The Most Important Information About Dog Car Seats
Are you considering buying a new dog seat cover to travel with your four-legged friend? But different advertised features and thousands of offers make you doubt? We understand how difficult it is to make the right choice, so we’re here to help.
In this article, we will answer the key questions regarding dog car seats to help you make the best decision when selecting one for your pup. We’ll discuss the protection, cleaning, and safety issues of dog hammocks that often cause confusion. Read on to learn more!
How Can I Protect My Car Seats from Dog Hair?
To protect car seats from dog hair, dirty paws, teeth, and nails, there are different dog car seats – the most popular today are dog hammocks. They stretch out in the back seat and attach to the headrests, protecting your car’s seats, floor, and often the doors.
There are also regular seat covers, but we don’t recommend choosing these to protect your car interior from hair and dirt. This is because they only cover the seats themselves, while the floor, doors, and front seats are left unprotected.
To choose a good dog car hammock, choose one that is waterproof and scratchproof. A great option would be to choose an adjustable hammock that can be used on the entire back seat or on a single seat to save space. For example, such as this dog car hammock with universal size from the Owleys brand.
How Can I Keep My Dog Safe in The Car?
When selecting a dog seat cover, it is important to consider its safety design. To keep your pet safe on the road, look for a dog car hammock with holes to attach a seat belt, so that your pup can be securely buckled in. This will keep them secured in the event of an accident or sudden stop.
Please note that it’s simply dangerous to use a hammock without access to your car seat belt buckles. So make sure the size and location of the seat belt holes fit your car seats.
A good and safe design will also include straps and clasps that securely keep your dog seat cover in place so that it won’t slide around while you’re driving. We recommend choosing hammocks with metal buckles and straps made from a durable material such as nylon. Another great feature to ensure safety is a non-slip bottom. It’s usually made of rubber or PVC and is very useful for smooth cloth and leather seats.
For the safety and comfort of your pet, it is really important that your dog car hammock has the right fit and is stable on the go. So pay special attention to this when choosing a hammock.
How Do You Clean a Dog Car Seat Cover?
Cleaning your dog seat cover is a great way to keep it looking good and smelling fresh. Depending on the material of your seat cover, the most convenient cleaning methods are machine washing and washing with a damp cloth. Machine washing is best for seat covers made from synthetic or cotton materials, while a damp cloth is best for leather or suede.
If you’re machine washing the cover, make sure to check the label for the appropriate settings. If it’s not machine washable, you can use a damp cloth to spot-clean any areas that are dirty. For tough stains, use a mild detergent and a brush to gently scrub the area.
If you decide to machine wash a dog car hammock with lots of details and accessories, make sure to remove any extra straps and inserts. For example, we tried this with the Owleys brand dog seat cover mentioned above. Although the manufacturer doesn’t recommend machine washing, we removed all small details, divided it into smaller parts, and used a delicate cycle and a mild detergent. The machine wash worked great. But still, thy this “life hack” at your own risk.
Apart from dirt, you also need to get rid of dog hair. This is very easy to do if you have a car vacuum cleaner. Just use it to remove hairs and also little crumbs and particles of dirt and sand. If you don’t have a vacuum cleaner, a sticky roller will be a great option. Of course, cleaning with a roller takes a little longer, but it really works as a good and simple alternative to a vacuum.
Is Leather or Cloth Better for Dogs?
When choosing a dog seat cover for your pet, it can be difficult to decide between leather or cloth. Both materials have their advantages, but which one is more comfortable for your pet?
Leather is a great option for dog seat covers because it is durable and easy to clean. Plus, it is water-resistant, so it will protect your car seats from any messes your pup may make. However, leather can be a bit stiff and may not be as comfortable as cloth.
Meanwhile, cloth dog seat covers are much softer and more comfortable for your pet. No worse than leather, cloth hammocks today are made durable, waterproof, and easy to clean. Plus, cloth seat covers are usually more affordable than leather, so you can save money.
This is the case when it really comes down to your pet’s personal preference. So if your dog prefers a softer material to rest on, then a cloth dog cover is the way to go. And if your dog can cozy up anywhere, you can feel free to get a leather dog car hammock.
Let’s sum up.
In this article, we discussed all the key questions about dog car seats. We had a closer look at how to protect car seats from dog hair, how to keep your pet safe in the car, how to clean a dog cover, and also compared leather and fabric materials. With all this information considered, you can now make an informed decision when choosing the best dog car seat for your pet, your car, and yourself!
