With more pet-friendly pubs, cafes, and hotels, it has never been easier to get out and about with your dog. So whether it’s for a quick trip to the vets or further afield on days out or holidays, keeping your pooch happy and safe in the car is an important consideration – and dog booster seats are the perfect way to do so for small or medium-sized dogs.
These car seats not only ensure your dog is safe and restrained but also act as covers to keep your upholstery clean and hair-free, so it's a win-win situation! We’ve checked all the major retailers such as Amazon and Argos for the best seats out there, to make sure that no matter the length of the journey, your four-legged adventurer always travels first class.
Quick List - Top Dog Car Seats
Legendog
Foldable, Waterproof Seat That’s a Great Option for Small Dogs and Puppies
Speedwellstar
Splash Proof Seat With Lots of Features Providing Excellent Value for Money
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It’s important – especially on longer journeys – to make sure that your dog has enough room to sit, stand, lie down and move around comfortably. Due to the nature of their design, it is recommended that dog car seats are only used for small to medium-sized dogs, as larger dogs will need more space to travel in comfort.
Even so, when looking at different sizes of dog car seats, make sure you check the measurements against those of your dog to avoid buying your 10 kg Cavapoo a seat designed for a 2 kg Chihuahua!
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There are a couple of variations on how the car seat can be anchored into your car. These can include using the seatbelt that’s already there and anchoring straps with or without clips.
Some dog car seats use the fitted inertia seatbelt in the car to wrap around the seat and clip into the seatbelt keeper to secure it in place. This works well providing the instructions are followed fully, as the belt will automatically hold fast if the car brakes suddenly for any reason.
Others have straps that are anchored into the base of a seat in the car or are placed around the headrest of the seat the carrier is on and/or the headrest of the seat in front. Again, these can work well provided they are fitted correctly, they aren’t allowed to degrade or slacken, and providing your dog doesn’t decide to munch on them as an in-car snack!
As with securing the seat into your car, you want to make sure that your dog is also secured safely into the seat and won’t appear unannounced on your lap as you whizz down the motorway!
The most common way to do so is with a strap that is fitted directly into the car seat with a clip or fitting of some sort that you attach to your dog’s collar or harness. This is the simplest way of keeping your dog in place as the strap is unlikely to come loose and requires no extra attachments.
If it doesn’t have a built-in strap and clip, you can secure your dog using the seatbelt. This can be done either with a strap that loops round the seatbelt cross strap, or, provided that the seat itself isn’t held in place using the seatbelt anchor, you can buy a strap that clips directly into the seatbelt anchor which you would then attach to your dog’s collar.
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For the most convenience, look out for additional features that will help to keep you and your pup happy on the road. Here are a few of the more common features to help you pick out what you need.
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Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Nasjac Dog Car Seat | ![]() | Feature Packed Seat Including a Breathable and Waterproof Mesh Design | |
2 | Legendog Dog Car Seat for Small Dogs | ![]() | Foldable, Waterproof Seat That’s a Great Option for Small Dogs and Puppies | |
3 | ZEEXIPDR Dog Car Seat | ![]() | A Fun and Comfortable Design in a Durable Fabric Complete With Storage Bag | |
4 | Speedwellstar Waterproof Dog Car Seat | ![]() | Splash Proof Seat With Lots of Features Providing Excellent Value for Money | |
5 | BLOBLO Dog Car Seat With Storage Pocket | ![]() | Thick, Cushioned Doggie Car Seat, Perfect for the Pups Who Just Want to Snooze | |
6 | Wimypet 3-in-1 Dog Car Seat with Seat Belt | ![]() | A Great Value and Adaptable Seat, Made With Durable, Anti-scratch Fabric | |
7 | Pawzitive Petz 2-in-1 Dog Car Seat | ![]() | Two Car Upholstery Protectors for the Price of One Made With Non-slip Material | |
8 | Kurgo Booster Seat for Dogs | ![]() | A Higher Seating Position That Helps Prevent Car Sickness and Calms Anxious Pups | |
9 | GoBuyer Waterproof Dog Car Seat Booster | ![]() | Waterproof Bed, Perfect for Petite Pooches Who Love to Get Muddy on Walks | |
10 | Toozey Dog Car Seat for Small to Medium Dogs | ![]() | Easy to Set Up Seat That’s Both Scratch-Resistant and Waterproof |
This seat has pretty much every feature you could need! Its mesh design lets air circulate which is ideal for keeping your dog cool if you're travelling on a hot day, and it has the added benefit of a pocket and a removable waterproof liner to keep it clean. It's also completely foldable into its storage bag, and even usable as a hammock-style dog seat when unzipped.
It's also waterproof and easy to install and keeps even the most anti-car-journey dogs cuddling up and falling asleep while using it. Dogs and humans alike will both love this practical, comfy and adaptable seat, making for many happy road trips together.
Made from deluxe waterproof fabric, this foldable booster seat is designed to keep your dog safe and comfortable when travelling. It has a removable lining of fleece which will provide extra comfort for your pooch.
The two side pockets are great for storing extra doggie supplies such as poop bags or a water bottle. Reviews particularly like that the seat height can be adjusted so your dog is able to see out the window in this seat which helps with travel sickness and anxiety.
This soft and squishy seat has a slight doughnut design to it to encourage your dog to settle quickly, whilst the wear-resistant fabric means that it'll stay looking like new for longer. It's easily moved into different types and sizes of car too, and as it comes with a storage bag it'll remain dirt- and dust-free when not in use.
Owners who have used this seat give it high praise, saying how secure their dog feels when using it and that the fun star design is attractive so they feel like they don't have to keep it stowed away. To top it off, you can also throw it in the washing machine when needed.
Given the price of this car seat there's a load of useful features to help keep your dog happy and your car clean. The tough nylon surface is splash-proof so that wet walks need not leave any trace or mud or muck, and the non-slip base will keep the seat firmly in place on those winding country roads.
While this is great value it doesn't come with any means of securing your dog, so you will need to buy a seat belt tether or a strap that clicks into your seat belt keeper to keep your dog safe in the unfortunate event of an accident.
This dog seat is admittedly not as feature-heavy as others in this listing, but if you've got a snuggle monster of a dog then this seat is a must-have. Its thick cushioning and washable Oxford cloth means that your little hound will be able to snooze happily on long journeys as the miles roll by.
The shape of the seat is also great for calming anxious travellers, as they can feel safe and curled up, and it also doubles as a stylish pet bed when you reach your destination. This model isn't waterproof though, so if your dog is prone to sickness or accidents it may turn out to be too messy.
This is a good quality seat that's easy to clean, and the durable anti-scratch fabric with PVC backing means that fur and dirt are kept well off your car's upholstery. It's also handy in the fact that it will fold down to make a car seat cover, and fold flat so you can store it easily when your dog isn't riding along.
On the downside, the seat belt clip may not be ideal for everyone as it means that your dog isn't restrained to the seat. This wouldn't be a problem for some but if your dog likes to wander and explore it may not suit your needs.
This 2-in-1 dog seat and seat protector means that when your dog isn't riding along, you can zip down the sides and instantly transform it into a seat cover. It's also made with a non-slip backing material and has an anchor to keep it firmly in place.
Whilst this seat is versatile, some reviewers report that it can be fiddly to zip up the corners to turn it back into a dog seat. Nonetheless, it is easily moved and fits well into other cars if you have more than one set of wheels to cater for.
This seat from Kurgo has an adjustable height position, so you can make sure your pal has the best viewing position while riding shotgun with you. For this reason, it's been praised for its calming effect on normally-anxious four-legged travellers.
However, some users have mentioned issues with the seat collapsing if their dog leans too much on the front of the seat, and that the strap and clip to hold your dog in place are a bit oversized for the small dogs this seat has been designed for.
Made from durable, tear-resistant fabric, this waterproof bed with its cute paw print design is ideal for smaller dogs who don't hold back when it comes to wet and muddy walks. It also has an inbuilt anchor strap to attach to your pal's collar or harness to keep them firmly put.
We would recommend sizing up your dog and double-checking the dimensions given by the manufacturer, as its size may only comfortably fit smaller-sized dogs. Still, if your fur-baby is small, this will be ideal.
This is a good mid-range seat that promises to be durable, scratch-resistant, and waterproof. There's also the added bonus of an anchor strap that you insert into the gap between the cushions on the seat of your car and the seatback, which gives extra security.
One important thing to note about this dog car seat is that it doesn't come with anything to restrain your dog within the seat, such as a clip or strap. This needs to be kept in mind as it's an added expense and is not something you can do without, as if left loose your dog could come to harm if you're involved in an accident.
It is important to mention that there are certain rules that apply when travelling with your dog in your car. The Highway Code requires your dog to be 'suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves, if you stop quickly'.
While breaking the Highway Code is not actually an offence, if you’re involved in a car accident and your dog is not suitably restrained, your dog could be considered a distraction and you may be found at fault.
This isn’t the only reason to consider a car seat as a way to keep your dog contained when travelling, as in the event of a crash your dog could be thrown around which could potentially cause injury or death, not only to your pet but to anyone else travelling in the car.
No. 1: Nasjac|Dog Car Seat
No. 2: Legendog|Dog Car Seat for Small Dogs
No. 3: ZEEXIPDR|Dog Car Seat
No. 4: Speedwellstar|Waterproof Dog Car Seat
No. 5: BLOBLO|Dog Car Seat With Storage Pocket
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