10 Best Dog Car Hammocks of 2022 – Reviews & Top Picks

Are you someone who loves to go on outdoor treks with your dog? Maybe you travel a lot with your pup, or you could just have a soft spot for giving your pal their favorite treat—a ride in the car. Seeing the joy on their faces as they hang their heads out the window, though, only lasts until carpool day when you have to alert your co-worker of the fur coat on their backside.

Fur-covered seats, muddy paw prints, and “accidents” are all side effects of driving around with your ankle-biter. A simple and easy solution is a seat cover. A car seat cover is a no-brainer, but did you know there is a difference between throwing an old towel down and using an actual car hammock?

There are many benefits of investing in a dog car seat cover which we will go into detail later on. In the meantime, we want to share with you the different options. We have narrowed the search down to the top ten, where we share our reviews on the fit, durability, water-resistance, and versatility of each model. We will also provide some additional shopping tips.

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A Quick Glance at the Winners of 2022

The 10 Best Dog Car Hammocks

1. PetSafe Happy Ride Dog Car Hammock – Best Overall

The PetSafe Happy Ride Hammock is a waterproof seat cover that will protect your seats from rain, mud, dog hair, and other dirt and debris that your dog would bring in from his walk. The hammock design also spreads across between the two front seats, which prevents your dog from jumping up and into the front while you’re driving.

It has pockets, which offer a great place to keep your travel bowls, leash, and toys, and the whole thing can be put in the washing machine to keep it clean and tidy after every use.

The design of the hammock means that it will fit in most cars, from compact to SUVs. Despite its quality and its compatibility with most models, it is one of the cheapest car hammocks available, making it the best overall model in our list. The only real problem with the design is that it is missing air vents to allow fresh air to flow between the front and back cabins. To conclude, we think this is the best dog car hammock available on the market.

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2. BarksBar Original Waterproof Dog Car Hammock – Best Value

The BarksBar Original Waterproof Car Hammock is made from waterproof polyester that not only prevents water and mud from getting onto seats but also works in cars, trucks, and SUVs. The handles effectively attach over the front and rear seats, which encases the rear compartment in this soft hammock.

There are fastening slots that enable humans to sit in the rear compartment and buckle up safely. When there are no human passengers, the cover can be turned into a hammock that sits between the front and rear seats and provides protection for the whole back cabin. When not in use, the polyester cover can be put in the washing machine and cleaned, ready for the next big adventure with your four-legged friend. The BarksBar Original Waterproof Car Hammock is cheap.

In fact, it is the best dog car hammock for the money and it offers very good protection for your car while also being easy to clean. However, there are some quality issues with the straps that mean it may not last long with a large dog that likes to wander around the seats during transit. With all that said, we think this is the best dog car hammock for the money this year.

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3. Plush Paws Products Quilted Dog Hammock

The Plush Paws Products Quilted Hammock is a luxurious alternative to the standard hammocks. It is quilted so provides extra thick support, comes in a choice of three colors so that you can match the hammock to the car (or even the dog) and it is designed to be easy to wipe clean. For more stubborn and difficult stains, it can also be removed and thrown in the washing machine. It can even be hosed down if it has endured a particularly grueling session with a muddy dog.

The design of this hammock means that it can be draped over the front of the rear seat for light use, or it can be attached over the headrest of the front seat for a more secure fitting. There are seat belt openings so that human passengers can still use the seats, and you even get a set of adjustable harnesses for your dog, providing extra safety for them, too.

When in hammock form, the fastening straps don’t stay tight, which means that you will have to manually tighten them from time to time. This is only really a problem if you leave it permanently in place, or if you’re on a long journey.

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4. URPOWER SC-015 Dog Seat Cover

The next hammock to be featured is a 100 percent waterproof mat that has a non-slip bottom and surface to keep your pup in place on the seat. The oxford fabric is durable and scratch-proof, although it does not have double stitching. You will have side flaps with secure zippers and a PP cotton mat to keep your pup cozy after a long day.

This hammock comes in a back quilted style in one universal 54” X 58” size that will fit standard cars, trucks, and SUVs. It features the customary seat anchors and headrest straps, plus it also converts to a seat cover when necessary.

You can easily take the mat out and toss it back in quickly, and you get an additional dog seat belt. You can make use of the Velcro openings, but keep in mind there is no additional storage with this mat.

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5. Active Pets Dog Hammock for Cars

If you are looking for a dog hammock for your car or SUV, this may be the right choice for you. This model comes in either plain black or black with orange trim, and you can choose from a standard or large size. The secure seat anchors and headrest belts will keep the mat in place along with the non-slip bottom.

You will have added protection with this option as it is waterproof and scratch-resistant. Made of oxford and PP cotton fabric, it is durable and has four layers that protect your car seats and keep your pup in their proper place. An important note, however, is this model is more structured than others and has a more narrow mat for your pal to lay.

Besides that, there are side flaps and Velcro seat belt openings as is standard, plus this hammock can be used as a car seat cover. The 2.7-pound mat is machine washable, although it does not have any storage compartments. Also, as stated above, this model is recommended for cars and SUVs only.

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6. Mpow Dog Car Seat Covers

Moving right along to the number six spot is the Mpow seat cover that is best used in cars because of its 58” X 54” size limitation. Although vehicle versatility is limited, you will still have a mesh viewing window, non-slip bottom, and scratch-proof material.

The hammock converts to a seat cover and secured with headrest buckles plus the seat anchors. There are also side flaps that measure 15 inches which can be too large for some windows. Besides that, though, you will have the convenience of a storage pocket and two dog seat belts.

The easy-to-install black quilted style has nylon stick seatbelt openings, plus soil-resistant oxford and PP cotton material. Unfortunately, the soil-resistance is absorbent, so although it will help liquids from penetrating your car seats, it can also hold the “dog smell” more tightly. On the other hand, you can toss this option in the washing machine.

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7. Vailge Waterproof Dog Car Seat Covers

The Vailge is a 100 percent waterproof hammock that is scratch-resistant and uses the customary seat and headrest anchors for security. This brand features a standard and extra-large size to fit most cars, SUVs, and trucks. It is also convertible to a seat cover, plus it has a middle zipper that allows you to use half of the backseat for human guests.

With this model, you have a non-slip bottom and surface made of netting that is not as secure as rubber backings, nor as comfortable for your pet. The black quilted style does have Velcro seat belt openings along with a soft cotton center. Additionally, you can make use of the two storage pockets, and easy to install and remove construction.

A couple of important things to note is that there is no stitching on this hammock. It is heat pressed together and is not as scratch-proof as other options. Also, the overall design is flimsy, and it is a better option for small to medium-sized dogs.

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8. Perfect Pet Dog Hammock for Cars

Our next review is a canvas-like material mat that is meant to have a more high-end appearance. Unfortunately, the material is stiff, and not as comfortable for your furry friend. That being said, this model is machine washable and can be used as a seat cover or hammock.

This option is waterproof and uses the headrest and seat anchors to keep it in place, but it is hard to install and remove. It comes in black, gray, or tan in one universal size that fits cars, trucks, SUVs, and vans. Made of oxford fabric and a cotton-polyester blend, you will notice that this mat attracts and holds odors.

You can also take note of the non-slip bottom and Velcro seat belt openings for convenience. Keep in mind, as well, this model does not have any storage space or side flaps.

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9. CLEEBOURG Dog Seat Hammock

In the second to last spot, we are taking a look at the CLEEBOURG which comes in one universal size that is too big for most standard cars. Made with a non-slip bottom and scratch-proof material, the oxford and PP cotton material is not as durable in this construction.

You will have a mesh widow and two storage bags. You also get two seat belts for dogs and zipper side flaps that keeps your pup safe from the inside and outside. Beyond that, this model is not well constructed and the headrest buckles and seat anchors do not stay in place as they should. Furthermore, plastic clasps break easily.

Another important consideration is the waterproofing, which is not as effective as it should be, although you can take comfort in the easy installation. It comes in a black quilted style with orange trim and has Velcro seat belt openings.

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10. UPSKY Nonslip Pet Seat Hammock

This last model comes in one universal size that fits all vehicles within a 54”x 60” range, but those measurements are off. While this hammock does fit in standard cars, you will have a harder time fitting it in trucks and SUVs. Also, converting this mat into a seat cover is difficult, plus only small dogs are recommended for the narrow space.

You will have a mesh window to view your pooch, and it is made up of four durable layers. As mentioned, the narrow space is stiff and not comfortable for your mutt. You should also consider that the waterproofing is sub-par, along with the anchors that keep the hammock in place. Also, the non-slip backing peels off.

On a brighter note, the side flaps feature rotating zippers so they can be used from the inside or outside. There are also the standard Velcro seat belt openings. Nevertheless, you should be advised that this option is heavier than the others and will need to be hand-washed and air-dried. Finally, this model is hard to install and remove, plus it does not fit well on bench seats. In the long run, your pup would be better off with one of the other hammocks above.

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How To Buy the Best Car Hammock for your Dog:

Important Things To Know About Dog Car Hammocks

If you enjoy taking your pooch on drives, a car hammock is a great investment. It will protect your car’s interior from scratches, tooth marks, and the occasional overexcited moment. With that being said, there are a few things you should know before you make your purchase.

Safety First

A hammock is not a safety harness for your furry pal. Although it can keep them from hitting the floor if you need to hit the breaks quickly, it will not provide any real protection in case of an accident. To be completely secure, you will want to purchase a dog seatbelt unless your car seat cover comes with one.

Meanwhile, it is unsafe for people to ride in the backseat while the hammock is being used. Even with the seat belt openings (which is required by law in most places), the fabric cradle will not give you any protection in an emergency. That being said, you should also never use a child car seat or a booster seat when the hammock is being used even as a car seat cover. Finally, you cannot use the hammock in the front seat.

• Related read: If you ever see a dog locked in a car, we’ve got 9 steps to take to help keep him safe.

Tips When Shopping for the Best Dog Car Hammock

Now that we have the important yet boring safety features out of the way, we can go over some additional aspects you should consider.

Size

One of the most important things you should look for is the size. Before you pick out your dog hammock for the car, you want to measure your back seat in a few different ways. First, measure from door to door and backseat to front seat. These are the basic dimensions that the brand will provide you with.

Nevertheless, you also want to also measure from the headrest in the back seat to the bench, and from the headrest in the front seat to the edge of the bench in the back seat. This will help you determine what size is right for your vehicle. You can also get the dimensions of the window and the bench itself depending on the size of your pup, and whether they like to stick their head out the window.

Features

Once you have the size and fit, take a look at features such as waterproof materials, anti-slip bottoms, and pockets. You can also choose an option that has a mesh viewing window or extra-durable fabrics. Whatever you need for your pooch’s comfort can be found within one of the models we chose above.

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Final Verdict:

With the best dog hammock for a car, you will not have to sacrifice your vehicle in order to cruise around with your ankle biter. We hope that the above reviews have given you some insight on what to look for, and provided you with the information to make the best choice.

If you are still struggling with the decision, go for the best dog car hammock: the PetSafe Happy Ride Hammock. If you need a more affordable option, there is the BarksBar Original Waterproof Car Hammock.