Look at the quality of the upholstery in a dog car seat, and you’ll soon be able to tell whether your dog will be comfortable. It should be well padded with soft materials, so your pet can settle down and relax for the journey. There are several pet safety travel products you can use to make sure they are comfortably restrained, like a seat belt harness or a specially designed lead that can be attached to a headrest or your car seat belt. Our choice is the Kurgo Booster Seat for Dogs. It’s a medium-sized dog car seat that can also work fine for smaller dogs.

Many pet owners want their pups to be comfortable when riding in their vehicle; this makes determining the right size and weight limitations for your pet paramount. Take measurements to find a car seat that provides ample space for Fido while driving. Type of Car Designed for safety, a dog car seat is a box or basket which keeps canines secure while the car is in motion, preventing them from moving and protecting them from bumps and jolts, just as a seatbelt protects you. The dog is tethered to the seat, and the seat is securely attached to the car. A soft fleece lining is easy to remove and wash. The cushioned mat in the base is hard-wearing, but you may choose to add extra padding for your pet’s comfort. Kurgo Heather seat comes in various colours to match your car’s upholstery, making it a stylish option to boot. Most dog car seats feature some sort of tether or seat belt you can attach to a dog’s collar or harness. This obviously means that should there be an accident they are sufficiently strapped in and unlikely to suffer serious injury.

Safety Measures to Consider

Did you know it is a legal requirement to ensure your dog is suitably restrained whilst driving so they cannot distract or pose a risk of injury. If you have a large doggo, this CPS-certified crate made from aircraft-grade aluminum can be used to transport your precious canine cargo.

A previous version was written by Mary Jo DiLonardo, who has been writing about pets and animals for several decades. She has a rescue dog and has fostered more than three dozen dogs and puppies. Pet health and safety are very important to DiLonardo, and she’s always researching the latest products to keep the dogs in her care healthy and safe. Dogs can get fractious in cars and keeping them chilled out and secure is very important, especially on longer drives. Want to protect your leather car trimmings? Dog car seats are the best way to stop your dog from chewing your car’s soft furnishings!

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Dog car seats also help prevent accidents by minimising your dog’s movements and ability to distract you in the car. They offer comfort and stability for your pup in a moving vehicle and in many cases act as a sort of travel dog bed. How do you wash a dog car seat? Happy Pooch is an Australian owned business designed to think about small dog travel and dog safety and combines this, with providing solutions. Whether you are travelling by vehicle, locally or around Australia with a small dog or puppy, or just going out for a picnic, for a walk or to the beach, your dog will love our Boosta Pooch dog car seat, with or without a dog cushion.

The comfort level for the dog must not be overlooked either. A good quality dog car seat will provide ample cushioning using plush yet durable fabrics that can withstand sharp claws and biting. It should also have enough ventilation to prevent overheating during long journeys. The main way in which dog car seats differ is in size. Most dog car seats only really suit smaller dogs, puppies and medium dogs up to around 20kg. Consider a few critical factors if you’re looking to get your pup the perfect dog car seat. Depending on the size, weight, and breed of the dog, the type of car you have and desired purpose of the seat will all play a role in selecting an appropriate option. Size & Weight of the Dog Both have the same dog capacity and are roughly the same size. You can also choose from standard or deluxe, with the primary difference being the quality of the interior padding. After watching an instructional video on proper car seat use, our tester found it easy to use the hook and loop positioning points on the carrier to secure a seatbelt in place. The bed is recommended for dogs up to 15 pounds. The top is made of mesh to facilitate airflow and can also be unzipped and removed for use as a bed outside of car. It's available in a variety of colors and comes with a removable pad that can be cleaned in a washing machine.

While car seats may be best for small dogs, it doesn’t mean you have a small car. Try to consider the size of your car and whether the seat you want will fit properly and securely. We have tried to provide products with a range of sizes where possible. Many dog car seats simply keep your dog in one place to prevent them from distracting you on the road. So, ensuring you have a car seat that can actually offer some form of protection for your pooch is vital. You need to look for high sides, cushioned bases for comfort and harness clips. To help you find exactly what you’re looking for, we’ve trawled through the market to find a range of car seats that offer tether and harness options, meaning they can provide actual safety support for medium to small-sized dogs. Driving around with an unrestrained dog in your vehicle could potentially be dangerous, making a dog car seat an all-important safety feature for those who allow their dog to sit in their car rather than in the boot. It is generally better to ensure your car seat can be fitted in the rear of your car because most cars have airbags in the front seat, which could seriously injure your pet if deployed. How do I attach my dogs to the car seat for travelling?