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Questions
- Should Your Pet be Travelling in a Car Seat?
- What Features to Look For in a Car Seat?
- What are the Different Types of Car Seat For Dogs?
- Safety Measures to Consider
Getting from A to B and jumping in the car should be a nice and easy process but any time you involve a pet, it’s bound to get a little tricky and require more planning. It’s a top priority to ensure your four-legged friend is safe when they travel. There’s a lot of information about the best way to travel with your dog in the car, from boot guards and crates to car seat covers. A dog car seat is a great way of having your pooch close by but keeping them secure and distant enough so they can’t distract you while you’re driving.
We’ve looked into what dog car seats there are to choose from and the benefits of each one depends on your pampered pup’s needs and preferences.
Should Your Pet be Travelling in a Car Seat?
There is nothing to stipulate that your canine companions should travel in a car seat, however a seat does provide extra comfort and security. If you travel with your pooch on the seat, they should always be secured but a belt sometimes isn’t enough. Some dogs are just wiggle-bums and feel the need to explore any space they’re in!
You might have a belt restraint keeping them securely in place but it often allows enough freedom to reach the other side of the backseat. While this might be fine for some dogs, for others it can still pose a risk. Sudden braking can make your pooch jerk forward and if the belt restraint is too long they can still find themselves in the footwell of the car.
The best car seats for dogs will give you some extra security and provide a safe and comfortable space for them to relax during car journeys.
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What Features to Look For in a Car Seat?
There are a few features to look out for when you’re getting your dog a car seat for journeys. One of the most important features is that it fixes securely to the seat beneath it. Having a car seat that is just placed on the seat can end up being more dangerous than your pup just sitting on the back seat attached to a harness.
A car seat sliding around with your dog in will give them even less control and security during car trips. Most car seats will attach to a headrest or seatbelt so when finding the right car seat, be sure to select one that fastens in place somehow.
You will also want to still be able to attach your dog either to the seat itself or to a harness plugged into the belt to keep them secure. Different seats allow for different options so make sure your choice fits with equipment you might already have and want to keep using.
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While it doesn’t impact the functionality of the car seat, be sure to consider how you’re going to keep everything clean when selecting a car seat. Some are machine washable or have removable parts to wash whilst others are waterproof and can be kept clean with a quick wipe down with something like Pet Cleanse Car Fresh Non Bio Cleaning Wipes. You can also fit a car seat cover like the KONG Travel Waterproof Single Car Seat Cover if you want to really keep your car pristine from pet hair or slobber.
What are the Different Types of Car Seat For Dogs?
There are several different types of car seats that will offer different benefits for every dog. Some smaller dogs might want an extra boost while larger dogs may want more room to sprawl and relax. Size is a big deciding factor when you’re looking for dog car seats.
Elevated Car Seats
An elevated car seat is a seat that usually relies on the support of the headrest to hold it above the seat and give them a little boost up. Think of them as the doggy versions of booster seats for children. Sometimes being in a car with all that movement while not being able to see out of the window can cause car sickness. Just a few inches of extra height will make sure even the tiniest of pups are able to be more aware of their surroundings to make travelling more comfortable and enjoyable.
While elevated seats are great for car sickness and being able to keep an eye on your pooch in the rearview mirror, there is the drawback of them usually being suitable for smaller breeds of dog only as you don’t want to put too much weight on the headrest alone. Smaller dogs can feel supported and secure in an elevated car seat.
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Non-Elevated Car Seats
Just because your beloved pet is too big for an elevated seat, doesn’t mean they can’t still have the best of the best. You might be able to guess that non-elevated car seats simply sit against the seat below them which gives excellent support for larger dogs.
Non-elevated car seats can be as simple as a bucket type seat to hold your four-legged friend securely, all the way to the lavish and padded beds so they can travel in style. Some will offer support designed to minimise anxiety by holding them securely while you can add extra bedding to others to bring the smell of home with you.
Car Hammocks
Even when they’re not elevated, you may find it hard to locate a car seat big enough for larger breeds of dogs like Labradors or bigger. In some cases, the best car seat is technically not a seat at all, especially when they need the stretch of the entire back seat to fit comfortably.
Not only does it allow for your seats to remain protected from pet hair but the hammock connects to both front and back headrests so there’s no risk of them slipping into the footwell below.
Safety Measures to Consider
It’s important to note that dog seats do not have the same strict regulations as child seats. So, when it comes to selecting the right one for you, you should consider this so you can make sure it keeps your pup safe while travelling. You should also be aware of how to travel safely with your dog in the car before you familiarise yourself with any rules or regulations that will apply to you.
When fitting a car seat, be mindful that legally, a dog must be secured in the car and unable to distract the driver. Whilst it’s acceptable to have a car seat in the front of the car, it should secure your pet so they can’t cause any distractions or make contact with you while you’re driving. There are usually airbags installed in the front of the car which need to be turned off if your pooch travels in the front or they should travel in the back seat instead.
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The final thing to remember is that a car seat doesn’t mean that your dog is secured and they will still need to be secured somehow to comply with the law. A harness is always best for keeping your pup safe in the car and limit the danger of choking if you have to brake suddenly.
For all of your travel needs and other dog and puppy essentials, take a look in store and online.