Traveling with your dog can be a lot of fun, but you don’t want to deal with the cleanup. Even well-trained dogs can get dirty from time to time, but there are different ways to protect your car from slobber, hair, and dirt. By investing in the right dog seat cover, you can still have fun with your dog on the road and protect your vehicle at the same time.
Bench Seat Covers
This type of dog seat cover is the most common. A good cover can protect your entire back seat and keep it free from hair, paw prints, and dirt. When searching for this type of cover, measure the backseat and be sure to compare it to the products you are considering. A standard bench seat is 55 inches so if yours is larger than that, you may need to find ones that come in an extended length. You need to find a cover that will be durable and provide adequate coverage. The cover should have waterproof fabric, piping to catch water and mud, strong seams, and four different points of attachment so your dog can’t move it easily and get onto an uncovered seat. You also need openings so seat belts can pass through and you can still use your vehicle for human passengers.
Bucket Seat Covers
If you have bucket seats in your vehicle then you need a bucket seat cover. These usually cover the entire seat so you are protected. Just like with bench seat covers, you want to find covers that are durable and offer piping on edges and stitched seams. Cars that have cupholders in the bucket seat may require that you purchase an irregular option.
Covers for Irregular Car Seats
Unfortunately, there isn’t one cover that is going to be completely universal since there are so many vehicles on the market. If you have a vehicle with extra-wide benches or armrests then you may need to consider different car seat covers or something custom made.
Dog Hammocks
A dog hammock is a special cover that hangs between the front of the back seat and the back of the front seat and creates a hammock for your dog instead of having him or her rest on the seats. These do triple duty to prevent your dog from getting into the front seat while you are driving, keep your dog from falling in the footwell, and provide the needed protection for your seat. Many hammocks will also allow you to zip them down the middle so you can have human passengers in the back with your dog. You need to find a hammock that will support the weight of your dog, as well as still cover the seating area. Some features to look for include waterproof material, piping to direct water and dirt, and double-stitched seams.
Car Door Guards
Adding car door guards gives you extra protection for your seat from the windows and doors. Dogs like to put their paws up and this can leave behind slobber and dirt or scratch your door. These door guards fit in between the door panel and window and provide a waterproof barrier to help protect the interior. You need to find something that will fit your car and many of these covers are universal since they can slide between the door and the window.
Cargo Covers
If your dog rides in the storage area then a cargo cover can protect this space. These covers lay flat and you are able to put the seats down or up and not have to move the cover. Good cargo covers fold out to protect your bumper and make it easy for your dog to get in and out.
