If you plan on having a dog and it is not a toy breed that can fit into a bag, you need to get your car ready. It’s not just about keeping your car clean – that is the last thing we should worry. The first thing is your dog’s safety. Even the best-behaved dogs can act unexpectedly inside a car and even the best drivers can have an accident. For all of these reasons, I’ll mention the most important car equipment for traveling with dogs, and add some extras…
1. Barrier
The first thing to add to your car is one of the foldable barriers for your backseat. It blocks the dog from moving to the front seat. They can see everything, poke their heads, and feel the love from you if they are nervous, but they can’t move from backseat to front seat. An example of a backseat barrier is shown in the picture below.
Yes, a dog could jump over if he wanted to, but there is the next step called seat restraints I’ll talk about below. The backseat barrier we showed here is around $14. If you don’t want a dog seat restraint, there is another option, as shown in picture number 2. However, this one is more expensive (e.g. the one shown here is $36.)
And, finally, there is 2 in 1 – a backseat barrier and seat cover. The price depends on the size and material. The one in picture number 3 is $109.
2. Seat Restraints
The number two option for keeping your dog from jumping around the car is a seat restrain. It is easy to use and can be very useful when you have to transport your dog quickly and you don’t have time to set a seat barrier. Even though seat barriers are not that complicated at all, it is quicker to just attach a harness to a seat belt buckle.
The one in the picture above is $19. The key is to look for a sturdy material and short enough to stop your dog from going over to the front seat.
3. Seat Cover
The dog seat cover is important for hygienic reasons. You don’t want to have your car seats cleaned every week because of dog drool, dog hair, and other debris. Don’t forget to choose the waterproof seat cover. There are big and small, covers with pockets, covers with seat belt buckle holes, 2 in 1 seat covers and barriers, and other types. Choose the one you find best. If you are going to spend more money, then choose the one that is both a seat cover and a barrier. An example of just a seat cover without a barrier is shown in the picture below. This one is around $27.
4. Dog Seat
Dog car seat is usually used for smaller dogs, but there are all sizes of dog seats on the market. The important thing is to buy a dog seat that is easy to attach and that is washable. Being foldable is also important. An example of a dog seat is below. This one is for a small dog, and it is around $40.
You will also notice that the majority of dog seats are for the front seat attachment. But, if you don’t want to do that, you can attach it to the back seat too, as shown in picture number 2. It is also around $40.
5. Ramps
And, finally, something you will definitely need if you’ve got an older dog or a dog with certain medical conditions, even if it’s “just” hip dysplasia (very common in purebred dogs of all sizes) you will need a ramp. It has to be foldable and sturdy enough to allow your dog to safely go in and out of the car.
The picture above shows a ramp to the trunk/boot of the car, but it can also be in the form of stairs, as you can see in the picture below. Both are usually around $100.
There is also a third option – a step. This is for more agile dogs of course and you will need a hitch receiver on your car. Once you do, all you need is to insert the step into the hitch receiver. This option is usually under $100.
6. Extras
Apart from the basics, like the dog restraint or dog barrier and seat covers, there are other things we can equip our cars with to make sure our dogs have everything they need. For example, a cooling system can be installed in your car to ensure your dog has enough cool air at the back during those hot months. This is something K9 police officers often use to keep their dogs cool. You can also add a portable air cooler or attach fans to the car seat.
Of course, you don’t need a portable cooling system, but if you know you have to leave your dog in the car even for 5 minutes, it is better to be safe than sorry. HOWEVER, please, take your dogs with you – don’t leave them alone in the car or make sure they have all they need and come back quickly!
You can also add dog bowls (we mentioned the types in this article). They are useful for longer trips. And, finally, you can add crates and double crates (for two dogs) in the trunk. This is the option when you need to make sure your dog stays put and safe – especially important during the trip to the vet if a dog is injured.
What Is Important?
Whatever you choose, there are a few things to consider. All car equipment for dogs has to be:
- Waterproof
- Easy to clean
- Comfortable for dogs
- Safe for dogs
- Sturdy (especially if your dog likes to chew)
- A balance between price and quality
And finally, you can always add a blanket over your back seat if you are in a hurry and you don’t have seat covers at home. A quick solution is removing the trunk cover and putting your dog in the trunk – very useful for big dogs. However, if you know your dog won’t behave well, but try to jump over to the back seat, then it is best to put some kind of barrier or a restraint.
Final Thoughts
In the end, the essentials are the equipment that keeps the dog safe and keeps the car seats clean. My opinion is to buy the 2-in-1 back seat cover and barrier right away. It is easy to install/attach and it gives enough room for your dog. These often come with a hole to attach a seat restraint if needed. But, as mentioned, in the end, you can always choose to put a dog bed in the trunk and transport your dog. This is useful for big dogs, emergencies, and for dogs that can’t calm down but try their best to reach you.
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Cover Photo by Gary Samaha
