Driving with your dog, even just to the store, can be a treat. Other times, it’s tricky, especially if you’re pup is prone to motion sickness or tends to restlessness, prowling the back seat and distracting you from driving. The best dog car seats keep nausea at bay by offering a view and getting your pup closer to fresh air. They also keep your fur baby safe, keeping him confined to one secure spot.
Big dogs naturally have a view of the outside thanks to their height. You can attach their harness directly to the seatbelt or use a backseat hammock to keep them confined and out of the front seat. Large-dog car seats aren’t needed — and aren’t even really sold.
Small dogs have a harder time. They can’t see out without jumping up and all that movement and no horizon in sight can lead to car sickness. Dog car seats for small dogs are the perfect fix. Most are elevated, giving your pooch a view, and all have security tethers that attach to a harness to keep your dog in place. (The length of tethers can vary, providing more or less room for your pup to prowl the back seat.)
Picking the Right Size
When choosing a car seat for dogs, make sure you select the right size. Too small and your dog won’t fit at all or will be so snug, he’ll be uncomfortable and constantly trying to get out. Too large and no amount of padding will help him if you stop short and he gets tossed around in the seat. You want your dog to be able to sit or lay comfortably, as well as be able to turn in a circle without issue.
Security Features
Most dog car seats attach to your vehicle via your car’s built-in seat belt system. Some seats have special channels through which you thread the seat belt. Others you hang over a headrest. And with some, you pass the seatbelt between the cushion and the bottom of the sea. All car seats for dogs come with tethers or leashes that you can attach to your dog’s harness. (We recommend using a harness rather than a collar; if you have to stop short you don’t want the tether pulling on his collar and possibly choking him.)
Booster or Not
Not all dog car seats give your pup a boost, though all but one of Amazon’s highest-rated dog car seats do. Dog car seats without a booster simply keep your pooch safe in one spot. They don’t help if you’ve got a dog prone to motion sickness.
Here are the seven best dog car seats as rated on Amazon. (To be included in the list, the product must have a minimum of 4.5 stars and 1,000 reviews.)
- K&H Pet Products Bucket Booster Pet Seat
- Snoozer Lookout Car Seat
- Pet Gear View 360 Carrier & Car Seat
- Devoted Doggy Deluxe Booster Car Seat
- AmazonBasics Pet Booster Seat
- PetSafe Solvit Pet Safety Seat
- Kurgo Dog Booster Seat
1. K&H Pet Products Bucket Booster Pet Seat (4.8/5 stars; 3,198 reviews); $69.99
An Amazon’s Choice for the best dog booster seat for small dogs, the K&H bucket booster seat is also the most highly-rated dog car seat on Amazon. The booster seat, which buckles into a front or back seat, elevates dogs for a better outside view. It includes one adjustable security leash to attach to your dog’s harness or collar. It also has a removable, washable cover so you don’t have to worry about dog hair building up. Comes with a one-year limited warranty.
2. Snoozer Lookout Car Seat (4.7/5 stars; 3,133 reviews); $69.95 – $89.95
The second highest-rated dog car seat on Amazon is this quilted nylon, foam option, which comes in nine colors and two sizes. It offers a raised experience so your dog can easily look out the window. The dog seat features a security strap you need to thread through the seat belt and attach to a body harness. The faux shearling lining offers warmth in the winter but is cool in the summer. The small version can hold a dog up to 18 pounds, while the medium holds a dog up to 25 pounds.
3. Pet Gear View 360 Carrier & Car Seat (4.7/5 stars; 1,008 reviews); $39.95 – $49.95
This dual-purpose pet car seat carrier is as equally popular with owners of small dogs as it is with cat parents. It can be easily secured to a back seat via the seat belt. Plus it has push buttons on each side instead of zippers, so it’s easy to open. The interior tether attaches to a harness to prevent your pet from jumping out when the canopy top is open. Speaking of the canopy, you can be open it all the way or keep it half-closed. This is the only car seat on the list that does not offer a boost; no window views here. An interior fleece comfort pad is removable and washable. Available in three colors, the pet car seat/carrier folds down flat making it easily stored or transported when not in use.
4. Devoted Doggy Deluxe Booster Car Seat (4.6/5 stars; 1,912 reviews); $39.95
One of the more affordable options, this booster seat fits small dogs up to 15 pounds. The seat, which fits into the front-side passenger seat, features an adjustable leash to clip to your dog’s harness. Suspended slightly above the seat, it also gives your pup a view out the window. It’s easily cleaned, with a soft plush liner that can be removed and washed. Available in two colors.
5. AmazonBasics Pet Booster Seat (4.6/5 stars; 1,121 reviews); $88.88
This Amazon-brand, bucket-style doggie booster seat can fit in the front or back of your vehicle. As with most of the best dog car seats, it features an elevated design so your pup can see out the window, and has an adjustable security leash that can be clipped to your dog’s harness. It fits most small dogs and is backed by AmazonBasics’ one-year limited warranty.
6. PetSafe Solvit Pet Safety Seat (4.6/5 stars; 1,963 reviews) $29.99 – $74.95
Available in three colors, this booster seat is perfect for small to medium-small dogs (up to 30 pounds). It’s made with a rigid plastic frame that easily snaps together. Designed for front and back seats, it does not need a headrest for stabilization, and offers your pup nine inches of elevation. Attaches to the back seat with a seat belt; use the included tether to clip to your dog’s harness. We like that the tether is pretty short, keeping your pup confined to the car seat. A quilted line and pillow provide extra cushioning.
7. Kurgo Dog Booster Seat (4.5/5 stars; 2,356 ratings); $51.46 – $93.59
Designed for front and back bucket seats, the Kurgo dog booster seat comes with adjustable headrest and back straps, making it double secure. And, you can adjust the height of the seat. Amazon reviewers recommend it for dogs up to 15 pounds. Features include side pockets for storage, a harness tether, and a lifetime warranty that protects against manufacturer defects. Available in seven colors and five styles (including one only for back seats).
Looking for a backyard swimming pool for your dog? Check out our list of the five best dog pools on Amazon.
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