Updated: Jan.8, 2023
It’s great to take our dog with us on drives to various places like the beach, the park, or on vacation. But how safe are our dogs while traveling with us in the car? Some dogs like to sit, look out the window and watch the world go by. Others, like my dog, like to curl up in a ball on the back seat and sleep. Still, there are those dogs who like to roam around throughout the car. Some people like to keep their dogs in the front seat with them and some people like to keep their dogs on their lap while they drive. Car seats can help keep your dog safe and secure.
Where is the safest place for your dog in the car?
Some people believe keeping the dog in the front seat is safe for them, while others believe keeping the dog in the cargo area is the safest place. When your dog is kept in the front seat, this may put them in danger. In the case of an accident if the airbags deploy, it may cause harm to your dog. If a dog is left in the cargo area and you are rear ended this may also cause injury to your dog. If your dog is left to wander in the backseat, in the case of a crash, your dog will not be secure and you risk the chance of your dog being thrown.
Experts believe that the safest place for your dog is secured in a crate in the back of your car. Most people will not go out and buy a crate to keep in the back of their car or may not have room in their car to keep one. Instead you may opt for a dog car seat.
What is a dog car seat?
A dog car seat is more like a booster seat for your dog. It provides a place for your dog to sit or lie down and also elevates them so they can look out the window during your drive. Most car seats are secured in place with buckles that attach around the headrest and a place for your car’s seat belt to secure it so the seat does not move while driving. Most dog car seats are for small dogs only, usually for those 25 pounds or less, with a few exceptions.
If you are looking for a car seat for a large dog, you may want to use a car seat cover. These car seat protectors come in various configurations, with the most common being a bench seat protector or a hammock style car seat cover. While protecting your car from all sides, car seat covers contain openings for your car’s seat belts to go through for you to attach to your dog’s harness to keep them secure while in the back seat.
What is the best car seat for my dog?
The best car seat for your dog comes down to the habits of your dog and what type of seat you are looking for. All of the following examples contain dog car seats that attach to the headrest and are secured in place by other means, either by straps that attach around the seat or by the use of the car’s seat belt to keep it in place. Some of the choices can be used in the front passenger seat of your car, but I strongly recommend that you keep your dog secured in the backseat of your car to avoid injury in the case of airbag deployment if there is an accident.
All of the dog car seats listed also come with a tether to attach to your dog’s harness to keep them safe and secure in their car seat. I recommend using a harness on your dog if you are going to secure them in the backseat of your car instead of attaching the tether to your dog’s collar. To find the right harness for your dog, check out our article here. In the event of an accident, or you stop short, or your dog tries to get out of the seat, having something attached to their collar may cause injury to your dog’s neck. I also believe you may want to use your car’s seat belt instead of the included tethers to secure your dog, as none of the tethers are crash tested.
Best Overall Car Seat
K&H Pet Products Bucket Booster Pet Seat – Elevated Pet Booster Seat
This is an elevated booster seat to help your pet see out the window while seated in the back seat. There is a space for you to put your car’s seat belt through the booster seat to keep it secure and is hidden underneath the Pet Seat’s cushion. It also comes with 2 tethers that can attach to your dog’s harness to keep them securely in the Booster Pet Seat when driving. The cover is made of quilted fleece and can be machine washed.
Best Runner Up
This car seat is made to fit 2 small dogs or one dog up to 45 Lbs. It comes with a reversible liner, with one side being plush to keep your dog warm in the colder months and the other side being an oxford material to keep your dog cooler in the warmer months. It is machine washable. This dog car seat also comes with 2 pockets to hold accessories and has a tether to attach to your dog’s harness.
Best Car Seat Under $100
BLOBLO Dog Car Seat Pet Booster Seat
This seat is good for small dogs, 25 Lbs. or less. It is made of durable oxford material with pockets on each side to hold any accessories you may wish to take with you. It is easy to install and comes with a tether to attach to your dog’s harness. The entire seat is machine washable and there is no need to take it apart to wash it. Due to its material, this seat can also double as a travel bed.
Best Car Seat Under $60
K & H Pet Products Buckle N’ Go Car Seat for Pets
This car seat has straps to attach to both the front and rear seats and a separate strap that will attach from your dog’s harness through the car seat and buckle into your car’s seat belt. It also contains mesh windows to allow for greater ventilation while your dog is in the seat. This product will fold flat when not in use.
Best Budget Car Seat
This car seat is good for dogs up to 26 Lbs. It has straps that attach to the headrest of your car, and you securely fasten the seat into place by putting your seat belt through loops in the back of the dog car seat. This also includes a tether to attach to your dog’s harness. This seat comes with 3 side pockets and a large front pocket to hold any supplies you may need. It also has a removable fleece cover that can be washed. The FEANDREA Dog Car Seat also folds flat when not in use.
Alternative Car Seats
The following two car seats are other options you may want to consider for your dog.
Amazon Basics Pet Car Booster Seat
This booster seat has a quilted flannel plush material for your dog to enjoy cozy rides in the car. The mat your dog sits on can be removed and the material machine washed. It also comes with a tether to attach to your dog’s harness. This car seat is good for dogs up to 25 Lbs.
PetSafe Happy Ride Jumbo Booster Seat for Dogs
This car seat holds dogs up to 30 Lbs. It has a quilted liner and cushion for your dog to sit upon. The cover is machine washable. The frame of this car seat is made of plastic, which does have to be put together once you receive it. This also includes a tether to attach to your dog’s harness.
Best Dog Car Seat Covers and Protectors
Being that most dog car seats are for small dogs, the following are examples of dog seat covers and protectors that can be used with your large dog. Most dog seat covers are of the same design, and as mentioned above, can be configured in the bench seat style or hammock style. All of these car seat protectors have openings for your seatbelts and can be machine washed. The hammock style seat protectors also have a mesh window to allow you to see your dog, and for your dog to see you, which can decrease anxiety and also allow for increased ventilation. They are all similar in price, so it is just a matter of preference for which style is best for you and your dog.
URPOWER Upgraded Dog Seat Covers with Mesh Visual Window
This is a hammock style dog seat cover for the back of your car. This comes with a mesh “window” for increased circulation and for you and your dog to see each other during your ride. The material is made of oxford and polyester and is waterproof. It has flaps on the side by the doors that can be zipped up for extra protection for your dog. This cover has non-slip backing to prevent it from sliding around when driving. The seat cover can be used in different configurations: the hammock style, a bench cover, or as a cargo cover. The cover can be spot cleaned or machine washed. The URPOWER dog seat cover also comes with a tether to attach to your dog’s harness.
Vailge Dog Seat Cover for Back Seat
This is another hammock style seat cover. This can also be converted to a bench cover in case you do not want to use the hammock style. There is a mesh window for you to check on your dog and allows for increased ventilation for your dog. It has zippered side panels to protect your doors from being scratched by your dog. This seat cover is easy to clean and is machine washable. The Vailge Dog Seat Cover comes with a tether to attach to your dog’s harness.
If you do not like the hammock style car seat cover, the Yuntec Dog Car Seat Cover is a bench style cover. This cover comes with 2 seat belt tethers for your dog. The cover is waterproof and it has no slip backing. There are zippers on the back of this cover that conveniently let you use the middle armrest in the back seat. The Yuntec seat cover is machine washable.
There are many car seats for your dog to choose from. It is best to know the habits of your dog in order to choose the best one. Does your dog like to lay down and sleep while in the car or does your dog like to sit up and look out the window? Does your dog tend to wander from window to window while you are driving? These car seats and car seat protectors are just an example of the choices that are out there. All of these products provide a place for your dog in the back seat of your car. They provide a place for your dog to be and feel secure on their journeys with you.
Please check out our other posts on Health, Indoor, Outdoor, and Travel accessories for your dog, as well as Reviews of various products and travel destinations.