The 15 Best Dog Car Seats

Reviews

Best Overall: Bucket Booster Pet Seat by K&H

• 14.5″L x 22″W x 15.5″H Dimensions
• Polyurethane foam is used.

The K&H Bucket Booster Pet Seat raises your pet about 5 inches off the seat, giving them a greater perspective of their surroundings. This is our top overall choice for a dog car seat.

Your dog may remain comfortable in this seat while still looking out the window, which is something many dogs enjoy doing in the car. This will assist them in being calm and comfortable throughout the voyage.

The back of the booster is curved to fit snuggly against the seat of your vehicle. It can be utilized in either the back or the front seat.

By threading it through the nylon loops, your car’s seatbelt ties this booster to the seat from the bottom. This prevents it from moving when the automobile is going. The best part is that the cover is removable and machine washable.

When ordering this bed, make sure your dog can sleep down stretched out inside it comfortably. Some dogs can only sit in it, and if they try to lie down, their legs hang over the sides.

Pros

• Simple to set up
• Elevated so that dogs can look out the windows
• Ensured fit

Cons

• It is possible that the space is insufficient for dogs to fully lie down.

Best Value: Happy Ride Booster Seat by PetSafe

• 14″L x 12″W x 8″H Dimensions
• Polyester with microsuede.

The PetSafe Happy Ride Booster Seat is our top pick for the best value, and it comes in three sizes for your pup’s comfort. It has a microsuede cover and a quilted cushion liner for a really soft, cuddly feel.

Adjustable straps secure this seat to your car’s seat. It can be moved closer to the headrest to provide extra stability for your dog while in motion. Not sitting directly in your car seat may also help decrease motion sickness.

The harness of your dog can be hooked to the built-in tether on this seat. This should only be used with harnesses, not collars. Harnesses will keep dogs more steady and prevent neck problems.

This seat’s exterior shell is stain-resistant, and the inner is machine washable.

If your dog enjoys chewing, he or she may be able to gnaw through the straps that secure this to the car seat. Teething puppies have chewed through the straps in under 5 minutes.

Pros

• Material that is comfortable
• Motion sickness may be reduced.
• Liner is machine washable.

Cons

• Straps can be bitten through easily.

Best Car Seat for Small Dogs: Vehicle Booster Seat from Animal Planet

• Size: 13.5″L x 10.5″W x 8.25″H
• Material: Polyester

Because of their fragility, small dogs are more likely to be hurt in an automobile collision. When constructing a safe area for your dog to be protected on the road, the developer of Animal Planet Vehicle Booster Seat had this in mind.

The elevated seat has a machine washable Sherpa cushion, making it ideal for your dog to settle in for lengthy vehicle drives. For increased security, the adjustable tether attaches to your dog’s harness.

When not in use, the seat can be uninstalled and compressed for easy storage. It’s simple to set up and utilize when you’re ready. It is attached to the car seat directly with straps around the headrest, rather than via threading the seatbelt through the bottom. The straps can be adjusted to provide a better view out the windows for your dog.

This seat is suitable for dogs weighing up to 12 pounds.

Pros

• Cushion is machine washable.
• Simple to set up
• Folds up for storage

Cons

• Not intended for dogs weighing more than 12 pounds.

Travel Booster Seat Jespet

• 16″L x 13″W x 9″H Dimensions
• Material: Fleece

The elevated Jespet Travel Booster Seat provides your dog with an excellent view of the surroundings. This seat is intended for dogs weighing up to 24 pounds. This seat is secured to the headrest and seat back by two adjustable straps, and it is further stabilized by the car’s seatbelt. A tether that can be linked to your dog’s harness is included.

The fleece liner is nice and cozy, however it can only be cleaned on the spot. The pad cover is detachable but not machine washable. There includes a front zipped compartment for storing your dog’s belongings while on the run.

With repeated use, the straps have been observed to snap. Because this seat has a weight limit, dogs weighing more than 24 pounds should not use it.

Pros

• Lining is soft.
• Tether harness for further security
• Zippered storage compartment

Cons

• Cannot be used for dogs weighing more than 24 pounds.
• Straps may become frayed over time.

Heather Kurgo Dog Booster Seat

• 16″L x 13″W x 9″H Dimensions
• Material: Polyester

The elevated Kurgo Dog Booster Seat is simple to install and designed for dogs weighing up to 30 pounds. It includes internal metal supports to ensure a sturdy structure that will not collapse as dogs rest their heads on the walls. It is seatbelt compatible and may be placed on any bucket seat.

When not in use, the seat compresses and can be stored. It contains storage pockets so your dog may take their favorite items on the go with them.

Both the liner and the pad may be removed, machine washed, and air dried. The outside of this seat should only be spot-cleaned.

Pros

• Metal braces
• Simple to set up
• Both the liner and the pad are machine washable.
• Supports dogs weighing up to 30 pounds

Cons

• Only the outer material can be spot-cleaned.

Bucket Seat Booster for Pets

• 20″L x 17″W x 11″H Dimensions
• Polyester and plastic materials

The Pet Gear Bucket Seat Booster’s elevated design sits on your car seat, allowing you easy access to your dog. The seatbelt buckles beneath this seat, securing it. Harnesses can be fitted to the four tethers provided.

This seat has a comfy cushion and a machine-washable cover. It takes seconds to install.

It is also available in a variety of colors and two sizes to suit your dog’s demands. The raised design allows your dog to look out the window while being entertained.

The main difficulty with this seat is that it does not rest flush on contoured or curved seats. If this is the case, it may rock back and forth.

Pros

• Cover is machine washable.
• Simple to set up
• elevated design

Cons

• It will not fit flush against curved automobile seats.

PupBoost Car Seat by Outward Hound

• 17″L x 15″W x 7″H Dimensions
• Material: Nylon

The Outward Hound PupBoost Car Seat’s adjustable straps allow it to fit in most vehicles, including vans and SUVs. This seat is fitted on the headrest and around the top of a vehicle seat to keep pet hair and muddy paws out of the inside.

There are safety straps available to attach to your dog’s harness. When not in use, it can be removed and folded flat for storage.

The seat cannot be machine washed. If it becomes soiled, it can only be spot-cleaned. The front straps can obstruct your dog’s view and provide something for them to gnaw on. If your dog chews, he or she may be able to destroy them.

For enhanced comfort, a blanket or towel can be placed on the seat’s bottom.

Pros

• Interior car protection
• Most automobiles are compatible.

Cons

• Only spot-clean
• Straps are edible.

Kong Protective Booster Seat

• 9″L x 15.5″W x 11″H Dimensions
• Material: Cotton

The cushioned Kong Secure Booster Seat fits most vehicles and is simple to install. Everything you need to bring for your dog will be conveniently stored in the side pockets. This seat can accommodate dogs weighing up to 26 pounds.

It can be used on any seat as long as there is a headrest to hold the straps in place. The raised design allows your dog to gaze out the window until they feel like taking a nap on the soft, padded cushion.

The seat’s interior is machine washable. When not in use, the seat can be easily removed and stowed.

Pros

• Pockets for storage
• Simple to set up
• Interior is machine washable.

Cons

• Expensive

Buyer's Guide: Choosing the Best Dog Car Seat

Is a Car Seat Required for My Dog?

If your dog is loose in your automobile, both of you are at risk. In the event of a collision, your dog could be flung around and hurt. Aside from that, opening your door is dangerous since your dog may bolt. The safest approach to travel with them is to keep them in the car until you’re ready to take them out.

Even if your dog is normally well-behaved, they may encounter something that frightens them or stimulates their prey drive. This can cause them to frantically bounce around the car, which can surprise and scare you while driving. Driving with an unattended dog in the car is unlawful in some locations.

What Factors Should Be Considered

When selecting the best car seat for your dog, there are a few factors to consider. These can assist you in sorting through all of the available possibilities.

• Convenience

The seat should be simple to assemble and install. This ease of use will influence whether or not you utilize it, unless you leave it in the car permanently. If it’s difficult to set up, you won’t want to do it every time you have to drive your dog.

• Durability

The materials utilized to build the seats should be long-lasting and durable. Polypropylene, polyester, foam, metal, and plastic are all ideal materials to look for in the design of your dog car seat.

• Protection

It is critical to emphasize the safety aspects. For added security, the seat should be comfortable and feature a tether or leash to link to your dog’s harness. The seat should be secured to the interior of your vehicle, either with adjustable straps or by using your seatbelt.

The built-in tether should only be used with a harness. Attaching a collar to your dog’s neck may cause damage. The harness will secure their entire body and prevent any harm to their head or spine. If your dog becomes locked and unable to move, attaching a collar to the tether creates a choking threat. Use a harness in a car seat for your dog only.

• Comfort

The key to making your dog like their car seat is comfort. These seats are typically composed of soft materials such as fleece. If the seat isn’t plush enough, add a blanket for more comfort. They should be able to easily fit within the seat, with enough space to lie down or sit up and gaze out the window.

Your dog will be stressed in the car if they feel too constrained.

• Cleaning

Some car seats have removable and machine-washable inner linings. Others are merely spot-clean. Consider how much time your dog will spend in the car seat and how frequently you will need to clean it. If your dog sheds or drools a lot, you might consider investing in a machine-washable model.

• What Should I Do With the Car Seat?

The back seat is the most secure location for your dog’s car seat. You can keep an eye on them in the rearview mirror if you put them in the back on the passenger side or the middle seat.

Keep your dog in the row closest to you if your car has three rows of seats.

Many models allow you to place the car seat in the front seat, however this poses a risk due to the airbag system. If an accident occurs with deployed airbags, they can injure your dog more than the collision itself.

If your automobile has an airbag system that cannot be switched off, your dog should always ride in the rear seat.

Conclusion

K&H Bucket Booster Pet Seat is our favorite dog car seat. It’s a safe, comfy, and machine-washable seat. It allows canines to see the outside world while they travel.

The PetSafe Happy Ride Booster Seat is our top value pick. It can help some dogs reduce motion sickness, but it also contains straps that can be easily chewed through.

If your dog does not chew, this is the best option. BestForPets (bestforpets.org) hopes you enjoyed our assessments of the 10 best dog car seats.

We wish you success picking a model for your cat’s needs.