A car seat protector for dogs is one of those pet travel accessories that will have benefits for both you and your canine companion. They'll stop your car seats from getting muddy paw prints on them while also providing a non-slip barrier between your pooch and the seats to stop them from sliding around as you navigate tight bends and sharp corners.
Ensuring your hound is safe and sound is of the utmost importance but you can still be worried about keeping your car clean while being a safety-conscious paw-rent. That's where car seat protectors for dogs come in handy. They're typically made from durable, waterproof materials that are easier to keep clean compared to your car seats. You can save them from being covered in mud, grass and other dirt created by your mucky pup and simply wipe the cover clean when you're home from your adventures. If you get caught in the rain on your adventures, dog seat protectors will avoid your seats from getting wet and will also stop them from absorbing the odours of your soggy doggy.
Best car seat protector for dogs at a glance:
• Best overall: Active Pets Car Seat Cover for Dogs – view on Amazon UK
• Best for durability: Just Pet Zone Dog Cover – view on Amazon UK
• Best for large dogs: Petface Car Pet Seat Cover – view on Argos
As well as covering your seats, these protectors will also provide a level of safety for your pooch while travelling in the car. Due to the material that most of them are made from, they'll keep your dog's crate or carrier more secure during the journey or if you're using a harness and seat belt to strap your hound in, it'll provide your pup with a more stable surface. Some seat protectors attach to both your front and back headrests, known as dog hammocks, and they'll give your pooch more space to lay in but equally provide a barrier between them to stop your dog from trying to get into the front of the car with you.
When it comes to choosing the best car seat protector for your dog, you'll want to consider the size of your pet, the type of car you have, and the level of protection you need for your car and your canine. To help you make your decisions, we've searched the web for all the best dog seat protectors for cars to make travelling with your pooch as easy as possible.
Best car seat protector for dogs
Best overall
AmazonWith its non-slip backing and secure anchors to attach to both your front and back headrests, you'll have peace of mind that your furry friend is staying put when you use the Active Pets Car Seat Cover for Dogs. Available in black with a choice of black, blue, yellow or pink trim around the edge, this cover provides top-tier padding to protect your seats and keep your hound comfy.
Customer review: "Really good product. After I bought mine, my mum and friend bought one also. Easy to take out and remove the mess after a muddy walk"
Pros
- Heavy duty headrest anchors and two seat anchors to keep the cover in place
- Non-slip backing
- Padded
Cons
- Some reviewers felt it was a little flimsy
Best for durability
AmazonMade with four layers of material, including a non-slip rubber grip and Oxford cotton that is waterproof, the Just Pet Zone Dog Cover will protect your seats from wet dog, scratches, mud and fluff. Its multifunctional design allows it to be used as a hammock-style carrier, a seat cover for your back seats and a cargo liner for your boot. We love that its fitted with a mesh panel for breathability and visibility.
Customer review: "I have had a few different types of these, all of them good, however, this is the best quality. The fabric is thicker than any other I have tried and the seat-secure tubes are the most effective too. It has a mesh window fir your dog to be able to still see you and it has a very handy little pocket too. The sides. Can be zipped up which provides extra protection for your doors. I will definitely be buying another one of these so that I have one in the wash and one on the seat 👍🏼"
Pros
- Easy to install and clean
- Multifuctional design
- Mesh window for breathability and visibility
Cons
- Some reviewers felt it wasn't very wide for large breeds
Best for large dogs
Argoswww.argos.co.uk
With a 100kg weight limit, the Petface Car Pet Seat Cover is perfect for keeping larger breeds comfortable as they ride along with you in the car while also making sure your seats are completely covered. This universal design fits more cars, securing between the front and rear headrests to avoid movement and maintain full seat coverage. It also comes with a couple of storage pockets so you can keep toys and treats handy for whenever you reach your destination.
Customer review: "So far so good! We’ve had a couple of car hammocks but they always seem to break at the seam. This one is an entire piece of fabric, no seam to split and so far is holding up well with our 40kg GSD lounging on it. Like the addition of the zip and also the storage pocket."
Pros
- 100kg weight capacity so it's great for large dogs
- Storage pockets
- Easy to install
Cons
- Some reviewers felt the headrest loops could be made from a stronger material
Best for easy cleaning
AmazonHook and loop openings on this Kurgo Wander Bench Seat Cover provide easy access to car seat belts and buckles so you can still suitably restrain your dog to keep them safe while travelling in the car. The cover is waterproof and stain-resistant to protect your seats from hair, dirt and any other messes your hound might bring into the car with them, but as it's wipable, it's an absolute breeze to keep clean.
Customer review: "The cover is for our Nissan Leaf. Our little dog Freddy loves it. Because now he can travel with us for walks. Fits well, good quality and good features (pockets and seat belt flaps)."
Pros
- Choice of six colours
- Easy access to car seat belts and buckles
- A breeze to wipe clean
Cons
- Some reviewers found the bottom was a little short for their car seats
Best for a comfortable ride
Pets at Homewww.petsathome.com
If you're worried about your pooch still feeling comfortable laying on top of a seat protector, we'd recommend taking a look at this Trixie Car Seat Cover For Dogs. It's covered with a super soft padding and lining which your pooch will absolutely love snuggling up to. The bottom of the cover is made out of polyester that protects the padding against moisture and also protects your car seats against dirt and pet hair.
Customer review: "Really roomy and comfy for dog to lie down and stops him from dropping into footwell. Also protects the seats and back of fronts seats, and doesn't slip about."
Pros
- Extra comfortable for your pooch
- Features seat belt slits so you can buckle up your dog
- Can simply be used as a travel blanket
Cons
- As this is covered in a soft padding, it can get warm so it's probably not ideal for summer travel
Best for car boots
Argoswww.argos.co.uk
If you use a travel crate or secure your dog with a headrest seat belt to have them sit in the boot, this Streetwize Waterproof Pet Boot Liner is just what you need. It's designed to cover the entire boot area so you don't have to worry about the mess after taking your canine companion on an outdoor adventure. It's made from waterproof material and comes with built-in storage pockets for food, leads, water bottles and other pet-related items.
Customer review: "I bought this for boot and is brilliant it is padded and my dog is so comfy that he just goes to sleep"
Pros
- Waterproof
- Designed for the boot
- Storage pockets
Cons
- Not designed to be used on back seats, just the boot
Best machine washable car seat protector for dogs
Viovetwww.viovet.co.uk
If your pooch loves nothing more than getting down and dirty on their walks, you'll be after a seat protector that will firstly, be able to keep your car seats free from dirt and secondly, be super easy to maintain and keep clean. Luckily, the Henry Wag Pet Car Bench Hammock is made from a pretty durable material that can be popped into the washing machine to get it to look spick and span again.
Customer review: "Suited our dog perfectly. She was very comfortable in the hammock especially as she likes to lie close to the front seats, so she was safe."
Pros
- Machine washable fabric
- Slots for seat belt buckle access
- Adjustable straps and quick connect snaps to secure to your headrests
Cons
- Lighter colour may get dirty more quickly compared to other colours
What to consider when choosing a car seat protector for dogs:
Size and fit
You'll want to make sure that your chosen protector is the right size for your car seats and that it fits securely without slipping or bunching up.
Material and durability
Look for a seat protector made from durable and waterproof materials so that it is able to withstand scratches, tears and spills to ensure long-lasting protection for your car seats. You may also want to consider a car seat protector that is made with a non-slip material so that you can make sure your dog's travel crate or car carrier for a puppy won't slide around when placed on top.
Ease of installation and removal
Having a car seat that offers quick and hassle-free installation and removal will make your journeys more convenient and efficient. Most seat protectors come with straps, buckles or hooks to secure them in place.
Cleaning and maintenance
Look for a seat protector that is easy to clean and maintain. You'll want one that is made from a wipe-clean material or better yet, is machine washable.
Compatibility with restraint systems
As all dogs need to be suitably restrained when travelling in the car, you'll want to make sure that your seat protector can still allow your dog seat belt and harness to be used effectively.
Design and aesthetics
Lastly, you'll want to consider the design and aesthetics. You may want to choose a seat protector that complements your car's interior or matches your dog's car travel equipment.
Can I use a car seat protector with a dog harness or seatbelt?
Yes, you can use a car seat protector with a dog car harness or seatbelt restraint. However, you'll want to make sure that you can still secure your dog in place. After you've fitted the protector with the straps, buckles or hooks provided, make sure that it fits snugly and doesn't block any seat buckles that you need to restrain your dog.
Rosie Floyd is a Pets, Homes and Garden Product Writer for Take A Break Pets, specialising in all things dogs. She grew up always having at least one dog as part of the family and has experience in owning a variety of breeds, including Labradors, Cockapoos and Yorkshire Terriers.