These Dog-Friendly Car Seat Covers Protect Your Car from Fur, Mud, and Overexcited Pups

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When my dog hops in the car, there’s no controlling where her dirty paws and loose fur will end up—especially after a trip to the park. Leather is delicate and upholstery is a fur magnet—not to mention the stress of keeping one eye on your dog while you navigate the roads. That’s why we recommend dog car seat covers.

These protective seat covers secure to your headrests and seat backs, creating a dust- and water-resistant barrier between your precious pup and your precious car. There are inexpensive plastic options that run less than $20 and feature-packed quilted options that cost $100 or more and outfit your pup with the utmost comfort and style.

We used our experience to find the best dog car seat covers out there, so you can focus on spending time with your furry friend and not on getting that paw stain out of the upolestry.

Best Dog Car Seat Covers

• Best Overall: Vailge Waterproof Dog Seat Cover for Back Seat

• Best Budget: Gorilla Grip Slip-Resistant Dog Car Seat Cover
  

• Best for the Front Seat: Active Pets Active Front Seat Cover
  

• Best for Hatchbacks and SUVs: Laadd Cargo Trunk Liner for Dogs
  

• Best Premium Style: PetSafe Happy Ride Quilted Car Seat Cover

What to Consider

First and foremost, safety—when traveling with your pup, the American Kennel Club recommends always using a harness that attaches to a seat belt, or crate that sits securely inside the car. Most of the dog car seat covers we recommend offer access to the seat belt buckles or handles in your car.

Most dog seat covers are designed for bench seats or passenger bucket seats, though we recommend a few options for use in your cargo trunk with the seats lowered. Some drape over the seats with adjustable, easily removable anchor points at the headrests and seat backs. The most popular options also connect to the front headrests to create a sort of hammock, which keeps your dog from climbing under the seats or into the front seat while you drive.

Our favorite dog seat covers also include zippered panels on the sides, which keep your pup—especially small ones—from leaping out as soon as you open the side door. You can also look for extra features like zippers near the center console for reaching the dog, pockets for treats and leashes, and waterproof linings. Most covers are made from synthetic fabrics, like nylon and polyester, are stain- and water-resistant to varying degrees, and have a non-slip backing.

How We Selected

We chose these products based on personal experience with a wide variety of dog car seat covers, as well as research on customer and expert reviews. Our selections include high-quality dog car seat covers at a wide range of price points, as well as styles that work in numerous models of cars and SUVs.

Waterproof Car Dog Seat Cover for Back Seat

This high-quality dog car seat cover has all the bells and whistles at a reasonable price, from zippered panels to cover the side doors to pockets for your dog’s favorite snacks. I’ve used several models, and this cover combines the best of them all—you can even use your dog seat belt since there’s an opening to thread your buckles through.

It has adjustable anchors that keep it in place, so your dog can spread out and lay down without being tempted to meander to the trunk or front seat. The mesh panel is a nice touch that lets your dog see out the front only, which can help prevent car sickness.

Waterproof Auto Seat Protector Dog Seat Cover Black

Cotton Car Front Seat Dog Cover

If your pup prefers the front seat, consider this dirt and fur barrier from Active Pets. While it should be noted that the American Kennel Club advises against letting your dog sit up front due to potential injuries from passenger-side air bags, it’s safe for some car models as long as you pair it with a restraint of some sort.

We like that this seat cover has a long panel for high-sitting chairs, especially since curious small pups can easily sneak underneath car seats. It isn’t waterproof, though, so look for something else if you like to take your dog to the beach or lake.

Waterproof Trunk Cargo Liner for Dogs

If you drive a hatchback or an SUV, you know that packing up your pup for a weekend adventure can take up lots of valuable car space. This dog car seat cover protects your entire cargo trunk, whether you’ll use it as a roomy space for your dog to sit or a soft platform to slide a crate on top of.

Best of all, this doubles as a general protective blanket for your trunk—when your dog isn’t around, you can use it to more easily slide boxes in and out of your car or store dusty or sandy gear. The back flap also drapes over the hatchback, so you can sit on the edge of your trunk without getting grease on your pants.

Happy Ride Quilted Car Seat Cover

This premium dog car seat cover is ideal for luxury car drivers who don’t like the utilitarian look of most other options. There are genuine leather details, antique gold buttons, and soft cotton twill quilting, plus the fabric is water-resistant. The elastic panels hug the bottom seat for a buttoned-up fit, and the contrasting color on the trim adds an upscale look.

It’s machine-washable, too, which is especially nice since this cover doubles as a normal car seat cover that humans can sit on, with openings for seat belts.

iBuddy Car Waterproof Dog Seat Cover for Back Seat with Mesh Window,Stain Resistant Dog Car Hammock, Nonslip, Pet Seat Cover for Car/SUVs/Trucks

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