At 50 km/h, your 'restrained' pet becomes a lethal force. Most local harnesses fail the physics test. Is yours one of them?
An object in motion stays in motion. If you stop suddenly on the N1, your dog continues at 60 km/h until the windscreen—or a real restraint—stops them.
In a crash, impact forces multiply weight by 30x. That R200 supermarket harness is built for walking, not 600kg of instantaneous load.
Under heat and friction, nylon stretches and fails. True safety gear uses seatbelt-grade polyester webbing that maintains integrity during impact.
Single-point tethers cause rotational arcs. Your dog may spin and hit the door pillars even if the restraint technically holds. You need stability.
In a bakkie or SUV, the seat height is a risk. A long tether lets your dog drop into the footwell, snapping their spine mid-air before the strap catches.
Don't trust the plastic seatbelt buckle. Direct ISOFIX attachments connect your pet to the car’s safety cell, providing much better stability.
A rigid harness transfers all force to internal organs. Engineered restraints use high-density foam to absorb energy and protect the ribcage.
In SA, there is no SABS for pets. Brands say 'tested' even if the harness shattered. Demand the sled speed data and the test report.
A loose fit causes 'slack-snap,' where the dog gains dangerous momentum. You should only fit two fingers between the strap and your dog.
Dogs often step on seatbelt release buttons mid-trip. If you use a simple clip-in, you are one paw-slip away from zero protection.
This isn't about keeping fur off the seats. A restraint is a technical safety device designed to manage kinetic energy and save your best friend's life.
Don't buy your next harness until you see our technical buyer's guide for South African pet owners.