Best Dog Car Seat | 4 Pet Booster Car Seats Reviewed for 2018
Learning how to choose the best dog car seat is undoubtedly important for the safety of your dog.
Most dogs love to go for a ride in the car, but having a dog in the car unrestrained poses dangers for everyone. A car seat for dogs is a great option so you and your pet are secure.
Later in this article, we will provide in-depth reviews of some of the best dog booster seats. But first, let’s review why you should have a car seat for your dog in the first place.
Why Do I Need to Use a Dog Booster Car Seat?
Using a car seat for pets is important because it will help keep dogs restrained, comfortable, and secure while on the road.
Keeps a Dog Restrained
When dogs roam freely in a car, they can become a serious distraction to drivers which can lead to accidents. If an accident occurs, a dog can become unseated and he might be propelled from the car leading to death or serious injury.
If a dog is launched inside of the car due to an accident, he might injure the driver or passengers. Safety experts now advise that dogs be secured in the vehicle.
Keep in mind, though, that most pet car seats are not crash-tested and do not necessarily protect the dog in the case of a collision.
Helps Prevent Anxiety
Dog booster seats elevate small dogs in the car so they have a better view of what’s outside. This keeps dogs entertained and even helps to prevent car sickness that afflicts some dogs.
Being secure and cozy in the car also can prevent anxiety that some dogs experience when traveling.
Provides Protection of Car Seats
Another great benefit of using a dog car seat is it eliminates pet hair and dander from getting onto your car’s seat. Plus, most dog seats can be washed.
How to Choose the Best Dog Car Seat
To pick the best dog booster seat, it is important to take several things into account.
Security. A dog car seat should attach securely to the car’s seat belt and include a harness for the dog to wear or a leash clamp to attach to the dog’s harness.
Size. When purchasing the product, review the manufacturer’s size guidelines. Most pet car seats do not accommodate large dogs, so for a large dog, a dog crate, harness or seat belt might be a better option. We listed a few alternatives below.
Ease of Use. Look for a seat that is easy to install. Some dog car seats attach directly to the seat of the car, while others sit on top of the car console between the seats.
Maintenance. A dog car seat needs to be easy to clean. A machine washable liner and a reversible pad are convenient because it keeps the seat fresh and convenient to wash.
4 Dog Car Seats Reviewed
Below are in-depth reviews of some of the best dog booster seats available.
K&H Pet Products Bucket Booster Pet Seat
If your looking for a booster seat for your medium or small size dog, this product earns high marks for its convenience and comfort.
Made from soft and comfortable materials, it is designed to easily place your pet in it. The contoured back contributes to comfort, and two security leashes are included.
It is available in two different sizes and colors. The smaller size fits one small pet such as a toy breed and the large size fits one medium or two small dogs.
Key Features:
- Includes a clasp to attach to pet’s harness for safety
- Elevates your dog for a better view
- Can be installed on the front or rear seats
- Easy to install, just pull the seatbelt across the bottom, threading it through the center nylon loop pictured below.
- Small – 14.5″ L x 16.5″ W x 19.5″ H
- Large – 14.5″ L x 22″ W x 19.5″ H
Cons:
- If your dog is very small, this seat may not sit up high enough so your dog can see well out of the car window.
What is the bottom line?
K & H Pet Products booster dog seat is designed and constructed well. It will provide a safe and secure seat for your pup. This seat is installed much like the way a baby car seat is installed. Once it is positioned correctly, it sits tightly in place without sliding.
Overall, consumers were very happy and satisfied with this car dog seat.
Devoted Doggy Deluxe Dog Booster Car Seat by Premium Quality Metal Frame Construction – Clip-on Safety Leash – Zipper Storage Pocket – Perfect for Small and Medium Pets up to 20 lbs
Small dogs love the secure feeling of this seat and the comfortable padding. Devoted Doggie Deluxe Booster seat is durable, quick to install and easy to remove. This seat is very convenient. Additionally, treats and toys can be stored in the zippered pockets.
It works best for pets that are less than twenty pounds and a bit too small for larger dogs.
Key Features:
- Easy and quick to attach. One adjustable strap fits snug around the back of the seat and one adjustable strap fits around the headrest.
- Constructed of a convenient collapsible metal frame.
- Features an easily removable soft plush liner for machine washing.
- Fits in the front or rear seat.
Cons:
- Dogs larger than 20 pounds will not fit well in this seat.
- Doesn’t fit well in some car rear seats
What’s the bottom line?
Most pet owners are happy with this seat because it is constructed well. The lining on the inside is soft and their dogs snuggled up in it and relaxed. Plus, it is easily removable for cleaning.
All in all, this is a good purchase for a small dog.
Petlo Dog Booster Car Seat with Soft Luxurious Fleece – Waterproof Padded Bottom – Clip On Leash – Headrest and Seat Straps – For Dogs
This seat’s plush fleece interior makes it especially comfortable and cozy for long trips.
It is easily installed, waterproof, and washable. It holds pets up to twenty pounds and comes with a removable liner for easy cleaning.
The seat is not a restraining device but it does help keep pets safe by providing a secure and comfortable place to sit in the car.
Key Features:
- The fleece liner provides comfort and can be removed in seconds to toss in the washing machine with Velcro-like connectors.
- Designed with a water-resistant oxford padded bottom which protects the interior of your car from all kinds of accidents and spills.
- Installation is easy. It can be secured to the headrests or around the bottom of the front and back seats.
- Dimensions: 14 in. x 16 in. x 8 in. Holds small pets up to 20 pounds.
- Attachment strap doubles as a carrying strap.
Cons:
- Sides collapse too easily
- Small car dog seat geared more for toy breeds
What’s the bottom line?
The Petlo Car Carrier is easy to use a small seat for dogs that will last for years. It may look simple, but as you can see from its product reviews on Amazon, it’s a dog seat that has customers very happy.
WOpet Pet Car Seat Carrier Airline Approved For Dog Cat Puppy Small Pets Travel Cage L Size Weight up to 15lbs
Designed for small dogs, cats, puppies, or pets, this seat accommodates pets up to fifteen pounds and serves as both an airline approved pet carrier and a car seat.
The soft padding is comfortable and cozy for pets, and it is waterproof and easy to clean. The front and side pockets are convenient for storage. Its mesh top and sides provide air ventilation.
Key Features:
- Adjustable straps fit most cars, vans & SUVs, there is a ring to hook the dogs harness too so it won’t jump out
- Folds flat for easy storage
- Contains front and side pockets for storage
- 2 in 1 carrier performs as a pet carrier and car seat
- Carrier Dimension: 16-inch by 13.3-inch by 11.8-inch, suitable for small dogs up to 15 pounds
Cons:
- Tethering strap is short
- Straps are thinner and some customers complained that they fray
What’s the bottom line?
Give yourself options with the WOPet Car Seat Carrier. This unit has many features that buyers love, so visit Amazon to see the full extent of them.
Other Alternatives to Dog Car Seats
Some preferences for dog car seats are dog seat belts, harnesses, and dog crates. Many dog car seats only fit small dogs.
So, how do you keep your large dog safe in a car? Here are a few alternatives.
Dog Car Harness
Dog car harnesses come in different sizes for different breeds.
They are designed to restrain a dog to one position in a car by attaching it around your dog’s chest and looped through the seat belt but, it doesn’t prevent your dog from sliding like a dog car seat.
Dog Seat Belt
Dog seat belts are a very safe way to transport pets. The more restrictive they are, the safer they are.
However, sometimes dogs can get tangled in dog seat belt straps if they try to move around too much, and getting them on your pet and adjusting them can be challenging.
Dog Car Crate
Crash-tested crates are a great option to keep dogs safe in the car, especially large dogs. Crates keep dogs calm and cozy during long car rides.
Summary
Restraining dogs in the car is important for everyone’s safety. When dogs are not restrained, they can become distractions to drivers and might even jump out of the car. It is also against the law to drive with an unrestrained dog.
A car seat for pets helps to keep dogs from becoming distractions to drivers on the road and makes dogs feel more comfortable in the car.
Image Source- Top Image Photo by Emerson Peters on Unsplash