Updated: January 22, 2023
Dogs can get messy. They can get wet, muddy, and dirty while playing in the park, at the beach, or on a hike. The last thing you want or need after a great time with your dog is to have to clean your car of the remnants of their adventure.
Table of Contents:
What Are the Different Types Of Car Seat Covers?
There are various configurations of car seat covers. Here is a basic breakdown of them.
Bench Style
First is the bench style. This is a cover that goes across the back seat of your car. These covers attach to the headrests of the back seat and usually have anchors that go between the seat and back for extra hold. Some also contain elastic to hold the seat part down as well.
Hammock Style
Next is the hammock style of car seat cover. This is similar to the bench style in that it covers the back seat of your car. These generally also attach by the headrests. The difference is that the hammock style has an additional piece that attaches to the headrests of the front seats. This keeps your dog confined to the back seat and prevents them from being able to go on the floor behind the front seats.
Bucket Seat Style
There are also covers to protect bucket seats . These can be in either the front passenger seat or back seats, depending on your car.
Cargo Liner
Lastly, there are covers to protect your cargo area. These are generally longer than the length of the cargo area to provide protection of the bumper from scratches.
What Is The Safest Place For A Dog In The Car?
It is not safe to have your dog in the front seat, due to the danger the airbag would pose. Also dangerous is to let your dog roam freely in the car. It is generally accepted that the safest place for your dog in a car is in a secured crate in the back of the car.
If you are unable to or don’t want to crate your dog in the car, the next best thing is to restrain your dog in the back seat with a seat belt attached to a harness. You can read more about dog harnesses and how to choose the best one HERE. In addition, a Dog Car Seat may also be beneficial.
What Features Should I Look For When Choosing A Car Seat Cover?
When choosing which car seat cover to choose for your car, there are a few things to consider.
- You want to make sure there are openings for you to use your seat belts and a car seat if needed.
- Having elastic to hold the bottom of the cover to stop it from moving around when your dog goes on it is beneficial.
- If you are using the hammock style, a mesh window can provide your dog with increased air circulation. It also allows you to have greater visibility of your dog and for them to see you.
- A non-slip bottom can also help keep your cover in place and your dog from sliding around the seat.
- A waterproof bottom is also good if your dog is prone to accidents or gets car sick.
- It is also important to measure the area of your car you want to put the cover. Not all covers will fit all vehicles. Some come in XLarge and XXLarge to accommodate larger vehicles.
How Do You Put On A Car Seat Cover?
Car seat covers are generally easy to install and can be completed within a few minutes. Directions vary by manufacturer, but here are the basics:
Bench Installation
The bench style cover should have 2 straps that go over both headrests. There should be a way to adjust the straps to your liking. Next, underneath the bottom of the cover should be 2 more straps. These should be placed in between the bottom seat and seat back. If your car seat cover comes with elastic straps on the bottom, pull these over the corners of the car seat. Lastly, bring your seat belt through the opening provided.
Hammock Installation
The hammock style seat cover is installed the same way as the bench style. The only difference is you have an extra set of straps to go over the headrests of the front seats. Some hammock styles also have added side protection. These might include straps that you wrap around the grab handles on the inside roof of your car.
Bucket Seat Installation
To install a bucket seat cover, loop the attached straps over the back of the seat or clip them, depending on the style of your cover. Any additional material usually drapes over the bottom and sides of the seat. If it comes with anchors, take them from under the bottom portion of the cover and slide it between the seat and the seat back.
Cargo Liner Installation
To install the cargo liner, just loop the straps over the headrests of the back seat and adjust for a good fit.
Can You Wash A Dog Car Seat Cover?
All car seat covers can be spot cleaned or hand washed. You can also take them out of the car and shake out any crumbs or loose dirt. Car seat covers can also be vacuumed clean.
Most car seat covers can be machine washed. While this is a great feature, they should not be put in the dryer. The covers should be air dried instead. This will help to keep the integrity of the non-slip backing and prevent warping of any buckles. Air drying can also prevent your car seat cover from shrinking.
The Best 15 Car Seat Covers For Your Dog
The following are car seat covers you may find suit your needs. All covers basically have the same attributes.
- Non-slip backing
- Seat belt openings
- Machine washable
- Easy to install
- Waterproof
*A note on car seat covers being waterproof. For each cover that says it is waterproof, there are reviewers who agree and have not had any issues and those that have had instances where the cover was not waterproof for them. It is up to you to decide which cover will suit you best.*
The Best Bench Style Cover
PetSafe Happy Ride Quilted Bench Seat Cover
This cover is 60 inches wide and comes in green.
Pros/Features:
- This seat cover has zippers to open to allow access to the seat belts instead of Velcro.
- It has elastic panels on the front and sides to keep it in place.
- There are also cinch straps on the corners of the seat area to keep it more securely in place.
Cons:
- Some reviewers felt the top portion of the cover came down a little low in their car.
- A few people put it in the dryer and it shrank.
Check Price At: Petco, Chewy, Amazon
Meadowlark Car Back Seat Cover
This is 54 inches wide and comes in black or beige.
Pros/Features:
- It contains elastic corner straps to keep the cover in place.
- Water resistant.
- Durable stitching.
Cons:
- You are unable to use the middle seat belt with this cover.
Yuntec Dog Car Seat Cover
This car seat cover is 53 inches wide and comes in black.
Pros/Features:
- There is a section in the middle that can be unzipped for access to the middle console of your back seat.
- Adjustable straps.
- Waterproof coating.
- Non-slip rubber backing.
Cons:
- This car seat cover does not come with straps to hold the cover down, so some people had issues with the cover moving around on the seat.
Check Price At: Amazon
The Best Hammock Style Covers
iBuddy Dog Car Seat Cover
This cover is 56 inches wide and comes in 2 colors: Brown, and Grey.
Pros/Features:
- There is a mesh window to allow for increased air circulation and for greater visibility of your dog.
- A pocket is included for storage of dog treats and small necessities.
- This also has door protectors on the sides to prevent scratching.
Cons:
- A few people had issues with their small dogs being able to jump over the front portion of the hammock into the front seat.
- Although it is mentioned in the description that it can be machine washed, according to the manufacturer’s website, they do not advise you to machine wash it.
Check Price At: Amazon
Kytely Upgraded Dog Car Seat Cover
This is 54 inches wide and comes in various colors.
Pros/Features:
- This cover can be used 2 different ways: as a hammock or a bench cover.
- Anti-slip backing.
- Waterproof.
Cons:
- This does not have a mesh front to allow for air circulation and visibility of your dog.
Check Price At: Amazon
Best Bucket Seat Covers
Bark Lover Deluxe Dog Seat Cover For Front Seat
This 21 inches wide and comes in 3 colors: black, grey, and beige.
Pros/Features:
- It contains extra wide seat flaps on the sides and a longer flap in the front to completely cover your car seat.
- There is a pocket in the front to hold any essentials you may have.
- Adjustable straps.
- Non-slip backing.
Cons:
- One reviewer had an issue with this cover not being waterproof enough for them.
Check Price At: Amazon
Meadowlark Car Seat Cover For Dogs
This cover is 22 inches wide and comes in 2 colors: black and beige.
Pros/Features:
- This cover has flaps to protect the sides of your bucket seat.
- Made of 4 layers of fabric.
- Water repellant.
Cons:
- Some reviewers had issues with this not being waterproof.
HAPYFOST Waterproof Front Seat Cover
This is 21 inches wide and comes in 2 colors: grey and black.
Pros/Features:
- This cover also has a pocket in front to store any necessities you may have.
- There are flaps to cover the side of the seat as well.
- Waterproof.
- Non-slip backing.
Cons:
- The Velcro straps that secure the cover are white in color – even on the black colored cover.
- Some people had issues with the cover not staying in place.
- A few reviewers had issues with this not being waterproof.
Check Price At: Amazon
The Best Cargo Liners
4Knines SUV Cargo Liner For Fold Down Seats
This liner measure 52 x 84 inches and comes in 3 colors: black, grey and tan.
Pros/Features:
- This cargo liner is designed for back seats with a 50/50 or 60/40 split. It has zippers in place that you can undo to allow your seats to fold down.
- There is an extra flap to protect the rear bumper as your dog gets into and out of your car.
- Waterproof.
- Non-slip backing.
Cons:
- Reviewers had an issue with the material being a little too slippery for their dog to get a grip on.
- A few people found this was not waterproof enough for them.
- Some had difficulty with the zippers.
Bulldogology Premium SUV Cargo Liner Seat Cover
This cover comes in 2 sizes: Large is 55 x 82 inches . XLarge is 55 x 106 inches. It comes in 2 colors: black and grey.
Pros/Features:
- There is an extra flap to protect your bumper.
- Made of Oxford material.
- Adjustable straps.
- Non-slip backing.
- Waterproof.
Cons:
- A few reviewers mentioned they wished the liner would go up further along the sides.
Check Price At: Amazon
Best Car Seat Cover For Split Back Seats
4Knines Dog Seat Cover With Hammock
This cover is 54 inches wide and comes in 4 colors: black, camo, grey and tan.
Pros/Features:
- The cover has zippers that allow for a 60/40 split of your back seat.
- This configuration also allows for access to the middle seat belt.
- Waterproof.
- Non-slip backing.
Cons:
- Some reviewers had issues with this not being waterproof.
Best Car Seat Covers For Trucks and Large Back Seats
iBuddy Dog Car Seat Cover For Trucks
This comes in two sizes. XL which is 60 inches wide and XXL which is 64 inches wide. It also comes in two colors: black and camouflage.
Pros/Features:
- This has extra pockets included for any necessities you may wish to bring with you.
- There is a mesh window in the front to allow for circulation and visibility of your dog.
- Has 2 waterproof layers.
Cons:
- A few reviewers felt the side panels didn’t go up high enough and exposed the door too much for them.
- Some also had an issue with the mesh not being durable enough for their dog.
Check Price At: Amazon
Best Convertible Car Seat Cover
Convertible car seat covers can be used in multiple ways: As a Hammock, Bench Style, Bucket Seat, or Cargo Liner.
Nzonpet 4-in-1 Dog Car Seat Cover
The cover is 54 inches wide and comes in black.
Pros/Features:
- This cover converts between a hammock style, bench style, and cargo liner.
- There is an added pocket for necessities.
- This also has a mesh window for ventilation and visibility when using the hammock configuration.
- Uses Velcro in the seams instead of zippers.
- Waterproof.
Cons:
- This is not machine washable.
Check Price At: Amazon
The Best Heavy Duty Covers
VIEWPETS Bench Car Seat Cover Protector
This is 56 inches wide and comes in 4 colors: black, grey, sage green, and tan.
Pros/Features:
- This cover has elastic straps to hold the cover down so it does not move when your dog does.
- Waterproof.
- Non-slip backing.
Cons:
- Although there are openings for seat belts, there is no opening for the middle seat belt to be used.
- This cover does not fit all vehicles.
- A few people had issues with it not being waterproof.
Check Price At: Amazon
Vailge Bench Dog Car Seat Cover For Back Seat
This is 56 inches wide and comes in 2 colors: black and grey.
Pros/Features:
- The cover has 2 zippers to allow access to the middle console of your back seat.
- Made of Oxford material.
- Scratch resistant.
- Non-slip backing.
Cons:
- Reviewers had issues with the zipper.
- Some people felt the material was a little slippery for their dog.
Check Price At: Amazon
It is great to take our dogs to the park, beach, lake, hiking, or whatever activity you and your dog enjoy. It is not so great to bring any mud or dirt back into the car after your fun day with your dog.
A dog car seat cover can help to keep your car looking clean and contain any messes your dog might make. Who wants to spend time cleaning their car when there are much better things you can be doing and fun you can be having with your dog? Go out, have fun, and don’t worry about the clean up.
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.