Should I Get A Dog Car Seat? Pros & Cons
Thinking about getting a dog car seat but you are not sure if it is going to be a worthwhile purchase for you?
One should get a dog car seat if they want to protect their dog during a car ride, want to keep their car upholstery clean, let their dog see outside of the car by elevating him/her to window level, potentially reduce their dog’s car motion sickness and give their dog a physical sense of security while driving. It might not be a worthwhile purchase if one has a large dog breed, their dog does not like confined spaces and if you are not going to have the car seat permanently installed inside the car as installing is time consuming.
Continue reading for more in-depth explanations of the advantages and disadvantages of dog car seats and also my top recommendations with product links
Table of Contents
Reasons Why You Should Get A Dog Car Seat
1. Protects Your Dog
The number one reason why you should get a dog car seat is that it keeps your dog in place while driving and also reduces distractions for you. If you dog is sitting in a dog car seat he/she cannot climb through to the front section of your car and distract you while driving. This effectively lowers the chances of you getting into a car accident and lets you fully focus on the road. Furthermore, the majority of dog car seats come with a dog seat belt attached inside, so a further level of protection is given.
2. Keeps Your Car’s Upholstery Clean
The second reason why you should get a dog car seat is that it can protect you car’s upholstery from your dog’s shedding fur, possible scratches from their nails and also from vomit if you dog gets car sick.
You might also be interested in these simple tricks which will remove all of the dog hair from your car!
3. Elevates Your Dog So He/She Can See The Road
If you have a smaller dog who would love to look out the window while in the car but cannot due to his/her small size, a dog car seat could be a good solution. Especially the elevated basket style dog seats would provide your dog the extra height needs to enjoy the outdoors from the comfort of your car.
4. Helps Reduce Your Dog’s Motion Sickness
Another reason why you should get a dog car seat is if your dog suffers from motion sickness. It can reduce car sickness by lifting your dog high enough so he/she can look out of the window and also benefit from fresh air coming in from it.
5. Gives Your Dog A Physical Sense Of Safety
The final reason why you should get a dog car seat is that it can give your dog peace of mind by giving your dog a physical sense of safety and security. This is achieved through a dog car seat small design which confines your dog into a small cozy space. This can alleviate anxiety in your dog and reduce excessive panting, whining and pacing during a car ride.
Reasons Why A Dog Car Seat Might Not Be For You
1. You Have A Large Dog
Dog car seats are more suited to well behaved medium, small or tiny breeds. If you have a large dog breed I suggest getting a dog car hammock and dog car seat belt set up. This set up is much more suitable for larger breeds as it gives them much more room for getting comfortable while also giving them necessary protection during a car ride.
You might also be interested in reading my Dog Car Hammock Buyer’s Guide here!
2. Your Dog Does Not Like Confined Spaces
There is no point getting a dog car seat if your dog does not like confined spaces and it will just make him/her anxious and dislike car rides. This is the same if your dog is very hyperactive and can not sit still in a small confined space for a long period of time.
3. Installing Each Car Ride Is A Hassle
If the dog car seat is not going to be permanently installed in your car, it will become a hassle to install it and take it out each car ride with your dog. However if the seat will always be in your car, it is probably worthwhile.
What Type Of Dog Car Seat Should You Get
There are two main types of dog car seat that you should be considering when looking for a dog car seat – a bucket style dog seat or a bed style dog seat.
Basket Style Dog Seat
The most common and popular type of dog car seat is the basket style. It is of a basket-like shape just as the name suggests. They are usually of a rectangular shape made of a high quality durable material for the outer and lined with a comfortable blanket like material. Most basket style dog seats are of an elevated design where you strap the seat around the car’s headrest so it is suspended into the air. With this design your dog has a really good view of the outdoors however this style is definitely more suited to smaller breeds.
Bed Style Dog Seat
Alternatively you could get a bed style dog seat however these are a lot less common. This design is usually placed onto the backseat of your car and secured with straps. The composition is usually a high quality durable material that is stuffed just like a dog bed. However as a point of contrast with a dog bed, a bed style seat usually has sides and a back rest to better protect your car’s upholstery. A good point about this style of seat is that it can double up as a dog travel bed when you are on a road trip.
My Top Recommendations For Dog Car Seats
1. BLOBLO Dog Car Seat Pet Booster Seat Pet Travel Safety Car Seat Dog Bed for Car with Storage Pocket
Find Out The Current Price On Amazon Here
2. K&H PET PRODUCTS Bucket Booster Pet Seat – Elevated Pet Booster Seat
Find Out The Current Price On Amazon Here
3. Dog Car Bed,Puppy Booster Seat Dog Travel Car Carrier Bed with Storage Pocket and Clip-on Safety Leash Removable Washable Cover for Small Dog
Find Out The Current Price On Amazon Here
4. LIMETEK Dog Booster Seat, Small Dog Car Seat with Metal Frame Construction for Vehicles, Lookout Dog Car Seats for Small Dogs Pets Up to 20Lbs
Find Out The Current Price On Amazon Here
5. JESPET Dog Booster Seats for Cars, Portable Dog Car Seat Travel Carrier with Seat Belt for 24lbs Pets
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