The Easiest Ways To Protect Your Car Interior From Your Dog
There are tons of products to protect the interior of your car from your dog on the market however some are undoubtedly better than others. That is why I have compiled a list of the best dog car products to prevent fur covering your upholstery and dog odours filling your car. I have based the rankings on important features to look for in a dog car products.
The best way to protect your car interior from your dog is to set up a dog hammock over your back seat. This will prevent your dog from scratching your car upholstery, leaving muddy paw prints or getting shedded hair everywhere. Alternatively, use a car side door cover, a boot protector or a dog booster seat.
Continue reading so you can find the best solution for your car and your dog!
Table of Contents
Quick Picks: The Best Products To Protect The Interior Of Your Car
Highlights | Product Links |
Best Dog Hammock | Kurgo Dog Hammock Car Seat Cover |
Best Side Door Cover | PetEvo Car Door Protector |
Best Car Boot Cover | F-color SUV Cargo Liner for Dogs |
Best Dog Booster Seat | BOCHAO Dog Car Seat |
Best Dog Odour Eliminator | Rocco & Roxie Professional Strength Stain & Odor Eliminator |
Frequently Asked Questions About Protecting A Car Interior From A Dog
How do you pet proof a car? The best way to pet proof your car is to stop your dog wandering around while driving by using a car harness and dog seat belt. Additionally you should use a dog hammock or dog booster seat so there is a layer between your dog and your car’s upholstery.
How can I protect my car seats from dog hair? The best way to protect your car seats from dog hair is to put a dog car hammock over the backseats where your dog will be sitting. This will act as a barrier between your dog and the upholstery, successfully catching any shedded fur.
Our Top Picks: Must Have Dog Products!
How can I protect my car from my dog’s nails? The easiest way to protect your car from your dog’s nails is to keep their nails trimmed so they are not sharp. Additionally, you can protect your car with a durable clip-on piece of fabric that goes over the side doors.
How do I keep my dog from scratching my car? The best way to keep your dog from scratching your car is to train him out of it. However, if you are looking for a short term solution, a dog car side door cover as well as a dog car hammock will protect your car’s upholstery.
The Best Dog Car Door Protectors
- PetEvo Car Door Protector From Amazon
- Plush Paws Products Car Door Protectors From Amazon
How can I protect my leather car seats from my dog? You can protect your leather car seats from your dog by installing a dog hammock or dog booster seat where your dog normally sits. This will act as a layer of protection between your dog and your car’s leather seats.
How do you get dog hair out of car upholstery? The best way to get dog hair out of car upholstery is to either use a hand held vacuum cleaner or a pet hair remover roller. There are also DIY dog hair removal methods such as using duct tape or the static electricity from a balloon.
Read Also: These Simple Tricks Will Remove All Of The Dog Hair From Your Car
How can I control dog hair in my car? Put a dog hammock over the back seats of your car to control the dog hair in your car. This will act as a barrier between your dog and the upholstery, meaning you won’t have to spend hours cleaning the shedded fur anymore!
Do dog nails scratch leather car seats? Yes, unfortunately dog nails can easily scratch leather car seats. That is why it is so important to regularly trim your dog’s nails so they are not sharp. You can also protect your leather seats by putting a dog car hammock over them.
1. Use A Dog Hammock/Back Seat Protector
A dog hammock or back seat protector is a large piece of generally black coloured fabric that hangs across the back section of your car with adjustable straps and hooks. They come in three main design styles. One design is the full size back seat hammock which protects the car doors, the back seats, the floor and the back of your front seats. The other is the half size back seat hammock which is the same except there is a side wall half way across your seat so you can have one back seat passenger. The final type is the back seat cover which fits snugly over your back seats and doesn’t protect the floor, the side doors or the backs of the front seats.
Full Size Dog Hammock
Vailge Dog Seat Cover for Back Seat
Overview:
The valige dog seat cover is a full size back seat dog hammock made from a black quilted material. It features a mesh section so you can see your dog from the front of the car and also allows for ventilation. There are also two large pockets for storage and adjustable straps with buckles to secure the product in your car.
Price:
Check our the current prince on Amazon here
Specifications:
- Non-slip net
- Waterproof
- Velcro openings for seat belt
- Side flaps
- Snap buckles
- Zippers
- Two pockets
Advantages | Disadvantages |
A lot of people on Amazon reviews praised this product for it’s precise measurements, the easiness to clean it, it’s durability and it’s relatively easy procedure to install. One person said that the anchors take the longest to install but after that the process is super quick and easy, all you need to make sure is that you tighten the straps around the headrest as much as possible. | At the time of writing this article only 2% of the reviews were 1 star. One of the critical reviews said that the mesh at the middle front goes down a lot further than the picture depicts. They said that some dirt that their dog brought into the car fell through the mesh due to this. |
Half Dog Hammock
Kurgo Dog Hammock Car Seat Cover for Pets
Overview:
The Kurgo Dog Hammock is by far the best half sized dog hammocks available on the market. It is a charcoal grey design with a blue trim and takes up only half the back seat, allowing enough room for another passenger in the back. It also has two large pockets for storage and zippered seat belt slots.
Price:
Check our the current price on Amazon here
Specifications:
- 27.5 inches wide
- Water and stain resistant
- Zippered opening for dog seat belt
- 2 storage pockets
- Blocks dog’s access to the front seat
- Allows room for a back seat passenger
Advantages | Disadvantages |
Reading through the reviews on Amazon I have found out that many people have praised the good quality of this product. They have recounted that it is very quick to install, very durable and also easy to clean. One person said that it holds up to their golden retriever’s sharp claws and catches its fur very well. Another person said that it keeps their dog very well contained and it stops him from falling off the back seat while braking. Finally, one reviewer said that it’s the only product we could find that could fit dogs and humans in the back seat. | I also read through the lower star reviews and I found out that some people had trouble installing the product, saying that to install it you have to remove the headrest and then put the head test through a plastic triangle from the hammock. Others also had issues with the straps. Some people’s dog’s broke the straps and they had to return the product for a refund. I suggest that before you purchase this product you consider the age and personality of your dog and if they are likely to chew it up etc. |
If you want to find out about more half sized hammock style dog seat covers I suggest you read my article on them here!
Back Seat Protector
JSTHT Dog Car Seat Cover
Overview:
This is a black quilted design which featured straps that go over the back headrests to secure it in place. It also has zippers in the middle to accomodate for those pull down cup holders some cars have in the back.
Price:
Check our the current price on Amazon here
Specifications:
- Quilted black design
- 52″x48″ (132cm x 121cm)
- Water resistant
- Scratch proof
- Anti-skid bottom
- Bonus dog seat belt
- Machine washable
Advantages | Disadvantages |
Reading through the Amazon reviews I found out that there was an overwhelming love for the product with heaps of people saying that it is super easy to install as you only need to put the straps over the headrests and tighten them. Other people said that it was very good quality, fit very well in their cars and that the seat belt opening | There was one review detailing that the product had a toxic smell when it was initially taken out of the packaging. But other than this review the reviews were generally very positive. |
2. Cover Your Doors With A Pet Door Cover
If our dog likes to look out the window of your car and puts their paws on the sides of your doors, you can use a car door cover. This will prevent you getting scratch marks all over your interior. This is especially handy if your dog has long, sharp nails. I would suggest getting this product if your dog is a hypoallergenic breed meaning they don’t shed so you do require a full car covering like a dog hammock.
Car Door Protector – Pet Dog Car Door Cover Protector
Overview:
This dog car door protector comes in a twin pack so you can protect both of the doors at the back of your car. It is attached by sliding it between your car door and window with the plastic window tabs.
Price:
Check our the current price on Amazon here
Specifications:
- 600D Oxford Material
- Material repels hair and is waterproof
- Soft plastic with anchors that firmly holds the cover in place
- Soft material on backside to protect car door panel
Advantages | Disadvantages |
One person recounted how this product not only protects her car door and arm rests from her dog’s nails but also prevents her dog from being able to press the window button and open it. A lot of people have said that the plastic tabs work really well to attach the product to the door and that you don’t even need to use the extra velcro at the bottom to keep it in place. | Reading through the more negative reviews I have discovered that for a handful of people the product can pop out of place when the window is rolled back up. Someone also said the adhesive melted to the door on a very hot day so maybe it’s a good idea to only have it installed when you are going to use it and store it inside when you’re not using it. |
3. Use A Car Boot Cover
If you prefer to keep your dog in the boot of your SUV (never put a dog in a small or enclosed boot), you can use a boot protector which is very similar to the dog hammock. It is a piece of large fabric that covers the walls and floors of your boot. This will prevent dog hair getting all over the boot upholstery, keeping it nice and clean.
F-color SUV Cargo Liner for Dogs
Overview:
The F-colour SUV Cargo liner for dogs has been given an amazon’s choice award. It is a large black quilted boot liner that has loops that go over the headrests of your back seats to secure it in place. There is also a non-slip backing which is an added bonus for this product and adds another layer of safety to it.
Price:
Check our the current price on Amazon here
Specifications:
- 4 layers quilted
- Waterproof
- Slits design
- Non-slip backing
- Strong buckles
- Enhanced stitching
Advantages | Disadvantages |
Many amazon customers said that they really like this car boot liner. Some people have said that it is very versatile as it can also be used as a picnic blanket and to protect their upholstery from their luggage. A lot of people have also said that it is a great fit for their car and that the materials are very durable. | I also read through the negative reviews on Amazon and there were a few people that had trouble with the product ripping however this is a general concern for most dog products. Make sure your dog’s nail are clipped short before you put them on this product. |
4. Make Your Dog Sit In A Dog Booster Seat
A dog booster seat is a good option to keep your car clean if you have a tiny, miniature or small dog breed. Anything larger will not fit in a seat like this. A dog booster seat is much like a lined basket that has buckles and straps to secure it in place, much like a child’s car seat. There is also generally a dog seat belt located inside the basket. This method works well if your dog is calm and will happily sit in a seat like this for the duration of a car trip.
BOCHAO Dog Car Seat Pet Booster Seat
Overview:
The BOCHAO dog car booster seat looks like a very comfortable design. It features a dog bed like seat section and a fabric backing. There is a strap which loops around the headrest to secure it in place. It is black in colour.
Price:
Check our the current prince on Amazon here
Specifications:
- High density sponge
- Quality filling cotton
- Non slip bottom
- Waterproof material
- Machine washable
- Storage bag
Advantages | Disadvantages |
In the four star and five star review on Amazon, many customers said that the seat is great, easy to install and very well made. One person said that they are very happy that they don’t need to worry about their dog attempting to walk around the car when they are driving now and that they recommended it to anyone who needs a dog safety seat. | One person said that overall the product is great however the straps are a little flimsy and could be sturdier. They also use their seat belt buckle across the bottom to help hold it in place. Another person said that the seat is lower than expected so it doesn’t provide enough height for their dog to look out the window. |
5. Spray Odour Eliminator In Your Car
The final way to protect your car is to use a dog odour eliminator. They usually come in spray form or some type of air freshener. This will make sure your car is smelling great and not of a wet dog. Some odour eliminating sprays also double up and work as a stain remover which is an added bonus.
Rocco & Roxie Supply Professional Strength Stain and Odor Eliminator
Overview:
The Rocco and Roxie Supply Professional Strength Stain and Odour Eliminator is a multi purpose spray for pet accidents. It comes in a 345L spray bottle and can be used on many surfaces. If you do get this for your car, be sure to spot check it before completely covering your upholstery in case it doesn’t work on your car materials.
Price:
Check our the current price on Amazon here
Specifications:
- Many uses: upholstery, carpet, hardwood, tile, concrete, artificial grass, litter boxes, garbage cans, laundry etc.
- Natural bio-enzymatic formula
- Chlorine free and colour safe
Advantages | Disadvantages |
Lots of people wrote an essay length 5 star review on this product with one person saying that it was “magic in a bottle”. The sheer amount of these types of reviews show how blown away people were with this product with lots of people saying that it actually removed stains and odours very well unlike other products they had tried before. | The amount of one star reviews at the time of writing this article was a very low percentage however as with any product there were complaints. These were generally about the length of the soaking cleaning process this product calls for as well as the strong smell of the spray. |
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Sophie Hamilton is the founder of PupTraveller. She is a dog expert with over 5 years experience in the pet industry where she has researched and written over 400 articles about dogs. Sophie is the go-to resource for dog owners and hopes to share her extensive knowledge of dogs with PupTraveller’s readers.