Best Dog Car Seat Covers for 2024
<h2 class=”body-h2″>Things to Consider about Dog Seat Covers</h2><p>Pet-specific car seat covers are different than typical automotive seat covers. Before you spend way too much—or far too little—on one for your car, SUV, or truck, take some time to think about these factors.</p><h3 class=”body-h3″>Type</h3><p>Pet seat covers generally fall into two categories: <strong>bench seat covers</strong> and <strong>hammock-type covers</strong>. The bench type wraps and covers the backrest and seat, much like a typical car seat cover. Hammocks create a suspended “bed” that connects the front headrests to the rear headrests, containing your pet and all the stuff they bring into the car with them, from balls and toys to the messes they leave behind.</p><h3 class=”body-h3″>Fit</h3><p>While many covers claim to be universal, we recommend double-checking your seat’s measurements against the manufacturer’s information. Even then, curb your expectations of a “perfect” fit, especially for bench seat covers; a factory-spec fit and finish is just not going to happen.</p><h3 class=”body-h3″>Ease of Installation</h3><p>If you plan on switching cars regularly, we’d recommend a hammock-style seat cover, since they’re much easier to install and remove. If you always take your doggo out for rides in the same vehicle, then a wraparound bench seat cover may be worth the extra time it takes to install, since you won’t be removing it so regularly.</p><h3 class=”body-h3″>Materials</h3><p>Choosing a durable and easy-to-clean material is your best bet for longevity against course dog hair and sharp claws. Materials include Oxford cloth, polyester, Cordura, or canvas. Water-repellent is fantastic; waterproof material is even better. During our testing, we scrubbed each cover with a wire brush to assess durability, and they all held up pretty well. </p><h3 class=”body-h3″>Cleanability<br></h3><p>Most dog seat covers will be machine washable or, at least, hand washable. However, if you have a dog that really likes to get wet and muddy, we recommend a fully waterproof cover for easier spot cleaning. </p><hr><h2 class=”body-h2″>How We Evaluated Pet Car Seat Covers</h2><p class=”body-text”>We called in members of the <em>Car and Driver</em> staff’s furry families for true paws-on testing. We installed each pet car seat cover properly (some took more work than others), and only convinced the pets to hop on if they were 100 percent willing—a few treats worked wonders. </p><p class=”body-text”>Of course, we also got our hands on these covers to evaluate stain and scratch resistance with various liquids, a wire brush, and a wash cycle. Here are the full parameters:</p><ul><li><strong>Installation</strong></li><li><strong>Fit and Workmanship</strong></li><li><strong>Water Resistance</strong></li><li><strong>Stain Resistance</strong></li><li><strong>Scratch Resistance</strong> </li></ul><hr><h2 class=”body-h2″>The Best Dog Car Seat Covers, Tested</h2>”/>
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Katherine Keeler is an Assistant Testing Editor at Hearst Autos. By day she evaluates tools for your enjoyment; by night, she Frankenstein’s her ever changing fleet of rust-bucket-oddities back to repair. Her dream is to open a roadside attraction where the public can view, drive, and learn repairs at her emporium of curious cars.
Collin Morgan is a Commerce Editor at Hearst Autos, where the former Rust Belt mechanic and gadget enthusiast presents the best gear for your automotive endeavors.
Gannon Burgett loves cameras, cars, and coffee: a perfect combination for his Hearst Autos work. His byline has appeared in USA Today, Gizmodo, TechCrunch, Digital Trends, the Detroit Free Press, and more.
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