You'll never have to find a companion for long drives if you could make your dog feel comfortable sitting next you in the car. And you can make that happen by some training and using the best dog car seat. Today, you can find a number of ways to restrain your dog in the car, and using car booster seat is probably the most comfortable one for your furry friend.
Here are some of the very best dog car seat options to help you select the most appropriate car seat for your beloved pet.
Snoozer Lookout Car Seat
BEST in Comfort
Rated by: Amber
K & H Pet Products Bucket Booster Seat
BEST OVERALL
Rated by: Amber
Kurgo Skybox Booster Seat
Best in durability
Rated by: Amber
Quick Summary
Rated by: Amber
It's one impressive car seat that is comfortable and rather affordable too. It can be used for pets up to 25 pounds. And pet owners that are looking for easy-care products will be happy that this item comes with a washable and dryable cover. What’s more, the cover also repels hair.
The doggie car seat can be used in both warm and cold months. And it’s also equipped with a security strap and a connection strap. If you want a product that will blend well with your car’s interior, this dog car seat won’t disappoint. It’s available in various color and fabric options.
Overall, it's a good dog car seat to consider but some users are just not happy with the tether that you used to connect the dog's harness. It's basically a simple loop designed to keep the booster in place, but the problem is that it can sometimes slide along the length of your seat belt, leaving the dog unprotected. A built-in connection would've made it an even better product.
PROS
CONS
Quick Summary
Rated by: Amber
It’s hard to go wrong with a product that has a perfect customer rating and positive reviews. That’s the case with this bucket booster pet seat from K&H. It comes with two adjustable security leashes and you can place it in either the front or back seat. Your dog can enjoy a better view of their environment as their seat is elevated.
The product is also easy to use, which is perfect for busy travelers or those traveling with kids. Depending on the size of your dog, you can choose between two sizes - the small dog car seat and large dog car seat. While the smaller seat can accommodate your small dog, the larger one can accommodate two small dogs or a medium-sized dog comfortably.
Keeping the seat clean won't be an issue because it comes with a washable cover, so you can give it a wash whenever you feel it looks dirty. The installation process looks quite simple too. Unlike many other booster seats, it doesn't feature a frame but you can use the seatbelt to ensure the chair is in a perfect place, and that's when the tether that attaches to the seatbelt anchor comes into play. If you install everything correctly, the features will keep your dog from getting out of the chair in case you suddenly press the brakes.
Overall, this car seat looks stylish and certainly quite safe for your little furry friend. As it's secure, it also keeps the motion sickness to the minimum. The only concern many users have is about its price tag, which is a bit on the higher side.
PROS
CONS
Quick Summary
Rated by: Amber
If you're looking for a high quality product that works great to reduce distracted driving, you can opt for this booster seat from Kurgo. The price for the product varies depending on whether you’re purchasing a brand new or used item. But with other a thousand reviews, the question is likely not so much about the price but what it can do for you and your dog during long drives.
Kurgo, the manufacturer, has been in the business since 2003. It is one of the best booster seats to keep your pet from distracting you. And at the same time, keep your pet relaxed, safe, and secure. This dog booster seat is also designed to be easy-care. The exterior fabric on kurgo skybox is waterproof and the inner lining can be tossed into the machine. The dog booster seat also comes in a hanging-style, which means your dog can have a good view of their surroundings.
The dog booster seat also comes with an adjustable seatbelt tether that you can attach to your dog’s harness. The manufacturer offers a lifetime warranty for their products. It's suitable for most dogs up to 20lbs, but you can easily keep a 30lb dog comfortable in the seat depending on the body mass of your dog. Moreover, the installation is never going to be an issue with this dog booster seat because you can easily install it in a 60/40 rear split bench seat or opt for the front bucket seat for installation.
Overall, the booster car seat is highly recommended for dogs, but it's worth mentioning that some buyers are not entirely happy with its frame, as it uses a thin metal pole frame, which offers structural integrity but could be dangerous for your dog. A simple solution is to put foam pipe insulation over it to make it feel more comfortable.
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CONS
Quick Summary
Rated by: Amber
From Bloblo, this is another pet booster seat that’s worth checking out. Available in three colors, the set is made of oxford cloth that is resistant to tear. This may be an ideal choice for dogs that love chewing.
The material of this dog booster seat also helps keep pets warm during cold seasons. The product is easy to install and comes with an adjustable bucket that is compatible with various car types. The seat can be installed either in the front or rear seat.
You will also find storage bags on both sides of the dog booster seat where you can store your pet’s essentials. As for cleaning, the mat is removable and can be machine washed. However, the manufacturer says the product can only accommodate small pets.
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Dogs looking out the window are an adorable sight. But without a harness or a car seat, they can be in danger. This can also pose safety hazards to everyone they’re sharing the ride with. Let’s talk about more reasons why you should buy car seats for dogs.
What's more, you should listen to what other pet parents have to say about products they have tried, especially if you have the same dog breeds. When buying online, it pays to look at photos and personal experiences of other users before making your final decision. It feels tempting to purchase a product that seems to be working well with another pet parent that you trust. But remember, every dog is unique. Pay attention to what matters most for you and your pet.
If it is your first time to have your dog use a car seat, be sure to spend time introducing them to their new ‘place’ while on the road. They may hesitate or feel scared to get inside. You should proceed slowly and don't push them to accept the new piece of equipment. If you force it onto them, they're never going to feel comfortable using your newly bought booster doggy car seat.
Ideally, you should make it a step-step process. Offer them treats to encourage them to get their feet (or even foot) inside. Once you see they’re already stepping inside, try to practice them to stay longer in it. Here, you'll need to have lots of treats with you to establish and reinforce that sitting behavior. Once your dog is inside the car and in the dogs car seat, you should start driving. It's a good idea to have an assistant with you at the same time who should appreciate your dog staying in place. They could also help provide treats to ensure the dog associate the car with rewards and positive things. Sometimes, you can also benefit from giving chew toys to your small dog – it may work if you opt for a special types of car booster dog car seats.
Another thing to make sure the proper safety and comfort of your dog is to exercise them properly. It means that your dog should get some time to play and feel a bit tired. This way, he won't cause as much resistant as he's likely to cause when he's fresh and fidgety. Playing with him before the car trip will help burn off excess energy and you're likely to have a responsive dog who'd be willing to learn how to use car booster seats properly.
When your dog is comfortably sitting in the booster seat, it's still important to avoid pushing it too much and go for smaller trips at first. This way, your dog would know that the trip is eventually going to end and he should behave for a few more minutes. Once he gets used to the seat and his place in the car, you can go for longer rides as well.
Yes, it's a good idea to get a seat belt for your dog to ensure that he doesn't distract you while driving. Statistics show that distracted drivers end up hurting them and others using the road. While your mobile phones are the biggest culprits, you just can't take dog out of the picture, especially when you're trying to keep one comfortable in your lap. Therefore, it's important to use a car booster seat or at least opt for a seat belt to keep him secure.
You may need to use dog seat belt because it's mandatory by law. Therefore, it's a good idea to get in touch with your state legislature or at least use the internet to read about pet restraint laws in your area. You can't drive without buckling up your dog in places like New Jersey, Hawaii, and Rhode Island. Other states may also have laws keeping you from driving when your dog is not restrained. Remember, even if your state doesn't have a law to keep your dog buckled up while driving, you may still be guilty of distracted driving and end up getting a ticket.
There's really no reason not to use a dog seat belt to be on the safer side. It's true that using a dog car seat will work more efficiently at keeping your dog safe, secure, and comfortable. But, you should at least be using a seat belt, which is more like a dog harness with a padded vest and a clip to connect with the car seat belt. A good harness is the one that allows your dog to sit up and lie down but doesn't let him move side to side and cause any unnecessary distraction. Similarly, a harness needs to be secure enough to keep your dog in the seat when you suddenly slam the brakes.
While both car seats and car seat belt or harnesses work great to keep your dog safe, you should still keep some important tips in mind when driving with your furry friend. For instance:
It all boils down to the fact that enjoying the lovely outdoors with your furry friend can be dangerous if you do nothing to keep him in the right place, and that's when dog car seats come into play. If you're confused but want the best dog car seat only, be sure to check what K & H Pet Products Bucket Booster Seat has to offer.
Hi, I'm Amber! iPetCompanion care about your relationship with your pets. I realize how hard it is to leave them behind especially when you have an out-of-town trip schedule so I made this blog to help!
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