Best Dog Car Seat Covers For Keeping Autos Clean!

Whether you are headed to the park, the local pond, or just running errands around town, it’s always fun to bring your pooch along for adventures.

Despite your dog’s immense joy at being your automotive companion,  it can be difficult to keep your seats and upholstery clean and free of hair in the process. This means you’ll spend the rest of the day cleaning out the car, which isn’t very much fun at all.

However, there is an easy solution: You can use car seat covers for dogs to help protect your seats from the mud, dirt and debris covering your canine, as well as the fur he is sure to shed during the ride.

Just be aware that car seat covers vary greatly from one model to the next, so you’ll need to choose carefully to ensure you are happy with your purchase.

We’ll explain some of the most important things to look for when selecting a car seat cover for your dog and provide you with a few recommendations below.

Continue reading for more in-depth reviews

Things to Consider When Choosing a Canine Car Seat Cover

There’s a big difference between a high-quality car seat cover and one that won’t adequately protect your vehicle. For the most part, you can separate the good models from the not-so-good models by looking for covers that possess the following characteristics or features:

Adjustable Straps

Most car seat covers designed to be used with pets feature straps, but it is important to look for models with adjustable straps, to give you the best chance of obtaining a good fit for your car.

Since sliding car seat covers will inevitably lead to frustration, adjustable straps should rank pretty highly on your car cover checklist.

Waterproof Fabrics or Coatings

Just about any covering will help keep the dirt off your seats, but only a waterproof (or, at the very least, water resistant) cover will provide the kind of protection you are looking for. Remember that dogs don’t only get dirty when playing outside – they often get wet too!

Machine-Washable

You’ll find it necessary to wash your pet seat covers frequently, and machine-washable products are much more convenient in this regard. Some of the sturdiest options can even be placed in the dryer, as long as a low-heat setting is used.

Non-Skid Bottom

The straps and buckles included with most car seat covers are designed to keep the cover stationary, but non-slip bottoms provide further protection against slippage.

Note that the surface of your car seats will influence the degree to which non-slip bottoms work. Non-skid bottoms may still slip a little on fabric seats, but they’ll move very little when used on leather or vinyl seats.

Comfortable Top

While many dogs are so excited to ride in the car that they won’t even notice what they are laying on, you still want to select a cover that keeps your canine as comfortable as possible. Most car seat covers offer sufficient comfort, but those with quilted tops and high-quality fabrics usually offer the plushest surfaces.

Seat Belt Slots

Most good car seat covers feature multiple slots through which the seatbelts can pass. This not only allows you the chance to buckle in your pooch, it means that you don’t have to remove the cover when people are riding in your vehicle.

The very best car seat covers often feature Velcro closures in the slots to keep the buckles tucked away when not needed.

Multiple Configurations

Some car seat covers – most notably hammock-style models – can be installed in several different ways. This provides you with additional flexibility, which is always helpful.

For example, you may not need to protect the entire backseat during a trip to the store, but you may want to cover everything possible when taking the pup swimming.

4 Best Car Seat Covers for Dogs

The market is full of canine car seat covers, but only a few options have worked well for most users. As long as you carefully consider your specific needs and desires when making the choice, any of the four detailed below should serve you well.

1. URPOWER Pet Seat Cover

About: The URPower Seat Cover for Pets is a dual-function car seat cover that can be used conventionally or as a hammock-style cover. The cover features an Oxford cloth cover, waterproof polyester layer and non-skid, PVC mesh bottom to ensure it is comfortable, durable and stays in place during use.

Price: $$
Our Rating:

Features:

• Stays in place with the help of four adjustable plastic clips
• Hand wash or wipe down with a damp cloth to clean the cover
• Cover measures 58 inches by 54 inches
• Seat belt openings have Velcro closures

PROS: The URPOWER Pet Seat Cover worked well for most owners who tried it. Most found that the cover fit their vehicle well and stayed in place once installed. Dogs seemed to find it comfortable, and more than one owner characterized the cover as a great value for the price.

CONS: There weren’t many negative reviews of the URPOWER Pet Seat Cover, but a few owners had problems with the durability of the product – particularly as it related to the seams. A few others were disappointed in the cover’s ability to repel water.

2. BarksBar Pet Front Seat Cover for Dogs

About: The BarksBar Seat Cover is a protective cover made for owners whose dogs like to ride up front where the action is. Made to fit most cars,

Made to fit most cars, trucks and SUVs, the BarksBar Seat Cover is easy to install and designed to resist slippage, thanks to the seat anchors and textured bottom, which hold it in place.

Price: $$
Our Rating:

Features:

• Polyester seat cover is tough, durable and waterproof
• Colorfast fabric will not bleed through on your seats and will still look great after years of use
• Quilted top provides top-notch comfort for your pooch
• Machine washable (use gentle cycle and hang dry)

PROS: The vast majority of owners who tried the BarksBar Front Seat Cover were very happy with their choice. Most reported that it was easy to use and install, protected seats very well, and looked great. Generally speaking, it appeared to meet and exceed most owners’ expectations.

CONS: While complaints and negative reviews about the BarksBar Seat Cover were exceedingly rare, a few customers did report that the stitching and fabric were weaker than they’d have liked.

3. Arf Pets Cargo Liner Cover for Dogs

About: The Arf Pets Cargo Liner Cover is a protective shield designed primarily for use in the cargo area of your SUV, but it can also be used in the back seat of your car. Thanks to the cover’s large size and included side flaps, it provides plenty of coverage for most vehicles and help contains the mess your dogs create.

Thanks to the cover’s large size and included side flaps, it provides plenty of coverage for most vehicles and help contains the mess your dogs create.

Price: $$$
Our Rating:

Features:

• Cover measures 82 inches long and 55 inches wide (fits most cars)
• Quick release headrest straps and seat anchors for quick and easy installation
• Waterproof cover has a textured bottom side to prevent slippage
• Machine washable (Use the gentle cycle while washing and use the air-dry feature on your dryer)

PROS: The Arf Pets Cargo Liner Cover received very positive reviews from most owners who tried it. Most owners found it easy to install and reported that the cover stayed put and didn’t slide around when in use. The quick-release buckles drew quite a bit of praise, and most dogs appear to find the cover comfortable.

CONS: There weren’t many complaints about the Arf Pets Cargo Liner, but a few owners reported that the buckles broke after a few weeks of use. A small number of owners also explained that the fabric ripped from their dog’s nails. However, these types of experiences do not seem to be common at all.

4. Go Buddy Car Seat Cover for Dogs

About: The Go Buddy Car Seat Cover is a heavy-weight polyester seat cover, designed to fit in the backseat of your car, truck or SUV. Held in place by three pairs of adjustable straps, the Go Buddy Car Seat Cover will help protect your car’s interior from hair, dirt and, thanks to its waterproof bottom layer, moisture.

Held in place by three pairs of adjustable straps, the Go Buddy Car Seat Cover will help protect your car’s interior from hair, dirt and, thanks to its waterproof bottom layer, moisture.

Price: $
Our Rating:

Features:

• Available in standard and hammock-style versions
• Standard version measures 56 inches by 47 inches; hammock-style version measures 55 inches by 59 inches
• Machine washable (hang dry)
• Hammock-style version features two storage pockets

PROS: Most owners were pretty happy with both types of the Go Buddy Seat Cover. Several reported that it fit their car very well, stayed in place during use and effectively repelled dirt and moisture. Many were also pleased with the way the hammock-style model prevented their pet from rolling onto the floor while braking.

CONS: Some owners complained that the material was too slick for their dog, and it became necessary to place a blanket over it during use. A few others reported that the materials used (including both the cover and the headrest straps) lacked sufficient durability.

Our Recommendation: URPOWER Pet Seat Cover

In truth, you could make an argument for any of the four car seat covers for dogs reviewed above, but the URPOWER Cover received very good reviews and boasts some of the best characteristics and features of the group, so it rises above the rest.

This cover can be used in two different configurations, features some of the best materials of any seat cover available and features Velcro closures on the seat belt openings. Most owners found that it fit easily into their car, stayed put once in use and held up to wear and tear satisfactorily. And just for good measure, the

This cover can be used in two different configurations, features some of the best materials of any seat cover available and features Velcro closures on the seat belt openings. Most owners found that it fit easily into their car, stayed put once in use and held up to wear and tear satisfactorily.

And just for good measure, the URPOWER Pet Seat Cover is also one of the most affordably priced covers around.

Caring for Your Dog’s Car Seat Cover

Any car seat cover will last longer and look better if your take good care of it. The best care practices will vary slightly from one product to the next, and you should always follow the manufacturer’s instructions, but you’ll usually want to take the following steps:

Wipe the car seat cover down with a damp cloth. By simply removing the light layer of dirt, dust and grime that collects on the surface, you’ll help keep the cover looking its best. Additionally, by removing any hair that falls on the cover, you’ll keep it from finding its way into your car’s carpet or upholstery.

Wash the cover promptly any time your dogs are exceptionally messy. You don’t want to wash the cover too often, as this will prematurely wear out the fabric, but it is always a good idea to wash the cover whenever it your pups have been swimming or running around in the mud. Just be sure to wash it per the manufacturer’s instructions.

Roll or fold up the cover and store it properly when not in use. Instead of just tossing the cover in the back seat when you aren’t transporting the dogs, take a moment to store it properly. This will help prevent broken buckles, torn seams and surface punctures.

Do you use car-seat covers to protect your car’s interior? Which model did you choose? Has it worked out the way you hoped? Are there any things about it that are especially helpful or difficult? Let us know about your experiences in the comments below.

Related Articles:

If you enjoyed our article on dog seat car covers, also check out:

• The Safest, Crash-Tested Dog Carriers for Car Travel
• Best Portable Dog Grooming Tools (great for rinsing off your pooch before jumping into the car)
• How to Keep Your Dog Cool in the Car (good tips for summer road tripping with your fur-buddy)
• Best Cars and SUVs for Dog Owners (since we’re talking about cars, anyway…)