Best Dog Car Seat for Medium Dogs: How to Choose Safely

Why medium dogs fall between the sizes

Small dogs can ride in a carrier strapped to the seat, and big dogs usually travel in a crate in the cargo area or in a harness. A medium dog sits in the gap: too heavy and long for most small-dog boosters, yet small enough that a full-size crate may not fit your back seat. That gap is why so many owners end up buying the wrong thing and returning it.

The AKC states that dogs shouldn't ride on the driver's lap or unrestrained in the car, and that they should be in a dog crate or secured with a crash-tested dog seat belt. It adds that seat belts are great options if your vehicle isn't large enough to accommodate an appropriately sized crate. For a medium dog in a sedan or small SUV, that often decides it.

The main options compared

A seat belt harness is a padded harness that connects to the car's seat belt or a seat anchor, which lets the dog sit or lie on the back seat while staying in place. It takes little room and suits dogs that are comfortable in a harness. Our seat belts and car harnesses collection covers this type. Check the maker's weight range, and fit the harness the way its instructions say.

A crate or kennel-style seat holds the dog in an enclosed space. A seat like this car kennel seat with cushion is one example of a kennel-style design that is described for small and medium dogs. A full crate placed in the cargo area is another route when the vehicle is large enough. In both cases, the question is what stops the enclosure sliding and how it is held to the vehicle.

Crate materials and what suits a medium dog

The AKC describes the main crate materials. Plastic crates are durable, well ventilated and easy to clean, and can double as travel carriers. Metal wire crates are the sturdiest, with good airflow and visibility, and are best for dogs that chew. Soft fabric crates are economical and lightweight and suit small dogs that won't chew, which makes them a weaker fit for many medium dogs.

All crates need ventilation holes or mesh sides so the dog can breathe properly, says the AKC. For car use, check that the crate can be fixed in place and that there is room around it for air to circulate. A crate that rattles around in the cargo area protects nobody, so measure the space before buying and plan how you will secure it.

How to size a seat or crate for a medium dog

The AKC's crate sizing method works well for car gear. With your dog standing, measure height from the top of the head to the bottom of the feet, and length from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail. Add 3 to 4 inches to each measurement to find the height and length you need. The dog needs enough room to sit, stand and lie down comfortably.

Measure the car too. Note the width of your back seat, the height of the cargo area and the position of the seat belt buckles, because a harness or seat that works in one car may not suit another. Compare the maker's weight limit with your dog's current weight, and look for a washable cover, since a medium dog sheds and drools more on upholstery than a small one.

Independent testing and what to check

The Center for Pet Safety runs a voluntary certification program in which manufacturers commit to meet independently developed safety standards, monitor product quality control and be truthful in marketing. It does not accept funding from pet product manufacturers. When its certified products page was checked for this guide, the list was made up of carriers and kennels.

Treat vague words like safe, strong or crash-ready as marketing unless a named test or certification stands behind them. We do not test products ourselves, so this guide ranks features, not individual items. For more on testing and types, read our guides to the best dog car seat and the safest dog car seat.

Getting your dog used to it, and when to ask a vet

The AKC suggests getting your dog comfortable and familiar with the restraint equipment before getting in the car, using treats and praise in short, fun sessions. Put the harness or crate in the house first, reward calm behavior around it, then practice in the parked car, and only then take a short drive somewhere enjoyable.

If your dog drools heavily, vomits or panics in the car, talk to your veterinarian about motion sickness or anxiety rather than loosening the restraint. Inspect belts, buckles and stitching regularly, and replace any restraint that has been through a collision. For other sizes, see car seats for small dogs.

This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.