If you love your dog as much as we do, then taking them for a drive is fun, but how do you enjoy a car trip with your pup without your car looking like a hot mess? The best idea is to buy a dog car seat cover.
A car seat cover can help protect your front or back seat from rain, snow, or mud and dirt from a day at the park. The waterproof and durable fabric will keep your car clean and dry.
There are many great car seat covers on the market, so where do you start? Well, we took the guesswork out of choosing the right dog car seat cover by reviewing 15 options and giving you the top 6. Here are our choices for the best of the best.
Our Top Picks
| Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
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Best Overall: Plush Paws Waterproof Car Seat Cover | This is our number one pick because it is waterproof, tear-resistant, and reinforced for longevity. The quilted fabric covers the back seat and extends over the front to contain all the messes. | Check Price |
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Best Non-Slip Cover: Active Pets Store Car Seat Cover | This cover is easy to care for, fits most vehicles, and has side wings that protect doors. The cover is non-slip to keep your dog from sliding around on the seat. | Check Price |
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Best Waterproof Cover: URPOWER Waterproof Pet Car Seat | This cover is ultra-heavy and waterproof. It covers all of the back seat and can be vacuumed clean or laundered. | Check Price |
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Most Luxurious Cover: Pet Magasin Luxury Car Seat Cover | Want a car seat cover that looks elegant and practical? Choose from beige or black to best fit your car interior. The cover nicely fits the back bench seat for a luxe look. | Check Price |
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Best For The Front Seat: 4Knines Front Car Seat Cover | Looking to let your pup ride shotgun without ruining your passenger-side seat. This cover cannot be used with heated seats, but it provides durable, waterproof protection. | Check Price |
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Best Seat Protection: Meadowlark Dog Seat Covers | If you want a car seat cover that is durable and waterproof and protects the back of your car, this is the one. It has a zipper on each end to let your dog in and out of the car while keeping all of the mess contained. | Check Price |
How We Chose the Best Dog Car Seat Covers
When researching the best dog car seat covers, we looked at how easy it was to install and keep them clean along with how waterproof and durable the fabric is. We also looked at top companies and customer reviews to find the best products.
We found that most companies used between 4 to 7 layers of fabric which includes materials like PVC, canvas, polyester, and others to ensure that it is durable and waterproof.
Other factors like easy installation and being easy to clean were just as important. We found that to keep the dog car seat cover clean, it needed to be easily removed and installed. This also means that it needed strong fasteners to help keep it all in place.
One top dog company is Barksbar which has several entries on the list and here’s why. They have a long-standing tradition of making safe, comfortable, functional, and high-quality products.
They also provide a one-time replacement for any manufacturer defects within 6 months of purchase and will exchange unused covers if you buy the wrong size.
Meadowlark produces quality items at bargain prices. This US-based company is family-owned with a 24/7 customer service department. They offer a lifetime warranty to ensure that you are happy with your product.
We also made sure to search the internet for the most highly-rated dog car seat covers. We looked at retailers like Chewy, Amazon, Walmart, and others to find the best products for you and your dog.
We compared ratings and reviews of over 30 dog car seat covers, then chose 19 to test in our own vehicles. Our dogs helped us narrow down our list to 6 top picks and 9 honorable mentions. Read on to see which ones we loved and why they stood out.
If you’re crafty, read our related article on How to Make a Dog Car Seat! This short step-by-step guide covers everything you need to know to keep your dog safe in the car.
Best Dog Car Seat Covers Reviewed
1. Best Overall: Plush Paws Waterproof Car Seat Cover
Product Ratings
| Easy to Install | 4/5 |
| Waterproof | 5/5 |
| Easy to Clean | 5/5 |
| Durability | 4/5 |
Dimensions: 58 x 55 x 0.5 inches | Weight: 3.4 pounds | Sizes: Small, Large, Extra-Large | Material: 600D Cotton-Polyester Oxford Fabric | Position: Rear Seat
What We Liked
- Comes with a lifetime warranty
- The seat cover is machine washable
- 600D PU Infused Oxford fabric is waterproof
What We Didn’t Like
- The headrest straps are thin and tend to twist
- Stiffer dog fur can become embedded in the fabric
- Some owners have been dissatisfied with the quality and number of harnesses
Our number one pick is the Plush Paws Waterproof Car Seat Cover.
It’s a pet protector and car seat protector rolled into one fashionable waterproof design. The fabric is made of durable 600D cotton-polyester Oxford fabric and will help keep your car seats clean and dry.
We also love that the fabric is soft, comfortable, and cozy. The fabric has non-slip silicone on the back to stick itself to your seat. It will help to keep your dog from sliding around, though we wish there were more seat straps to keep it secure.
The hammock design provides a comfortable and safe place for your dog. We highly recommend this product because of the adjustable harness which helps keep your pup in place and safe.
Not only did we love how it protected the car and our dogs, but we thought the fact that it is low maintenance an added bonus. When spot-cleaning and vacuuming are not enough for the mess your dog has left, it can be machine-washed and air-dried.
SEE PRICE ON AMAZON2. Best Non-slip Cover: Active Pets Store Car Seat Cover
Product Ratings
| Easy to Install | 5/5 |
| Waterproof | 4/5 |
| Easy to Clean | 5/5 |
| Durability | 4/5 |
Dimensions: 12.8 x 11.54 x 4.72 inches | Weight: 2.69 pounds | Sizes: Standard and Extra Large | Material: 600D Cotton-Polyester Oxford Fabric | Position: Rear Seat
What We Liked
- The surface is non-skid and helps keep your dog from sliding around
- The cover can convert from a hammock, to seat cover, to a trunk cover
- Multiple layers with impermeable waterproofing and a rubber backing help keep your car clean
What We Didn’t Like
- Some owners have reported that the fabric has a bad smell at first
- The headrest straps are flimsy and can twist and fall apart
- This is one of the pricier dog seat covers on the market
The Active Pet Store Car Seat Cover hits it out of the ballpark with their Oxford cotton waterproof rear car seat cover. This is a practical option for you and your pup, and it’s a good-looking one!
The fabric is made from durable and impermeable PVC-coated nylon that resists claw punctures and comes with a rubber backing. We admired how it kept our cars clean and our dogs safe from sliding around.
We also thought the addition of stripes in pink, orange, blue, and black help keep our cars stylish. The only drawback was the fabric can leave some residue on the seats, especially after they are left in the summer heat.
This type of cover can be converted from a rear-seat hammock to a fitted back-seat cover, to a trunk cover for SUV travel.
If you want a great product that works really well with most vehicles, this is a great pick. It’s easy to wipe clean with a damp cloth or vacuum to tidy up, but the material is not made to be machine-washable.
SEE PRICE ON AMAZON3. Best Waterproof Cover: URPOWER Waterproof Pet Car Seat
Product Ratings
| Easy to Install | 4/5 |
| Waterproof | 4/5 |
| Easy to Clean | 5/5 |
| Durability | 4/5 |
Dimensions: 58 x 54 x 0.2 inches | Weight: 8 ounces| Sizes: Standard and Extra Large | Material: 600D Cotton-Polyester Oxford Fabric | Position: Rear seat and Cargo
What We Liked
- Converts to a cargo liner, seat cover, or hammock to fit your vehicle
- The fabric attracts dog hair which helps keep it from flying around the car
- This product is made from durable and waterproof fabric
What We Didn’t Like
- The fabric tends to be a little more slippery because it is so waterproof
- The car seat cover may be too big for compact cars
Next up is the URPOWER Waterproof Pet Seat Cover. While most car seat covers are waterproof, this one ups the ante. It does not have pinholes that let water through, making it the most completely waterproof cover we tested.
There are some wonderful accent colors to pick from including orange, gray, khaki, black, and light brown. The fabric is a durable 6000d Oxford cloth and has slip-proof PVC to help keep the seat cover in place.
It can be spot cleaned with a damp cloth, vacuumed, or machine washed.
We like that this cover comes with a combination of straps, anchors, and a non-slip layer of fabric to help keep your dogs from sliding around. It isn’t the most slip-proof cover that we tested, because the waterproof top is a little slick.
SEE PRICE ON AMAZON4. Most Luxurious Cover: Pet Magasin Luxury Car Seat Cover
Product Ratings
| Easy to Install | 5/5 |
| Waterproof | 4/5 |
| Easy to Clean | 5/5 |
| Durability | 4/5 |
Dimensions: 54 x 58 x 0.5 inches | Weight: 2.29 pounds | Sizes: One Size Fits Most | Material: Undisclosed by the Manufacturer | Position: Rear Seat
What We Liked
- The fabric is durable, waterproof, and machine washable
- This dog seat cover is less expensive than most other models
- The cover comes in black or beige
What We Didn’t Like
- The fabric is not the most waterproof
- The buckles are plastic and wear over time
- The fabric has a tendency to slide on the seat
- The manufacturer doesn’t disclose what type of fabric they use
What makes this car seat cover unique is the selection of beige or black quilted fabric. Made of durable canvas, this cover is waterproof and scratch-proof.
It has a non-slip backing and can convert from a hammock style to a back seat cover to a trunk cover as needed. It is only available in one size which fits all but the smallest and largest vehicles. This is a great size for sedans, SUVs, and most trucks.
As an added bonus, this luxurious item is reasonably priced. We found that it protected our cars from the ravages of pet fur, mud, dirt, water, and our dogs, and it’s machine washable.
One drawback we found is that the car seat cover may start to come apart after multiple washes. Even so, we love the style and quality of this product and it’s priced reasonably enough to be replaced as needed.
SEE PRICE ON AMAZON SEE PRICE ON CHEWY5. Best for the Front Seat: 4Knines Front Car Seat Cover
Product Ratings
| Easy to Install | 4/5 |
| Waterproof | 4/5 |
| Easy to Clean | 5/5 |
| Durability | 4/5 |
Dimensions: 11.1 x 2.7 x 11.4 inches | Weight: 1.6 pounds | Sizes: One Size Fits Most | Material: Polyester | Position: Front Seat
What We Liked
- The fabric contains no AZO dyes or heavy chemicals
- It’s easy to care because it’s machine washable
- Comes in gray, black, camo, and tan to coordinate with any interior
What We Didn’t Like
- This dog seat cover is pricier than some other models on the list
- The dog seat cover does not fit all vehicle front seats
- Because of the straps, the cover doesn’t work with power front seats
- Can not be used with heated seats
Here is another candidate for the top dog car seat cover.
What did we love about this product? It’s made from soft and durable polyester that will not stain your seat because it’s colorfast. It has a seven-layer construction so it stays as durable and waterproof as the day you got it.
We love that this dog car seat cover is machine washable and comes in gray, black, camo, and tan.
Another reason why this seat cover made it on the list is that it’s made for the front seat, but it only works with manually adjusting seats. If you want your best friend to ride shotgun, then this is the seat cover for you!
SEE PRICE ON AMAZON6. Best Seat Protection: Meadowlark Dog Seat Covers
Product Ratings
| Easy to Install | 4/5 |
| Waterproof | 4/5 |
| Easy to Clean | 5/4 |
| Durability | 4/5 |
Dimensions: 5.3 x 12.5 x 12.4 inches | Weight: 5.04 pounds | Sizes: Standard and Extra Large | Material: Canvas | Position: Rear
What We Liked
- This product comes with a 100% money back guarantee
- The design helps protect the doors, headrest, seats, and floors
- Machine washable and easy to clean
- Zipper allows rear seat passengers to buckle up with the dog
What We Didn’t Like
- The clasps are made of plastic and have a tendency to break
- The fabric doesn’t seem to be as waterproof as reported
Meadowlark is known for products at a great price with great quality. We love the design and can’t imagine a more protective seat cover.
This car seat cover has zippered side flaps to protect your door panels. It also comes with headrest protectors and seat belts to help keep your dog secure. This one is the most protective of all because of the way it surrounds the interior of your car.
Even though it only comes in black, and is a more expensive option, the fabric is durable, strong, and waterproof. What is particularly great is that it’s machine washable.
One last feature is that the company offers a 100% money-back guarantee.
SEE PRICE ON AMAZON SEE PRICE ON CHEWYComparison Chart
| Products | Easy to Install | Waterproof | Easy to Clean | Durability |
| Best Overall | 4/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Best Non-slip | 5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Best Waterproof | 4/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Most Luxurious | 5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Best for Front Seat | 4/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Best Seat Protection | 4/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
The Winner
The winner is the Plush Paws Waterproof Car Seat Cover. This car seat cover is made from strong and durable fabric that is waterproof. Plush Paws help keep everything neat and tidy. This product was number one because it gave us consistent and long-lasting results for a good price.
READ MORE: Best Dog Crates and Carriers for Car Travel. Keep your dog safe in the car (and avoid furry messes) with these tried and true dog crates and carriers for car travel!
Choosing the Right Dog Car Seat Cover
When it comes to looking for the right dog car seat cover there are several things that you need to take into consideration.
Placement Inside the Vehicle
We reviewed a number of dog seat covers. While most of them fit the back seat as a hammock or fitted cover, most can also convert to protect the trunk of a car or SUV as needed.
Only one front-seat option made it to our list of top picks. Because our dogs get fur everywhere, we prefer to cover the back seat as well as both front seats so it’s easier to keep our car clean.
Ease of Installation
Whatever dog car seat cover you choose, it must be easy to install and remove because dogs make a mess, and the cover must be easy to remove for laundering.
If you use the cover occasionally to take the car on special trips to the vet or on family vacations, we recommend choosing a cover that is easy to slip over the headrests so that it is quick to place and remove.
Car Seat Cover Materials
Look for a car seat cover that combines comfort with durability. Ensure that the materials used are scratch-proof and water-resistant at a minimum, but ideally, choose one that’s waterproof.
Read reviews to be sure that other users can attest that the cover is colorfast and waterproof. If the colors bleed onto the car seats, users will be quick to put this in product reviews.
Cleaning
All good dog car seat covers should be easy to clean. They can all be spot cleaned and vacuumed easily, but some fabrics can retain stiff dog hairs, making it difficult to fully clean the seat cover.
We reviewed a couple of car seat covers that are not machine washable, but we prefer ones that can be tossed in the wash and air-dried. This keeps them clean, sanitary and smelling fresh.
Honorable Mentions
Here are more options that didn’t make our list but are definitely worth considering when looking for the right dog seat cover.
1. YesYees Waterproof Dog Car Seat
We like this split seat cover that fits most vehicles and works well with middle seat belts and armrests. Since you have the option of covering one or all the back seats, this product is ideal for child car seats and groceries.
We love the flexibility of this design, but it is more water-resistant than waterproof, and the design allows mess to get onto the seats. For more waterproof protection, we suggest the Plush Paws Waterproof Car Seat Cover.
2. BarksBar Luxury Car Seat Cover
The Barksbar Luxury Car Seat Cover comes in 2 sizes and is made from a three-ply polyester that is tear-resistant and won’t leak or stick to the car seat. Colorfast is the name of the game with this one.
We loved that this product fit most car seats and could be used either as a bench cover or a hammock. We like the additional color option of the Pet Magasin Luxury Dog Pet Cover and it’s nearly the same product so we chose it for our top picks.
3. Viewpets Bench Car Seat Cover
This quilted waterproof bench cover comes in gray, black, sage green, and tan. Viewpets made this with a non-slip mesh and side select flaps with elastic straps to secure the seat corners. It’s machine washable and ready to use!
The issue we found is that the colors don’t match the listing image. If you are looking for something colorful and true, take a peek at the Meadowlark Dog Seat Covers as an option.
4. Arf Pets SUV Cargo Liner
Here is a cargo liner cover for SUVs and cars. This cover comes with an extra bumper flap to help save your bumper from scratches when dogs jump in and out of the back of your car. It also protects your bumper from damage due to pet ramps.
The Arf Pets SUV Cargo Liner is not the best for trapping the hair, and we found things got a bit messy. A great alternative is the Active Pets Store Car Seat Cover since it provides more flexibility in coverage for the rear seat of your vehicle.
5. IBuddy Dog Car Seat Covers
This car seat cover helps protect your back seat in a budget-friendly way. It’s made from breathable mesh that helps regulate the temperature of your dog and it’s rugged and waterproof. Being machine-washable is an added perk.
We liked that there are zippered side panels to help provide extra protection for your dog. This is a hammock-style seat cover so it helps cradle your dog and further protect your car seat. Energetic dogs may be able to detach the seat cover, a problem we didn’t have with the URPOWER Waterproof Pet Car Seat Cover.
6. BarksBar Original Car Seat Cover
This seat cover stands apart thanks to the storage pockets. You’re able to keep treats and even drinks in the pockets because they’re made of waterproof polyester.
With a universal fit for most vehicles, it’s also colorfast so it won’t stain your backseat, but the straps don’t stay tight and a pup can burrow underneath the seat cover. Our best suggestion as an alternative is the Meadowlark Dog Seat Cover.
7. BarksBar Pet Front Car Seat Cover
Here’s a front seat cover for most standard vehicles from Barksbar. This only comes in black, but it has been tested in extreme temperatures to make sure it doesn’t melt or crack. It has a quilted design so that your pup is cozy and comfortable while riding next to you.
Unfortunately, this front seat cover sticks to leather seats and may cause staining. If this is an issue you may want to try the 4Knines Front Car Seat Cover which has a colorfast backing.
8. AmazonBasics Waterproof Car Bench Seat Cover
Here is an entry for AmazonBasics. It’s made from practical and easy-to-care-for canvas that is stylish and waterproof. It provides great protection from dirt and fur and is easy to clean and maintain.
It comes with standard headrest loops, straps, and seat anchors that make you want to use it all the time. We loved how easy it was to handle this car seat cover. The weak point of this product is that there is no padding. If you want a cover that has padding, we suggest the Meadowlark Car Seat Cover.
9. Frisco Waterproof Quilted Car Seat Cover
This seat cover has a snug fit and works with most vehicle types. The hammock design makes it hard for your pup to jump into the front and adds a little more protection by cradling him in the back seat.
Frisco has storage pockets so you can take your pup’s treats and water. It also has openings for seatbelt access and comes with a non-slip mesh backing. We found that Frisco’s seat cover is not fully waterproof, so we suggest you try the URPower Waterproof Pet Seat Cover
