How Do They Work?
The best dog car seats (or also known as dog booster seats) are specifically designed to keep your pet safe even if you are involved in an accident. They are subject to rigorous testing just like any other car seat. They usually are a bucket-shaped or rectangular shape with high walls and come with a safety harness that can attach them to the regular car seat.
The booster seats are spacious for the dog to sit comfortably without giving them any additional space for movement during a ride. However, more often than not, booster seats are usually applicable only to small dogs who have difficulty getting a view of the world beyond the car window.
Most dog car seats are not crashed tested, they will not provide adequate protection for your dog during a car accident. Pupsaver is one dog car seat that has been crash-tested - which has a rear-facing design that will catch your dog upon impact and act as a protective barrier to prevent contact with hard surfaces.
Related: Best Dog Car Barriers
2 Different Types Of Dog Car Seats
- Bucket Shaped: Booster seats shaped like a bucket give an elevation to the dog for a vantage position. You can tether the dog to its seat and the dog harness can be attached to the car seat belt system.
- Bed shaped: These are not exactly booster seats. These are longer and more comfortable models suitable for long drives, usually at the expense of an elevated height. While these might not be the best choice for small dogs, we would recommend these for dogs with a nervous disposition.
Tips On Choosing The Best Dog Car Seats
It is not easy to choose a suitable car seat for your dog from a variety of products. It requires hours of research and pouring over product reviews and customer feedback. We have made the job easier for you by compiling all the necessary guidelines to make the right choice
- Size: A good car seat must be the right size. Consider the length and width of the car seat before buying. Check the weight of the car seat to ensure the safety of the pet. If you are buying for puppies or small dogs, you must buy a seat that the little fellow can grow into.
- Installation Features: There are different methods of attaching a dog car seat. Some models require a headrest to hang them; some use the car's seat belt to secure and others will even use the console.
- Easy To Use: The seat must be easy to install and uninstall besides being easy to store too. Not only that it must be easy for your pet to get in and get out when unleashed. The leash must be adjustable.
- Protection Feature: The thickness of the padding plays a vital role in car seat selection. Ensure the seat has at least two inches of padding too for protection from crashes and bumps to your pet.
- Car Seat Cover: To maintain hygiene the car seat must be removable and washable. Even the material used for the cover must be non-allergenic to your pet. You must be able to wipe clean the material.
Related: Best Dog Car Ramps
Getting Your Dog Used To A Car Seat
The next step is to get your furry friend acclimatized to the dog car seat and using it optimally. It requires patience and a well-planned strategy.
You can start with short practice sessions in your house. Use food and treats to entice it to use the seat for short periods of time. Encourage the dog to get in and sit for some time first; next, follow it up with buckling it up – you might find resistance but always be patient.
Ensure every session ends on a positive note. Research has shown that positive reinforcement always works better.
Only when your dog has associated the seat with a positive experience can you hope to have a smooth ride with it in the car seat.
Where Should You Place The Dog Car Seat?
Much as you like your dog to be by your side, you must prioritize safety first. It is suggested by several dog owners that the back seat is most suitable for dog car seats, especially behind the driver.
You can have an eye on your canine companion in the mirror and there is no risk of airbags suffocating your dog.
If you really want to keep your dog in the front seat, it is highly recommended to make sure that the seat is as far pushed as possible to prevent harm from airbags when inflated and disable the airbag function.
4 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Put Your Dog In Your Car Front Seat
Like most dog owners, you probably see your pet as a part of your family, so it makes sense to pop it into the front seat sometimes, especially when you’re going for a quick drive.
In fact, you may have seen plenty of dog owners who travel with their pets in the front seat, even though it’s not a good idea to do so. If you’re wondering why it’s a bad idea to place your dog in the front seat when you’re driving, read on to find out more.
Accidents Can Happen
Unfortunately, accidents can happen to anyone and at any time. Often, an event that lasts for a few seconds, can have a lifelong effect on those affected. There are numerous cases of pets that die or suffer permanent injuries from car accidents that could’ve been avoided by observing proper safety protocol.
It may not seem like much to keep your pet in the front seat while driving, but this places your pooch at risk of getting fatally injured if a collision happens. In the worst-case scenario, your pet could experience whiplash or even hit the dashboard during the accident, causing death or extreme injury.
You Can Get Distracted
Most dogs feel excited at the prospect of getting into the car because it’s typically followed by a trip to the beach or the dog park. This level of excitement can be a distraction to the driver if your pet is placed on the front passenger seat.
In addition to barking or moving around, your dog might place its head onto your lap or want to hide under your seat because they feel spooked. Or you might feel so excited about having your cute pup next to you that you’ll start petting it and take your eyes off the road.
Back Seats Are More Comfortable
Sitting in the front seat means your pet will have to sit upright, whereas the back seat allows it to sprawl out and even take a nap. That’s why it’s much better and more comfortable to place your dog in the backseat when driving. You can make the trip even more comfortable for your pet by using a dog car crate or dog car harness.
The Airbags Can Do Serious Damage
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, kids under the age of 13 years aren’t allowed to ride in the front seat of the car. That’s because their height positions them in a way that makes the airbag a safety hazard in the unforeseen event of a collision or accident.
The American Veterinary Medical Association shares the same view with regards to keeping dogs and other pets in the car’s back seat instead of the front.
