9 Simple Ways To Protect Boat Seats From Dogs
The best way to protect boat seats from dogs is to cover them with a dog seat cover or hammock. These dog products are generally a large piece of durable and waterproof fabric that has loops that secure around a headrest of a seat. Alternatively you can cover your boat seats with a dog car booster seat or dog car bed or even with an old towel. Additionally, you can take preventative measures such as cutting your dog’s nails and brushing your dog’s fur before boarding the boat.
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1. Cover Upholstery With A Single Dog Seat Cover or Dog Hammock
If you are worried about your dog ruining your boat’s seats while out at sea, the best solution is to cover them with a dog seat cover or hammock. While these dog products are traditionally made for the car, if you get the right ones, it can work just as well for your boat.
As most boat seats are single seats unlike the bench like design of the back section of a car, you will need to look out for single dog car seat covers that are traditionally made for the front passenger seat. Otherwise, if you want to cover a lounge seating area or something similar, a dog car seat hammock is your best option as it will cover a larger area.
The reason why I suggest dog car seat covers for covering boat seats is because these products are designed specifically to shield vehicle seats from dogs. They are generally very durable due to their construction in some sort of densely woven fabric that is most likely non-slip and waterproof. It will protect your boat’s upholstery from the remnants of dog adventures including dirt, mud and shedded fur and will also provide a layer between your dog and the seat to prevent scratch marks and punctures. They are also very easy to wash by wiping them down, shaking or machine washing.
The Best Dog Seat Covers
1. Pet Front Seat Cover for Dogs
Find Out The Current Price On Amazon Here
2. Dirtbag™ Dog Seat Cover
Find Out The Current Price On Muttropolis Here
2. Trim Your Dog’s Nails Before Entering The Boat
A preventative measure you can take to protect your boat seats from your dog is to trim their nails before entering the boat. However be careful when you cut your dog’s nails to make sure they are not sharper than what they were before. Take the time to smooth out the tip by cutting the sharp corners off on the sides of their nails.
Instead of using traditional dog nail scissors, you could try to use a dog nail grinder. A grinding tool can give a smoother finish to the nail than scissors and also works better on thick nails. This type of dog nail grooming tool may be more beneficial to use before boarding a boat.
3. Brush Your Dog Thoroughly To Remove Loose Fur
Another preventative measure you can take to protect your boat’s seats is to brush your dog thoroughly to remove any loose fur before boarding the boat. This will mean less fur will be shedded on board which in turn means less cleaning for you after your day out!
4. Let Your Dog Wear Waterproof Booties
Dog boots can be a good idea for people who are super concerns about their dog’s paws causing damage on their boat’s seats. Specifically, for people who are worried that their dog’s nails may puncture the vinyl upholstery of the seats. While this is unlikely to happen as dog’s nails retract when they are standing or sitting, dog boots give another layer of protection between your dog and your boat. They also have gripping on the soles which can help your dog balance while out at sea.
One downside of dog boots is that many dogs do not like wearing them at all. For them to be effective your dog needs to have a very calm personality where not much phases them. If you dogs hates the idea of their paws being touched, for example when they might be resistive when getting their nails cut, dog boots are probably not the best idea. When on dog’s may feel uncomfortable walking in them and need some training to get used to them.
The Best Dog Boots
1. XSY&G Dog Boots
Find Out The Current Price On Amazon Here
2. Pawz Waterproof Dog Boots, 12 count
Find Out The Current Price On Chewy Here
5. Put A Dog Car Bed On The Boat Seat
The alternative to covering your boat’s seats with a dog car cover or hammock is to use a dog car bed. These are just like ordinary dog beds however they have straps to secure them to a seat which is a great safety feature for both boats and cars alike.
This method will not protect boat seats as much as using a car seat cover however if your dog is only allowed on the seats for resting, you may choose to train your dog to have a specific spot that they are allowed and thus you only need to worry about protecting that one seat.
The Best Dog Car Beds
1. Utotol Dog Car Bed
Find Out The Current Price On Amazon Here
6. Remove Shedded Hair With A Lint Roller
Shedded hair is unfortunately and inevitable when it comes to owning a dog (unless you have one of those hypoallergenic breeds) and while you might train your dog to not go anywhere near your boats seats, it will still probably get on your clothes and all around the boat anyway.
The best way to remove dog hair or fur from your boat is to use a lint roller, either the brush type or a sticky roll one.
7. Use A Stain & Odour Eliminator
If your dog is travelling on a boat, it is highly likely that they will go for a swim and come back onto the boat wet at some point. We all know that wet dogs smell really bad and this smell can linger for hours on end if not the right steps are taken to eliminate it.
To remove wet dog smell from your boat, your best option is to use a dog stain and odour eliminator. These products are generally available from pet stores and come in a range of scents and styles.
8. Try A Dog Booster Seat
A similar way to protect your boat’s upholstery to using a dog car bed is to use a dog booster seat. Instead of the highly cushioned and plushy design, a dog booster seat is more like a bike basket in shape. It generally has sturdy sides and is lined with a fluffy fabric or has a cushioned quilted interior.
The Best Dog Booster Seats
1. Gen7Pets Snuggle Pocket Vehicle Booster Seat
Find Out The Current Price On PetMate Here
2. K&H PET PRODUCTS Bucket Booster Pet Seat
Find Out The Current Price On Amazon Here
9. Lay Down Puppy Pads For Young Dogs Who May Have Accidents
The final way to protect boat seats from dogs is to put puppy pads on the seats to soak up any accidents. This is a really good idea if you are planning to take a puppy onto a boat who hasn’t been toilet trained for a boat.
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