Dogs love riding in cars, but often the experience is less than stellar for the car itself – not to mention the human passengers that have to ride in it afterwards. Dog hair, tracked mud, drool, and worse offenders can ruin the upholstery in a car, leave unpleasant odors, and even damage the clothing of unwary passengers. Durable pet car seat covers can help protect your car while giving your pooch plenty of room to roam and get comfortable, and are vastly more effective than simply laying down a towel or a sheet.
Shop Pet Car Seat Covers:
The problem with just laying down any old piece of fabric in the back seat of your car is that as soon as your dog hops in, he’s going to start kicking it up and knocking it out of place. A big, well tucked-in sheet might stay put for a while, but the more your dog moves around, the more it’s going to get pulled out of place, and the less effective it’ll be. Pet car seat covers are specifically designed to attach to the seat of your car so they’ll stay in place, no matter how much your dog wiggles.
And unlike sheets and towels or blankets, pet car seat covers aren’t absorbent; they’re made of a durable, heavy duty, waterproof nylon fabric that repels liquids and keeps them from ever reaching your car seats, rather than slowly soaking through. Muddy footprints and accidental piddles won’t ever touch your car seats, and because pet car seat covers cover the entire back seat rather than just one spot, when you remove it (along with any messes) your whole back seat will still be pristine.
Better still, pet car seat covers are designed for exactly this kind of abuse, so most cleanings involve little more than a good wipe down with a damp cloth. That said, they are made of fabric and can be machine washed as needed, if they become heavily soiled. Because they’re waterproofed, they’re less likely to stain or discolor than other materials, but are still softer and more pleasant to the touch than something like a large tarp. Pet car seat covers are also very thick and tough, so they won’t tear if your pup tends to dig to get comfortable.
Some pet car seat covers are even designed to give a little extra protection to your dog. While most attach to the back of the seat they’re covering and simply drape down over the seat itself, some are designed to attach to the headrests of the front seats as well, creating a sort of sling or hammock between the back seat and the front seat. This simple design feature will keep your dogs from falling onto the floor at quick stops, and will keep them from climbing up into the front seat as well, so their muddy paws stay in one place and they won’t distract you while you’re driving.
Pet car seat covers aren’t just for the back seat, either – while front seat covers offer a little less coverage and protection if you have a dog that wanders, they’re more than adequate for a pooch that just wants to sit still and stick his head out the window. You can also find pet car seat covers that are for the back of a van or SUV rather than a seat, making it possible to bring your dog along even if all your car seats are occupied.
Pet car seat covers are mostly designed for people who like to go out and get messy with their dogs (or people who have particularly messy dogs!), but they can also be a life saver for occasional trips to the vet, especially if your cat or dog doesn’t handle anxiety well. A waterproof cover will prevent fear-induced messes from ruining your upholstery, and because they’re designed with small built-in slits for seat belts, you can easily secure a cat carrier or dog kennel in place, ensuring your pet’s safety without risking your seats.
Where do you like to take your dogs on car trips? And what’s the biggest mess they’ve ever tried to bring back with you?
