11 Best Dog Car Barriers: Compare, Buy & Save

1. 1. Travall Guard Car Pet Barrier

   Price: $250.00

   Amazon Customer Reviews

   Shop at Amazon
   Pros:

   • Custom fit to your car
   • Ultra durable steel construction
   • Relatively quick and easy installation
   • Lifetime warranty

   Cons:

   • Pricy
   • Subject to availability for your specific car model
   • Assembly instructions somewhat lacking

   If none of these cheaper, more flexible options will work for your very determined dog, you’ll have to look into something a bit more custom and higher end. Though expensive, these Travall barriers fit perfectly into the space in your specific vehicle, providing no gaps through which your dog can sneak. The all-steel construction means that they can make a hobby of chewing on or clawing at it without causing any damage.

   Simply match the model to your model of car and you’ll be good to go. The wire is thin enough that any obstruction to your view should be minimal, although this does have quite a severe cage look. Still, with the custom fit, these look like they came with your vehicle. Most hatchbacks, SUVs, and trucks are covered, but be sure to choose your proper model year when you buy.

   Find more Travall Guard Pet Barrier information and reviews here.

2. 2. Bushwhacker Paws n Claws Deluxe Car Dog Barrier

   Price: $99.95

   Amazon Customer Reviews

   Shop at Amazon
   Pros:

   • Full coverage for most vehicles
   • Half inch metal tubing frame prevents escape
   • Durable screen material

   Cons:

   • Not adjustable
   • Screen can tear
   • More difficult to remove frequently

   This option offers a combination of the strength of metal with the rattle-free advantages of fabric. This is a full-coverage unit that even provides a barrier on the sides where others might not.

   A half inch metal bar forms the outside frame, reinforcing the overall strength and preventing dogs from trying to sneak around the edges. The mesh may still tear, but this is certainly an improvement over the mesh-only options.

   They make it in both this 50 inch size for most cars and SUVs, as well as a 56 inch model for larger vehicles.

   Find more Bushwhacker Paws n Claws Deluxe Dog Barrier information and reviews here.

3. 3. Kurgo Backseat Car Pet Barrier

   Price: $53.12

   Amazon Customer Reviews

   Shop at Amazon
   Pros:

   • Universal fit
   • Relatively easy installation
   • Flexible enough for varied seat configurations
   • Lifetime warranty

   Cons:

   • Doesn’t extend to the sides
   • Some dogs may climb over it
   • Strap length requires some adjustment the first time
   • Metal supports occasionally rip through material

   This all-purpose option from Kurgo splits the difference on a lot of designs you’ll see both on this list and elsewhere. It’s a fairly large barrier meant specifically to close up the gap between the seats. The large size and long straps mean it will work for a very wide variety of vehicles. As a matter of fact, this is the one I use in my Subaru Crosstrek to contain my three hellions.

   Once installed, it’s very easy to live with, though the initial installation took a little bit of figuring out because of those long straps. Though my husky sometimes likes to invite himself into the front either by squeezing through the sides or over the top, this is very rare and has cut down our near-accidents considerably.

   There are metal supports around the edges, which is both good and bad; the good part is that it helps maintain shape, though these metal rods occasionally tear free. This should be covered by Kurgo’s warranty, however, and in the year and a half I’ve been using it, I haven’t noticed any such issue. On the whole, I’m happy with it.

   Find more Kurgo Backseat Dog Car Barrier information and reviews here.

4. 4. MidWest Pet Wire Mesh Car Pet Barrier

   Price: $71.76

   Amazon Customer Reviews

   Shop at Amazon
   Pros:

   • Very durable
   • Widely adjustable to fit more vehicles
   • Rubber molding around exterior protects surfaces of your car
   • Minimal visibility obstruction

   Cons:

   • Somewhat tricky installation
   • May not fit all cars perfectly
   • May be incompatible with plastic cargo trays
   • Some issues with rattling

   If you have your dog in your car all the time, or perhaps often transport animals you don’t know, you’ll want to look into something pretty substantial to perform this job. This model is one of the most common for this purpose, utilizing a mixture of five and nine gauge wire to form a durable metal mesh barrier. The support rods are shipped inside the frame itself, so it’s a relatively quick job to adjust the height to work with your vehicle.

   The sides are adjustable as well and will fit the majority of crossovers, hatchbacks, and SUVs. The mesh is finished in satin black to reduce glare while driving. True, it does make your car look a little bit more like a police cruiser than you’d probably like, but you can be sure your dog will remain in the backseat or cargo area at all times.

   MidWest also makes the tubular-style barrier, but more on that in a moment.

   Find more MidWest Pet Wire Mesh Car Barrier information and reviews here.

5. 5. PetSafe Solvit Tubular Car Pet Barrier

   Price: $64.95

   Amazon Customer Reviews

   Shop at Amazon
   Pros:

   • Sturdy metal construction
   • Rubberized parts cut down on rattling noises
   • Easy to remove
   • Adjustable

   Cons:

   • Somewhat tricky assembly
   • May not tighten enough to contain persistent dogs
   • Not large enough for minivans

   As I said above, the tubular style of barriers provides a different solution to the issue of durability with non-metal versions. Unlike the wire mesh, the visibility with these is just a bit better, while the quick disconnect clamps make it easy to remove it when not in use.

   This particular model expands to fit openings 32 to 49 inches high and 33 to 57 inches wide. This probably won’t do the job in minivans and the largest of SUVs, but should work just find in crossovers and hatchbacks.

   Find more PetSafe Solvit Tubular Car Pet Barrier information and reviews here.

6. 6. Alfie Pet by Petoga Couture Darby Car Net Mesh Barrier

   Price: $7.99

   Amazon Customer Reviews

   Shop at Amazon
   Pros:

   • Very simple to install
   • Cheap and cheerful option
   • Very flexible and stretchy
   • Likely to provide some benefit in almost any vehicle

   Cons:

   • Not enough for most dogs
   • Larger dogs likely to jump over it
   • May not cover enough area for larger cars

   If you have a small or reasonably well behaved dog, you might be able to get by with something very simple — and therefore cheap. This mesh net barrier is very similar to the cargo nets some SUVs come with for groceries.

   Simply clip the straps wherever they’ll hold and stretch it across the opening between the seats. Super easy to use and worth it if your dog just needs a gentle reminder to stay off the center console.

   Find more Alfie Pet by Petoga Couture Darby Car Net Mesh Barrier information and reviews here.

7. 7. Solvit Front Seat Net Car Pet Barrier

   Price: $27.99

   Amazon Customer Reviews

   Shop at Amazon
   Pros:

   • Easy installation
   • Metal coil frame folds down for easy storage
   • Ample coverage area
   • Allows air to pass through easily

   Cons:

   • May contain persistent dogs
   • Hinders visibility somewhat
   • Plastic center rod may snap
   • Works best in vehicles with a tall center console

   Another simple and relatively inexpensive solution, this barrier will work best for dogs who just need the visual cue to remain in the backseat. This is very light and can be twisted down for storage, which has the side effect of not being as durable as some other options.

   You should consider this one if your dog is well behaved for the most part but occasionally obstructs your view by standing on the center console or sneaking into the front seat. For a lot of dogs, this will be enough, but if you’ve got a bruiser like my boys, you’ll probably want something more substantial.

   Find more Solvit Front Seat Net Pet Barrier information and reviews here.

8. 8. Highland Black Universal Car Pet Barrier

   Price: $42.99

   Amazon Customer Reviews

   Shop at Amazon
   Pros:

   • Easy assembly
   • Low noise and rattling
   • Larger than other options with an extension kit available
   • Doesn’t hinder visibility

   Cons:

   • May not tighten enough to contain persistent dogs
   • Lackluster installation instructions
   • Can be difficult to get the height just right

   For another take on the tubular design, consider this model. Compared to the Solvit above, it’s a little less complicated and wider overall. It can be adjusted to 45 inches tall and 65 inches wide. If you need it to be taller, you can buy an extension kit. Like the Solvit, though, it won’t stand up to dogs who are determined to push it over, but still makes a nice lightweight option for most dogs.

   There’s a very similar Reese Explore option that is cheaper at the time of this writing, but the Highland one has a deeper history of reviews for you to consider before buying.

   Find more Highland Black Universal Pet Barrier information and reviews here.

9. 9. Bergan Pet Travel Barrier

   Price: $25.00

   Amazon Customer Reviews

   Shop at Amazon
   Pros:

   • Easy installation
   • No visibility obstruction
   • Ventilation window
   • Flexible enough for varied seat configurations

   Cons:

   • Some dogs will be tempted to go over the top of it
   • Thin mesh sections may be easily torn
   • Not the largest option on the market

   Again for mostly well-behaved dogs, this barrier focuses on maintaining clear line-of-sight for the driver and proper ventilation for the pup. The mesh screens won’t block air conditioning or heating from reaching the back seat as some more full-coverage options might.

   The top seam can be pulled tight and creates a very effective barrier for the most part. Again, if your dog is destructive, you’ll want to look to the metal options.

   This is great for catching your dog during a hard stop and will work perfectly in combination with a harness. For a few dollars less, you could also try this Lifepul option.

    

   Find more Bergan Pet Travel Barrier information and reviews here.

10. 10. Zone Tech Net Pet Car Barrier

    Price: $18.99

    Amazon Customer Reviews

    Shop at Amazon
    Pros:

    • Easy to install
    • Full coverage on most vehicles
    • Taller than many options
    • Inexpensive

    Cons:

    • Very thin
    • Definitely won’t work on destructive dogs
    • Could possibly be too large in some settings

    This simple option addresses a problem often seen in other net-style barriers: they aren’t tall enough. A lot of them don’t extend close enough to the car ceiling or the floor, which means your dog will find away over or under it. Now, true, this won’t do anything for a dog who wants to just go through it, but it’s a very inexpensive option that will keep your dog from whining directly into your ear as you drive.

    It’s very easy to install and remove, of course. It’s basically the polar opposite of the Travall above, but addresses a specific slice of the market just looking for something large enough.

    Find more Zone Tech Pet Car Net Barrier information and reviews here.

11. 11. Zoie + Chloe Car & Truck Window Pet Gate

    Price: $11.49

    Amazon Customer Reviews

    Shop at Amazon
    Pros:

    • Great for venting
    • Keeps your dog’s head inside the vehicle
    • Folds up flat
    • Made of sturdy polypropylene

    Cons:

    • Must be combined with another option on this list
    • May not work in vehicles with curved windows
    • May be shorter than some windows require
    • Window must still be rolled up most of the way

    In addition to a barrier to keep your dog out of the front of the car, you might also want to keep them inside the car when the windows are down. We all know the horror stories of leaving your dog in a car with the windows up in warm weather.

    This product will alleviate that concern, without causing another issue of either escape or random strangers reaching into your vehicle. Some dogs are relentless about hanging their heads out the window while you’re driving, which is both dangerous and not altogether that good for them.

    This is a simple collapsible barrier that fits into your window tracks. It expands to fit most applications, though particularly long windows will results in a relatively small opening. For the average car, though, this is a novel solution that will solve another problem of traveling in cars with dogs.

     

    Find more Zoie + Chloe Car & Truck Window Pet Gate information and reviews here.

What Is a Dog Car Barrier?

Whether it's an inexpensive net or a custom metal divider, dog car barriers create an impassible fence that keeps your dog from climbing in the front seat. They're generally designed to let as much air flow through as possible without making it easy for your dog to stick their head through or pull the barrier down.

These are best for larger, stronger dogs that can easily step from the back seat onto the center console and invite themselves up front, but certainly they can work for any dog and even cats.

What Other Dog Car Safety Products Exist?

There are various ways to solve the issue of your dog moving around the car when you want them to stay put. A post on PetMD explains the various scenarios in which you might want to use each of them.

Larger dogs tend to be quite strong, so you'll want to go with a robust car divider like the Travall barrier. In some cases, you might be able to get away with a dog car hammock that also protects the backs of your front seats, like the Outward Hound Automobile Back Seat Hammock Protector. These create something of a barrier between the seats and may be enough.

For small dogs, a dog car seat is probably a better option because they also double as boosters that allow them to look out the window without putting their paws on the doorsills.

Any dog who is comfortable wearing a harness can also make use of a dog seat belt, which have the added bonus of keeping your dog in the car until you're ready, even if the door opens.

If your dog is truly unruly, the only good option is to put them in a hard-sided dog crate for their safety.

See Also:

• Best Dog Car Seats

• Best Dog Car Hammocks & Seat Covers

• Best Quality Dog Crates

• Best Dog Seat Belts