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There’s nothing worse than taking your dog on a fun-filled wilderness adventure, only to realize (after the fact) that your soggy, filthy, and smelly pup ruined your car seats. Don’t let that happen to you. But how can I protect my car seats from dogs?
Car seat protectors are an easy way to cover your seats so they stay clean and odor-free. Luckily, there are a variety of options to meet your needs. Whether you are looking for the best dog car hammock, a back seat dog cover, or just a car seat protector for dogs, our experts can help.
Ultimately, the best dog seat cover is the one that works best for your dog in your vehicle.
| Winner | Runner-Up | Third Place |
|---|---|---|
 |  |  |
Best Car Seat Covers For Dogs
Some dogs will claw, chew, and rip through anything they can, including cheaply made dog car seat covers. (If you’ve ever had a cheap, flimsy cover that soaks your seats, you know what we mean). The most important features we considered in picking our best car seat covers for dogs were quality, durability, and waterproofing. However, we did consider pricing for our budget-conscious readers.
Winner: 4Knines Dog Seat Cover Review
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The 4Knines Dog Seat Cover With Hammock wins our top spot as the best dog car seat cover. Our experts also think this product is the best dog car hammock and back seat dog cover. In our opinion, it’s by far the best car seat protector for dogs on the market.
You may pay a bit more for 4Knines’ products, but it’s hard to beat their quality, durability, and ease of use. This dog car seat features everything you need — it’s waterproof (GSM rating over 190), doesn’t slip out of place or bleed onto your car seats, and is easy to set up and remove for cleaning (and durable enough for vacuums, hoses and washing machines).
This rear seat cover comes in a regular size that fits most cars and SUVs or an extra-large size designed for full-size trucks and giant SUVs. 4Knines also offers a custom rear seat, a front dog car seat, and a cargo liner — all of these products are tops in our book. We also love that the company donates all returned items and a percentage of sales to groups that advocate for animals.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy to install and clean (machine-washable) | On the pricey side |
| Heavy-duty waterproof material, free of AZO dyes and heavy metals | Some users report the extra-large cover isn’t quite wide enough |
| Non-slip backing | |
| UV-protected straps that won’t become brittle and fray | |
| Padded for comfort | |
| Comes in two sizes and three colors | |
| All of Plush Paws’ pet car seat covers come with a lifetime warranty. | |
| Each product is available in black, gray, or tan. |
Pricing
- Bucket/Front Seat Cover for Dogs starts at Check Amazon for availability
Runner-Up: Plush Paws Pet Seat Cover Review
Plush Paws comes in a close second in the best pet car seat covers battle. This rear seat cover with hammock shares most of the same excellent features as our top pick. It’s waterproof-rated, consists of heavy-duty quilted material with no dyes or chemicals, has a non-slip backing, is machine-washable, and includes a lifetime warranty.
The main difference between Plush Paws and 4Knines is in installation. Although the Plush Paws seat cover comes with two harnesses and seat belt adapters, several consumers had trouble installing Plush Paws. This factor may not be a major deal-breaker for most, but it’s something to consider if you plan on washing your seat cover frequently.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Heavy-duty waterproof material, free of dyes | On the pricey side |
| Non-slip silicone backing | Several consumers report difficulty with installation |
| Quilted for durability and padded for comfort | Straps aren’t UV protected |
| Machine-washable | |
| Comes in two sizes and two colors | |
| Extra-large seat is wider than our number one pick | |
| All of Plush Paws’ pet car seat covers come with a lifetime warranty. |
Pricing
Third Place: BarksBar Luxury Pet Car Seat Cover Review
The BarksBar Luxury Pet Car Seat Cover is a nice choice if you don’t feel like forking out so much dough for our top two picks — it’s one of the best dog seat covers for cars in its price range and a popular choice on Amazon. While some consumers complained about fraying straps and the cover starting to rip after a lot of use, this seat cover is as durable as you’ll find at less than $50.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy to install and clean (machine-washable) | Materials aren’t as durable as our top two picks (some consumer complaints about covers ripping after several months of use) |
| Waterproof with triple-layered PU | Straps aren’t UV-protected and tend to fray after time |
| More affordable price point | Only comes in black |
| Materials are free of dyes and heavy metals | |
| Available in two sizes |
Pricing
- Standard size (54″ wide) starts at $30.95
Other Best Dog Car Seat Covers
The following pet accessory manufacturers didn’t make it into our top three picks, but the products we review below are still worthy of consideration if you’re looking for alternatives.
Best Cargo Liner Cover: F-color Review
Are you looking for a budget-friendly dog cargo liner for your hatchback or SUV? The F-color Cargo Liner Cover could be just the ticket. At half the price of premium cargo liners (like our top two companies carry), you get a quilted, padded, durable dog cargo liner that doesn’t slip around, and with two sizes, it fits well in most vehicles.
A potential drawback of this cargo mat is that it’s not machine washable; however, you can easily clean it by hand washing. Customer complaints include that the suction cups and Velcro don’t work very well and that it’s not 100% waterproof.
Personal Experience
We’ve had this cargo liner for over half a decade, and it’s still going strong. Many pups have ridden in the back with smiling faces and wagging tails (yellow lab mix, black lab mix, and Carolina brown dog). It’s easy to install, covers the back of my Ford Explorer SUV nicely, and is easy to clean with a vacuum. The neutral color also helps it from appearing too dirty.
– Alex S., Canine Journal
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy to install and clean | Not machine washable |
| Durable material | Some customers say the Velcro and suction cups don’t work well |
| Attractive price point | Not 100% waterproof |
| Non-slip backing | |
| High customer satisfaction rating on Amazon | |
| Available in black and khaki, large size also available in light gray |
Pricing
- Standard size (53.1” x 81.1”) starts at $39.99
Best Dog Car Door Panel Cover: PetEvo Review
If your dog likes to stand up on your car doors to enjoy an open window, you may also want to protect your vehicle with these PetEvo door panel covers. You can install these anti-scratch and water-resistant covers by inserting the tabs between your window and car door panel, and Velcro strips help keep them in place. And you can still roll your windows up and down with the protectors attached. They come two to a pack at an affordable price.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Fits most cars | May have to be adjusted frequently |
| Easy to install and clean (machine-washable) | Some customers complain that the Velcro wears out easily |
| Durable anti-scratch material and water-resistant | |
| Attractive price point |
Pricing
- 2 pack: $33.92
Best Front Seat Cover Pet Booster/Bucket: Flow.month Review
This affordable car seat cover can double as a semi-enclosed kennel seat for small dogs, complete with a pet seat belt to keep your pup extra safe. It has a non-slip rubber backing, seat anchor, and an adjustable strap to stay in place, but it’s not as secure in non-bucket car seats. If you have a small to a medium-sized dog who likes to feel enclosed, this seat cover could be a perfect fit.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy to install | Not machine washable |
| Detachable kennel seat for small dogs | Some users said the zipper broke after a few uses |
| You can fold out the extra side flaps to protect a larger area | Only comes in one color (black) |
| Water-resistant |
Pricing
Best Pet Front Seat Cover: HAPYFOST Review
The HAPYFOST Pet Front Seat Cover is a budget-friendly choice if you don’t want to pay premium prices. This seat cover is perfect for your front seat or any bucket seat in your vehicle. The HAPYFOST, made of heavy-duty polyester, is durable enough for any size dog. One unique feature is a front pocket you can use to store pet supplies conveniently.
This seat is a breeze to install with buckles for the headrest and backrest and seat anchors. Although we didn’t find any complaints about the material ripping, some consumers reported that the straps break easily and the waterproofing is faulty.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy to install and clean (machine washable) | Straps may not last very long |
| Heavy-duty material good for any dog size | Some customer complaints that the waterproofing doesn’t work |
| Waterproof | |
| Affordable pricing | |
| Non-slip rubber backing and seat anchors | |
| Available in black or gray |
Pricing
- Dog front seat cover (45” x 21″) – $25.99
Best Dog Seat Covers For Trucks: Active Pets Review
If you need a back seat cover that will work with your truck, the Active Pets XL protector is our top pick for the best dog backseat cover for trucks. According to the manufacturer, installation is quick (60 seconds) and has four headrest anchors and two seat anchors to keep it safely in place. Unfortunately, this cover is not machine washable, and some customers complain that the anchor clips are not durable.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy to install | Not machine washable |
| Durable material and waterproof | Some customers say the anchor clips are not durable |
| Attractive price point | |
| Non-slip backing | |
| High customer satisfaction rating on Amazon | |
| Available in all black or black with blue, pink, or orange trim |
Pricing
- XL size customized for trucks and SUVs $41.42
Precautions To Take Before Your Dog Jumps In
While a car seat cover can undoubtedly save your upholstery, there are other precautions you can take before Fido even jumps on the seat to reduce wear and tear on your car, home, and nose!
- Clean muddy paws with this paw cleaner or paw wipes
- Dry your wet dog with a super absorbent towel
- Minimize wet dog smell with a spray-on odor remover
- Add floor liners to the floorboards
Keep Your Pup Safe In The Car
This two-minute video from Cars.com gives some great tips for keeping your pup safe and happy while traveling in the car. If you want to dive a little deeper, check out our article on tips for traveling with dogs.
What Other Dog Car Accessories Do You Need?
Now that you’ve read our reviews of the best seat covers for dog hair and muddy or wet dogs, you may be wondering what else you need for your vehicle. If your dog is a regular rider in your car, several other accessories are available to make your life easier.
To get some ideas of what you might need, check out our recommendations for the best dog seat belts, car seats, and harnesses. We also review SUV ramps for dogs to help them get in and out safely. It’s crucial to keep your pup safe (and your car clean).
Tagged With: Cars, Comparison
