, this is an important safety feature that you should always check. Not all seatbelt buckle dog collar have CSP certification unlike human seatbelts which are strictly regulated. Seatbelt buckle dog collar that is CSP-certified carries a sticker of its seal. Usually, this information is included in the product safety description so make sure to check that.
Machine washable
All seatbelt buckle dog collars are machine washable. However, there are material types like cotton that wear out quickly when you wash them often. Nylon and Polyester material are usually easy to wash but they can wear out pretty easily too if you do not wash them properly- although not as quick as cotton.
If you have a dog that loves getting dirty, perhaps a nylon or a polyester will suit your dog best. Leather may not be a great option if you’re looking for something that you can wash in a washing machine as it warps and deteriorates pretty quickly.
How to Wash a Seatbelt Buckle Dog Collar?
Dust, mites, fungi and bacteria can build up on the dog collar if it’s not cleaned properly. These can cause skin infections and can actually make your dog sick. So, whether you have an active or inactive dog, it’s necessary to wash the seatbelt buckle dog collar periodically. It’s for your dog’s health and safety as well as for keeping it smelling nice and fresh.
So, here’s a step-by-step guide when washing a seatbelt dog collar:
- Use a lukewarm water as this dissolves grime, dust, bacterial build up more effectively than cold water.
- To deodorize the collar, you can use a dog shampoo.
- If you don’t have any, you can use apple cider vinegar plus baking soda to neutralize its acidity.
- Mix either of that two cleaning ingredient with the water to ensure that it spread evenly throughout the collar. 2-3 table spoons of vinegar and baking soda is enough.
- Soak the collar for 10-20 minutes in the solution and scrub it gently after with a soft-bristled brush or a toothbrush.
- Rinse the collar thoroughly using lukewarm water and dry.
- For leather collars, use a soap or leather conditioner. You can also use cider vinegar and baking soda.
- Note: Do not soak a leather collar in the solution, instead, use a brush, dip it in the solution and scrub. Dry it with a towel before hanging it up.
- Do not dry the leather collar in the sun as this may cause the leather to warp and deteriorate.
Conclusion
Dogs need as much care and love as humans do because they’re family. Their safety should always be a priority. If you have just brought a puppy home, you can ensure your pup’s safety by making your home puppy proof. You can also purchase a GPS Dog collar so you can always monitor your pup. And when you’re ready to take your pup on adventure in a car, a seatbelt buckle dog collar will be your greatest safety gear!