The Best Dog Car Seat Covers
Taking Buster or Lola for a ride in your car can be a real treat for both of you. We've all seen the joyous look on a pooch's face as she pokes her head out of the car's window, feeling the fresh air flowing through her mane. But what we don't often consider is the mess that the pup is probably making in that car. If you want to bring your dog for ride-alongs while protecting your car's interior from loose hair, dirt, and mud, a car seat cover is a worthy investment. We've researched car seat covers that are specially designed for dogs, and these are a few of the best ones we found.
Active Pets Waterproof Seat Cover
Premium protection
If you want a well-rounded waterproof seat cover, look no further. Active Pets’ seat cover happens to cover all the bases for most folks, and it’s very reasonably priced, too. The cover is easy to install and is meant to protect the entire back seat. It’s held in place by a system of loops and straps that clip to different parts of your car to provide multiple points of support. After it’s installed, you can simply leave it there permanently, vacuuming the fur off it every so often.
Pros:
- It’s easy to set up quickly and remove when needed.
- The high-quality anchors do a great job keeping it in place, and the rubber-gripped bottom prevents any slipping.
Cons:
- It’s too big for smaller cars, though different sizes and colors are available.
BarksBar Pet Car Seat Cover
Simple and affordable
While there are more expensive alternatives out there, you don’t have to dish out that much money to protect your car seats from damage and grime. In the spirit of saving money, we were drawn to BarksBar’s seat covers, which manage to look pretty darn good despite their low cost. Of course, looks are only part of the equation here. As for performance, they’re actually better than you’d expect for the price. Their “luxury” car seat cover, which is designed for cars, trucks, and SUVs, has become immensely popular in recent years. It’s relatively straightforward and similar in form and function to its costlier competitors. We like that you can simply toss it in the wash when it’s a bit grungy. If you don’t plan on taking your dog along in the car frequently, this is a great pick.
Pros:
- If you need to use this cover in more than one car, rest assured that it’s quick and easy to install (and uninstall).
- The material is thick enough to prevent liquids from staining your car’s interior.
- It can also be used as a hammock.
Cons:
- The straps can stretch over time.
Kurgo Half-Seat Dog Hammock
Hammock hangs
Kurgo has won a loyal following from its many customers after building a reputation for the quality of its products. This particular model is one of their most popular, and we think it’s unique enough to make it onto our list. This hammock-style design is ideal for those with an undisciplined or otherwise energetic dog who can’t help but try to get into the front seat while you’re driving. In contrast to other models, this one is designed to totally block your dog’s access to the front. Also, rather than take up the whole back seat, this one creates a partition so that it only occupies half of the back row. If you have a baby in a car seat or simply want to keep the other seat in the back row unoccupied, Kurgo’s hammock cover is a great pick.
Pros:
- It’s durable enough for both larger and undisciplined dogs.
- The zippered seatbelt slots ensure that this hammock isn’t going anywhere.
Cons:
- It doesn’t protect the side edges of the seat well, so if your dog is incredibly rambunctious, larger seat sizes are available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will these car seat covers restrict the use of seat belts?
No, not if you follow the instructions correctly. Today, most car seat covers are designed to be installed and forgotten rather than being reinstalled every time they’re needed. So, they need to be designed with the assumption that people will be sitting on them even when there’s no pooch in the car. Because of that, they’re specifically engineered not to obstruct the seat belt. Still, there are some exceptions. Always make sure that the cover you buy makes a specific mention of seat-belt accessibility.
What makes a car seat cover for dogs a good one?
A few factors come into play here. First and foremost is the material, obviously. Here, you should be concerned with its strength and how it deals with mud, dirt, and moisture. It may be a really strong material, but if it’s prone to clinging onto odors, it’s clearly not going to work. Also, it should be easy to clean when it does get dirty (which it will). Finally, you’ll want to consider the cover’s practical dimensions. You have to be sure that it’ll fit your car and bonus points if it’s easy to install.
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