Best Dog Seat Covers For Any Dog, Car And Budget

A dog car seat cover may not seem like the most necessary purchase to those who own small dogs with short hair or those who rarely travel by car with their dogs at all. However, as soon as you take your dog to a park for the first time and return home only to see your back seat covered with fur and muddy paw prints, you will frantically begin looking for a way to avoid that. Luckily, car seat covers for dogs have existed for a long time, and here is our personal top of pet car seat covers plus an ultimate guide for choosing the ideal cover for your situation.

Top 5 Dog Seat Covers Right Now

The BarksBar cover has everything you can be looking for when choosing the seat protection for your car. Made from durable waterproof polyester, the BarksBar cover can be used by your pet alone or to accommodate both pets and humans in the back seat of your car.

• Can be used as a standard seat cover with fastener slots or as a hammock.
• Available in two sizes that fit most vehicles in the market.
• The fabric is machine-washable and prevents color bleeding in the washing machine.
• Can be installed with a few easy motions.
• Effective not only against fur and mud, but also against spills, scratches, and tears.

The Frisco seat cover is made from heavy-duty quilted Oxford polyester fabric, which gives the cover extra durability and an attractive look. The cover comes in two colors, black and grey, to fit your car’s color scheme and aesthetic. The fabric is non-bleeding and waterproof, designed to handle the most unexpected moments of traveling with a dog.

• Available in a single size that will fit most cars and trucks.
• Comes with a non-slip mesh on the back for extra comfort.
• Can be installed in a couple of quick steps.
• Has additional storage pockets for all of your dog necessities.
• Comes with closeable car seat clits and anchors for a safer installation.

A good backseat dog cover doesn’t need to cost a fortune and there are plenty of budget-friendly car seat covers to choose from. The Pet Parade is the affordable, no-frill option that will protect your seats for years while keeping your family budget intact.

• Made from durable polyester fabric that is waterproof and scratch-proof.
• Available in black and brown color options to fit most car interiors.
• Comes in a single large size to cover the needs of most car owners.
• Does not require any complex installation.
• Has seatbelt cut-outs and can be used for transporting both dogs and humans in the back seat.

If your pup is the only one traveling in the back of your car and you want to not only avoid the fur and the dirt, but also want to give your dog some personal space and prevent him from jumping into the front of the car, you should consider a dog car hammock — specifically, the Outward Hound hammock for dogs.

• The material of the dog hammock car seat cover is sturdy and water-resistant, giving your seats protection from anything unexpected.
• Easy installation and adjustable straps that will fit most cars, SUVs, and trucks.
• The hammock secures your dog in the back seat, stopping him from falling between the rows.
• The seat cover can be adjusted to accommodate both the dog and the passenger in the back seat.

If you drive a truck or a big SUV, you will need a bigger and more durable seat protector for dogs. This is where the Honest Luxury car seat comes in handy. Made from extra-strength quilted fabric, this car seat cover for dogs is big enough to fit the most popular trucks and SUVs. It can be used by the dog alone or comfortably accommodate a dog and a human passenger.

• The material is waterproof and can be easily cleaned from fur and dirt.
• The car seat cover comes with side flaps for extra protection for your pup.
• The side flaps are adjustable and can be opened or closed depending on the situation.
• There is a non-slip backing and a zippered pocket in the front to keep your doggy essentials.

Features To Consider When Buying Dog Car Seat Covers

When choosing among the many dog car seat covers the market has to offer, going with your first instinct is probably not the best idea. If you want your new dog seat cover to last you for years and meet your expectations, you need to take a few important features into account:

• Travel plans. Think of the usual composition of passengers in your vehicle. If your pup is going to travel in the back seat alone, you can safely go with a hammock seat cover for dogs. If you usually have at least one human passenger along with the dog, you’d better go with a dog blanket for car. If your back seat is occupied by other passengers, you can go with a cargo cover. There are also multifunctional covers that can be used in several ways.
• Vehicle and dog size. Most seat covers for dogs are rather large and can fit most vehicles and be suited to most dog breeds. However, there are also covers that are tailored specifically for the dimensions of certain back seats and cargos, so you have to carefully check the size to make sure it will fit your car and will comfortably accommodate your dog.
• Material. If you look at the most popular pet seat covers, you will see that most of them are waterproof, but it’s not always necessary if your dog doesn’t typically swim or run through the mud before jumping into the car. However, you definitely want the car seat cover to be machine-washable, and a non-slip rubber or silicone backing is also important for securing the cover in one place.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do dog car seat covers work?

Dog seat covers, which are also often called dog blankets for car, are large pieces of fabric that are used to protect the back seat of a vehicle from the potential damage of dog travel. The potential damage includes dirty footprints, mud, fur, spills, tears from claws, and even little accidents that can happen from time to time. Seat covers can come in different sizes and be installed differently. They can cover the seat alone or function as hammocks. Many dog seat covers allow you to transport both human and dog passengers in the back seat thanks to the seat belt openers. In essence, dog seat covers can come in all sizes and additional options, but what unites them all is that they make traveling with your pup more practical and safer for everyone.

Is it safe to use car seat covers?

Provided that you found the right cover for your situation and properly installed a dog seat cover,  back seat covers for dogs are absolutely safe to use. They are made from a material that is safe for pups even during long periods of travel and a secure installation prevents them from dislodging at the most unexpected moment. Plus, the non-slip backing, which is present in the most popular dog seat covers, also helps secure the cover in one place, allowing your pup to travel safely without any risk of slipping.

How to measure optimal fitting dog seat covers?

To find the best dog seat cover for your car, you will need three important measurements. The first one is the hip measurement, which is the width of your car seat door to door. The second one is the shoulder measurement, which is the height of the upper seat. The third measurement is the depth of the seat. Combine the second and third measurement to know your ideal dog seat cover width and use the first measurement to know the seat cover length. If you don’t have a measuring tape at hand, there are websites that will tell you the necessary measurements after you specify your vehicle’s make, model, and production year.

What type of dog car seat cover should I get?

Standard bench dog seat covers are probably the most popular option and will fit most situations. They give your pup space to move around in the back seat, but they may not be the most convenient option if you also carry human passengers in the back seat. For driving with the pup in the back seat along with humans or in the front passenger seat, you can consider bucket seat covers that only cover one of the seats. There are also cargo seat covers in case you prefer to transport your dog in the cargo and want him to be as comfy as possible. Finally, you can opt for a multifunctional dog seat cover that transforms from a bench seat cover into a hammock and even a cargo dog cover.

What is the best fabric for car seat covers?

Out of all dog seat covers for trucks and cars you can buy today, there are only a few materials that are commonly used. You can get fabric or leather covers. Fabric seat covers, in turn, come in several popular varieties. Nylon, or Oxford car seats are practical and waterproof. They are often quilted and slightly padded for an extra comfy feel. Nylon fabric is machine-washable and can be cleaned from minor spills and fur with a wet cloth. There are also cotton seat covers, which arguably feel softer than nylon covers. They are not fully waterproof, but usually come with a waterproof backing that makes cleaning easier.

Is leather or cloth better for dogs?

Cloth seat covers have their obvious advantages, but leather is also a very popular material for dog covers. Leather is waterproof and can be cleaned very easily; it also doesn’t accumulate fur and dust like cloth seat covers. However, leather is prone to claw damage, which is not a risk for cloth seat covers. At the end of the day, cloth dog seat covers are a more practical choice, but it also depends on your personal preferences.

I don’t need to cover the whole backseat, just half of it. What should I choose?

If you only want to use part of your backseat for your dog and use the other part for passengers or cargo, your best option is a split dog seat cover. These covers come with one or two zippers that can be unzipped to cover only 40% or 60% of the back seat. Additionally, you can check out bucket seat covers that cover only one-third of the back seat, but they are best suited for very well-behaved pups who can stay in one place for the whole ride.

Will seat covers hold my dog safe in case of a car accident?

Regular dog seat covers don’t prevent your pup from moving around, and even though hammock-style covers will stop the dog from jumping into the front of the vehicle, they won’t effectively restrict the pooch in the back seat. That is why dog seat covers are not effective in case of a car accident or an emergency braking. For those purposes, you will need a seatbelt strap that is put into the seatbelt buckle and can be stretched through the special slot in the cover.

How do you get a dog car seat cover to stay in place?

Two factors influence the position of the dog blanket for cars in the back seat. The first one is a proper installation, which you should do according to the instructions that came with the product. The second one is a non-slip backing, which is present in some of the best dog car seat cover options in the market. This non-slip packing, which is typically made from rubber or silicone, ensures a firmer grip on the seats and prevents the cover from moving all over the place.

How many dogs can use one seat cover at the same time?

The answer to this question largely depends on your personal situation. Obviously, bucket seat covers are mostly designed for transporting a single pup. However, if you can afford to give the whole back seat to your two or three dogs, you can safely do it as long as you have enough seat belt straps and that the seat cover you go for comes with enough seat belt slots for each pup.

Can I wash a seat cover in the car?

Yes, all dog seat covers can be washed directly in the car in case of minor cases of dirt, spills, and fur. You can do it with a wet cloth, and this method works equally well for leather and nylon seat covers. It’s not ideal for cotton seat covers, which should be washed in a washing machine. Nylon covers can also be given a washing machine treatment. In case your dog seat covers need a more thorough cleaning job, you can take them out and wash them with a hose.

How do you put on a dog seat cover?

The absolute majority of dog seat covers come with headrest straps that allow you to easily install a dog seat cover by putting the strap around the front seat and back seat headrests and securing it with a buckle. However, some dog seat cover manufacturers go for different ways of installing their products and you should always check the printed instructions that came with the cover or look for them on the manufacturer’s website.

Other Dog Car Seat Covers

The BarksBar car seat cover has everything you can be looking for in a back seat dog cover for your car. It comes in two sizes and can easily fit nearly any vehicle. It’s made from durable, waterproof fabric that can be easily cleaned with water. It can be used as a hammock when your pup is traveling in the back seat alone, but it’s also very convenient for dogs and passengers traveling together. And there are two comfy pockets where you can store anything from toys to water bottles.

The Plush Paws dog seat cover is a multifunctional item that can be used as a regular seat cover or a hammock. It features a non-slip silicone backing, seat belt openings, and elastic straps for a more secure fit. The fabric of this hammock allows you to clean it with a wet cloth or in a washing machine. The Plush Paws seat cover is available in three color options and two sizes, making it easier for you to find the right one for your situation.

If you are looking for something more refined than a standard black Oxford dog back seat cover, consider the PetSafe quilted car seat cover. It’s made from strong cotton fabric and can be easily secured in place with the help of adjustable panels and elastic straps. The leather accents will elevate the look of the cover, and with the choice from two colors and two sizes, you will always find the dog seat cover that works best for you.

Sometimes transporting your pup in the back seat is not an option for whatever reason. In that case, you can safely carry your dog around in the cargo space, and a cover is essential for the comfort of the pup. A dog cover for car you should definitely consider is the K&H quilted cover. It’s made from nylon with a vinyl backing to make it waterproof and is big enough to fit most vehicles. The quilted material feels extra comfy, and you can store anything from toys to treats in the built-in pocket.

When your dog travels in the cargo space of your SUV, you need to make travel not only safe and comfy for the pup, but also harmless for your vehicle. The Pawple cargo cover has a universal size that will fit most cargo spaces and headrest clips for an extra secure installation. The practical material can be cleaned in a washing machine without any color bleeding, and the non-slip backing will keep the cover in one place. The two-tone pattern will give your vehicle a fresh look.

In case you are driving a vehicle with an extra-wide backseat and want to thoroughly protect it from the mud, fur, and spills, look no further than the Kurgo Extended Width dog car seat. With a 63-inch width, your seats are going to be fully protected no matter what vehicle you own. The cover is attached in five points and allows you to use seatbelts simultaneously. There are two large pockets for storing your doggy essentials, and the piped edges will prevent the mud and spills from rolling down to your vehicle floor.

In case you want your back seat pet cover to not only be practical and durable, but also to reflect you and your pup’s bright personality, the Molly Mutt seat cover is exactly what you need. Its colorful, fun design is definitely cute, but it also has impressive functionality. It can be used as a regular back seat cover, a hammock, and a cargo cover. On top of that, it’s made from pure canvas with a non-slip backing that is easily washable and very comfortable for your furry companion.

Some of the best car seat covers for dogs are the ones that give you extra flexibility. The 4Knines dog seat cover can be used both as a regular seat cover and a hammock, but its functionality doesn’t stop there. It also allows you to put down one of the seats, put up a child’s car seat, or use the armrest in your back seat without compromising the safety of any of your passengers. There are two sizes available and you can effortlessly clean it with a cloth or in a washing machine.

The FurHaven dog car cover is a multi-purpose item that you can use as a seat cover, a hammock, or a cargo cover depending on the situation. It can be easily installed with headrest straps or quickly and neatly folded when you are not using it. This dog seat cover allows you to use the seatbelts and restraints for your human and furry passengers, and with the choice between three color options, you will always find the cover that fits your car aesthetic.

Most back seat covers for dogs are made from nylon or Oxford fabrics that are very practical but are not always comfy for your pup, especially on long car rides. If you are looking for something more softer and more snug, check out the PetSafe Deluxe car seat cover. The soft, padded fabric makes it perfect for a cozy ride, and the Stain-Blok treatment protects it against the dirt and spills. This cover can be cleaned in a washing machine and easily installed with headrest straps.