CPS Certification Explained: How Dog Car Safety Products Are Tested
Table of Contents
When it comes to keeping your furry friend safe during car travel, not all pet safety products are created equal. The Center for Pet Safety (CPS) has emerged as the gold standard for evaluating the safety and effectiveness of dog car restraint systems. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore what CPS certification means, how products are tested, and why it matters for your pet’s safety. Check our article if you want to know our top 4 CPS-certified products for 2025.
What Is the Center for Pet Safety?
The Center for Pet Safety is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit research and advocacy organization dedicated to protecting pets and the people who love them. Founded to address the lack of safety standards in the pet product industry, CPS works independently from manufacturers to provide unbiased evaluations of pet safety products.
Why CPS Certification Matters
Unlike children’s car seats, which must meet federal safety standards, there are no mandatory testing requirements for pet travel products. Despite the pet industry’s staggering financial worth, when it comes to pet products there’s a jarring lack of oversight for safety and testing standards. This gap in regulation means that manufacturers can make safety claims without rigorous testing to back them up.
Unlike other “certifications” available to manufacturers, CPS is the only organization that is 100% independent of the pet products industry. CPS does not provide consulting services, testing services or product development services to manufacturers, nor do they accept financial support from manufacturers. This independence ensures that their evaluations are focused solely on pet safety, without influence from commercial interests.
The CPS Testing Process
The CPS employs a scientific approach to testing pet safety restraints. Here’s how the evaluation process works:
1. Testing Facilities and Equipment
CPS conducts its tests at independent, federally-contracted testing laboratories—the same facilities that test child safety seats. CPS has multiple crash test “dog dummies” that are appropriately weighted for different sizes of dogs. They have a fur exterior and facial features, like the exterior of a stuffed animal. These specialized test dummies are designed to simulate the physical properties of dogs of various sizes.
2. Crash Test Methodology
The CPS tests pet products using the federal standards for assessing child-safety seats. This includes dynamic crash testing at speeds of approximately 30 mph, mimicking real-world collision scenarios.
During testing, products must demonstrate they can:
- Remain connected to the vehicle seat or anchor points
- Keep the dog secured and prevent dangerous movement
- Maintain structural integrity throughout crash impact
- Prevent the dog from becoming a projectile in the vehicle
3. Performance Evaluation Criteria
Products are evaluated based on several key factors:
For Harnesses:
- Excursion measurement: The distance the test dog moves during impact, measured from the starting position to the furthest projection point. The thresholds are 32 inches for small/medium dogs and 36 inches for large/XL dogs.
- Hardware/webbing migration: The movement of adjustment hardware or webbing during testing, which could compromise restraint.
- Structural integrity: Whether the harness components remain intact after impact.
For Carriers and Crates:
- The product must remain connected to the test bench (car seat) and completely contain the test dog before, during, and after testing.
- For crates specifically, testing examines the overall structural integrity, including the door and latching mechanism.
The Certification Process
Manufacturers who want their products to receive CPS certification must follow a specific protocol:
- Submit for Testing: Companies voluntarily submit their products for evaluation.
- Sign Agreements: Brands that sign up for consideration for CPS Certification are required to sign a contract developed in the consumer interest. That contract is robust and requires manufacturer transparency.
- Independent Testing: Products undergo rigorous crash testing at CPS-approved facilities.
- Performance Assessment: Results are evaluated against CPS standards.
- Certification Award: Products that meet all requirements receive certification.
- Ongoing Compliance: Manufacturers must notify CPS about any product modifications and may be subject to retesting.
The CPS Rating System
CPS uses a star rating system for products that pass certification:
- 5-Star Rating: Exceptional performance in crash tests with minimal risk to pet and human passengers
- 4-Star Rating: Very good performance with acceptable risk levels
- Not Recommended: Failed to meet minimum safety standards
Notable CPS-Certified Products
As of 2025, several manufacturers have achieved CPS certification for their pet travel products:
Harnesses:
- Sleepypod Clickit Sport and Terrain: Currently the only harnesses crash-test certified by the CPS for dogs up to 110 pounds.
- ZuGoPet Rocketeer Pack: Though currently discontinued according to CPS notification.
Check our expert review on the Best CPS-Certified Dog Car Harnesses of 2025.
Carriers:
- Sleepypod Mobile Pet Bed, Atom, and Air carriers
- Diggs Passenger carrier
- Paravel carrier (made from upcycled plastic bottles)
Crates:
- Gunner G1 Small crate, which earned five-star ratings in both CPS’s crate and carrier categories.
Common Misconceptions About Safety Testing
It’s important to understand what various claims about testing actually mean:
“Crash Tested” doesn’t necessarily mean a product passed crash testing. Just because a product is Crash Tested doesn’t mean that it PASSED Crash Testing. Many manufacturers advertise that their products are “crash tested” without disclosing the results or the testing standards used.
Pet products cannot “Pass Crash Testing” if measured against a Federal or European Test Standard for a product developed for humans. This is why the CPS has developed specific standards for pet products.
Some companies claim third-party testing but use facilities that may not be using appropriate test methodologies or standards. While many pet product manufacturers claim MGA Research Certified their product – MGA Research is an independent third party testing and research corporation. They DO NOT certify products.
The Importance of Proper Sizing and Installation
Even CPS-certified products must be properly sized for your dog and correctly installed to be effective. This video from Gunner Kennels does an excellent job of demonstrating the importance of a snug fit for your dog. Too much room leaves your dog vulnerable to additional g-forces within the restraint system.
Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for sizing, which typically account for:
- Your dog’s weight
- Chest and neck measurements
- Overall body length
- Breed-specific considerations
The Future of Pet Travel Safety
The pet travel safety landscape continues to evolve, with more manufacturers recognizing the value of independent certification. As consumer awareness grows, we can expect to see:
- More products seeking CPS certification
- Enhanced testing protocols
- Technological innovations in pet restraint systems
- Potential for government regulation or industry standards
Conclusion
CPS certification represents the highest standard in pet travel safety verification. By choosing CPS-certified products, pet owners can have greater confidence that their dog’s restraint system has been rigorously tested and proven effective.
When shopping for dog car safety products, look for the CPS certification seal and visit the Center for Pet Safety website to verify a product’s certification status and rating. Remember that even the best safety product requires proper sizing, installation, and use to effectively protect your furry companion on the road.
Your dog’s safety is worth the investment in properly tested and certified products – because every pet deserves to travel securely.
Check our article to know exactly How to Choose the Right Dog Car Safety Product.
Check our article to be aware of Legal Requirements for Dog Car Travel.