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Aidan Pounder is a Motor1 product tester who has written reviews spanning from tonneau covers to rooftop cargo boxes. If he’s not burning through the clutch on his 2003 Ford Focus Zx3, you’ll find him keeping up with the latest happenings in the world of European football. Cat Kneading Blanket
A well-made dog seat cover designed for your backseat.
A high-quality seat cover that allows you to keep your pooch in sight.
A heavy-duty dog seat cover that prioritizes longevity and robustness.
A quality dog seat cover that won’t slide or move while you’re on the road.
A low-cost, yet robust back seat protector that’s fully waterproof.
Dog seat covers are one the most useful pet products that you can purchase. The best car seat covers for dogs protect your car seats from muddy pawprints and excess dog hair. All of the covers in this article are designed to be used in the backseat , though there are a few front seat covers on the market too.
If you feel that a dog seat cover won’t provide the comfort or protection your dog needs, then check out our picks for the best dog car seats below. These products offer sturdier and more robust protection for your best friend.
To help you find the best car seat covers for your dogs and vehicles, our team spent time testing a variety of options. We’ve narrowed the list down to our six favorites and provided recommendations for covers with different uses and price points.
Based on a high volume of positive consumer feedback and our own personal experience using these seat covers, we assessed each cover in rating categories including ease of installation, protection level, and fit.
According to these criteria, the best car seat covers for dogs are the Meadowlark XL Premium Dog Hammock, Vailge Dog Seat Cover, ViewPets Bench Car Seat Cover, Active Pets Car Seat Cover, and the Lusso Gear Car Seat Cover.
The table below highlights the car seat covers’ performance in each review category :
The dog seat covers in this article went through two rounds of reviews. We started by searching retailers like Amazon, RealTruck, and Advance Auto Parts for top products, looking at factors such as shipping costs, product features, customer ratings, and prices.
Our product testing team then ordered the car seat covers for dogs that best met these standards. A team member tested each product, noting how well the dog seat covers fit, protected the vehicle, and their ease of installation. Each dog seat cover was given a rating out of 5.0 stars based on these criteria.
The sections below detail the assessment process for each testing category:
Each year, we test over 350 auto products on vehicles and in our testing lab. Our team of product testers thoroughly researches top products, unboxes and puts our hands on each component, and tests the items on real vehicles before making recommendations to readers.
We publish hundreds of product and service reviews to bring car enthusiasts detailed guides on automotive tools, detailing kits, car seats, pet products, and much more. For more information on our testing methodology and how we evaluate every product, check out our methodology page here .
After we tested several options ranging in price, we determined that Meadowlark offers the best dog car seat cover with the XL Premium Dog Hammock because it features water-resistant layers, provides full coverage of your vehicle’s back seat, and is even machine-washable.
While the Meadowlark XL Premium Dog Hammock is the best-rated seat cover for dogs overall, the best car seat cover for you, your dog(s), and your vehicle(s) will depend on your needs and budget. In the table below, you can compare the top 10 car seat covers for dogs on our list:
*Because cost data fluctuates, the prices in the table above are approximate values that our team regularly updates.
For those interested in learning more, we’ve provided a detailed review of each of the top dog covers for car seats in the sections below:
Made from four layers of high-quality materials, the Meadowlark XL Premium Hammock Cover is designed with double-stitched and water-resistant layers to provide heavy-duty comfort and protection. A middle zipper allows you to sit passengers and pups together while velcro seat belt openings allow you to keep your passengers just as safe as your dog.
This cargo liner-style dog seat cover is universal fit, meaning it will fit most larger cars, SUVs, and trucks. Between a non-slip backing and seat anchors, which are essentially just PVC pipe on a strap, this dog seat cover won’t slip or slide at all.
You can see how the Meadowlark Dog Hammock performed in each category below:
Ease of Installation: This dog seat cover was incredibly easy to install. We simply laid out the cover in the backseat, tucked the seat anchors in, and buckled the adjustable straps around the headrests.
Protection: Due to the Meadowlark cover having a hammock-style design, absolutely every square inch of the backseat that was accessible to our testing dog, Beau, was protected by this cover.
Fit: Although this cover provided absolute coverage over our testing vehicle’s backseat, it was by no means ill-fitting. Every piece of fabric was pressed tightly against the backseat and it didn’t bunch up at all even with Beau walking around.
A huge number of customers mention how quick and easy it is to install this dog car hammock in their backseat. An individual reviewer claims she owns a Pit Bull and Boxer mix that is over 50.0 pounds of pure muscle and even he hasn’t damaged the cover.
The Vailge Dog Seat Cover comes in two sizes: standard and X-large. This dog seat cover can convert between a dog car hammock and a standard bench seat cover to allow you to add space for children in car seats and other passengers in your rear seats. This backseat dog hammock has two waterproof layers, one of which is made from Oxford fabric while the other is made from thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).
The side flaps featured on the hammock-style conversion of the dog cover ensure you won’t damage your seats or car doors while loading your dog in. A mesh window allows your furry best friend to keep you in eyesight, which ultimately keeps your pet safe and anxiety-free on car rides. Four headrest straps and a non-slip backing ensure this machine-washable seat cover doesn’t slide and injure your dog while on the move.
You can see how the Vailge Dog Seat Cover performed in each category below:
Ease of Installation: Our review team had no issues installing this dog cover, as it required a similar installation process to the easiest-to-install covers.
Protection: This cover would offer absolute protection if not for the mesh window featured on it. While we’re big fans of the mesh window as it allows your dog to remain in eyesight, we feel it’s our duty to note that it leaves your backseat prone to messes if the dog has an accident or knocks over a water bowl.
Fit: We had no issues with the fit of the dog seat cover. It was secure, tightly fitting, and didn’t leave any upholstery exposed in the backseat of our testing vehicle.
Many customers note that they have a puppy and that this specific pet seat cover works well for them as a mesh window allows the pup to keep its owner in sight. An individual review states this cover kept his two dogs safe when he hydroplaned and crashed his car.
The ViewPets Bench Car Seat Cover is a quilted scratch-proof and waterproof dog seat cover that acts as a seat protector against dog scratches, fur, dirt, and urine. This bench seat cover is easy to clean with a damp cloth or with a vacuum – and is even machine-washable. A universal size means the backseat cover will fit most cars and vehicles.
Seat anchors, a non-slip backing made from mesh, and side flaps provide complete coverage over your backseat and a happy ride for your four-legged companion. To install this dog seat cover, simply tuck in the seat anchors and wrap the straps over the corresponding headrests and seat corners.
You can see how the ViewPets Bench Car Seat Cover performed in each category below:
Ease of Installation: This dog seat cover was quite easy to install. Although it wasn’t as easy to install as some other covers we researched and tested, it caused us no issues while setting up in the backseat of our testing vehicle.
Protection: Offering nearly absolute protection over the backseat of our testing vehicle, we really liked the coverage this dog seat cover provides. The only reason this cover lost points was its inability to provide you the option to buckle it against the front seat headrests as well as the backseat headrests.
Fit: Fit was never a concern of ours while we installed and tested this dog seat cover with the help of our testing pup, Beau. The cover had a nice tight fit over the backseat of our testing vehicle with little to no bunching.
A large number of reviewers speak to the latch system that makes securing and installing this dog seat cover that much easier. Many reviewers note how heavy-duty the cover is and the quality of the velcro side flaps for accommodating the seat belt latch. Negative reviews complain that the cover doesn’t fit their vehicle.
The Active Pets Car Seat Cover is the number one bestseller on Amazon for the company’s “Dog Car Seat Covers” category. This pet seat cover is a universal fit, but it comes in two sizes: standard and X-large. The standard size is best for compact cars and cars, while the X-large size is best for SUVs and trucks. Regardless of sizing, we think this is the Best Dog Car Seat Cover for Leather Seats due to its full coverage of the backseat.
The seat cover itself is made from Oxford cotton so it’s easy to vacuum and will keep your dog comfortable on long car rides. Two seat anchors and a non-slip rubber backing ensure this pet car seat cover won’t slip or slide around, even on bumpy rides. It should be noted that this seat cover comes in several color options to allow you to personalize the interior of your vehicle.
You can see how the Active Pets Car Seat Cover performed in each category below:
Ease of Installation: Installing this dog seat cover wasn’t very problematic, and the process went pretty smoothly. In comparison to a few other covers we tested, it was slightly more difficult to install – but it was by no means an arduous process.
Protection: Our review team really likes the level of protection that this dog seat cover offers as it has four headrest anchors, two for the front seat and two for the back. This ultimately means it provides nearly complete coverage over your backseat, although the cover did lose points for the size and shape of the side flaps.
Fit: While we were fans of the level of protection this dog seat cover offers, we didn’t entirely love how it fit in our testing vehicle. We felt there was too much extra material that was bunching up rather than lying flat and tight against the backseat.
A large number of customers note the non-slip rubber bottom helps prevent your dog from slipping and getting injured while you’re driving. Many reviewers note the nice fit in their vehicle. Negative reviews complain about issues with durability and longevity.
The Lusso Gear Car Seat Cover is a back seat protector with four layers of padded protection. It is easy to install, and the non-slip cover secures firmly using anchors and elastic straps. The high-density foam padding offers excellent protection from any scratches or scuffs, and the material is fully waterproof.
You can see how the Lusso Gear Car Seat Cover performed in each category below:
The Lusso Gear cover is one of the easier-to-install car seat covers, though it doesn’t extend to the backs of the front seats as do some larger options. It stands out as being fully waterproof and is made of high-quality materials with a lower price tag.
Ease of Installation: Following the installation instructions was simple, and it took us only a couple of minutes to install. The elastic straps slipped easily over the corners of our back seat bench, while clips at the top allowed us to secure this cover behind the headrests.
Protection: While not the thickest of the pet seat covers we tested, the four-layer design is still thick and feels well-padded. This cover does not extend to the backs of the front seats.
Fit: The cover is tight-fitting, and the anti-slip backing works well to keep the cover in place.
Reviewers like that this cover is machine-washable and that their pets don’t slip on the material. Most say this cover is exceptionally easy to install.
A couple of reviewers found it difficult to get their seatbelts through the seatbelt opening. Though advertised as a universal fit, the seatbelt openings may not align perfectly with every car.
Designed to be compatible with the middle seat belt and armrests, the YesYees Waterproof Dog Car Seat Cover features two zippers to allow you to unzip the cover and expose either the middle seat belt and/or the armrest. This machine-washable car seat protector will fit most standard vehicles and includes side flaps for exhaustive backseat coverage.
This bench-style dog seat cover is made from a durable material that claims to be both waterproof and tear-resistant, while the non-slip bottom is made from mesh to keep your dog happy and safe on car rides. This dog seat cover can be easily installed by snapping buckle straps around the back headrests, tucking in seat anchors, and securing the elastic straps around seat corners.
You can see how the YesYees Waterproof Car Seat Cover performed in each category below:
Ease of Installation: When trying to install the cover with the backseat center console and cup holder down, we found the installation process to be slightly more time-consuming than any other cover we tested.
Protection: We were satisfied with the level of protection this cover provided. However, due to its loose fit in our testing vehicle, the cover bunched up in a way that meant we couldn’t completely cover the backseat of our testing vehicle.
Fit: The cover bunched up and never truly lay flat against our testing vehicle’s backseat. Additionally, unzipping the middle section of this cover left even more unused and unnecessary material bunching up.
A large number of reviewers note how useful the zippers are to allow for the seat rest and cup holders to be unzipped and deployed. Quite a few customers mention the quality of the seat cover itself.
The best dog seat covers are ultimately what works best for your dog and your vehicle. The material of your pet seat cover undoubtedly plays a role in how long the cover lasts, but the cover that keeps your backseat best protected and your dog happiest is the way to go.
When choosing car accessories for your animal to ride as a passenger, the goal is to protect as much of your vehicle’s interior as possible. A hammock seat cover is the best version of this, as it drapes over the back of the front seats. Some bench seats come with this option, but many just cover the rear passenger area.
Anything waterproof is the best seat cover material that you could ask for. Waterproof cover materials include canvas, some polyester blends, vinyl, and more. Covers for dogs should also be simple to clean and not tear easily.
Dog owners should also look for these attributes when shopping for a car seat cover:
Getting dog hair off of your car seats can be a bit of a pain. Although we recommend investing in a car seat cover for your dog to protect your car seats in the first place, that isn’t always possible.
In that case, grab a car vacuum or shop vac and begin removing as much dog hair as you can with any included nozzle attachments at your disposal. If you’re still not happy with the state of your car seats, then you may need to purchase a steam cleaner for cars to truly remove all of the hair (and any odors that may come with that dog hair).
Car seat covers for dogs prevent any dirt, debris, or hair from dirtying the back of your vehicle that your dog tracks in from the outdoors. The best seat covers for dogs should keep your pet secure and relaxed in your vehicle, while also preventing any cosmetic damage or staining to your car. Our team researched, selected, and tested the best car seat covers for dogs that are waterproof, non-slip, and easy to install.
Below are our picks for the best car seat covers for dogs in 2023:
Below are some common frequently asked questions about seat covers for dogs:
Yes, a good dog car seat cover works. In our experience, dog seat covers protect the upholstery in your vehicle, cloth seats from being torn up, leather seats from being damaged, and they keep all of your pet hair in one convenient place, making cleaning up easier.
After researching and testing a number of different dog seat covers, our expert review team came to the conclusion that the best dog seat cover is the Meadowlark XL Premium Dog Hammock .
Canine nails can scratch and tear leather upholstery in cars. A pet cargo cover is one way to protect your vehicle from damage.
Dog hammocks that cover that attach to the rear of the front seats are usually better at protecting a car’s interior than bench covers. One of our top picks for pet supplies is the Meadowlark Dog Hammock .
*Data accurate at time of publication. Products subject to availability.
Aidan Pounder is a Motor1 product tester who has written reviews spanning from tonneau covers to rooftop cargo boxes. If he’s not burning through the clutch on his 2003 Ford Focus Zx3, you’ll find him keeping up with the latest happenings in the world of European football.
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