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Getting Images
A seat protector can help shield your car’s interior from anything your dog bring along on your next drive, such as hair, wet paws, drool, a muddy ball, crumbs, and every other mess in between.
To help you find the right car seat protector for cruising around with your canine, we researched and purchased 18 of the latest and greatest protectors available. We then sent each one to a tester who was tasked with recording their experience using the seat protector in their vehicle with their dog.
Our first priority is safety, so all of the car seat protectors we tested have seat belt slots to easily connect your pet’s car safety restraint. We then took into consideration a variety of styles and shapes made to address different needs and various models. There are protectors that cover the cargo area, the full length of a passenger seat, or just the door. Other popular styles include those that drape over half the back seat and some that are hammock-style, stretching across the back seat and shielding the backs of the front seats.
Our overall favorite is the URPOWER Dog Seat Cover, which is not only reliably waterproof, but also offers mutliple configurations to fit a backseat or cargo area. Depending on your dog, your car, and your lifestyle, a different car seat cover might work even better. We ranked our top performing, with notes on how our tester used them and in what vehicle.
Here are the best dog seat covers.
Best Overall: URPOWER Dog Car Seat Cover
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URPOWER
Waterproof and durable
Four sides of backseat coverage
Available in a variety of colors
Non-slip backing
Velcro openings for seat belt access
Our tester experienced a slight bit of shifting from the wind with the car windows down
Not machine washable
If you are looking for a car seat protector with multiple installation options, then this is the one to try. The URPOWER Dog Seat Cover versatile design has three style options for setup, as a Cargo Liner protecting the back of an SUV, as a Car Bench to shield the back seat, and as a Backseat Hammock safeguarding the backseat, the floor, the back of the front seats, and the back doors.
"I really enjoy the ease, usability, and attractiveness of this seat cover. All-in-all, it's the full package," our tester said.
The cover is 100% waterproof, easy to spot clean or vacuum when needed, and features anchors, headrest straps, and a non-slip bottom to keep the cover in place. "This cover functions exactly how it should. There's even an extra pocket for storage." The quilted material was aesthetically appealing to our tester and they plan to continue using this car seat protector, especially for trips to and from their local dog park.
Price at time of publish: $35 for Standard
Best Bench Seat: PetSafe Happy Ride Quilted Bench Car Seat Cover
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Amazon
Waterproof
Non-slip backing
Leather and brass accents
Machine washable
Seatbelt keepers and zipper access to buckles
Quilted design retains hair
This quilted car seat cover is designed to seamlessly drape the backseat of most cars, SUVs, and trucks, so you can install and leave in place for daily voyages with your dog,
"A good quality dog cover makes a huge difference!," exclaimed our tester who previously had a car seat cover that would not stay in place. "This one offers protection for my car and a nice place for my dog to sit."
With elastic straps over the headrests, seat anchors, and non-slip backing, this backseat bench cover stays in place. Built-in keeper straps conveniently position crossbody seatbelts for unrestricted human access, and via zippered slots, passengers without paws can access in-bench seat belts to buckle up. Our tester, who drives a Mazda CX-5, found the length of the seat belt buckle in their car made it slightly difficult to access but does not equate that to the design of the car seat cover.
With the seatbelt zippers closed, the cover provides complete waterproof protection. If needed, the entire cover can be removed and cleaned in a washing machine, but our tester found vacuuming and spot cleaning to be sufficient and simple. They also felt the leather trim and brass accents added an elevated aesthetic to the overall design.
Price at time of publish: $90
Best for Large Dogs: 4Knines Dog Seat Cover with Hammock
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Amazon
Comes in 2 sizes and 3 colors (black, gray, white)
Non-slip backing and colorfast material
Quilted and padded
Fits most cars, vans, SUVs, and trucks
Durable against dog nails
No door protection
Reviewers have experienced leaks despite waterproofing
Sizable paws tend to have tougher nails and pick up more mud. If that sounds like your dog, then this padded car seat cover is the one for your. The 4Knives Dog Seat Cover with Hammock is built to handle dogs of all shapes and sizes, so it can stand up to the (often unintentional!) challenges that bigger dogs bring with them.
"This product is great for large dogs that need a lot of room to move around or lay down" shared our tester. "My dog loves it and the hammock material does a good job of protecting the seat from his nails and fur."
The adjustable cover comes in two sizes, X-Large and Large, and is made with several layers of colorfast material, including a non-stick waterproof backing. Our tester found it very easy to install with anchors that slip between the seats and straps that clip around the headrest.
To keep tidy, it can be wiped down and occasionally tossed into a washing machine for a more thorough cleaning. Plus, the cover is free from heavy metals and AZO dyes (a type of synthetic chemicals).
Price at time of publish: $60
Best Budget: Outward Hound PupShield Backseat Car Hammock
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Amazon
Fits most cars, vans, SUVs, and trucks
Water-resistant canvas fabric
Hammock and back seat bench styles
Only 1 color (black)
If you are looking for a budget-friendly option that doesn't skimp on protection, then this dual style car seat cover is the one to purchase. The Outward Hound Pupshield Protective Cover fits securely in most backseats with adjustable straps around headrests to protect the back of the front seats. Anchors between seat creases, along with the canvas-like polyester fabric, help to keep the cover in place.
In addition to protecting the interior of our tester's car, they also noted that hammock structure prevented their dog from climbing towards the front seat to observe the road. While strapped into their car seat along with the seat cover, our tester felt their Yorkie was more relaxed and even enjoyed napping during their extended car trips
The cover is only available in black, but its universal fit make it appropriate for almost any vehicle. It's also easy to spot clean with a damp towel.
Price at time of publish: $25
Best Upgrade: Orvis Grip-Tight Windowed Hammock Seat Protector
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Orvis
Quilted and soft
3 colors (khaki, slate, gray) and 5 sizes
Mesh panel between front seats for ventilation and viewability
Machine washable
Orvis offers guarantee and repairs
Protects against shedding, dirt, sand, and water
A mesh viewing window slotted between front seats is one of the upgraded features that separates this hammock-style car seat cover others. It allows you and your dog to keep tabs on each other, which might help them feel more at ease, along with providing a seamless layer of containment and protection for your furry friend.
And while we love dog fur, it can be difficult to remove from a car's upholstery. One of our tester's main motivations for acquiring a car seat cover was to protect the black interior of their car from their dog's white fur.
"It truly prevented my seats from being totally covered in hair, and my favorite thing about this cover is that the seat belt openings have large flags that prevent the hair from sneaking through onto the car seat," our tester said.
They also found the cover easy to install and easy to clean, either with a quick vacuum or the occasional trip through the washing machine. The care instructions indicate that the cover can be safely placed in a dryer, but our tester choose to hang dry and was pleased with the results.
The protector is water resistant with anti-slip backing to hold the hammock securely in place. It's also soft to the touch while offering substantial protection against muddy paws and scratchy nails.
Price at time of publish: $220
Best Front Seat Cover: Active Pets Front Seat Dog Cover
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Amazon
Waterproof fabric
Side and front flaps for protection
3 trim options (blue, pink, orange)
Only available in black
For your dog's safety, it's highly recommend that they ride in the backseat with a restraint. This can help to prevent injury from an airbag and reduce the opportunity for driver distraction. That said, if you have a truck or a vehicle without a backseat, in addition to the essential use of a restraint, you can place a car seat cover designed to protect bucket style seats.
The Active Pets Front Seat Dog Cover is made with four layers of fabric to provide waterproof protection along with side and front flaps as additional protection from a dog's muddy paws. Our tester was able to quickly and easily install the cover on 2 different cars, and found that it worked well for both. "It covers all the areas my dogs would get dirty from their feet."
To stay firmly in placed, the cover is equipped with seat anchors and two sets of adjustable buckles placed around the headrest and the seat for a customized fit. The cover is only available in black, but with the option of trim in orange, pink, or blue.
Price at time of publish: $27
Best Cargo Liner: F-color SUV Cargo Liner
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F-Color
Non-slip bottom
Bumper coverage
Water resistant
Available in a variety of colors
Suction cup feature did not work well for our tester
This protective liner makes it easy to bring along your most precious canine cargo wherever you go. The F-color SUV Cargo Liner is designed to shield the rear area of an SUV from the bumper to the back of the backseat bench including the entire floor space and the side areas.
It can be installed and secured with hook and loop straps and/or suction cups, but our tester found the hook and loop to be much more effective. The cover can be vacuumed and wiped clean, and is available in a variety of color-fast shades to complement your car. The waterproof fabric is not machine washable, but our tester found it easy to keep tidy.
Price at time of publish: $42 for Standard
Best for Compact Cars: Active Pets Hammock Car Seat Cover
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Amazon
Side flaps protect seats when dog exits and enters
Easy to install and uninstall
Wipe clean
Hammock, bench, and cargo liner styles
4 trim options (black, blue, pink, orange)
Only available in black
No pockets or pouches for accessories
Keep your compact car protected from your canine with a streamlined backseat protector. Our tester, who had been searching for a cover to place in a Nissan Leaf for quite some time, was pleased to report that this cover is the first one they've tried that doesn't bunch up.
The Active Pets Hammock Car Seat Cover connects to headrests with straps and clips, and our tester found that the pairing made it much easier to secure than previous seat covers they tried that only had straps. The waterproof cover provides protection from shedding and scratching, and features side flaps to shield seats as a dog exits and enters. It can also be positioned as a bench and a cargo liner. Our tester found it easy to uninstall and shake to remove any fur their dog shed, but it can also be wiped down and vacuumed. The only addition our tester would make is a pocket or pouch, which they've experienced on other models, to hold dog essentials, like a leash or a collapsible bowl.
Price at time of publish: $36 for Standard
Best Durable: K9 Ballistics Tough Rip Stop Dog Back Car Seat Cover
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K9 Ballistics
Waterproof
Easy to wipe clean and machine washable
Certified B-Corporation and made in the USA
Bench and hammock styles
Center mesh panel for view-ability
If you've got a ruff rider in your car, then you need a durable car seat cover that will withstand your dog's powerful paws. The K9 Ballistics Tough Rip Stop Dog Back Seat Cover is made with K9's proprietary ripstop fabric that is woven to protect while providing a comfortable space for your dog. "Nothing else I've seen on the market comes close to the same material quality of this product," remarked our tester.
The dual-style cover can be placed in a backseat as a bench or hammock. Our tester took their 2 dogs, a Husky mix and a Shiba Inu, on an extended duration roadtrip with the cover in hammock mode in the back of their SUV. After spending over 20 hours with the cover, it showed no signs of use, and their car's interior was fully protected from water, dirt, scratches, nibbles, and drool.
The intuitive installation stays secure with headrest straps and built-in openings allow access to seatbelts and buckles. When positioned as a hammock, a mesh panel allows humans and dogs to see the other which can help ease anxiety for riders on both sides. The cover is available in two sizes and is machine washable, but our tester found it very easy to wipe clean.
Price at time of publish: $85 for Large
Best Door Protector: PetEvo Car Door Protector
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PetEvo
Prevents scratch marks
Easy to wipe clean
Easy to remove and store when not in use
2 installation options
Waterproof
Our tester felt that a small area of their door was not covered
Pulling up to the dog park is an exciting moment in a dog's life, but if their elation leads to scratch marks on your car door, then you should add a car door protector. It's a simple addition you can place between your car's interior and your dog's nails to evade unwanted engravings from your pupper. The PetEvo Car Door Protector is made of waterproof polyester so it also protects against dirt and drool from your darling dog.
"I like the peace-of-mind knowing my doors won't be scratched by an excited dog in the back seat," shared our tester.
Their labradoodle wasn't able to make the liner budge despite their best unintentional efforts. For installation, the cover comes equipped with a row of plastic tabs that can be inserted alongside the rubber seal of a car's side door window. There is also an option to use hook and loop strips to secure the liner to the door. Our tester found the latter installation method more convenient for installing and uninstalling when their dog wasn't tagging along for a ride.
"The cover worked great in protecting the door and did not slip or move when I lowered or raised the windows."
The cover is available in one side to fit most vehicles. Our tester felt that there was a little bit of exposed space on the door of their mid sized sedan that the cover didn't reach, but their dog did not direct their pawing to that area.
Price at time of publish: $33
Our choice for best overall is the URPOWER Dog Seat Cover is priced affordably and comes in a variety of colors. It can be positioned in 3 ways— hammock, bench, and cargo liner— to meet a variety of needs, provides waterproof protection, and allows access to seatbelts and buckles while installed. If you are looking a dog car seat that offers maximum protection against scratches, spills, and shedding, then the K9 Ballistics Tough Rip Stop Dog Back Seat Cover is the one to get. As a hammock or bench cover, it provides a comfortable space for your dog to be themselves while you focus on the driving.
What To Consider When Selecting A Dog Seat Cover
Style Selection
For canine protection, there are five main styles of covers available to shield the interior of a vehicle from a dog's tendencies—hammock, bench, cargo liner, bucket seat, and door. Some products offer multiple styles of coverage by adjusting straps and connection points. The style you select should fit in your car, stay securely in place and provide your dog with a comfortable space.
Waterproofing
Most covers claim to provide waterproof or water-resistant protection, but some work better than others to repel liquids from a car's interior. The fabric composition is an essential key to waterproofing, but slits/openings for seatbelts may also allow water to seep through spots. Access to seatbelts and buckles is necessary for a dog's safety, so look for flap covers or zippered access points if waterproofing is very important to you.
Cleaning
All of the dog car seat covers on our list can be wiped clean and vacuumed to keep the liner tidy. A few can also be cleaned in a washing machine and either hung to dry or placed in a dryer. It's important to check the care instructions for the cover you select because some features, like waterproofing, may not function correctly if cleaned improperly.
How We Tested
We researched and acquired 18 of the latest and top-reviewed dog car seat covers in a variety of styles to address different needs and vehicles. Each car seat cover was given to a tester with a dog to be used in their car for 3 weeks. From muddy paws and messy snacks to shedding and scratching, each participant recorded and photographed their experience, documenting how well the cover functioned as a barrier between their dog and the interior of their car. From muddy paws to shedding and scratching.
Our testers followed a precise methodology written with the help of pet experts—we consult veterinarians, vet techs, animal behavioral researchers, manufacturing specialists, and other expert sources while developing our testing protocols. Our criteria for evaluation of these dog car seat covers focused on functionality, size, ability to be cleaned, ease of installation, and overall value. Any special features, such as a mesh window, was also included in the assessment.
After the testing period, our editors dove into the data to identify the top-performing dog car seat covers. Our final picks were selected with a combination of experiential descriptions and the scoring averages provided by our testers.
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What is the best way to get dog hair off of seat covers?
Some dogs leave behind tumbleweeds of fur, while others shed tiny little bristly hairs. You can clean both off a seat cover with a vacuum or a lint roller. A damp sponge can also wipe away dog hair. If the cover is extremely dirty and it’s machine washable, it’s still a good idea to try to wipe, vacuum, or roll away as much hair as possible before putting it in the washer.
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How often should dog seat covers be cleaned?
That depends on your dog and the dirt and hair.
"Depending on your dog’s activity, you could be washing the seat cover every two weeks or pushing the wash out to a month,” says Olivia Crum, PetSafe category product manager for travel and access. “The wash cycle is related to what you and your pet are doing when out and about. The parent of a playful, muddy dog will need to wash the seat cover more than the parent of a more casual dog who doesn’t like to get dirty."
Why Trust The Spruce Pets?
This roundup was updated by Anna Mejorada, a writer for The Spruce Pets, who shares her home with a lovely Pomeranian named Gidget. Before researching and writing about pet products for a living, Anna embarked on a self-mandated, ongoing quest to find the optimal items for her dog. She is now delightfully devoted to helping humans discover and select the most favorable products for their pets.
A previous version was written by Mary Jo DiLonardo. She has a rescue dog and has fostered more than three dozen dogs and puppies. She’s transported lots of them in her vehicle, which means a lot of dog hair and other messes. Pet health and safety are very important to Mary Jo and she’s always researching the latest products to keep the dogs in her care healthy and safe.
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