Dogs · Product picks
The Best Dog Car Seat Covers
The Kurgo Rover Hammock is our top pick for dog car seat covers. See 4 more options, plus how to choose the right size and keep your dog safe in the car.
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If you want to keep dog hair, mud and drool off your back seat, pick a waterproof cover that fits your seat and stays put. Our top pick is the Kurgo Rover Hammock. Remember that a cover protects your car, not your dog. It does not replace a seat belt or harness.
Our picks at a glance
- Best overall: Kurgo Rover Hammock
- Best for trucks and large SUVs: 4Knines Dog Rear Seat Cover with Hammock
- Best padded cover: Happy Ride Quilted Bench Seat Cover
- Best convertible cover: Ruffwear Dirtbag Dog Car Seat Cover
- Best for sharing the back seat: Kurgo Heather Half Dog Hammock
The best dog car seat covers
Dog car seat covers
Kurgo Rover Hammock
Best for: Most cars with a back bench seat
Kurgo says this hammock has eight attachment points and a center zipper that folds down half of it when a person needs the back seat. It has openings for seat belts and the latch system. It is made for bench seats, so skip it if your back seat is two separate buckets.
- Pro: Eight attachment points for a secure fit
- Pro: Center zipper folds down half of the cover
- Pro: Openings for seat belts and the latch system
- Con: Made for bench seats, not bucket seats
- Con: Care is spot clean or hand wash only
Dog car seat covers
4Knines Dog Rear Seat Cover with Hammock
Best for: Larger vehicles and easy cleaning
This one comes in a Regular size (54 inches wide) and an XL size (60 inches wide), so it suits compact cars and larger trucks and SUVs. The seat bottom has a waterproof, non-slip layer. The brand says it can be hosed down or washed. Skip it if your dog chews at seats, and check the brand’s chew guidance first.
- Pro: Regular (54 inches wide) and XL (60 inches wide) sizes
- Pro: Waterproof, non-slip laminate layer on the seat bottom
- Pro: Can be hosed down, wiped, or washed in the washer
- Con: Not made for dogs that chew
- Con: Wider size must be chosen to match your vehicle
Dog car seat covers
Happy Ride Quilted Bench Seat Cover
Best for: Leather seats and dogs that like a soft ride
PetSafe makes this cover from padded cotton twill with a waterproof coating, and says it protects leather seats from scratches. It is machine washable and lets you reach the seat belts without taking it off. It lies across the seat only, so skip it if you want a wall behind the front seats.
- Pro: Padded, scratch-resistant cover for leather seats
- Pro: Machine washable
- Pro: Seat belt access without removing the cover
- Con: Bench style only, with no hammock wall
- Con: Fabric is cotton twill, so check it suits messy dogs
Dog car seat covers
Ruffwear Dirtbag Dog Car Seat Cover
Best for: Outdoor dogs and muddy trips
Ruffwear says the Dirtbag works as a bench cover or a hammock. It has a mesh window and seat belt openings with two-way zippers, and it is machine washable. It comes in one size, 55 by 63 inches, so check that against your seat before you buy.
- Pro: Converts between bench and hammock setups
- Pro: Mesh window for airflow and visibility in hammock mode
- Pro: Machine washable and made with recycled polyester
- Con: One size, 55 by 63 inches
- Con: Not a restraint, so your dog still needs a harness or crate
Dog car seat covers
Kurgo Heather Half Dog Hammock
Best for: Households that carry people and a dog
This half hammock covers one side of the back seat and can go on the left or right. That leaves the other side free for a person. It has two storage pockets. Skip it if your dog likes to spread out across the whole seat.
- Pro: Fits on the left or right side of the back seat
- Pro: Two storage pockets
- Pro: Waterproof and stain resistant
- Con: Covers only half the back seat
- Con: Care is spot clean or hand wash only
How to choose a dog car seat cover
Pick the style: hammock, bench or half
A hammock hangs from the front headrests and makes a barrier behind the front seats. The AKC says barriers can help keep dogs from jumping forward. A bench cover only covers the seat. A half cover leaves room for a passenger.
Check the size and your seat type
Compare the cover’s width with your back seat. Kurgo’s Rover Hammock is made for bench seats, and 4Knines sells two widths. Measure before you buy.
Look at the material and cleaning
Look for waterproof fabric and a non-slip bottom. Then check how it is cleaned. Some covers can go in the washer, and others are spot clean or hand wash only. The care label tells you which.
Make sure you can reach the seat belts and latch points
Most of these covers have seat belt openings, and some also have openings for the latch system, which attaches child seats. This matters if people share the back seat with your dog.
Safety tips
- Use a cover with a restraint, not instead of one. The AKC compares restraining a dog to buckling up yourself. It lists dog seat belts, car harnesses, and carriers or car seats for smaller dogs.
- Keep your dog in the back seat. The AKC says the back seat is better so air bags do not hurt your dog.
- Check the strap rules. 4Knines says its front seat cover’s optional rear straps should not be used on a seat with an air bag.
- Don’t count on a cover for chewers. 4Knines says its front seat cover is not chew-proof, so ask whether any cover suits a dog that chews. Watch your dog, and stop using any cover that is torn.
- Set it up the way the maker says. Attach all straps and anchors so the cover does not slide when your dog gets in or out.
Common questions
Is a dog car seat cover the same as a dog seat belt?
No. A seat cover protects your upholstery from hair, dirt and water. It does not hold your dog in place. The AKC describes dog seat belts, car harnesses and carriers as the ways to restrain a dog in a car.
Where should my dog ride in the car?
The AKC says the back seat is best for dogs, so that air bags do not hurt them. A back-seat cover fits that setup.
What is the difference between a hammock and a bench seat cover?
A hammock hangs between the front and back seats, which makes a wall behind the front seats. A bench cover lies across the back seat only. Some covers, like the Ruffwear Dirtbag, can be set up either way.
How do I clean a dog car seat cover?
It depends on the cover, so check the care label. The Ruffwear Dirtbag and PetSafe Happy Ride are machine washable. The Kurgo hammocks are spot clean or hand wash, and the 4Knines cover can be hosed down or washed.