123RF (Andriy Popov) About to shed all over these seats.
One of the best reasons for getting a dog is that they travel better than other pets. They can carry themselves to the car and jump in under their own power. You can take them on hikes, out to the beach, or to the dog park. This, of course, comes with a drawback. You’re probably not going to wash your dog at the end of every adventure, so this will mean allowing a potentially sandy or muddy dog onto the upholstery of your car. In order for your dog and your car to coexist peacefully, use our list to choose the best dog hammock or car seat cover to keep things neat and clean.
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1. Solvit Waterproof Hammock Seat Cover for Pets
Pros:- Heavy duty polyester with waterproof backing
- Machine washable
- Attaches with adjustable straps and Sta-Put devices
- Storage pockets
Cons:- Seat belt openings don’t have a closure
- Straps a bit long
- Edges for the seatbelt opening a potential weak spot for tears
- Some reports of broken buckles
This nearly square hammock is a classic example of the style. It’s made of tough polyester with a waterproof backing that can still be thrown in the washing machine. It measures 56 by 57 inches and is held in place by four head rest straps and two Sta-Put devices that anchor it to the seat.
The two pockets can be used for treats or cleanup bags. If you have any trouble with it, Solvit offers a lifetime guarantee.
Find more Solvit Waterproof Hammock Seat Cover for Pets information and reviews here.
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2. Outward Hound Back Seat Hammock
Pros:- Flexible polyester material
- Folds flat
- Good coverage for the gap between the front seats
- Easy to install
Cons:- Not machine washable
- Not waterproof
- Some users report tears
- Not the most aesthetically pleasing option
If you’re looking for something a little cheaper and can forego the waterproofing, this simple hammock might be the one for you. It’s a simple sheet of 600 denier polyester with adjustable head rest loops.
This one reaches to the head rests on the front seats, which will help keep your dog in the back. This one measures 55 inches by 54 inches.
Compared to the price of a detail, this is very inexpensive, and our previous experience with Outward Hound products leads us to recommend this as a cheap and cheerful option.
Find more Outward Hound Back Seat Hammock information and reviews here.
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3. Elegant Comfort Quilted Design Bench Car Seat Protector
Pros:- Quilted texture microfiber fabric for maximum comfort
- Waterproof backing
- Machine washable
- Available in three colors to match upholstery
Cons:- Not a hammock — doesn’t keep dog out of the front or off the floor
- Won’t work in cars without head rests
- Fur can work its way into the microfiber and stay there even after cleaning
- Some think that it moves around too much despite the inclusion of bench ties
Maybe your dog would prefer something a little more plush. This features a very comfortable quilt pattern made of microfiber. It’s very soft and comfortable for long car rides. The potential drawback with this material is that fur can work its way into the weave and remain there even after a clean.
Still, that’s better than your upholstery, and since the backing of this is waterproof, this should go a long way to saving your car. It comes in three colors that are bound to blend in with a wide variety of car interiors — beige, black, and gray. This one measures 55 inches wide and the company will provide a refund if you find that it doesn’t fit.
Find more Elegant Comfort Quilted Design Bench Car Seat Protector information and reviews here.
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4. Gorilla Grip Non-Slip Pet Car Seat Protector
Pros:- Textured, waterproof underside keeps the cover in place
- Velcro-closing seatbelt covers
- Zipper allows it to covert one side for passenger use
- Machine washable
Cons:- Some reviews suggest that is isn’t waterproof as advertised, possibly because of the seams
- May not stand up to repeated machine washings
- Spot cleaning may be required to remove hair
- Textured backing makes a loud crinkling sound
At the time of this writing, this hammock-style protector is both the cheapest and by far the best value. The feature set on this one is also slightly expanded, making it a strong contender. In addition to the back being waterproof, it’s also textured for non-slip performance. Thanks to an included zipper, half of the cover can be converted so a passenger can ride.
Unlike some other models, the seatbelt openings are Velcro closed to keep hair from getting under the cover. This one measures 56 inches wide by 63 inches long and is backed by a 10 year guarantee. The regular price puts it right among the average price for these, but if you grab this one now, you could get a fantastic deal.
Find more Gorilla Grip Non-Slip Pet Car Seat Protector information and reviews here.
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5. Kurgo Wander Car Bench Seat Cover for Dogs
Pros:- Waterproof
- Velcro-closing seatbelt covers
- Machine washable
- Large storage pockets
Cons:- Not a hammock — doesn’t keep dog out of the front or off the floor
- Some reports that the waterproof backing peels off in time
- Some units have a strong smell that wears off over time
This Kurgo option conforms to the seat bench so keep it firmly in place. It has both a waterproof backing and Velcro to keep the seatbelt openings covered. This is the one I use in my Subaru Crosstrek, and being 55 inches wide, it’ll work in most applications aside from some full-size pickups. I’ve had mine for two years and it endures the abuse of two pit mixes and a husky mix daily.
Color options include Charcoal Grey, Black, Hampton Sand Khaki, Heather Charcoal, and Heather Nutmeg. Kurgo also makes a cover called the CoPilot for bucket seats, as well as a hammock, and zipline.
Find more Kurgo Wander Car Bench Seat Cover for Dogs information and reviews here.
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6. Dickies Black Heavy Duty Rear Bench Seat Protector
Pros:- Dickies toughness
- Water resistant
- Large enough for almost any application
- Machine washable
Cons:- Not full coverage
- Tethers not adjustable
- Top tethers hold fast, but bottom ones aren’t as tight in some applications
- No middle seat belt opening
If you already use any Dickies workwear, you’ll be well-acquainted with the wear-resistant materials the company uses. I had one of their work jackets for a decade with no signs of failure. This water resistant cover measures 69 inches by 57 inches and will give you basic protection against mud and fur.
The price is right, too. They make a matching bucket seat cover and floor mats.
If you have a bit more to spend, but want to keep it to a workwear brand you prefer, you might also consider the Carhartt Dog Seat Cover or the Carhartt SeatSaver Custom Covers, which are designed to fit certain vehicles.
Find more Dickies Black Heavy Duty Rear Bench Seat Protector information and reviews here.
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7. 4Knines Split Dog Seat Cover with Hammock
Pros:- Dual zippers allow for folding one side down or rear console use
- Waterproof
- Available in three colors
- Two sizes cover virtually all cars
Cons:- Expensive
- Might hang loose in some cars
- Some complaints about the seatbelt opening alignment
- No side flaps
If you plan to transport items with part of your back seat folded down in addition to your dog, you’ll want an adaptable solution. The Gorilla Grip above does this to some degree, but with two zippers, this version allows for 60/40 and 50/50 splits. It’s also padded and quilted for increased dog comfort.
The regular version is 54 inches wide while the extra large version covers 60 inches. As a nice bonus, Knines donates a dollar for every product sold to the ASPCA or other animal groups.
Find more 4Knines Split Dog Seat Cover with Hammock information and reviews here.
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8. Plush Paws Waterproof Cargo Liner
Pros:- Covers the entire cargo area and seat backs of SUVs and crossovers
- Waterproof
- Thick padding with non-slip bottom
- Machine washable
Cons:- Expensive
- Surface is somewhat slick
- No rubber back
When we recently rescued our third dog (protip: if you’re not actively looking for a new dog, don’t check your local shelter “just for fun” lest you end up with another dog!), my wife and I realized that the aforementioned Crosstrek might not cut it. If we want to transport our whole crew with gear for a camping trip, we’ll need to look into an SUV and utilize the generous cargo area.
This liner is made for just such a purpose, designed to look like plush (it’s right in the name) accommodations for any dog. This is a very thick quilted cover that reaches from the head rest of the back seats back to the extended bumper guard, measuring 66 inches long by 28 inches wide, not including the 20 inch flap. The extra large size measures 100 inches long by 66 inches wide. It also features a zipper so you can use the bench split while it’s in place.
Finally, it doesn’t rely on a rubber backing, which means it will stand up to sun and temperature changes better over time. You do have to pay a premium for a premium product, but it may be worth it.
Find more Plush Paws Waterproof Cargo Liner information and reviews here.
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9. K&H Manufacturing Quilted Cargo Cover
Pros:- Quilted comfort top
- Relatively inexpensive
- Adjustable Velcro straps
- Available in black, tan, and gray
Cons:- Probably not large enough for bigger vehicles
- Instructions call for you to place Velcro strips on the side of your car to keep the sides up
- May not be machine washable
You don’t have to spend that much to get basic yet comfortable protection for your cargo area. This K&H version is far cheaper, includes a pocket, and fastens to the side of the car using either Velcro or window suction cups to keep the sides in place.
The actual cargo floor area is 40.5 inches wide by 51 inches long, so it is better suited to smaller SUVs. You can go even simpler and less expensive with the K&H Manufacturing Economy Cargo Cover, which is the same size.
Find more K&H Manufacturing Quilted Cargo Cover information and reviews here.
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10. Urpower Dog Seat Cover
Pros:- Integrated side flaps protect doors and keep your dog in place
- Waterproof
- Machine washable
- Velcro-closing seatbelt covers
Cons:- On the small side
- May be better for smaller dogs
- Zippers work from the inside only
- Side flaps occasionally get caught in the door
For complete protection of your back seat, you may consider a design like this. The side flaps are integrated into the hammock to serve the dual purpose of protecting your doors and keeping small dogs in the car until you’re ready to take them out.
The stitched leather anchors that secure the adjustable straps have a nice look and are very durable. At the time of this writing, the price is significantly reduced, so you can get this 54 inch by 58 inch cover on the cheap.
The company also makes a standard hammock and a bucket seat cover to match.
Find more Urpower Dog Seat Cover information and reviews here.
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11. AmazonBasics Seat Cover for Pets
Pros:- Inexpensive
- Water resistant
- Easy to attach
Cons:- Not machine washable
- Not full coverage
- Fits loosely compared to higher-end options
Similar to the Dickies model above, Amazon offers a very simple and inexpensive pet seat cover. Available in a 56 inch by 47 inch bench cover and a 55 inch by 59 inch hammock style, these are simple black protectors that will provide a decent barrier to the dirt and detritus of dog ownership.
Find more AmazonBasics Seat Cover for Pets information and reviews here.
Dog Car Hammocks vs. Car Seat Covers
When people who don't own dogs think of car seat covers, they're most likely thinking of bucket seat covers which usually only become relevant after the car has seen some miles. Maybe you've bought a used car and the seats are torn and stained, or your older car's upholstery is starting to give up.
These sorts of seat covers are generally not meant to be taken off regularly; they're intended to permanently upgrade the look of the seats in a car where they aren't up to your standards. By contrast, dog car seat covers are usually used on a temporary basis only for trips where a dog is a passenger.
They're designed to be easy to remove so that the preserved seat underneath is usable by human occupants without fear of being covered in dog hair. In contrast to standard car seat covers, dog car seat covers typically go over upholstery that's still in good condition. If the upholstery was already beat, you likely wouldn't bother covering it in the first place.
In addition to being stronger, dog car seat covers tend to be waterproof, both for dogs that might have encountered water on their adventures and to protect against the potential for doggie accidents or vomiting. Typically, they're configured for fitting over the backseat of a vehicle, though in some of our selections above, matching bucket seat covers are available, as well.
Dog car hammocks perform essentially the same function as dog car seat covers, but they are also meant to provide another benefit: safety. By cradling your dog and corralling them into a confined space, a dog car hammock serves as both a seat cover and a dog car barrier.
This solution keeps your dog from climbing into the front seat or the rear wheel well, both of which can prevent an accident as well as prevent injury to your dog in the event of one. Some dogs have a hard time getting comfortable in a hammock, but they tend to be less fussy to deploy and do a decent job of protecting your seats.
Some of the options on our list lean toward seat covers, some lean toward hammocks, and some include a combination of both, depending on your needs.
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