We go everywhere with our dogs and that includes road trips. Sometimes the car trip will be just a few minutes and sometimes it can take hours. Regardless of the length of the trip, it’s important to remain safe at all times.
Every year dogs are involved in car accidents with their owners. An unrestrained dog in a car or SUV is like a projectile missile if you have to brake suddenly. Your dog could be very unfortunate and end up either through the car windshield or badly injured. To avoid this scenario it’s so important to look after your dog by restraining him. Using a dog car booster seat will give your dog that protection.
In this article, we are reviewing some of the best dog car booster seats, some tips for road trips, what to look out for in a dog booster seat, and then a detailed selection of our top picks.
Dog Booster Seat | |||
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| K & H Elevated Pet Booster Bucket Seat |   | Our Rating 4.8 | |
| Pet Safe Elevated Booster Seat for Dogs |   | Our Rating 4.4 | |
| Henkelion Booster Car Seat for Small & Medium Dogs |   | Our Rating 4.3 | |
| Petsfit Dog Car Booster Seat for Medium to Large Dogs |   | Our Rating 4.6 | |
| Bloblo Car Seat Dog Bed |   | Our Rating 4.7 |
Article Summary: 5 Best Dog Booster Seats |
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Dangers of Unrestrained Dogs in Cars |
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Tips For Road Trips With Your Dog |
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Choosing The Best Dog Car Booster Seat |
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Dogs Can Drive Cars Too! |
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Top Picks for Dog Booster Seat |
Best Dog Booster Seats |
K & H Elevated Dog Booster Bucket Seat
Have your dog travel in style and safety with the K & H Elevated Pet Booster Bucket Seat. It’s elevated view gives your dog a chance to watch the outside world go by while safely secured in the bucket booster seat. The exterior is made of durable 600-denier fabric with plush quilted fleece in the interior for your dog’s comfort. The booster seat can fit in both the front and back of your car or SUV.
Key Features
Safe & Secure
This booster seat is safely secured with your seat belt through a cut-off in the bottom of the seat with the seat belt hidden under the removable cushion. This booster seat is extremely easy and quick to install and uninstall. It has a firm foam bolster around the edge and the contoured back ensures a snug fit inside of your vehicle. The front dips down to allow your dog to easily get in or out.
Well Made & Easy to Clean
The Bucket Booster™ seat is made of polyurethane closed-cell foam and is not waterproof. However, it is easy to clean. Firstly you need to remove the cover and then wash it on a gentle cycle with cold water. Dry it on a washing line or alternatively use a no-heat cycle on your dryer. There is also a cushion at the bottom that is about is approx 1.5 inches thick. You can lift this to attach the seat belt to keep it in place and it also can be removed for washing.
Size Dimensions
There is no weight limit for this dog seat booster. It is recommended though to measure your dog to make sure dimensions fit. Large: Length 14.5″ x Width 22″ x Height 19.5″ and the sleep dimensions are Length 13″ x Width 18″.
Colors
Available in 3 colors – Tan, Gray, and Real Tree Edge Camouflage.
The Pros
Well made safe and secure
No weight limit but make sure you measure your dog so that it is a good fit.
Fits comfortably in front or back seat
Removable cover for easy cleaning
Dropdown access for your dog to get in or out
The Cons
Not work so well in bucket seats – better to have straight seats so that it is kept level.
No. 2 Pet Safe Elevated Booster Seat for Dogs
Transport your dog safely in the Pet Safe Elevated Booster Seat for Dogs. This unique design gives your dog an elevated view so that he can look out the window. Your dog can travel in style and comfort with the padded interior and be safely secured with an internal harness attachment. Works for dogs up to 25 lbs.
Key Features
Comfortable Window Seat
The booster carrier is elevated so your dog can watch the world go by. There is a soft fleece inner liner that can be taken out for machine wash cleaning and the outside is a polyester outer shell
Safety
There are 3 stabilizing attachment points for the carrier to ensure a smooth and non-bumpy ride.
There are 2 safety straps that are adjustable. One strap wraps around the car seat and the other strap wraps around the headrest.
Mounted to the base of the seat there is a short leash that is adjustable for the length that has a safety clasp. This clasp attaches to the ring of the dog harness so as to prevent your dog from jumping out of the carrier.
Quick Setup
It’s easy to install on any bucket or car seat with headrests by using adjustable straps. You must have headrests in your car for installation.
Sizes
Comes in 3 sizes classified by weight
Up to 15 lbs ; Up to 18 lbs & Up 25 lbs
Colors
Choice of either Brown or Navy
The Pros
An elevated view so your dog can look out the window
There are 3 stabilizing points and 2 safety straps that wrap around the headrest and car seat.
Safety clasp on the carrier that attaches to dog’s harness or leash to prevent jumps
A padded interior that can be removed for machine washing. Durable polyester exterior.
The Cons
Must have a headrest on the car seat
Back seats need to be straight vertical and not curved or else the carrier will be tilted.
Carrier will only work when hanging
Some users did not like the smell but over time it fades
No. 3 – Henkelion Booster Car Seat for Small & Medium Dogs
The Henkelion Booster Car Seat for Small & Medium Dogs has been upgraded and reinforced with metal rods to ensure it never collapses. It is well made with good quality. It has been designed with 2 safety belts to keep the carrier secure in your car or SUV so that it doesn’t move. There is a ring so that you can hook the dog harness to prevent any daring escapes. Works for dogs up to 30 lbs.
Key Features
Well Made & Durable
The dog booster seat carrier has sturdy PVC frame boards at the front and the back, This ensures that the dog booster seat always stays in shape and does not collapse. There is also breathable mesh at the sides for comfort
Safety
The Dog Car Booster Seat contains 2 long straps made from strong Oxford cloth for linking the dog booster seat and the car headrest to ensure the safety of your dog. There is a clip inside the dog booster seat that can be attached to your dog’s harness or leash to prevent any escapes or jumps from the carrier. It has double security buckles that are not metal but made from durable ABS(Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)
Easy Setup & Installation
It’s easy to install on any bucket or car seat with headrests by using adjustable straps. You must have headrests in your car for installation.
You first need to insert the two supporting boards into the zipper space at the front and back.
Next, take one of the straps and surround it and adjust around the headrest until it touches the bottom of the seat, and then take the other strap and surround it around the back of the seat and adjust the strap.
Sizes
Suitable for dogs up to 30 lbs. Product Dimensions: 17″ x 13.7″ x 9.85″
Colors
Black, Blue, Gray, Purple, Pink
The Pros
Well made and durable
Safety straps and secure buckles
Easy to wipe down and can also be machine washed on a gentle cold cycle
The Cons
Need headrest in the car to use the carrier
Always make sure your dog is securely fastened into the carrier and will not fall or slip out
No. 4 – Petsfit Dog Car Booster Seat for Medium to Large Dogs
If you’re looking for a dog booster seat for your medium or even large-sized dog up to a weight of 45 lbs then Petsfit Dog Car Booster Seat for Medium to Large Dogs could be the dog booster seat for you. It’s soft and comfortable with a plush inner removable liner and high enough for your dog to watch the outside world.
Safety
The strap attaches to the seat headrest and the seat belt goes through the back strap to secure the booster and there is one tether to secure your dog.
Storage & Convenient
The product arrives folded up in a convenient carrying case with long shoulder straps. It’s very convenient for storage and travel.
Removable & Reversible Liner
When it’s cold you can use the fleece lining and when it’s too warm you simply unzip the liner and reverse it to the other side and rezip
Dimensions
Outer – Length 29.5″ x Width 16″ x Height 14″
Inner – Length 29″ x Width 14″ x Height 6.7″.
The Pros
The seat belt goes through the back to secure the booster seat
High enough for your dog to look out the window
Removable liner and reversible. Can also be washed gently on a machine cold wash
The Cons
Only suitable for the back seat and will need headrests in the car
Will take up most of the back seat
No. 5 – Bloblo Car Seat Dog Bed
Have your dog travel in style with the Bloblo Car Seat Dog Bed. Its elevated view gives your dog a window view while safely secured in the bucket booster seat.
Key Features
Durable Material
Made of oxford and polypropylene webbing. The material is wear and bite-resistant and nonstatic
Easy To Clean
It can be either hand washed or machine washed on a gentle cold wash.
Dimensions
Length 21.7″ (55 cm) x Width 19.7 ” (50 cm) x Height 11.8″ (30 cm)
Easy Installation
Very straightforward and easy to install. It has an adjustable buckle design.
Installation instructions：The top strap goes around the headrest of the car seat, and the bottom strap is tied to the back of the car seat. The strap buckles can be adjusted to suit your needs.
Dangers of Unrestrained Dogs in Cars
Volva and Harris Poll undertook a study looking at how pet restraints affected the driving experience. It showed the dangers for both humans and dogs when the drivers do not restrain their dogs.
Some of their main findings were:
- Unsafe driving behaviors more than doubled
- The amount of time that drivers were distracted also doubled and they found that stress on both drivers and dogs increased. This lead to increased heart rates and amazingly
- the heart rate of drivers dropped when they knew their pet was safely secured.
Source: www.media.volvocars.com
Tips for Road Trips with Your Dog
Always Restrain Your Dog
The first point we would make is to always restrain your dog while traveling whether that is in a car, SUV or pickup truck. An unrestrained dog causes distractions and there have been studies highlighting the dangers.
Take Breaks
When traveling with your dog it is so important to take breaks every 2 hours or so. Sometimes you may be in a hurry but long car trips can be stressful for pets and cause anxiety. A short break to stretch those legs and have a drink will work wonders.
Car Sickness – Light Meal
If your dog is prone to car sickness and you are planning a long road trip make sure you feed your dog a light meal well in advance of the journey about 4/6 hours beforehand.
No Dogs In Back of Pickup Trucks
Never let your dog travel freely or even restrained in the bed of your pickup truck. Every year sadly many dogs are thrown from trucks when the driver has to brake suddenly and even with a restraint it could act as a noose if your dog is dangling from the side. Also, it is illegal in some states to let your dog travel in the back of the truck. The same applies to trailers and campers.
No To Dog’s Head Out The Window
It can sometimes look funny and cool when you see a dog with its head out the window enjoying the fresh air and breeze, however, this activity is very dangerous and should not be allowed. I know it sounds like I’m a complete spoilsport but the dangers are real. Your dog is prone to debris getting into the eye or will pick up an eye infection. Always make sure your dog has plenty of ventilation if occupying the back seat. Turn on the a/c during those hot summer days and ensure enough air is circulating so that your dog will not overheat.
Choosing The Best Dog Car Booster Seat
Important Features To Consider
Size
Choosing the right size seat doe your dog is so important from a comfort and a safety aspect. Most booster seats are suitable for small to medium/large sized dogs but a large-sized dog would not fit and it would be a better option with a dog care safety harness or a seat belt.
Safety
Make sure that the car booster can be securely attached and will not move. Most of the booster seats connect around the car seat and headrest with secure straps. Something you should consider is where you will place the car booster seat. The safer option would be to place it on the back seat. If you do place it on the front passenger seat there is always the danger of the airbag being deployed and could cause some serious injury so you could consider deactivating it when your dog travels in this position. Also having your dog beside you while driving could cause a distraction. Unfortunately, all it takes is a split second for an accident to happen.
Ease of Installation
Having an easy-to-install dog booster seat is an important feature to consider especially if you need to remove the seat on an occasional basis.
Ease of Cleaning
It’s important that you can easily wipe down or take the cover off the car seat for cleaning. Sometimes accidents can happen and nobody wants to be in a smelly car!
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Dogs Can Drive Cars Too!
Conclusion
Our overall top pick for the best dog booster seat goes to K & H Elevated Pet Booster Bucket Seat. The elevated view gives your dog a chance to watch the outside world go by while safely secured in the bucket booster seat with that plush quilted fleece for extra comfort.
