A wonderful trip comes to an end, I put my dog in the car and then this – there are muddy paw prints everywhere on the new covers. Even stubborn hair spreads throughout the car. I get the crisis: «How am I supposed to ever get that clean again?».
Dogs bring dirt into the car. This is unavoidable. So that I can still enjoy trips with my four-legged friend in a relaxed manner and don’t have to worry about cleaning, I can’t imagine doing without a protective car cover.
In this article I will explain to you what this is all about, which products are my absolute favorites and what you have to consider when buying a protective car cover.
My favorite car covers
5 car dog blankets tested
Kleinmetall car cover
In my opinion, the most elegant blanket in our test comes from the Kleinmetall brand. The product is black and quilted with large squares. It is attached to the headrests of the front and rear seats. The high sides, which also reliably protect the car doors, are particularly practical. This is a common weak spot with other blankets, allowing hair and dirt to get inside the car. The struts on the side parts ensure particularly high stability.
The blanket is suitable for all common cars and can be attached anywhere quickly and easily. If you want to take someone in the back seat, you have the option of splitting the blanket down the middle. This way your dog can be comfortable on one side and the second back seat is free to take someone with you.
The thick lining of the blanket is very comfortable for your dog. For us dog owners, the washable material is very practical. Go over it once with a damp cloth and the ceiling will look like new again.
Another special feature that I noticed compared to other blankets is the possibility to close the slots for the seat belts. With many products I have had the problem that dirt and hair have found their way through these slits onto the car seats and my car was not protected as it should be. But with the ceiling from Kleinmetall, you don’t have to worry about that anymore.
heroic work back seat car seat cover
First of all, I would like to introduce you to the protective car cover from Heldenwerk. This is intended for the back seats in the car. The blanket is attached to the rear seats and the backs of the front seats, providing all-round protection for the seats. Dirt and hair no longer come into contact with the car interior.
If you ever want to take another passenger with you and need a back seat, you can easily divide the protective car cover in the middle. This keeps the surface on which your dog moves nice and clean.
The underside is equipped with a non-slip material so that your darling is safe and does not swerve through the car with the blanket. The surface is waterproof, which means that the Heldenwerk blanket can be easily wiped off or cleaned in the washing machine. This product is also characterized by its extreme durability and material quality. Even if your four-legged friend scratches or bites, the material will withstand it.
Due to the universal dimensions, the protective cover is suitable for any type of car. It adapts to any size and shape and is a real all-rounder. For a price of around 40 euros, the ceiling offers optimal equipment.
The manufacturer offers a money-back guarantee for up to two years after purchase. So if you’re not satisfied with the blanket, you can simply send it back and get your money back.
Pecute dog blanket for the back seat of the car
This protective car cover for just over 30 euros is very versatile. With various settings you can adapt the blanket to your individual needs. On the one hand, you can hang the blanket between the front and back seats as described for the previous product and thus prepare the entire back seat of your car for your dog. Even the side doors are optimally protected by the ceiling. If you want to pick someone up in the back, you can only cover one side with the car seat cover.
You can also convert the blanket into a seat protector with a border. To do this, the parts that are otherwise spread out on the sides are attached to the ceiling of the car, creating a kind of box that is open at the top. You can also protect your trunk from dog hair and dirty paws with the blanket.
With many protective car covers, I had the problem that I always had to fold them up completely or hung them all over the place if I let a child or an adult with dirty pants sit on them. However, this is not a problem with the Pecute blanket, because the product can also be converted into a seat protector for people.
Another advantage of the blanket is that it has a built-in mesh fabric that allows your dog to see between the front seats, for example. This way your darling doesn’t get claustrophobic, doesn’t sweat so much and gets a little bit of its surroundings while driving.
In addition, the manufacturer has also attached two storage pockets on the sides. You can store dog toys or documents there, for example.
The great overall package is rounded off by the high-quality material that is waterproof. This way, even urine can’t get on your car seats if your dog can’t contain himself anymore. If the blanket is dirty, it can simply be vacuumed, wiped off or washed in the washing machine.
Trixie Dog Car Cover
The protective car cover from Trixie is in the middle with a purchase price of around 35 euros. Like the products already described, the blanket is spread out on the back seat and attached to the backrests of the front and rear seats. The assembly is very simple.
The underside is made of polyester. This material protects your car seats very well from moisture. So if your dog jumps in the car with wet paws, you don’t have to worry about your seats with this blanket.
The top in lambskin look is very soft and additionally lined and offers a high level of comfort. This is much more comfortable for your four-legged friend than harder materials, especially on longer journeys. However, the Trixie protective car cover is not that easy to clean due to this surface shape. A simple wipe is not enough here, but cleaning in the washing machine is possible without any problems.
Toozey boot protection for dogs
If you prefer to transport your dog in the trunk rather than the back seat of your car, the Toozey trunk protector might be something for you. This protective car cover looks very stylish in elegant black with white edges and highlights. For around 35 euros, the price is perfectly reasonable.
The soft material is lined so that your dog can feel completely comfortable while driving. The special quilting ensures that the blanket does not break so quickly. Even if one square is damaged, the quilting will hold the rest together undamaged.
The blanket is quick and easy to assemble, the braced side panels provide more stability and support. You can easily close the slits through which the seat belts are routed so that no dirt can get into these spaces.
If you want to transport something else in the trunk, you can easily divide the cover in the middle.
The ability to fold the cover down over the bumper for getting in and out is very practical. This also protects the outside of your car from scratches.
Two large storage pockets are also incorporated into the blanket. There you can store treats, leashes or important documents for your dog and have them ready to hand at all times.
Purchase advice: Why do you need a protective car cover?
Anyone who has ever transported a dog in the car knows that you still have something of the four-legged friend for days afterwards. Dirt and hair are spread throughout the car and are sometimes difficult to remove. But not only dirt, but also scratches or bite marks remain in the car.
Especially when transporting anxious young dogs, it sometimes happens that the dogs urinate from excitement. That stench is difficult to get out of the vehicle.
To avoid all of that hassle, depreciation, and cleaning hassle, consider a dog car seat cover. Depending on the model, this is attached to the back seat or in the trunk and effectively protects the car interior.
You may be wondering now why other transport options are not used, such as dog boxes. These would reduce contact with the car interior to a minimum. The answer: Of course, dog crates are practical, but they just aren’t suitable for some dogs.
This applies to very large dogs as well as to dogs with claustrophobia. Even four-legged friends who have to struggle with nausea while driving usually get along better outside of a box. Some cars simply do not fit a large dog box at all. So there are a number of reasons why a dog crate is not the first choice.
Personally, I also prefer being able to keep an eye on my four-legged friend while driving. It’s easiest if I buckle it up on the back seat, because I can hardly look into a box while driving.
Another advantage of a protective car cover…