Best dog car hammock – clean car and safe dog

If your dog spends any time in your car with you, you’ll already be familiar with the issues of transporting a furry passenger. Not only do your back seats get covered in dog hair, but they are also exposed to mud, drool, and the occasional bout of car sickness.

The best dog car hammock offers a way of protecting the interior of your car and helps keep your dog safe at the same time. Unlike traditional dog car seat covers, a dog car hammock hangs from the headrests of both the front and back seats, creating a sling. As a result, your dog can’t slip off the back seat onto the floor if you suddenly brake. The hammock also creates a useful barrier between the front seats, which stops a dog from jumping in the front as you drive.

For both these reasons, we think a dog car hammock is well worth the investment. Our top choice is the 4Kines dog seat cover but for other options read on.

What is a dog hammock?

Dog hammocks not only protect your car from doggy detritus but they also protect your dog from accidentally slipping from the backseat and getting injured. Usually a ‘U’ or ‘V’ shaped sling, a dog hammock hangs between the headrests of the front and back seats. As such, the whole of the inside of the rear of the car is covered, offering complete protection.

The bottom of the ‘U’ is usually reinforced or padded to make it more comfortable for your dog, and the backing usually is stiff or padded to keep it resting against your back seats. Most of these car seat covers have seat anchors that keep the cover in place and are made from heavy-duty water-resistant materials, which makes them easy to clean.

If that wasn’t enough reason to get a dog hammock. They also have some significant plusses over standard seat covers, which make a hammock much more attractive.

In this article, we’re going to review the following dog car hammocks:

• Urpower dog hammock
• Vailge waterproof hammock
• 4Kines dog seat cover
• Dog gone Dog Ultimate seat cover
• BarksBar pet seat cover

Car hammock versus car seat cover

Dog hammocks share some of the benefits of dog seat covers. But they have additional advantages that make them worth the investment.

Just like any good seat protection, hammocks offer a durable barrier between your dog’s claws and the interior of your car. Whether you have leather seats or cloth seats, sharp or jagged nails can puncture and tear the material with ease. Not only that, but as hammocks also protect the back of the front seats, they stop accidental damage if your dog jumps up.

What’s really great about a hammock-style pet seat cover, though, is that your dog is also better protected. The ‘U’ shape of the hammock provides a barrier between the otherwise open gap in the front seats. As a result, it stops many dogs from leaping into the front of the car. What’s more, the hammock prevents your dog from crashing onto the floor if you need to stop suddenly.

Perhaps the most popular reason to get a seat protector, though, is to keep your vehicle clean. Fur, saliva, mud, and sand are not much fun to try to remove from your car seats, doors, and headrests. A car seat cover is perfect for keeping all the mess contained.

How to choose the best dog car hammock

While most dog car hammocks look similar, they do have subtle differences. So, it’s worth thinking about the following when selecting one best suited for you and your dog.

Comfort

Many dog hammocks are padded or quilted. However, some have a very thick board between the outer materials. Although a hardcover might be okay for short journeys, it gets pretty uncomfortable for your dog on long rides. Not only that, but older dogs and puppies need extra padding to protect joints from bumps and knocks.

Materials

Materials matter. The best dog car seat cover needs to be durable and easy to clean. They have to withstand dirt, drool, fur as well as sharp claws.

Not only that, but it’s worth thinking about how your dog behaves in the car. Do they move around a lot? If so, a non-slip material is probably a good choice.

Waterproofing

If you live in an area with a lot of rainfall or have a dog that loves swimming, then waterproof materials are a must. Not only will it protect your car seats from getting damp, but it means that muddy footprints wipe off.

Installation

You’re going to need to remove your dog hammock from time to time. Whether it’s to wash it or make room for non-dog passengers, if it’s easy to install and remove, it’s going to save a lot of hassle.

Security

Does the dog hammock have a non-slip bottom or rubber backing to stop it from sliding around? What about openings for seat belts so that you can still strap your dog in safely?

How rigid is the material between the front seats? Is it strong enough to stop your dog from pushing through?

Washable

It pointless having a dog hammock to collect mud and dirt if you can’t take it out and wash it somehow. While some of the softer material options are machine washable, others can be hosed off to keep them in good shape.

Fit

It’s worth the effort to measure carefully. The softer options have a bit more flexibility in that you can squeeze them in your car if they are a bit big. But you won’t be able to do that with the harder board types.

Not only will the wrong size hammock not sit properly on your back seat, but it will be uncomfortable for your dog. Also, check for adjustable straps that help provide a good fit around the headrests and stop the cover from moving around.

Sale

URPOWER Dog Seat Cover Car Seat Cover for Pets 100%Waterproof Pet Seat Cover Hammock 600D Heavy Duty Scratch Proof Nonslip Durable Soft Pet Back Seat...

• DOG HAMMOCK WITH SIDE FLAPS - URPOWER dog seat cover with side flaps can protect not only your backseat but also the car door from scratches. Side flaps with up/down zipper is easier to help elderly...
• EXCELLENT SIZE - 54" W x 58” L (Maximum open size) can cover the entire back seat for ultimate protection and hassle-free rides, Designed for most cars, trucks and SUVs. Now you can enjoy family...
• 100% WATERPROOF & WEARPROOF - Made of 4-layer fabrics, this dog car seat cover is 100% waterproof to protect your seat from mud, liquid, hair, or any mess, durable to avoid scratching your leather...

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This dog car hammock from URPOWER features heavy-duty oxford fabric. Although not totally water-proof, it is water-resistant. The reinforced adjustable headrest straps and clips offer extra security. Not only that, but it comes with two seat anchors to hold the pet seat cover securely in place.

What’s really good about this model is that it’s convertible to a standard bench seat. As a result, you don’t have to take it out of your vehicle if you have human passengers. To make it even easier to switch between dog and human occupants, the hammock has Velcro seat belt openings, so there’s no need to worry about not accessing the seat belts.

You can also do half and half as there is a zipper in the middle, meaning that furry and non-furry passengers can share the back seat.

Another feature that we really like about this dog seat cover is the side flaps. Without these, fur and mud slip down the side of the hammock and gets onto the floor and side of the doors. You lower the flaps to let your dog in and out and then raise them once your dog is in the car.

With a slip-proof bottom, 100% waterproof and measuring 54 x 58 inches, it covers the entire back seat keeping it free from dirt and scratches.

Pros

• The side flaps are a real plus. They stop dirt and fur from falling into the footwell.
• The anti-slip backing tops the hammock from shifting forward when braking
• It’s convertible, which means you don’t have to remove the cover if you’re transporting non-furry passengers
• Machine washable

Cons

• Although it has a non-slip backing (hammock to car seat), the material is somewhat slippery. Don’t be surprised to see your dog sliding around in the back.
• Durability is questionable

Sale

Vailge Pet Seat Covers, 100% Waterproof, Scratch Proof, Nonslip, 600D Heavy Duty Dog Hammock for Back Seat, car, Trucks, SUV

• SIZE - Compare other pet car seat cover, Excellent size of 56" Wide x 60" Length are larger. Our product covers the entire back seat and perfectly protect your car from scratches or mud. It designe...
• HAMMOCK WITH SIDE FLAPS - It is easier for your dog to get in or out of car. Also side flaps can protect your car door from scratch, hair. Versatile split zipper hammock to allow pets and kids can...
• 100% WATERPROOF - Compare other backseat dog cover, our cover have two waterproof layers. The top layer is the 600D oxford with water-resistant coating, the bottom layer is the tpu which is a new...

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This hammock from Vailge offers a convenient back seat cover with additional side flaps that you can split so you can still share the back seat with your dog.

Waterproof, well-padded, and with a non-slip backing, this hammock offers a comfortable and secure place for your dog to travel in.

The seatbelts pop through Velcro openings which means you don’t have to remove the cover if you’re carrying human passengers. Just covert the hammock to a back-seat cover, and your human guests can enjoy their car rides in comfort.

Sturdy plastic anchors keep the hammock securely in place and keep your dog from sliding around. Simple to keep clean as it’s machine washable. The hammock is 56 inches wide, although an extra large is available too.

Pros

• This cover is easy to clean, and the material holds up well and repels dirt
• It stays in place even with a dog that moves around a lot
• The storage pocket is a great idea

Cons

• The headrest straps are a weak point on this cover and don’t stand up to much wear.
• Although the material itself is sturdy, the stitching is underwhelming. As such, the seams are also vulnerable.
• The side flaps are small and aren’t useful at protecting the sides of the rear seats.

4Knines Dog Seat Cover with Hammock for Cars and SUVs - Heavy Duty, Non Slip, Waterproof (Regular, Black)

• Hammock option allows access to two seat belts and latch anchors; regular size measures 54 inches wide
• Heavy-duty, colorfast 600D polyester; thick UV-coated straps; durable nylon clips; no azo dyes or heavy chemicals; **Not recommended for aggressively destructive dogs, i.e., this is not chew proof....
• K9-SHIELD WATERPROOF, NON-SLIP LAYER - Special non-quilted waterproof laminate layer makes the seat bottom completely waterproof while the non-slip backing keeps the cover from moving around (seams...

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This heavy-duty pet car seat cover from 4Knines has seven layers. Not only do the layers provide a comfortable ride for your dog, but they’re also waterproof and non-slip, thanks to a unique backing and silicone dots for traction.

We like the fact that the headrest straps are extra thick, as this is usually a weak point on hammock-style car seat covers. The seat belt openings are Velcro, making it easy to get the belt clips through without removing the cover. And the seat anchors are nice and thick, which means the cover stays in place.

As with most modern dog car hammocks, this one comes with side flaps to protect the edges of your rear seats from dirt and scratches. The cover itself is easy to clean. It can be wiped with a damp cloth or hosed down, or even in the weekly wash.

What we really like about these 4Knines dog car seat covers is their confidence in their product. Designed to outperform and outlast their competition, these car seat covers come with a no-hassle 100% Customer Satisfaction Guarantee & Lifetime Warranty.

Pros

• This cover is waterproof and well-padded
• The lifetime warranty is a real plus point
• Extra strong headrest straps provide extra durability

Cons

• Waterproofing isn’t perfect – the stitching and Velcro seat belt openings are a weak spot and let water seep through.
• There isn’t a central zip which means you have to fold the cover in half if you want to carry a dog and human passenger together.
• Although it has a non-slip backing, the surface material is quite slick. As a result, dogs can slide around, especially if you need to brake firmly.

Ultimate Pet Seat Cover and Dog Hammock Features Brown Washable Fleece Mat, Mesh Window and Metal Buckles - 5-Piece Set

• DIFFERENT FOR A REASON – Other seat covers all look just about the same. Ours corrects the shortcomings of other seat covers. It replaces the front plastic buckles with METAL BUCKLES for more...
• BETTER FOR DOGS – Does your dog sit on blankets, pillows or even your laundry? Dogs love soft cushioned padded surfaces. Our seat cover has a soft fleece mat dogs love because it feels better. The...
• EASIER TO CLEAN – Most car seat covers are waterproof and can’t be machine washed for the same reasons you don't machine wash a nice raincoat. Dog hair and dirt still float around your vehicle....

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This ultimate seat cover from Doggone Dog has a unique feature in that it has a removable fleece mat. Not only does the fleece mat provide a soft place for your dog to lay down, but it offers much more traction for your dog’s feet than traditional materials. What’s more, you can slip a puppy pad between the fleece and nylon layer for extra protection. If an accident happens, the fleece can go straight into the washing machine once you get home.

This dog car hammock converts into a bench cover, so if you transport human passengers, there’s no need to remove it. The leather-reinforced nylon straps offer extra durability on a vulnerable area, and the side flaps prevent fur, dirt, and debris from marking the sides of the rear seats.

But perhaps the biggest difference in this dog seat cover is the mesh window that allows your dog to see through to the front seats and enables airflow back to your dog, keeping it cool on warm journeys.

This hammock seat also a long storage pocket along the driver’s side of the cover, which is a useful addition as not only can you store doggy extras, but you can also add extra padding if you need to.

Pros

• The fleece mat is handy. It’s easy to clean and provides a comfortable, non-slip surface for your dog to lay on.
• The storage pocket is a great idea and is perfect for doggy accessories or extra padding.
• Unlike some hammock seat materials, the fleece mat doesn’t get hot when it’s in the sun.

Cons

• No central zip, so you can’t use it in half hammock mode to allow dogs and humans to sit next to each other.
• The fleece mat attaches by snaps and Velcro – after a while, the Velcro gets clogged with dog hair and debris making it useless.
• Seams are a weak point.

Sale

BarksBar Original Pet Seat Cover for Cars - Black, WaterProof & Hammock Convertible (Standard, Black)

• Black & hammock convertible: 54" x 58": designed for the backseats of standard cars, trucks, & SUVs. Easily convertible between hammock or standard bench coverage. Bench section of the seat cover is...
• Waterproof: Made with high quality heavy-duty waterproof polyester for durability and comfort. Include Built-in Velcro Openings for your seat belts and Seat Anchors to prevent the seat cover from...
• Protects back seats From dirt, spills, scratches, hair & fur, and other messes. Two pockets included for easy storage of personal items such as toys, leashes, grooming supplies, and water bottles.

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This convertible car seat cover from BarksBar is a good basic cover. Made from heavy-duty polyester, it’s durable, water and machine washable. Measuring 54×58 inches, it covers most cars, trucks, and SUVs.

We like the side flap feature. Although the flaps can’t be raised like some of the other models, they protect the sides of your seat cushions from scratches and dirt.

The headrest hooks are simple and easy to install, and they are reinforced to prevent wear and tear, which is a bonus. This car seat cover also includes Velcro seat belt openings, making it easy when transporting a human passenger as you don’t have to remove the cover.

We particularly like the addition of the two storage pockets on the extra-large version as they are so handy. The larger size has a central zip which enables a half and half scenario when carrying both dog and human passengers.

Pros

• It easily converts to a bench cover, so you don’t have to remove it if carrying human passengers.
• The two pockets are handy for storing poop bags, treats, and doggy related items (Extra-large)
• It’s fully waterproof

Cons

• The black polyester gets hot if your car is in the sun for any length of time. So much so that it’s worth putting a blanket or towel on top to make your dog more comfortable.
• There isn’t a central zip to allow a half and half configuration on the standard size. So, if you want to carry both human and canine passengers, it’s tricky.
• While it’s fully waterproof, it isn’t absorbent, so the liquid stays on the surface or

Best dog car hammock conclusion

For a durable, well-padded car seat cover we like the 4Kines dog seat cover. We love the company’s confidence in their product as it comes with a no-hassle 100% Customer Satisfaction Guarantee & Lifetime Warranty.

This cover satisfies all the basic requirements of a car hammock. It provides a waterproof padded seat cover and protective side flaps to keep the edges of your rear seats clean. The reinforced headrest straps are an excellent addition as it adds much-needed durability to a historically weak spot. It comes in two sizes and three colors, which makes it the most versatile of our top five choices.

Last update on 2023-09-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API