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The 5 Best Dog Car Seats For Your Pet’s Safety While Travelling

Joanne Stene
Last Updated on
by Joanne Stene

When you’re traveling in the car, the first thing we should tell all of our passengers to do is buckle up. The same concept should be genuine when it comes to our dogs when we’re driving them around, whether you’re going to the vet or driving to the nearest dog park to play.

No matter the reason, you should always strap Fido in every time that you go for a drive together.

Thankfully, there are a lot of different options available for safety in the vehicle with your pet, and this article will be taking a look at some of the best dog car seats that are on the market today.

See Related Guide: Best Dog Car Seat Belts and Harnesses

Dog Booster Seat Comparison Chart

Dog Car Seats
kandh-pet-bucket-booster-pet-seat
  • # of Sizes: 2
  • Dimensions (HxWxD in inches): 23.8 x 20 x 15.4
  • Weight (lbs): 3.65
snoozer-lookout-pet-car-seat
Most Color Choices
  • # of Sizes: 2
  • Dimensions (HxWxD in inches): 19 x 22 x 17
  • Weight (lbs): 4.4
kurgo-rover-dog-car-seat
  • # of Sizes: 1
  • Dimensions (HxWxD in inches): 12 x 16 x 8
  • Weight (lbs): 3.8
petsfit-dog-car-booster-seat
  • # of Sizes: 1
  • Dimensions (HxWxD in inches): 28.74 x 15.75 x 13.39
  • Weight (lbs): 9.5
cozy-boost-dog-booster-seat
  • # of Sizes: 1
  • Dimensions (HxWxD in inches): 16.5 x 13.5 x 8
  • Weight (lbs): 3.4

Our 5 Favourite Dog Boosters – Best Dog Car Seats Reviews

1. K&H Pet Bucket Booster Pet Seat

Best Dog Car Seat
kandh-pet-bucket-booster-pet-seat
The K&H Pet Bucket Booster seat resembles a child’s booster seat than something that you would use for your dog, but it makes travel in your car a comfortable experience for you and your pet.

Specs:

  • Comes in Grey and Brown
  • One-year limited warranty included
  • Includes a security leash – two for the large size
  • Fits most car seats

The K&H pet bucket booster seat comes made out of a durable denier fabric exterior that has a more comfortable plush fleece interior that will help keep your pet warm during long road trips. The cover is removable, and you can quickly put it in the washing machine to properly clean it from any accidents that happened in the vehicle.

It’s a great way to protect your car seats and your vehicle long-term against unavoidable incidences.

Thanks to the way that it came designed, your pet will be securely harnessed in the booster seat to keep them safe and to allow you to drive without any distractions.

The seat is easy it is to install it in your car, and thanks to the way that it hooks into your vehicle, you can put your pet’s car seat in the front or in the back seat of your car depending on what your preferences are at the time.

They fit so well to your car because of the way that the seat contours and fits most vehicle seat sizes. This design feature enables the bucket booster to fit snugly in your car and provide the best protection for your dog in the event of an accident or sudden stop.

If you feel that your dog has too much room to move around, two adjustable security leashes come with your booster seat that will allow your dog to get secured in place despite their size and shape.

Coming in both gray and tan and in two different sizes from small to large, The K&H pet bucket booster seat is a comfortable and stylish solution to keeping your dog restrained and safe while you’re on the road as well as keeping them healthy while you drive.

Similar to a car seat, you have to thread the seat belt through the back of the booster seat and the seatbelt through the nylon loop that comes located on the bottom of your booster. There is an opening on the opposite side that you’ll thread the belt through in the end before clicking it in place.

Afterward, it’s as easy as placing the removable cushion back into its place and getting your dog hooked up before taking a drive.

You do get a one-year limited warranty with the purchase of this booster seat, and customer service representatives are always available 24/7 if you have any questions or concerns.

Pros
  • One-year warranty
  • Easy material to clean
  • Fits in any car and any seat
  • Easy installation
Cons
  • More expensive than comparable products by other manufacturers
  • The removable cushion can become dislodged

2. Snoozer Lookout Car Seat

snoozer-lookout-pet-car-seat
Snoozer is a company that specifically caters to making things for your dogs.

They specialize in pet furniture and prides itself in producing high-quality products for your pet, and the lookout car seat is no different.

Specs:

  • Firm yet comfortable foam shapes the dog seat
  • Faux lambswool for comfort and style
  • Nylon cover keeps dog hair to a minimum
  • Connection strap built-in to keep your pet safe
  • Comes in six different color options

The snoozer lookout car seat comes with customized materials and a built-in clip-on strap to guarantee the maximum safety and comfort for your dog. The booster seats both come in six different colors which make customizing your choice easy for your car or pet.

  • Black and cream
  • Blackwatch played
  • Denim
  • Gray
  • Khakis and cream
  • Baby pink

Both sizes can handle up to 25 pounds in weight.

If your dog is long-haired or sheds quickly, you won’t have to worry about cleaning this dog seat very often. The quilted nylon cover present on the outside of the booster seat prevents dog hair from sticking and keeps it clean

The cover that accompanies this booster seat is removable, and you can easily stuff it in the washer and dryer whenever your dog has an accident.

The seat itself is formed by a comfortable foam that not only supplies the support needed to keep your dog safe and secure in their chairs. It also provides a suitable environment for your dog especially if your pet is prone to getting car sick or suffers from anxiety in the car.

Additionally, the Sherpa lining that sits on the inside of your dog seat provides warmth when it’s cold outside while also staying cool during the summer months.

The interior of the booster seat comes made out of a simulated lamb’s wool which adds a layer of comfort and style to your dog’s booster seat. The position itself comes with a connection strap that you can easily clip onto your dog’s harness.

Pros
  • Comes in two sizes for the perfect fit
  • Easy to clean and keep clean
  • Easy installation
  • Long-lasting and durable
Cons
  • Bulky, not easy to store away
  • The inner lining is a bit scratchy

3. Kurgo Skybox Car Booster Seat for Dogs or Cats

kurgo-rover-dog-car-seat
The Kurgo Skybox booster seat is a great way to keep your dog safely tethered to their car seat while also providing storage for owners to keep things organized for their pets.

Specs:

  • Lifetime warranty with the purchase
  • A clip-on leash keeps your pet secure while driving
  • Waterproof and machine washable
  • Can hold up to 30 pounds
  • Comes in four different colors
  • 12” deep x 16” wide x 8” high

The best dog car seat will handle up to 30 pounds but comes recommended for dogs who are 20 pounds and lower to prevent discomfort while in their positions.

The Skybox has a waterproof exterior with a washable liner to protect your seats from sudden accidents. Once you’re done using the booster seat, it collapses down for secure storage. The inner lining comes made from corduroy, which makes it easy for you to keep it clean and comfy for your pet.

Pockets line the sides and front of the booster seat where you can stick your favorite pets’ toys or their leashes and any collapsible dishes that you would bring for longer trips.

You can easily install the Skybox a vehicle with single bucket seats for on the smaller side of a rear bench seat that folds down. Your booster must have headrests, or the Skybox cannot get safely installed.

Once the headrest straps are attached to the seat, you’ll need to run the belt around the headrest of your car seat and adequately adjust it until you get the booster seat situated in the middle of the chair.

The seat belt tether doesn’t directly attach to the booster seat. Instead, it connects to the seat buckle and then to your dog’s harness. If you’re unsure how to install the harness properly, loop the leash around the seat belt and back into itself.

With four different colors to choose from, each product comes with a lifetime warranty against manufacturer defects.

Pros
  • Metal buckles and robust straps
  • Storage space for your dog’s accessories
  • Waterproof and washable material
  • Lifetime warranty
Cons
  • Only holds dogs up to 20 pounds
  • Not a lot of room for your dog to move

4. Petsfit Booster Seat

petsfit-dog-car-booster-seat
The Petsfit booster seat serves as a sizeable comfortable way for your dog to travel in the car while providing storage options for their accessories that you might need to take with you.

Specs:

  • 5″ long x 16″ wide x 14″ high for the back-seat version
  • 15″ long x 16″ wide x 14″ high for the front seat version
  • Both versions have a reversible liner
  • Can handle dogs and cats up to 45 pounds for the larger version, 15 pounds for the smaller version.
  • Comes in one color

If you choose to get the larger size of this pet car seat, then you’re looking at one of the only booster seats for dogs that can accommodate a dog that weighs up to 45 pounds in this list.

No matter which version you choose, both versions have pockets that come featured on the car seat itself, or you can store collapsible dishes or other accessories that you might need for your car trip with your dog.

Both versions also have a plush fleece liner that helps keep your dog feeling comfortable during their trip. This liner serves as a way to keep your dog warm during the winter months and can is removable when the summer months come.

The seat belt fastens into your dog’s car seat and keeps it quite stable, being that it’s pulled through two hoops that are located just on the back end of your dog seat before your car seat belt gets hooked into its buckle.

For added security, there is another strap that wraps around the headrest of your car seat and helps keep your dog’s booster stabilize throughout the time that they use it.

Pros
  • Has a size that accommodates larger dogs
  • Suitable for both winter and summer months
  • Great storage space
  • Durable and secure
Cons
  • Only comes in one color
  • No Warranty

5. Cozy Boost Dog Booster Seat

cozy-boost-dog-booster-seat
When you need to give your furry friend a boost to enjoy the view on your next drive, the cozy boost dog booster seat is a good start for both their safety and for their convenience.

Specs:

  • 5” wide x 16.5” long x 8” tall
  • Holds up to 20 pounds
  • Removable fleece liner for an easy cleanup
  • Made with Oxford fabric
  • Comes with a silicone dish and a clip-on leash
  • Easy to install

Produced by Stella and Bear Co, this booster seat works perfectly for any puppy or dog up to 20 pounds in weight, and it sits at the perfect height for your dog to look out the window while you are driving.

The best dog car seat isn’t the only thing that you get when you make your purchase; you’ll also get a collapsible dish made out of silicon which is convenient for your dog during warmer weather conditions and a safety clip-on to secure your dog in place.

The dog booster seat has a fleece lining that comes in two different colors – blue and pink – that you can choose from before you make your purchase.

The fleece lining serves to reduce anxieties and motion sickness in dogs and it’s machine washable.  Additionally, the booster seat comes made out of a durable oxford fabric that repels water and protects the booster seat for longer against spills and accidents.

Installation is simple. The first strap wraps around the middle of the seat is easily adjusted to get held firmly against the chair. The second strap wraps around the headrest and is also just as adjustable to secure your dog in place.

While there is a lifetime warranty on the product, you will have to purchase the car seat from the Stella and Bear website.

Pros
  • Comfortable for your dog
  • Easy to clean the fleece liner
  • Quick installation
  • Easy storage
Cons
  • Lifetime warranty only valid when purchased from the parent website
  • Limited color options

A Guide for Purchasing Your First Dog Car Seat

In regard to your dog, there are several different factors that you should take into consideration to find something that will work best for you.

1. Safety First

The first thing that you should always look for is multiple ways to secure your dog seat to your car seats. Only having one strap is not going to cut it, especially if you get into a high-speed accident.

Instead, look for something that has at least two straps that can adequately secure your dog’s booster seat in the car.

If you’re ever involved with an accident with the car seats in place, you will want to replace them immediately as the damage from the car accident could compromise the safety of your booster seat even if the damage is not immediately evident.

This concept is a standard of practice that should be employed even with children’s car seats and the like.

2. Make Life Easy for Yourself

Let’s be honest, how often are you going to use a booster seat that’s a pain to install and even more of a pain to clean?  The answer to that question should be obvious; you wouldn’t.

So, when you’re shopping, always check the customer reviews to see if the easy to install booster seat is as secure as the company claims.

You also want to make sure that any Fabric or removable cover that you get for your dog seat, weather comes with the purchase or not, is ultimately and 100 percent machine washable. You’ll save yourself a lot of time and stress by checking these features first.

Also, keep in mind the type of material that you purchase with your booster seat may affect your dog in different climates. Search for one that either has a reversible or removable inner lining so that in the summertime they don’t overheat, but in the winter time, they’re capable of staying warm.

Fleece and synthetic lambskin are good options, and they’re easy to clean.

3. Choosing the Right Fit

While sizing charts help determine what size you should be choosing for your dog, even if you have a shadow of a doubt that it might be too small, by yourself the next size up. Either way, as long as there’s a security leash that’s attached to the booster seat or the seat belt, your dog’s booster seat will not be too big for it.

Being able to lay down or take a nap when they need to is a great way to get them to like car rides more, especially if you are traveling long distances. If you are buying a booster seat for two dogs and you would like to have them together, make sure it’s big enough for them to cuddle while they’re sleeping.

Dogs enjoy the companionship and doing this makes the trip more comfortable.

Another thing to look out for is the links in which your clip-on leash permits. Finding one that’s extendable or long enough for them to lay down with is an excellent way to give your dog the freedom to lay down or look out the window but keeps them secured so that they won’t get injured in a collision.

4. Price Vs. Value

Finally, you want to take a look at the price. We’re not saying to look at the cheapest thing that’s on the list, because unfortunately, that means that your seat is not going to get made as well as it should be. More affordable dog car seats tend to have materials that are easy and don’t hold up when they’re most needed.

Not to mention cheap car seats also are uncomfortable for your dogs to ride in and they typically don’t offer any form of protection, especially if your dog happens to have an accident in the vehicle.

Just like a child safety seat, you want to make sure that your booster seat comes made with high-quality features like metal buckles instead of plastic buckles or a durable strap that will keep your dog’s eating place. Skimping on the price can result in a dangerous situation for your dog should you ever get into an accident.

Even if you do choose to go with a more expensive and better-made product, make sure that there is a warranty provided on your object.

While we do not doubt that companies do their best to provide high-quality materials as well as Innovative designs to make life easier for you and your pet, there are margins for error that should come accounted for and a warranty would be the best way to protect your investment.

5. Why You Need A Harness

A harness serves multiple purposes as far as keeping your dog safe is concerned. Just like with a child, you want to harness that will be able to strap securely across their chest and as a large enough loop on the back to accommodate a clip on the leash. 

Ideally, you should be attaching a harness to both your large dogs and your small dogs when they’re in the car.

Dogs in general will be safer in a harness versus just attaching the clip-on leash to your dog’s collar. Small dogs especially suffer from weak trachea is, and if you get into an accident where the straps suddenly forced to tug on their collar to keep them from flying out of their chair, it could result in some severe injuries.

The same thing with larger dogs, having a harness will keep them secured in their chair and also prevents further injuries from their collar due to sudden jerking motions. When you’re looking for a harness that will work well for your dog, consider one that has padding in the front to not only add to their comfort but to supply them with a shock-absorbent layer.

In Conclusion

In conclusion, we feel that the best choice for your next dog’s booster seat should be the Snoozer booster seat. We feel that it manages to hit all of the significant points that you’re looking for in a dog booster seat, and it still caters to dogs up to 20 pounds and gives them plenty of room to get comfortable while on their trip.

It comes fashioned in a way that helps relieve anxiety and car sickness in your dog, which will make car trips are a much more pleasant experience for both you and your animal. The prices aren’t horrible for what you get, and there’s a lot of options color-wise that you can choose.

Ultimately, we feel that this booster seat is ideal and represents what you should be looking for as far as quality and features are concerned.

About Joanne Stene
Joanne Stene
Joanne is a mother of 2 young girls and a technical writer with over 20 years of professional experience. She originally got interested in the topic of car seats as her two daughters were born and during the course of research into which seats to buy for her family. That interest has turned into a passion of sharing information on the Elite Car Seats website.
Joanne Stene
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