Ready for a road trip your pooch, but worried about keeping an eye on him?
Dog car seats or boosters are an ingenious way to allow your furry best friend to sit right along with you when you travel.
Aside from keeping them under your watchful supervision, they can be particularly useful for dogs that are prone to distractions or car sickness by providing a secure resting area.
Also a high enough booster can help your dog see what's outside the car. Let's face it, why would anyone go on a road trip if they can't see the road.
From waterproof solutions to cosy compartments, here are the best dog car seats and boosters hand-picked by our team.
Don't have time to go over the guide, here are the top 3:
Our Top Picks
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Ultimate Guide To The Best Dog Car Seats In The UK
What is a car seat and what does it do?
The best dog car seats are meant to keep your dog safe, secure and comfortable during their ride in the car. An improperly restrained pet, for instance, can become a danger to herself and the driver in the event of an accident.
Keeps your car seats munch-free
As they've proven their incredible skills in chewing, chomping and munching dogs can and will chew your ouch.. all so expensive car seats and interiors.
Meanwhile making messes and causing all sort of distractions. Well.. a car seat or cover can help prevent this and save the day.
Your dog can get motion sickness
Believe it or not, some dogs suffer from car sickness just as humans do, so keeping them secure and stable can be a great way to help them have a smoother journey.
When choosing your car seat, it is important to think about the practicalities of your car's inside space, as well as the specific reasons for choosing a car seat.
Curious pooch and peace of mind
A high enough booster will enable your dog to watch the world go by keeping him occupied and entertained.
Not to mention the peace and quiet that comes when you finally satisfied your fury friends' need for entertainment.
Can cater to large or small dogs
Although a dog car seat is easier to handle for smaller dogs, large dogs are well catered for too. Just make sure you choose a large or extra-large size (look for the recommended breeds).
For small ones, a car seat adds visibility, allowing you to keep an eye on your puppy or dog and prevent them from jumping around or causing distractions.
How to choose one?
Size and Fit
The practical question: does it fit in your car? Well, does it?
Car seats are great alternatives to using the car boot and they are particularly useful for smaller cars and smaller pets.
However, you need to make sure that your seat is both big enough for your dog and small enough to fit in your car.
Don't just think about size either; weight is also important for safety and movability.
Most seats are designed for slotting on top of an actual seat with straps hanging from a headrest, so you need to make sure your seat will match your car.
Remember that your dog needs enough space to lie down in their seat easily.
Padding and Cleaning
A dog seat is the perfect solution for keeping your car interior clean.
Your dog car seat is much easier to clean before and after walks as opposed to getting the whole car cleaned.
Remember how long it took to clean the car seat last time it was muddy? Cute but frustrating muddy paw marks?
Good car seats will come with removable padding or covers that are washable for ease of use.
Try to choose breathable, waterproof and long-lasting fabrics which are easy to remove and clean.
Fastenings
If you want to keep your dog secure in their seat, look for a product with harness attachments which can help keep your dog fastened in.
Although these will never be as effective as a seat-belt, they can prevent your dog and seat from falling over during the ride.
Stability
Lightweight car seats are ideal for those that are constantly on the go, but heavyweight items will be more secure and stable in the car.
Some seats are collapsible and some are meant to be durable. Right choice depends on how your specific purpose.
Without further ado, here is our list of the best:
Best Dog Car Seats and Boosters Reviewed
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With an additional luxury version available, PetSafe Solvit is not only comfortable and spacious but also for those who want to ride in style.
As far as security goes, this booster integrates the car's own seat-belt to provide security for your pooch.
Even though on the expensive end of the scale, the feedback we got from our users is it's worth the money. It's comfortable and our dog friends apparently love it.
Mind that it takes up full front seat. The cushion that comes with it is somewhat thin, so additional padding or stuffing for cushion could make your dog's life much happier.
What we liked
- Integrates car's own seatbelt
- Light, yet sturdy
- Easy to assemble
- Inner liner is washable
Didn't like
- Cushion needs more stuffing
- Might need more padding along the edges
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Legendog's booster is a lovely car seat for small dogs with a weight limit of 16kg maximum. Full portable and foldable, it's a great solution for on-the-go users.
It's nice and deep and the straps are strong. The booster is fastened to the car seat with an adjustable strap fixed to both your car headrest and seat.
Handy for front car seats, the seat comes with pockets for pet toys, food, supplies or water bottles.
It also has a hardness plank at the bottom of the booster to prevent bottom's sag, which is very handy.
The removable liner is somewhat on the thin side.
What we liked
- Foldable
- Handy pockets
- Comes with a hardness plank
- Removable and washable liner
Didn't like
- Small
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Kurgo Car Booster is another favourite of our users, it is both stylish and sturdy.
It has a hanging basket design for safety, specifically to prevent airbag deploying if there's an accident.
It comes with a tether which can be used with a good harness such as Kurgo to secure your pup. It's a light and can be collapsed for easy storage.
Its metal pole frame around the top might need some insulation to make it safer for your pup. Additional padding in the form of a fleece could also make it more comfortable for your dog.
It is much better suited for smaller dogs reather than a heavy or a hyperactive dog.
What we liked
- Waterproof exterior
- Washable liner
- Comes with a hardness plank
- Collapsible
Didn't like
- Might need additional padding
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By far one of the more stylish car seats for dogs, this PetSafe booster features a checked pattern lining and a quilted micro-suede body.
With adjustable headrest straps and sturdy sides, it is a durable option for comfort.
This is great for smaller dogs with a maximum size load of 11.8kg.
The seat has adjustable straps inside with clips to hook onto a harness making it more secure and safer. Longer straps could have been more useful.
What we liked
- Compact
- Sturdy
- Stylish
Didn't like
- Straps could have been longer
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This stylish quilted car seat cover is meant for use in the front of your car, and so is ideal for smaller dogs and puppies.
With adjustable straps that fix over the seat's headrest and ropes for added security, it provides protection from water, mud and dirt.
It feels better suited as a cover rather than a box type product as the sides can crush down easily. The 2 in 1 aspect of this product turns it from a secure car mat to a seat cover with a simple zip function.
It might a be good idea to use your dog blanket and pillot for additional comfort.
What we liked
- Waterproof
- Dual functionality
- Easy to clean
Didn't like
- No removable padding
- Flimsy
Final Verdict
As each booster caters to a different size and breed of dogs, the choice largely depends on your pooch's size and weight.
A booster such as Legendog is ideal for smaller breeds whereas PetSafe Solvit On Seat Car Booster would be our go to choice for heavier dogs.
Whichever the case, you can find the most suitable for your dog's needs in our guide.
Here is the list of the best car seat boosters once again to help make the final decision:
Our Top Picks
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So, which one is the best for your pooch?
Once you made your decision, give yourself a pat on the back and join in the fun in the comment section.
We're looking forward to hearing which one you picked and why.
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