You love to take your dog in the car with you. However, what you don't love is the fact that his hair gets everywhere, he slobbers all over your seats, and he drags mud and dirt into your car. Plus, when you drive, you're always a bit nervous about how safe your dog is in the backseat. You want to have peace of mind that if you brake too hard or make a tight turn, your dog is going to be as secure as possible.
Thankfully, with the right back seat covers and car safety restraints for dogs, you can keep your car clean and your dog safe at the same time. Here are some tips on dog car safety as well as the best products to ensure your car stays immaculate and your pup is protected.
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Keeping your dog safe in the car
In order to properly restrain your dog in the car and keep him secure, Ethos Veterinary Health recommends you put him in the backseat and attach a full-body harness into the seat belt system. You then clip your dog in with a short leash. If you get into an accident, the leash and harness will minimize the force on your dog's neck and help keep both him and you safe. They will also stop your pup from jumping out of the window or sticking his head out of it, which can lead to injuries.
Additionally, your dog will not jump around the car and distract you while you're driving, which could cause an accident. If your dog doesn't like the full-body harness, your other options are a crate and a back seat barrier to prevent your dog from climbing into the front while you're on the road.
Now that you know what to do to ensure your pup stays safe, here are some of the best safety restraints for dogs as well as back seat covers to keep your car clean.
1. Solvit PetSafe Happy Ride Deluxe Car Harness for Dogs
The Solvit PetSafe Happy Ride Deluxe Car Harness for Dogs comes in small, medium, large, and extra-large, and the first three options are certified crash-tested. The harness features a fully padded vest area with a breathable liner to guarantee that your dog is comfortable, which is great for hot summer days, when dogs can easily become overheated in vehicles. There are also different attachment options to give your dog mobility in his seat.
Highlights:
- Harness is fully padded, evenly distributing pressure and maximizing comfort
- Crash-test certified
- Harness features breathable liner for staying cool
2. COOYOO Dog Seat Belt
The COOYOO Dog Seat Belt is made of high-density nylon fabric to ensure durability; COOYOO promises it will last for years to come. The elastic buffer design gives your dog mobility while keeping him secure in case you brake hard or make a sharp turn. The seat belt can be easily adjusted from 22 to 31 inches and it won't ever get tangled, which is perfect for dogs who are anxious or active and like to move around a lot in the car.
Highlights:
- Easily adjustable between 22 and 31 inches
- Elastic buffer design minimizes choking
- Seat belt clip is compatible with most vehicles
3. BWOGUE 2 Packs Dog Cat Safety Seat Belt
Made of high-quality nylon fabric, the BWOGUE 2-Pack Dog Cat Safety Seat Belt ensures your dog will be safe whenever he's in the car. The nylon straps won't get tangled, and the seat belt is adjustable between 18 and 30 inches. What's great about this doggy seat belt is that you can convert it to a handheld leash whenever you take your dog for a walk. That'll be perfect if you're on a road trip and want to be more efficient with your packing.
Highlights:
- Adjustable between 18 and 30 inches
- Easily converts to a handheld leash
4. Pawaboo Dog Safety Vest Harness
The Pawaboo Dog Safety Vest Harness comes in small, medium, and large, and an assortment of cute colors like pink, purple, and blue. It's made of 100% polyester fabric and has a broad, sponge-padded chest plate for maximum comfort. The stainless steel snap hook is electroplated for abrasion resistance and durability.
Highlights:
- Keeps your dog secure while still allowing for some mobility
- Detachable seat belt allows you to use the harness with a normal leash
- Lightweight and minimizes pressure on your dog's chest
5. Winner Outfitters Dog Car Seat Cover
The URPOWER Dog Car Seat Cover comes in two sizes, standard (54 inches wide, 58 inches long) and extra-large (60 inches wide, 64 inches long), the latter of which is ideal for larger cars such as trucks and SUVs. It has a waterproof and non-slip backing, two adjustable headrest anchors, and two attached seatbelts so your pup will be secure in the backseat. It's also made of high-quality fabric, ensuring it's protected from tears, fur, urine, and scratches. When it gets dirty, you can spot-clean it, but machine-washing is not recommended as it will destroy the waterproof and non-slip layer.
Highlights:
- Larger size makes it ideal for trucks and SUVs
- Easily converts between hammock and standard bench coverage
- Anti-scratch and wear-proof
- Features 2 attached dog seatbelts
6. Active Pets Bench Dog Car Seat Cover for Back Seat
The Active Pets Bench Dog Car Seat Cover for Back Seat will fit in any car or SUV; the maximum open size is 48 inches by 54 inches. It contains four layers and has an impenetrable waterproof barrier to make sure your seats stay clean and dry. Active Pets takes your dog's safety seriously by including two heavy-duty headrest buckles and two seat anchors along with a non-slip bottom to prevent sliding. There's also a hook and loop fastener opening for the seat belt buckle.
Highlights:
- Four layers for extra waterproof reliability
- Non-hammock design offers more breathing room for your dog
- Super easy to clean – just vacuum or wipe with a damp cloth
7. Vailge Dog Seat Cover
The Vailge Dog Seat Cover comes in standard or extra-large (Standard: 56 inches by 60 inches and Extra-Large: 60 inches by 64 inches) and is easy to convert between a dog car hammock and a standard bench cover. It has a mesh breath window, which provides your dog with improved air circulation in the summer and winter, and it is 100% waterproof. This seat cover is held in place with four headrest straps, non-slip backing, and two devices that are secured to your seat so that your pup will be safe when you're driving.
Highlights:
- Mesh window serves as a barrier while providing visibility, reducing dog anxiety
- Two waterproof layers
- Larger-than-average sizes
- Includes dog seat belt
Getting the right gear
By investing in a seatbelt and seat cover, you can rest assured that your pup will be safe and your car will be protected from any dirt, grime, water, or other messes that dogs tend to make wherever they go. With these top products, you know that taking a trip in the car with your dog will be a breeze from now on.