Why To Use A Dog Seat Cover?
Driving with your pet is always fun. But all dogs shed pretty much, get dirty during your walks, may get sick in the car, some breeds have much slobber. And it’s easier, more hygienic and time consuming to cover your seats or baggage compartment with best dog seat cover or the best dog car hammock type cover which will be also a protector for your dog during your trips. With small and medium-sized dogs you an also use dog booster seats. There are many ways to remove dog odors from the car, but using a dog seat cover is a better solution.
3 Basic Types of Dog Car Seat Covers
- Covers for the back seat (hammock style, bench style and seat extenders & bridges)
- Covers for the front seat (or bucket seat)
- Covers for the trunk (or cargo cover)
Such sub-types, like back seat extenders and bench style covers are not so popular, as most of them do not protect seats fully. Anyway, they make dog’s travel more convenient and simple in use.
Now let’s have a look at each type more in detail, with its best representatives, tested by our team.
Best Dog Car Backseat Covers with Hammock – Overview & Rating
Hammock style car back seat covers for dogs are the most popular if your dog drives at the back seat of your car. They are easy to carry and attach, and protect the compartment from dirt and fur to the full. Additionally it prevents the dog from destructing the driver.
Author's Choice | Active Pets Dog Back Seat Cover
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|---|---|---|
People's Choice  | URPOWER Dog Seat Cover (Upgraded)
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Premium Choice  | 4Knines Dog Seat Cover. Hammock Style
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Best Full Car Protection  | Meadowlark Dog Seat Cover with Unique Design
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Best with Pillows  | Barkbox 2-in-1: Car Seat Cover & Dog Bed
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Best Bench Car Seat Covers for Dogs – Overview & Rating
If you are planning to make it clean and comfortable for both pets and people at the beck seat, bench type cover may turn out to be a good solution.
Author's Choice  | VIEWPETS Bench Car Seat Cover Protector
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|---|---|---|
People's Choice  | YESYEES Bench Dog Car Seat Cover
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Premium Choice  | 4Knines Bench Dog Seat Cover
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Best Dog Car Seat Extenders & Bridges – Overview & Rating
Backseat bridge or seat extender prevent dogs from falling in the car footwell and cover a gap between front and rear seats. Unlike hammocks, they feature solid, rigid base that maximizes backseat space, as well as provides a sturdy and secure footing for pets.
Author's Choice  | Furhaven Pet Convertible Platform Bridge
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|---|---|---|
People's Choice  | Kurgo Dog Backseat Bridge
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Premium Choice  | AMOCHIEN Back Seat Extender
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Best Bucket Seat Covers – Overview & Rating
If you prefer to travel with your pet right next to you, bucket seat cover with safe you time and effort to clean it from the hair and paw prints.
Author's Choice  | KURGO CoPilot Bucket Seat Cover
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|---|---|---|
People's Choice  | URPOWER Pet Front Seat Cover
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Premium Choice  | Meadowlark Car Front Seat Cover
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Best Cargo Covers – Overview & Rating
For SUVs there are special design cover to fully protect the car trunk from water, dirt, paws and fur.
Author's Choice  | BarksBar Luxury Pet Cargo Cover
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|---|---|---|
People's Choice  | K&H Pet Products Quilted Cargo Cover
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Premium Choice  | 4Knines SUV Cargo Liner
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Detailed Overview
KURGO CoPilot Bucket Seat Cover
- Stain-resistant and waterproof
- Reliable fixation
- Additional storage pocket
TheKurgo bucket pet cover is designed specially for the front seat entire protection, even in the rear part of it. It allows your pet to travel with comfort and keeps your seat clean, free of fur, wet paws and mud.
Pros:
- Underseat fixation
- Piped edges for water collection
- Modern design
Cons:
- Bucket cover does not protect floor from fur
FrontPet Backseat Pet Bridge and Dog Car Back-Seat Extender
- Extended space in back seat
- Fast assembly and compact storage
- Additional pockets
The FrontPet backseat extender is made to cover the back seats and floor area in you car to give your dog more space to lay flat and stretch out legs comfortably. The inside construction is a combination of wooden support and foam layer.
Pros:
- Durable and waterproof materials
- Suitable even for a couple of large dogs
- Has a barrier part to prevent your pet from getting into the front part of the car
Cons:
- For some breeds it may turn out to be slippery
K&H Pet Products Quilted Cargo Cover
- Adjustable
- Rubber back for entire waterproof
- Spacy storage pocket
K&H cargo cover is the best choice for your mid-size SUV. It will protect your cargo compartment from the mud, hairs, scratches, slobber etc.
Pros:
- Different types of fittings
- Suitable for one or two large dogs
- Reliable rubber waterproof protection
Cons:
- It may be to narrow. Check the dimensions before you buy
4Knines Dog Seat Cover
- Non-slip and waterproof
- Unique design with zipped-unzipped middle part
- Easy to clean and install
The 4Knines Dog Seat Cover is a bench style, with unique design, allowing to free the middle armrest and to use all three seat belts in the rear seat. Your dog will not slip down and will feel comfortable on the cotton soft liner.
Pros:
- Durable and waterproof materials
- Easy take care of
- Adjustable straps around the neck rests
Cons:
- The edge of the cover is not elastic enough for better fixation
Meadowlark Dog Seat Cover
- Convertible: bench – hammock-semi-hammock-cargo
- zipped-unzipped protection for doors
- Durable
Use the Meadowlark Dog Seat when there’s more than just pets that are along for the ride. It’s not too how for people to sit on, and static-free (no one will get shocked).
Pros:
- The rubber mesh material at the bottom keeps the mat from slipping
- Comfortable enough for other passengers to sit on when zipped down the center
- Has four layers of protection against liquids of all types
Cons:
- Edges of the fabric are at high risk of tearing due to stress from the straps
Active Pets Dog Back Seat Cover
- Waterproof
- With side flaps design
- Easy to install
The Active Pets Seat Cover has leashed featured with the cover itself. No liquids will seep to the bottom of your car when this is placed inside.
Pros:
- Product includes two leashes and a dog seatbelt
- Made from water resistant fabric
- There are two pockets on the inner portion of the cover (seen when extended) for storing toys and other items
Cons:
- Has a chemical smell that doesn’t go away fast
4Knines Dog Seat Cover with Hammock for Cars
- Non-slip and waterproof
- Durable materials
- Easy to clean and install
This highly rated hammock is suitable for almost all car types. It is made of durable materials. Lifetime guarantee of the producer is another advantage.
Pros:
- Convertible hammock – no-hammock
- Chemically tested with no traces of Gasoline and other toxic materials
- Simple and secure design
Cons:
- Hammock bottom seam may not endure heavy load
F-color SUV Cargo Liner for Dogs
- Waterproof
- Suitable for all types of vehicles
- Anti-slip
This liner serves as a mat for your dog but will cover the entire back portion of your SUV. You could probably put in some smaller vehicles, such as sedans, but check with the product description first to see if your automobile is compatible.
Pros:
- Designed to fit in cars, sedans, and SUVs
- Sold in five different colors
- Easy to fold inward, so as not to drop hair on the vehicle’s surface
Cons:
- Easy for dogs to puncture if they chew on the fabric
YesYees Waterproof Dog Car Seat Cover
- Non-slip and waterproof
- Zipped-unzipped in the middle for the armrest
- Easy to clean and install
The YesYees Waterproof Seat Covers are for the back. It will pick up any shedding hair, which can be burdensome to clean up (but a lot easier than getting it on your car’s floor!).
Pros:
- Doesn’t get in the way to seatbelts
- Has a flap that allow the center rear console to be flipped open
- Attracts dogs hair, lowering the amount that falls on the car floor
Cons:
- Hair doesn’t come off the mat easily unless washed
BarksBar Luxury Pet Cargo Cover
- Extra protection for bamper
- Fast assembly
- Durable materials
he BarksBar Cargo Cover is very large and can fit nearly any vehicle, including SUVs. The left and right sides of it could be a bit longer, but no dog hair will get through cracks.
Pros:
- Will keep spills from reaching underneath the mat
- The mat will cover the entire trunk, with extra room for rear seats when they’re folded
- Doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals in the material
Cons:
- The sides are very short, much smaller than the area that covers the seat and back door
MSR IMPORTS Dog Car Seat Extender
- Sturdy
- Spacy storage compartment
- Easy to clean and install
This is an extender in the shape of a rectangular box, preventing your dog from falling to the floor during sudden brakes. It will support most of their weight but must be stuffed with your belongings in order for it support dogs better.
Pros:
- The extender is braced along the side and will not fold into itself when dogs are on top of it
- Doesn’t move around when driving
- Can be weighted with items that are placed inside before fitted in the car
Cons:
- Depending on the amount of room available, may require the driver to move their seat forward to an uncomfortable position (same for passenger side)
Dog Seat Covers and Car Hammocks – Buyer’s Guide
Main types of the Dog Seat Covers
Bench Dog Seat Covers for Back Seat
This type is the most popular among best dog seat covers, because it protects your leather or textile back seat completely from the dirt, hairs etc. This type is for those who prefer to keep their pup on the back seat of sedan, hatchback, VAN or SUV. If this is just a bench cover (no hammock), we recommend to combine it with car barriers for safety reasons. Pay attention to the following when choosing the seat cover:
- waterproof and durable materials
- size of your car seat and size of the cover
- special holes for seat belts in order to secure the dog with harness or secure other passengers
- attachment points, as your dog may try to uncover the seat when your attention is distracted
- some good covers also have special piping to catch dirt and water
Bucket Dog Seat Covers
This type of cover is for the front bucket seat or middle bucket seat in SUV or minivan. So if you would like to allocate your dog in such a place, choose this cover. Pay attention to the following when choosing the seat cover:
- waterproof and durable materials
- size of your car seat and size of the cover
- special holes for seat belts in order to secure the dog with harness or secure other passengers
- attachment points, as your dog may try to uncover the seat when your attention is distracted
- construction of the seat handle if any – to fit the construction of the cover.
Dog Car Hammocks
Hammock is a special cover hanging between front and rear seats. Some bench covers are convertible and can be both. The typical hammock protects not only your car from the dirt, but also your dog from falling down or towards the front seat and windshield. Which means it has additional safety features. Pay attention to the following when choosing the best seat cover:
- waterproof and durable materials
- size of your car seat and size of the cover
- special holes for seat belts in order to secure the dog with harness or secure other passengers
- zipper in the middle if any – to allow the passenger to sit next to the dog.
Dog Cargo Covers
This cover is designed for for those pet parents travelling with their dog located in the cargo area of a SUV, minivan, or station wagon. Pay attention to the following when choosing the best dog seat cover:
- waterproof and durable materials
- size of your car seat and size of the cover
- blanket to fall out to protect the bamper
- zipper in the middle if any – to allow one of your seats to fold down
Car Seat Extenders For Dogs
Car extenders maybe of different design. They prevent dogs from falling down during quick turns or sudden stops. Simply place the pet seat extender on the floor of front or back seat to create a little more space for your pup. Some of them also protect the seat from getting dirty. Pay attention to the following when choosing the best dog seat cover:
- Waterproof and durable materials
- Size of storage compartment
- The weight it can endure
What are the Benefits of Using Dog Seat Covers and Hammocks?
Among all there are three main benefits:
- Safe travelling. In case of emergency your dog is more protected with soft parts of the cover or hammock
- You completely eliminate mud, hairs, scratches and slobber in your car
- Dogs travel more comfortable
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Dog Hammocks Safe?
Dog hammocks prevent your dog from roaming in the car and distracting driver's attention, adn from falling on the floor. But for longer car journeys or trips at high speed, you should make sure to secure your pet with a safety belt additionally. Most hammocks do not have their own straps, but have openings in the back part through which a strap can be connected to the buckle of the car - but for this you should use a special dog harness and not simply attach the dog leash to the collar. These openings should have a hook and loop fastener to keep the car hammock waterproof
What Material is Best for Seat Covers?
The car seat cover for dogs is usually made of synthetic fiber. This surface is scratch resistant and waterproof and impermeable to dirt. Mostly nylon or polyester fiber is used, which is particularly durable and lets inquisitive dogs' paws slide down easily
Is a Car Seat Cover Necessary?
With a durable car seat cover for dogs, the trunk, seats, floor space, backrest and doors are equally protected from moisture, dirt and dog claws
How do You Protect the Back of a Car Seat?
If you need to protect the back of the front car seat for the from moisture, dirt and dog claws, we recommend to use a car hammock. It covers the whole space between front and rear seats, including the back of the seats, and protecting the foot-well
Summary
To ensure that the dog is properly positioned in the back seat, the space between the back seat and the front seat should be filled. The adjustable hammock create an ideal wide lying area for your dog. A dog seat cover simply protects the car from water, dirt and dog hairs and does not allow the dog to slip off on the floor. So safety, cleanliness and comfort are the main advantages.
Does anyone make a bridge, extender or cover for an SUV with rear bucket seats? Something sturdy enough to go from seat to seat providing a full bench type environment for the dog? Seems like the product doesn’t exist.
Thanks
Hi Brad,
Please check our selection of car back seat extenders and bridges. Some of them are convertible, so can fit even rear bucket seat design of your SUV.