Vehicle owners who happen to love bringing their pooches on their travels can benefit a lot from owning high-quality dog car seat covers. Although simple, covers for dogs can help protect your vehicle upholstery from scratches and stains and trap pet hair and dander, making the whole cleaning-up process a piece of cake. But buying reliable, durable seat covers is no easy task. These car accessories come in various types, sizes, and styles, so picking the best one can be quite challenging. To help you in your selection process, we reviewed dozens of different products, including the waterproof and scratch-resistant types, outlining some of the best ones below.
The 15 Top-Rated Dog Car Seat Covers
1 BarksBar Luxury Waterproof Car Seat Cover
- Luxurious and elegant quilted hammock convertible design
- Fully waterproof and scratchproof
- Non-skid backing with additional seat anchors
- Two additional storage pockets
- Simple to install, clean, and maintain
Car covers for dogs don’t have to look bulky and unattractive, and BarksBar Luxury Pet Car Seat Cover is proof of that.
Featuring heavy-duty waterproof polyester, non-slid backing, and a simple but elegant design, this pet car seat cover will protect your vehicle upholstery from sharp claws, dog food, and dirt and dust in a classy way. Importantly, the model is designed with tested, pet-safe material that is color-fast for long-term color protection (no fading or color bleeding happening here!).
The BarksBar Luxury might as well be the best dog seat cover because of its exceptional combination of upholstery protection, elegant style, water-proofing ability, and durability. It even has two 7-inch side flaps to protect your vehicle’s doors. Now, add machine washability and ease of installation, and you’ve got an amazing pet car seat cover that is easily convertible between standard bench coverage and car hammock coverage.
2 URPOWER Dog Seat Cover Car Seat Cover with Side Flaps
- Durable and waterproof quilted construction
- With door-protecting side flaps
- Fully adjustable setup with split zipper mechanism
- Combination of PP cotton and heavy-duty oxford
- Nonslip backing plus seat anchors
Considered by many as one of the best seat covers, especially for SUV owners, the URPOWER model boasts of uncannily similar design to the BarksBar Luxury.
The main difference is that the URPOWER comes in at about 3 times the price of the BarksBar. Still, it is priced higher than competitors, and rightfully so.
It’s built with a combination of waterproof 600d Oxford and a really comfy PP cotton mat.
The backing is made of non-slide material and features a split zipper system, so it can easily be turned into a hammock design. There are also a few quick-release clips plus buckle straps for added security while on the go. It also comes with side flaps for added protection to your car door.
3 VIEWPETS Bench Car Seat Cover
- Luxury, heavy-duty car seat cover
- Protects against dirt, scratches, and accidents form your dog
- Waterproof
- Quilted texture is comfortable for pets
- Slip-proof packing
- Simple to install
- Machine washable
- 100% money-back guarantee
VIEWPETS have also found their way onto our list with their luxury, heavy-duty car seat covers.
Made from soft yet durable synthetic fabric, this handy cover will protect your interior against dog hair and dander, dirt, spills, and scratches, plus will keep your pup safe and comfy during rides. With its waterproof design, the cover can stand up against whatever your pup throws at it – from lake water to drooling.
Thanks to a non-slip mesh on the cover’s underside, you can rest assured it won’t shift around as you drive. Meanwhile, a quilted texture is soft and comfortable on the front side against your pet’s paws. Best of all, the cover is machine washable, so cleanup is always a breeze. For lighter dirt, simply wipe it down with a damp cloth. VIEWPETS are so confident their seat protector hit the mark that they offer a 100% money-back guarantee on every item sold.
4 Active Pets Car Seat Cover for Dogs
- Oxford fabric ‘hammock’ style seat cover
- Protects car interior against dirt and scratches
- Straightforward to install, remains securely in place
- Waterproof
- Includes seat belt holes
- 3 year satisfaction guarantee included
This comfortable yet protective car hammock seat cover is a great option for messy puppies.
Its sleek black appearance allows it to complement virtually any car interior, while soft quilting keeps your pup at ease throughout the journey. Once in place, the tough, water-resistant fabric protects your seats against dirt, water, and scratches, so you and your canine companion can enjoy a comfortable and worry-free ride.
Designed for a universal fit, the cover is simple to put into place in as little as 60 seconds. Made using Oxford fabric, it’s highly resistant to dirt and stains, making for easy cleanup. When dirty, simply wipe the cover with a damp cloth. Active Pets put a lot of faith in their products, so each car seat cover includes a three-year satisfaction guarantee.
5 URPOWER Pet Front Seat Cover for Cars
- Made of durable polyester
- With 4 layers of waterproof polyurethane
- Easy to clean and install
- With non-slip rubber backing
- Universal fit
If you’re a pet owner who prefers to have his pooch riding up front, this Pet Front Seat Cover by URPOWER is a must-have.
This is a scaled-down version of URPOWER’s rear car seat covers for dogs. It comes with the same waterproofing capabilities and exceptional design that includes seat anchors and seat straps to secure the contraption right onto your front passenger seat.
And as if this is not enough, the backing is also embedded with a non-slip material. Four layers of polyurethane materials give this bucket seat exceptional resistance against water, mud, and pet hair. At the same time, its quilted design can surely add to the overall aesthetics of your car interior.
6 IBuddy Dog Car Seat Cover
- Large car seat cover protects the entire back of your car
- Suitable for larger vehicles such as trucks and SUVs
- Tough yet soft fabric protects against canine messes and scratches
- Breathable material for summer use
- Machine washable
With its all-encompassing design, this pet car seat cover by iBuddy is one of the best for dogs who like to move around on the go.
Compatible with most types of vehicles, it’s incredibly simple to install, plus it covers the entire back of the car – not just the seats! It can also be converted when you have passengers to think about, removing the ‘hammock’ style element.
It’s a great option for owners who like to take their pet hiking in the summer, thanks to a breathable mesh window, as things stay cool in the back of the car no matter what.
This handy cover keeps dog food, hair, dirt, spills, and other canine-related messes off your seats for a consistently clean interior. And thanks to a non-slip coating, you can rest assured that your four-legged friend won’t slide about in transit but be safe and comfortable during the entire ride. As a bonus, the cover is machine washable, too.
7 URPOWER Dog Car Seat Cover
- Combination of oxford, polypropylene, and polyester materials
- Non-slid backing with adjustable straps
- Easy to clean and install
- Waterproof, dirt-resistant, and scratchproof
These car covers for dogs from URPOWER are similar to the previous model, but with a small difference in design: there are no side flaps intended to protect your doors. The model retains the classically elegant quilted look, however.
Featuring a fully waterproof and highly durable protective layer for your car upholstery, the cover protects from dog hair, dirt, debris, mud, grass, and more. It combines the wonderful characteristics of PP cotton, 600d oxford, and polyester. It adds these to a slip-proof PVC netting at the back, which is technically the company’s version of non-slid backing.
8 BarksBar Original Waterproof Car Seat Cover
- Convertible hammock design
- With built-in storage pockets
- Machine washable and easy to install
- Fully waterproof and heavy-duty, durable construction
You can always consider the BarksBar Original a tamer and cheaper version of the BarksBar Luxury.
The Original essentially features everything the Luxury has except for the more plush quilted feel and elegant look. For this reason, the Original is priced several dollars lower than the Luxury, making it an absolute joy to have, especially if you’re into simpler designs.
Like the Luxury, the Original comes with the same door-protecting side flaps, a convertible hammock design, appropriate openings for car secure points attachments, and two storage pockets for your pup’s things. It’s also super simple to install and surprisingly easy to clean.
9 Vailge Dog Seat Cover for Back Seat
- Quilted upper design
- Mesh viewing window
- Waterproof
- Side flaps for greater protection
- Easy to clean
Ideal for nervous dogs, who might struggle with riding in the car – or simply those dogs who always want to be involved in whatever’s going on! This is a great choice for dogs of any size or breed. It covers the entirety of the back seat, with raised side flaps that help to protect your car doors, as well as the seat itself.
There’s a viewing window for your pup, so they can keep an eye on what you’re doing and feel more secure in their travels. However, it also has the bonus of being both quilted and waterproof. Your dog can get as messy as they like – but your car won’t have to! Finally, it’s incredibly easy to clean by simply popping it in the washing machine.
10 BarksBar Front Seat Cover
- Luxury quilted pattern
- Designed specifically for a front passenger seat
- Triple-layer polyurethane waterproofing
- With non-slip backing
- Machine washable
If you want the best dog seat cover for your front passenger seat, we’d recommend this product from BarksBar.
It is about half the base price of URPOWER and comes with exceptional features that BarksBar is known for, including 3 layers of polyurethane for waterproofing.
It comes in a quilted design that follows the front seats’ paneled sections. Of course, it still comes with seat anchors and even a rubberized non-slide backing to ensure it stays in place regardless of how ‘active’ your dog can be on the seat. This model for the front seats only comes in black, so if you’re looking for something that matches well with a light interior, this might not be the cover for you.
11 Amazon Basics Waterproof Car Bench Seat Cover
- Backseat cover model
- Fits the majority of passenger vehicles
- High quality polyester design
- Waterproof, and protects against dirt
- Easy to install and clean
- Budget-friendly price point means great value for money
AmazonBasics is one of those simple yet highly effective covers for dogs.
Suitable for most vehicles, the cover sits comfortably on the backseats, shielding them from dirt, dust, and other messes, including dog food, water, and even pee accidents. Thanks to a series of simple straps, it’s quick and easy to install too.
Importantly, the cover is as simple to clean as it is to install: just spot clean with a damp cloth, and watch the dirt wipe away in no time. With its waterproof coating, ease of installation, and great versatility, it’s no surprise that customers across the board are impressed with the cover’s quality – especially considering the budget-friendly price point.
12 Meadowlark XL Premium Hammock
- Extra-large seat cover, ideal for SUVs and other large vehicles
- Hammock design protects the entire back half of the interior
- Thickly padded material keeps dogs comfortable and safe
- Dander, dirt, mud, and water-proof
- Adjustable to accommodate both canine and human passengers at once
- Machine washable
For something more luxurious, dog owners can try this extra-large backseat cover by Meadowlark.
Designed to protect your pet and your car, the cover is heavily padded to keep pooches comfortable, even during bumpy rides. Resembling a ‘bucket’ in shape, the cover doesn’t just protect the back seats, it also guards the entire back half of your interior. A nifty middle piece can be employed to keep your dog on one side of the seat while a passenger sits on the other, making it perfect for families.
Meanwhile, sturdy straps make the device easy to put in place and keep it there firmly. Thanks to its extra-thick, waterproof fabric, the device offers superior protection against dirt, dander, mud, and accidents. And when it’s time to clean the cover, simply toss it in the washing machine. One of the best car seats covers on the market, hands down!
13 Pet Magasin Pet Car Seat Cover
- Sleek light cover suitable for brighter interiors
- Convertable design can form a hammock or simply cover back seats
- Heavy-duty polyester
- Waterproof and easy to wipe down
- Quick to install
- Protects against dirt, mud, dander, scratching, and more
This car seat cover is slightly unusual – it’s white rather than black! This item could be the perfect solution if you prefer to give your interior a brighter look but don’t want to compromise on protection.
Made from heavyweight polyester fabric, the cover protects against virtually anything your four-legged friend can throw at it. Dust, dirt, dander, mud, and even water are all kept at bay. The cover also protects against scratching and chewing for true all-around protection.
The versatile design can be installed as a bench or hammock-style cover for great versatility. The anchoring straps that fit the headrests hold the seat safely in place, so your pooch won’t slip and slide around when you go around a corner. And thanks to its unique texture, the cover is also simple to wipe clean when required.
14 Go Buddy® Waterproof Dog Car Seat Cover
- Stainproof, spillproof, dirt resistant, odor resistant material
- Fully adjustable straps
- Complete with seat anchors
- Machine washable
- Great value for money
If you want to economize on the best dog seat cover, you don’t have to look further than GoBuddy’s Hammock Style Waterproof Dog Car Seat Cover.
This contraption is a little over $10, yet it does the job it is designed to do. It protects your vehicle interior, particularly your upholstery, from dust, dirt, clawing, scratching, and spills.
It includes adjustable straps, seat anchors, and heavy-duty buckles to keep the cover in place. It’s machine washable, too. Unfortunately, you’ll find the GoBuddy wanting in this department for those seeking a more elegant style. Regardless, if it’s functionality at a very affordable price you’re after, then this is simply perfect.
15 4Knines Dog Car Seat Cover
- Thick car seat cover for dog owners
- Waterproof layer protects against mud, water, and more
- Comfortably soft surface
- Easy to install
- Seat belt holes allow for human passengers
- Can be wiped clean
- Designed to last
Last but not least, we have this handy seat cover by 4Knines.
Available in three different colors, you’re sure to find the perfect fit for your vehicle. The cover is easy to install thanks to a simple headrest anchoring system, and when in place, it shields your back seats from all dog-related messes, whether dirt, dander, mud, or accidents.
Thanks to its waterproof fabric, nothing will leak through onto your car seats, helping you maintain a clean and tidy vehicle without having to banish your pooch. Handy seat belt holes mean you won’t have to remove the cover to accommodate human passengers. And with its soft, grippy surface, the cover is comfortable too, which is always a plus. When cleaning it, simply wipe down the surface with a wet cloth or towel.
Best Car Seat Covers for Dogs: Buying Guide
Buying a car seat cover can be surprisingly difficult if one doesn’t know where to look and what to search for. Thankfully, you’re in the right place – in this buyer’s guide, we cover everything you need to know about pet seat covers, including how to find the right one for your vehicle, budget, and of course, your pooch.
Things to Consider Before Picking Out Dog Car Seat Covers
Picking out dog car seat covers for dogs is like choosing a protective layer for your most precious piece of furniture, only this time, the pieces are located inside your car. We know how challenging it can be to choose the right one, especially if you’re presented with a dizzying array of options. To help you, we highlighted some of the most important things you should consider before picking a particular product for your pooch and car.
Related: Best Car Seats for Dogs
Materials Used in the Construction
There are plenty of options regarding the material used in the construction of the dog car seat cover. The important thing to remember is that it should have the following qualities:
- Durable
- Waterproof
- Scratchproof
- Comfortable
It is quite challenging to get a good balance of these qualities since comfort is often equated with a softness that is, in turn, perceived to be less durable and sturdy. So, if you can strike a balance without sacrificing one over the other, that would be perfect.
Many of today’s dog seat covers are made of polyester and cotton. This combo provides exceptional comfort because of its smoother finish, but the downside is that, since it is smooth, your pooch might not have a good grip on its surface. It’s not a good water-resistant material, either. If it’s waterproofing that you want, neoprene materials provide better coverage. However, they are more expensive. For the budget-conscious, ordinary clothes are the go-to.
Weight Capacities
This is one aspect many dogs and car owners simply fail to consider when buying dog seat covers. Efforts must be exercised to ascertain the weight capacities of the product you’re entertaining in buying. However, you should also consider the maximum adult weight of your canine breed. For instance, if you have a German shepherd, know that it can grow up to 70 pounds and 88 pounds for females and males, respectively. So, if your pooch is currently 40 pounds because it is still in the juvenile stage, you should not get a product with a weight limit of 40 pounds. Instead, you need a maximum weight limit of at least 90 pounds.
Foam Protection
One issue that makes some people apprehensive about using dog car seat covers is the canine’s safety. After all, accidents do occur all the time. Unfortunately, you cannot strap or secure your pooch with your car’s seatbelt system, even if you get a bucket seat for pets. As such, dogs suffer injuries in an accident because they are inadvertently thrown off the seat. Some manufacturers of seat protectors for dogs design their products with cocoon-like foam protection. This innovation aims to absorb impact forces so that it doesn’t reverberate through your canine friend’s body. While these may be more expensive than conventional covers, they provide ample protection for your doggie in the event of a crash (they also make for comfy car dog beds!). Your best bet is to get a cover with at least 2 inches of foam protection.
Method of Attachment and Security
Almost all of the products available in the market today include a variety of secure attachments such as straps, seat harnesses, and the like. Some come with specially designed insertion points where your car’s seatbelts can be threaded. This is important since a product, no matter how ‘good’ its non-slip backing is, can still move from its place in a sudden stop.
Cleaning Options
Dog seat covers help cushion your pup during a ride and also help protect your seats from dirt, hair, dog food, water, pee accidents, and other unpleasant substances. As such, you should get a cover that is easy to clean – ideally, one that you can easily throw in your washing machine. That being said, if a product only requires a few wipes with a moistened cloth, that may even be a better option – it all depends on your needs and preferences.
Availability of Replacement Parts
You might not think about it now, but this is crucial since nothing lasts forever. The product you want to buy should come with replaceable parts, particularly replacement covers. More importantly, however, is the availability and accessibility of these parts. If they are available but will require you to fill out many forms and wait a substantial length of time before they arrive, you might want to reconsider your choice.
What Type of Dog Car Seat Covers to Use
Here are 4 main types of dog car covers you can use depending on where you want your canine friend to stay in your car.
Back Seat Covers
As the name implies, this dog seat cover will be placed over your vehicle’s backseat. It is ideal for folks who prefer their pups riding at the back rather than at the front. This contraption typically comes in various models, such as a bench seat cover, short models, extended models, and even hammocks.
Bench seat covers are still very popular, although hammocks are gaining ground as the preferred dog seat cover. Bench seat covers help protect the entire surface of the back seat, including the backrest, whereas hammocks provide an even greater surface area for your canine friend to rest and enjoy the ride, so in that sense, they resemble spacious dog beds.
The biggest difference between bench seat covers and hammocks is that with a bench seat cover, some portions of your vehicle will remain exposed, whereas, with a hammock, the entire back passenger compartment will be covered.
Shorty models are those that are used on backseats that have special features like cup holders and armrests. On the other hand, extended models are generally intended for the larger surface area of SUVs and trucks.
Front Seat Covers
If your doggie doesn’t take too well to being at the back of their vehicle, you might want to let them stay in front on the passenger side. This is where the front seat covers come in. They’re ideal for small to medium-sized breeds, as getting a large breed upfront can obstruct your view of your side mirror.
Car Door Covers
If you have a doggie who loves standing on your door, you will need a car door cover to help protect your car door sidings. The owners of rambunctious pooches and tenacious chewers will find the door sidings super-useful. Without a door cover, you’re bound to see a scratch, bite or chew marks on your door sooner or later.
A car door cover can work on either the back seat or the front seat. The good thing is that certain hammock types of backseat covers have side flaps that can be used as door protectants. Some come with zipper closure to stay connected with the rest of the hammock’s panels.
Cargo Liner Covers
Finally, for pet parents who simply don’t want their pooches to stay in the passenger compartment of their vehicles, cargo area dog covers are ideal. A cargo liner typically features everything a regular car seat cover offers, only it’s specifically designed for the cargo area, so it’s extra non-sliding and waterproof. These covers help collect dirt, dust, hair, and other messes, making cleaning much easier.
Benefits of Using Dog Car Seat Covers
By now, you probably know what dog car seat cover to choose. However, if you still have second doubts about whether it is wise to get one for your car, here are some of the benefits you’ll reap if you decide to install a car seat cover.
Prevent Nasty Stains and Awful Odors
No matter how well we train our dogs, there will always be instances of ‘accidents’. If there is no protective waterproof lining between your dog and your car’s upholstery, then there’s a great chance that this accident will lead to a lingering stain and a nasty odor inside your vehicle. Waterproof covers collect the liquid and semi-solids from your pooch so that these don’t get into your upholstery or your carpet.
Ensure Greater Safety While Traveling
We mentioned foam protection and non-slip backing in many of today’s dog car seat covers. These are designed to help protect your dog and increase their safety in cases of sudden stops, accelerations, or even accidents. If the cover is not secured properly and doesn’t have non-slide backing, it will move around over the surface of the seat. This can throw your pooch off-balance even when you are driving safely.
Prevent Costly Damage to Your Car
Damaged upholstery can easily run hundreds of dollars to get fixed. You’re looking at even greater costs if the damage is extensive enough. The same is true with unmanaged ‘accidents’ since the urine can get into the carpet fabric, leading to water damage, corrosion, and reduction in the car’s structural integrity. And we haven’t even mentioned the door panels and sidings that may need to be replaced because of scratch marks or bites!
Reduce Dirt, Hair, and Allergens in Your Car Upholstery
Dirt, dust, hair, pollen, and other particles that your dogs bring with them from the outside and into your car can get trapped between the fibers of your carpet or even car upholstery. Dog car seat covers collect these particles, so all you need to do is to remove and clean them immediately upon returning home. If you have an asthmatic passenger, you’ll be doing them a great service.
Provide Better Riding Comfort for Your Pooch
Compared to riding inside a dog crate, lying on a car seat cover provides better comfort for your pup since it has greater freedom of movement when compared to crates, where there isn’t any space to move about.
A quality dog car seat can help protect the integrity of your car interior, particularly the upholstery, door sidings, and carpet. In our humble opinion, this is a must-have product for all pet parents who frequently travel with their pets, whether for pleasure, camping trips, or for necessities, such as vet visits.
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WOW – What a great read and some amazing seat covers…. I have the BarksBar myself and it is amazing!
I notice however you do not have the 4Knines listed here… why is this?
We purchased the BarksBar and then a few weeks later came across the 4Knines and it is a fantastic cover. My mate bought one and it’s kept his large Staffie under control and his beautiful car protected….