As a responsible driver, you take the necessary precautions when transporting human passengers — for example, making the adults wear a seat belt or putting the little ones into special car seats. It is also necessary to extend the same precautions to your furry passengers.
Allowing your dog to ride in the car without any restriction at all can have numerous negative consequences. In case of a rough stop or collision, your dog can sustain serious injuries and injure other passengers. And even when the driving situation is clear, a happy or anxious dog jumping around the car can be a major distraction or obscure your view of the road.
There are not too many options available to dog owners for car transportation. Today, you can choose between a dog seat belt with a harness and a special dog car seat. Check out the six best options you can find in the market right now and learn some helpful tips on how to choose the safest dog car seat.
Kurgo Car Pet Booster Seat for Dogs
There are many features of the Kurgo dog car seat that work to its advantage. The seat provides a window view for your dog and keeps it secured in one place. It is designed for dogs up to 30lbs and comes equipped with a matching seat belt. With six different color options, effortless installation, and excellent safety characteristics, this is a solid choice of a dog car seat.
Snoozer Luxury High Back Console Pet Car Seat
In case you are looking for more space and an unobstructed view from the car for your dog, we suggest the Luxury High Console Car Seat by Snoozer. It is designed for larger dogs and comes in two sizes. The exterior fabric comes in five color options and is removable and washable. There is also a security strap included for extra protection.
URPOWER 100% Waterproof Pet Seat for Cars Trucks and SUVs
Dog beds for car are another popular option among car and dog owners. They don’t ensure the same level of safety for the dog as some other car seat models, but they are pretty effective at preventing the dog from jumping around the car. This car seat can be used in a variety of ways, has two pockets for all of your doggie essentials, fits most cars, and can be easily cleaned.
K&H Pet Products Bucket Booster Pet Seat
This dog car carrier looks like a miniature throne and your dog will feel just as comfortable when it’s riding in its new Bucket Booster Pet seat. This seat comes in three sizes and three attractive color schemes. It can be installed in the front or in the back seat, and the two security leashes included with the car seat will restrict your pup in the safest position.
PetSafe Solvit Tagalong Pet Booster Seat
Looking for a small dog or puppy car seat? This booster seat by PetSafe can be used by dogs as tiny as 12lbs. It comes in three sizes and two colors. Moreover, it has a unique installation technique: the seat is attached to the headrest and has additional support at the bottom, providing a great view for your pup and allowing you to adjust the height of the construction.
Snoozer Lookout Car Seat
The previous Snoozer dog car seat on our list looks downright luxurious, but this one may be the comfiest car seat for dogs we’ve ever seen. Made with practical exterior fabric and soft simulated lamb wool on the inside, this dog car seat promises a fantastic ride to your pooch. The availability of two sizes and a variety of color options will make it easy for you to choose the right seat.
How to Choose the Right Dog Car Seat Among Dozens of Models
When you are shopping for the first car seat for your dog, safety should be your number one priority. However, we should note that with even the safest dog car seat, there are a few other features to look for. Here are the five features to consider if you are searching for the ideal dog car seat:
Different Types of Dog Car Seats
If you have already looked at a large number of dog car seats, you have probably noticed that most of them look very similar to each other and very different from a child’s car seat. There is not a big variety of types of seats, and most of them only differ in certain parameters.
Most car seats for dogs look either like a chair or like a typical dog bed. They can have different heights, and some seats can be so high that your pup may require assistance to get into the seat. However, the dog will then be rewarded with a great view out of the window.
Another important feature that can be different in various car seats is the installation. Most dog car seats are either attached to the headrest or buckled into the seat belt slot. Both of them offer roughly the same level of comfort, so it’s best to pick the one that matches the configuration of your car.
The one type of dog car seats that stands out is the dog car seat cover. It’s often the most affordable option, but the downside of the seat cover is that it does not offer any real protection to your dog. It is merely designed to keep the interior of your car clean and to prevent the pup from jumping around the car while you’re driving.