Pet owners are a big-hearted bunch; most of them could not even stomach the thought of hurting an animal.
Unfortunately, however, we may be putting our beloved companions at risk without even realizing it.
The Center for Pet Safety (CPS), alongside Subaru of America, has released the results of a 2015 crash-test study.
The study examines the efficiency of popular products meant for safely transporting pets in vehicles. These include pet carriers, crates, and pilot seats.
The results?
Well, they’re shocking, to say the least.
First, CPS tests 8 different carrier models at a simulated crash speed of 30 mph.
In the case of a crash, it is important for these types of products to completely contain the pet while also staying secure at vehicle connection points.
During this testing phase, only 2 carriers manage to accomplish this:
- The Pet Ego Jet Set Forma Frame Carrier with ISOFIX-Latch Connection
- Sleepypod Mobile Pet Bed with PPRS Handilock
Here you can see the Kurgo Wander Carrier, a product that didn’t make the cut. Its restraints come loose during the simulation, launching the kitty into the air.
Secondly, CPS tests 4 pet crates at a simulated crash speed of 31 mph.
In order to be considered safe, the crates must completely contain the animal while not making any contact with the ‘rear seat’.
Of the 4 pet crates, the Gunner Kennel G1 Intermediate crate is the only one that manages to meet the safety standards.
Here you can see the straps of another crate, the 4Pets Proline Milan, snapping during the crash and knocking the crate into the simulated rear seat.
Next on the testing list are pet seats. These products are meant to hold pets in a vehicle’s cabin, but, unlike crates, they are unenclosed.
This study is actually the first time that pet seats have been tested in a laboratory setting. As a result, the standards for ‘success’ are not completely clear.
Despite not knowing what a ‘successful’ restraint would look like, absolutely none of the pet seats keep the dummy animals secure during a 30 mph crash.
Here you can see a dummy animal being launched from the Snoozer Lookout Car Seat and colliding with the simulated vehicle.
These results have spawned concerns that pet seats, in general, may be unsafe.
Although CPS’s 2015 study did not test the safety of pet harnesses (products meant to keep pets restrained to seats without an enclosure), they did test these products in 2013, with only one brand making the cut: The Sleepypod Clickit Utility Harness.
So, what does this all mean?
Well, although many products claim to secure and protect pets in case of a collision, it seems that most offer little in terms of protection.
Therefore, if you’re planning to travel with a small cat or dog, CPS recommends using one of the top performing carriers listed above.
Owners of larger dogs, on the other hand, should be looking at either the top performing crate or the top performing harness.
And, as mentioned, the safety of pet seats has yet to be been confirmed.
For additional study details, as well as videos of all the crash test simulations, head on over to the Center for Pet Safety website.
Our furry friends are too precious to be anything but safe.
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