If your dog rides on the back seat, a cover is the difference between wiping it down and booking a valet. There are two main styles: the hammock and the hard-bottom. Here's how they differ.
Hammock covers
A hammock cover clips round the front and rear headrests, so it hangs across the back of the car like a hammock. It covers the seat, the back of the front seats and the footwell gap.
Good for:
- Stopping your dog slipping into the footwell
- Protecting the back of the front seats from muddy paws
- Keeping your dog from climbing into the front
- Fitting most cars with rear headrests
Things to know: the middle sags a little under a heavy dog, and you'll need to unclip the front if a person needs the back seat.
Hard-bottom covers
A hard-bottom cover has a rigid base that bridges the gap between the back seat and the front seats, making a flat, solid platform.
Good for:
- Big or heavy dogs that need a stable floor to stand on
- Older dogs who are a bit wobbly on their feet
- Long drives where your dog wants to lie flat
Things to know: they're bulkier, usually cost more, and take longer to fit and remove.
Which should you get?
| Hammock | Hard-bottom | |
|---|---|---|
| Fitting | Quick, clips to headrests | Slower, rigid base to place |
| Stability | Some sag in the middle | Flat and firm |
| Storage | Folds small | Bulky |
| Best for | Most dogs, everyday muddy trips | Large, heavy or older dogs on long drives |
For most people doing everyday muddy walks, a hammock does the job and is easier to live with. If your dog is big and a nervous traveller, a hard-bottom is worth a look.
Whatever you choose, check these
- Waterproof fabric. Not just water-resistant. Wet dogs soak through thin covers.
- Width. Measure your back seat before you buy.
- Seat belt openings. So your dog can be clipped in with a harness.
- Easy cleaning. Wipe-clean is the quickest after a muddy walk.
Remember to restrain your dog
A seat cover protects the car, not your dog. The Highway Code (rule 57) says dogs should be suitably restrained so they can't distract you or get hurt if you brake suddenly. A seat belt harness, a crate, a pet carrier or a dog guard all count.
Our cover
Our waterproof dog car seat cover is a hammock style made from waterproof Oxford fabric. It's 125cm wide, wipes clean and ships from a UK warehouse. Pop a drying coat on your dog before they get in and the seat stays dry as well as clean.