Who doesn’t want their dog traveling in their car with them? Well, some dog owners don’t. But if you’ve clicked on this article, it means you’re definitely interested or already partake in it. While it is really fun and you get to spend time with your pet, the issue lies in the maintenance of your car. It gets too tedious with all that extra accumulated dirt and lots and lots of dog hairs.
Dog car seat covers (also called dog car hammocks) are the best solution. Not only are they a breeze to install, but they are effortless to clean as well. This guide will help you understand and choose the best dog seat cover for you.
Finding the Best Car Seat Covers for Dogs
We have our set criteria for each of these dog seat covers. It covers their durability, ease in installation, looks, comfortability for the dogs, sturdiness, and ease in cleaning. So, while keeping all of these factors in mind, we have compiled this guide.
How to Install a Dog Car Seat Cover?
There’s no need to worry. Dog back seat covers are really easy to install. All you need to do is place them on your back seat, simply ensuring that the non-slide side of it is facing down. For a dog hammock, buckle in its straps in the headrest of the front seats and the back seats. Also, make sure that you’ve pushed the seat anchors into the crevice.
You can also look for certain pet car seat covers with premade holes in them where the seat belts can be looped out of and fastened to your pets.
The Best Car Seat Covers for Dogs
When making this purchase, it’s important to ensure that you keep a lot of specific things in mind. We know that it can be a bit too much, and with so many options out there in the market, it can get pretty confusing. But that’s what we’re here for!
Your back seat dog cover should be really sturdy and durable because, unlike other pets, dogs can do a decent amount of roughhousing when excited or when throwing a tantrum. There’s also the matter of unwanted dog hairs, dirt, occasional pee, or drool. Plus, some travels can be quite long. You want to make sure that your doggie is as comfortable back there as possible.
Meadowlark Dog Car Seat Cover
If you’re looking for excellent coverage with great dual functionality of turning from a hammock to a non-hammock dog car seat protector, Meadowlark is the way to go. We couldn’t rave enough about how well it covers the entire back seat of your car, with nice lengthy side flaps to protect your car doors and a zip option to check back on your dog if and when required to.
Cons: The side flaps do prove to be a bit of work if you frequent make pit stops in your car rides. The flaps should be unhinged so that you can let them down every time and then put them back up once you’re done. There’s also no mesh-window option in this cover which usually helps with airflow.
4Knines Rear Seat Cover for Cars, SUVs, Trucks
A great all-rounder on this list, 4Knines is a great back-seat cover option for your dog(s). It has pretty much everything one looks for in a car seat protector, sturdiness, durability, water resistance, and adaptability to your car’s interior. Yes! It has extra straps you can attach to your headrest as well to turn it into a hammock. Its back surface is also non-slip, so it adheres well.
Cons: This is us being really nit-picky, but the XL size of this backseat dog cover turns out to be a little small. So if you have an SUV or a bigger pickup truck, be mindful that the sizing of an XL cover might be a little smaller than you anticipated.
NAC&ZAC Waterproof Hammock Pet Seat Cover
NAC&ZAC’s dog seat cover is a highly well-thought-out, sleek, and efficient dog car hammock. We loved pretty much everything that this cover has to offer. From its larger-than-life-size, so it covers every part of your back seat, to its high tendency to collect more dog hairs in comparison with other covers due to the material. This is a really reliable option, for sure!
Cons: When we mentioned “larger than life,” we weren’t kidding. One of the only issues shared by users thus far who have used and reviewed this cover is that the seat cover can be a bit too big for smaller cars and naturally “sags.” Just keep the cover’s dimensions in mind and if it suits your car, then go for it!
Vailge Dog Seat Cover For Back Seat
This is definitely a unique and economical option. For this price point, it offers quite a bit! You get a lot of coverage in your back seat. The XL of this thing is pretty big! The dog cover can be turned into a hammock with loops in the cover to go around the car headrests. The cover itself is made of multiple fabric layers, with good padding and a water-resistant surface.
Cons: While this rear seat dog cover offers side flaps to protect your doors, it doesn’t have any appropriate holes to let any seat belts pass through them, hence rendering them useless. There is also the issue of the zipper facing the dog’s side instead of the driver’s side, which can be quite a nuisance if in a hurry.
URPOWER Dog Car Seat Cover
This dog seat cover comes with a lot of good features. First off, the price is mid-range, so you know that you’re not going to be breaking the bank just to get decent car covers. It comes in black color and, is one of the easiest to wipe and clean seat covers. It gives decent coverage in the back seat, has seat anchors, and is extraordinarily non-slip.
Cons: If you’ve got any bigger dog(s), the hammock would not be sturdy enough to support the weight. Though quite durable, it is not big enough or strong enough to withstand if your dog is on the bigger side. It’s also not the most luxurious looking, but the quality is justifiable for the price.
Epica Deluxe Pet Bench Car Seat Cover
Now here’s a car seat cover option that is a great deal for your money. Not only is the Epica Deluxe Cover quite inexpensive to a lot of car back seat covers, but it is quite luxurious-looking. Epica itself is a renowned dog supplies brand, with this cover especially receiving thousands of positive reviews due to its easy-to-install nature and lush looks.
Cons: One major downside of this dog cover, however, is that it doesn’t cover your front seats or the floor of your car, unlike a lot of other covers. So some of the dirt, hair, and debris have a chance of falling on the floor. If this is not a huge concern to you, then this cover is gorgeous and relatively one of the simplest to install.
Pettom Non-Slip Dog Car Seat Cover
We wanted to include the best of the best on this list, but we also wanted to mention some cheaper options. While the quality of this seat cover is not on par with the rest of the options on this list, it is quite decent compared to a lot of the other cheaper options you’ll find in the market. It comes in a large variety of sizes. It has a good amount of padding and also covers the front seats and the floor of the back seats since it is a hammock-style cover.
Cons: As we mentioned, the quality is not superior to some of these other options. It isn’t water-proof all-around, and it’s not very luxurious-looking either.
BarksBar Waterproof Dog Car Seat Cover
The one word we can use to describe this cover is: adequate – and we mean it in the best possible way. Like a lot of other car back seat covers that we’ve mentioned here, this cover covers almost all the same great features: water-resistant, hammock option, polyester material, non-slip cover, and easy to install as well as clean.
Cons: Where this does lack is the looks. Don’t get us wrong. It looks fine for the price, but we just wish that the overall visuals looked a little less inexpensive at times. This car seat cover also doesn’t have adjustable straps, so you might have to do some adjusting in the back every other week or so.
Plush Paws Pet Seat Cover
A truly affordable option with great non-slip nature – The plush Paws Pet Seat Cover might be the car seat protector for you. The cover is made of durable, non-porous materials, presenting any leakage or bleeding. It also generally reduces the mess your dog(s) can make in the back. This can be a great fit for your car with seat belt openings, side flaps, and hammock options.
Cons: While the functionality and performance of this dog cover are A+, the looks might seem a bit lackluster when you compare it to some of the other options in this list. It doesn’t look the most exquisite-looking, but it gets the job done.
Common Questions People Ask About Dog Car Seat Covers
Do Dog Car Seat Covers Work?
Here’s the thing: car upholstery is expensive! While our canine partners are adorable as can be, they, unfortunately, don’t hold back when it comes to making a mess. A good dog seat cover can help you prevent any upholstery wear, and tear or any potential spills your pets may cause.
These also make the process of cleaning things up a lot easier and quicker. Just take them out, give them a wipe or a gentle wash, and you’re good as new. A great seat cover can also add a level of comfort and safety for your dog(s) back there.
How Do I Protect My Dog From a Car Seat?
Funny question, but if it were up to these little guys, the car would be a mess. The size of your dog comes hugely into play when answering this question.
For a bigger dog, the rear seat would but the best option as it allows them ample space. But this also means that you need to ensure that the car doors and seats are covered properly, as dogs tend to scratch into things or dig their nose into stuff, causing streaks.
If your dog is smaller, a front dog seat cover will suffice! There are tons of great and inexpensive options for those out there. You can even go with regular car seat protectors as well.
What’s the Difference Between a Car Seat Cover and a Dog Seat Cover?
The answer lies in the difference in functionality and utility of both species. Regular car seat covers add general comfort to your car, add some enhanced looks and prevent everyday liquid spills.
A dog seat cover, on the other hand, is heavy-duty. It needs to be sturdy, reliable, and secure. It provides to your pet and prevents them from getting wild with your car’s upholstery back there.
Final Thoughts
We can’t recommend getting a dog car seat cover enough. They’re everything that a car requires to protect itself from this menacing little being inside it actively.
What kind of seat cover is the best for you?
The answer to that lies in what you prioritize and how much money you’re willing to spend. If you want your car to stay protected and add a sturdy option for your dog, you can likely find that in mid-range pricing, but if you prioritize how your car should look on the inside as well, you might have to spend a bit more.
