Best Dog Car Seat Reviews 2023

There are different types of dog car seats that vary in terms of size, material type and design, among other things. With these differences in features come differences in price as well. From our research, we discovered that you can get a quality dog car seat for between around $90 and $160.

Note that the brands on the lower end of this price range are not low quality. They simply may not have as many features as the pricier ones. We ensured that cheap dog car seats that are of too low a quality to serve you did not make our list. As for the higher-priced products, they may have a better design or more expensive material, but any one of these dog car seats would get the job done in most cases, depending on what you are looking for. You just have to select the one that appeals to you the most.

In choosing the best dog car seat for you, there are a few things you need to consider. We will point out some major features that require consideration to help you determine what’s best for you. Some of them include:

• Type – Booster/ bench booster/ console seat, combination of seat and carrier
• Car Model -Check whether the dog car seat you want is compatible with your car model
• Ease of Use – Mounting/un-mounting and storage
• Capacity – Dog size and weight
• Material Type – Foam, polyester, fleece bottom, nylon quilt
• Safety - How does it keep your dog safe and secure in the car seat
• Maintenance – Detachable pillow, removable cover

Let’s take a closer look at these features.

Before you jump into making a purchase, the very first thing you need to consider is the car in which the dog will be riding. This will determine the best dog car seat design to go for. You need to choose a design that will work with your car’s seat. Once this consideration is taken care of, you can then move on to other considerations.

There are different types of dog car seats which will suit different dogs. There are dog car booster seats that are box-like and cushioned to provide a comfortable enclosure for your dog. With this kind of seat, your dog is both securely tethered and also boosted, to give it a good view of the surroundings. Another is the bench booster seat, which operates much like the car booster seat, except that it has no enclosure. It, however, still keeps the dog comfortably secured and elevated. Another is the console seat, which is suited for much smaller dogs. With this kind of seat, the dog sits right by your side on the console but is still kept safely out of your way so you can drive with ease. The last type that we will look at is the type that is a combination of seat and carrier. This can do both jobs – you simply convert it to what you need at the time. It is, however, best suited for smaller dogs.

A very important factor to consider is the weight of your dog. If your dog weighs around 18lbs, then a small dog seat would be appropriate for it. Also for small breeds, a design that has an adjustable system would be essential to give your dog the boost it needs to get a better window view during the ride along. If your dog is around 25lbs or above, then a medium or large size would be more appropriate. Keep in mind that bigger dogs don’t tend to need the adjustable raise system.

In terms of safety measures of the dog car seat, it is important to ensure the seat you choose will adequately secure your dog to the seat. This kind of seat will buckle firmly to your car’s seat, ensuring that the dog car seat will not fall over should you hit the brakes suddenly. The interior of the dog seat should also have an adjustable dog leash inside to secure your dog. This way you can be sure that your dog is safe, comfortable and secure in the car.

Ease of use is an important factor in selecting a dog car seat. If you are the type that wants to hit the road without any unnecessary delay, you would want a seat that can be easily mounted and un-mounted to your car. A dog seat that can be easily clipped or fastened to the car seat would make things a lot faster. In addition to being easy to mount and un-mount, you may also want to consider the storage space where you keep the dog car seat when not in use. A foldable dog car seat is good for optimum storage as it won’t take up too much space.

The maintenance of the dog car seat is another thing to consider. The type of material used goes a long way to determine if it can easily be cleaned or not. Having a dog seat with a removable pillow would make washing easier as it can easily be tossed into the washing machine. Also, having an outer covering made of material that is equally easy to wash would give you a stress-free maintenance experience.

Before making the final decision, ensure that the dog seat you get is one that offers your dog a good window view for the ride. It should also keep the dog properly secured in the seat. The safety of yourself, the dog and other motorists is very important; therefore ensure you always fasten the dog seat to the car’s seat and the dog itself into the dog seat. Just placing the dog car seat inside the car does not guarantee safety. It is the correct use of the seat that does.

Finally, do not forget to take note of your dog’s weight and choose an appropriate seat. Using a small size for a big breed and vice versa would be uncomfortable and unsafe for your dog.