Best Dog Car Seats

Dog car seats are a relatively recent development in pet care products. As more and more pets are joining their owners on vacations and even trips around town, it has become increasingly important that these furry friends be safely secured. A plethora of products are on the market designed for just this purpose. Whether you are looking for a simple and functional restraint or a deluxe car seat for your pampered pooch, a dog car seat is available to meet your needs. The best dog car seat for you and your pet comes down to personal choice and involves the size of your dog, the dog's ultimate safety and the amount you want to spend. Regardless of which seat you decide to buy, careful consideration of the following factors should help you make an informed decision of the best car seat for your dog.

While many pet owners are accustomed to letting their dogs ride in the back of the car or in their lap, this is not a safe way for pets to travel. Dogs that are unsecured or left to roam around the car can prove dangerous not only to the driver, who may become distracted, but to other passengers as well as the animal itself. A study conducted by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents indicated that a Border Collie traveling in a car moving just 30 mph at the time of an accident would hurtle forward with the force of a polar bear. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) recommends traveling with your pet secured in a well-ventilated crate or other carrier that provides a safe restraint.

The most important function of a dog car seat is to safely secure your pet. The dog should not be able to roam around the car, and it should be held safely in place in the event of an accident. Other functions may add to the appeal of the seat. Many of these restraints cover the car seat where the dog will be sitting, protecting it from fur. Car seats designed for small dogs often boost them up several inches so that they can enjoy the view out the window of the car while they ride. Avoid letting your dog stick its head out the window. The ASPCA warns that this can result in inner ear infections and lung damage, not to mention injury due to flying objects outside the vehicle.

Dog car seats come in a variety of shapes, sizes and styles. Car seats for small dogs are usually designed with a harness holding the dog in place as well as short walls on all sides. The seat itself is then secured in place using your car's seat belt. These car seats are often situated on a thick pad that boosts the dog up and provides a view out the window. Many deluxe dog car seats include drawers beneath the seat or zippered pockets on the front and sides to store other supplies such as food, pet dishes and toys. For larger dogs, a car safety harness may be all that is needed. This type of restraint provides a secure harness that holds the dog in place and is designed to attach to your car's seat belt.

When selecting a car seat for your dog, the most important consideration is your dog's size. The best seat for your pet will comfortably accommodate its size while keeping it secure and preventing it from moving around too much. If you have a puppy, you may want to wait to purchase an expensive car seat until after the puppy is grown. Even purebreds can vary in size from one dog to the next. You should also know the weight of your dog. If you can't get your dog on a scale at home, take it to the vet. The veterinarian's office should have a very large scale for pets. The scale is sometimes located in the waiting room and can be used free of charge. Dog car seats should specify the size and weight of dog that they can handle. Never use a seat that is too small to safely secure your pet.

If pet hair is a concern, seat covers are designed for dogs of all sizes to contain the pet hair and keep it off of your car's seats. With large dogs that do not fit in a compact car seat, one of these pads in conjunction with a safety harness may be the perfect combination. Harnesses are available both flat and as a hammock, which lifts up and attaches to the back side of the front seats as well. Another option for dogs of all sizes is a secure pet crate. While this is not as open as a dog car seat, a crate that is secured in the back seat of the car will keep the animal safe and secure and can serve as a carrier outside of the car as well.