Travel & Car Accessories

Dog car and travel accessories: what to choose for your trip

Choose by where your dog rides and what the gear needs to do. A back-seat hammock or front seat cover keeps hair, mud and scratches off upholstery. A seat belt tether or booster seat keeps your dog in one spot so you can focus on the road. Carriers, backpacks and a water bottle with a fold-out bowl cover the rest of the trip.

Back-seat covers and dog car hammocks

The GF PET waterproof dog car hammock clips around the headrests and covers the rear bench, the rear backrests and the backs of the front seats. It is made of waterproof polyester and goes in the washing machine on a cold, delicate cycle after a muddy trip.

The cover measures 58 x 57 in, so measure your back seat and check the headrest attachment points before you order. Seat-belt openings keep the vehicle belts accessible, and a detachable zipper lets you adapt the cover to one seat. The hammock protects the seat but does not hold your dog in place; for that, see the tether and booster seat below. For hair that still ends up on the floor, see how to get dog hair out of carpet, rugs and car mats.

Front seat covers for cars, trucks and SUVs

If your dog rides up front, the GOOPAWS waterproof front seat cover protects the passenger seat. It measures 40 x 20.5 in and fits most front seats in standard cars, trucks and SUVs. The outer layer is scratch-resistant 600D oxford fabric, a non-slip backing helps hold the cover in place as your dog moves, and it is machine washable.

Not sure which cover you need? Our guide to choosing between a dog hammock and a seat cover compares the two.

Front seat or back seat: check your manual about airbags

Many owners keep dogs in the back seat. If your dog rides in front, check your vehicle owner's manual for what it says about the passenger airbag.

Keeping your dog in place

A loose dog can wander across the seats, block your view or climb into the front. A tether or booster seat keeps your dog in one spot and reduces that distraction.

Seat belt tethers: always clip to a harness, never a collar

The adjustable dog car seat belt tether comes in a set of 2, so you can use one per dog or keep one in each car. Push the tab into the seat-belt buckle, clip the metal carabiner to your dog's harness, and adjust the length so your dog can sit or lie down but cannot reach the front.

Always clip it to a harness, never to a collar, so any pull is not on your dog's neck. If you need a harness, browse our walking and training gear and read how to measure a dog for a harness.

Booster seats for small dogs up to 24 lb

The GOOPAWS dog booster car seat is for small dogs up to 24 lb (11 kg) and measures 16 x 13 x 9 in. It raises your dog to window height, attaches to the seat back and headrest with two adjustable straps, and has a built-in tether that clips to a harness. The cushion is removable and washable, and a front zip pocket holds snacks, a collar or a spare leash.

Carriers for cats and small dogs

For a cat or a small dog, pick a soft-sided pet carrier for car rides and waiting rooms, or a cat carrier backpack when you want both hands free.

Soft-sided carrier with three zip openings and an expandable canopy

The Armarkat soft-sided pet carrier has zip openings on the top and both sides, so you can reach a cat or small dog from whichever side is easiest. Mesh panels let air through, the canopy expands to give your pet room to stretch while you are parked or waiting, and the carrier folds flat for storage.

If you plan to fly, airline rules differ. Check your airline's current pet policy and under-seat dimensions, and measure the carrier against them before you book.

Backpack carrier for pets up to 25 lb

The GOOPAWS cat and small-dog carrier backpack keeps your hands free. It holds pets up to 25 lb, measures 12.5 x 10.5 x 16.5 in, and has top and side openings for airflow, a fleece-lined pad and a safety strap inside. A poop bag dispenser is included.

A carrier backpack for larger dogs

The K9 Sport Sack Kolossus is a dog carrier backpack for medium and large dogs, for the parts of a hike or outing where your dog needs to be carried. It comes in Large, XL and XXL, sized by the length from collar to the base of the tail: 20–22 in, 23–25 in and 26–29 in. The manufacturer lists a maximum dog weight of 80 lb for the range, but weight alone does not determine fit.

Measure your dog before ordering, choose a load you can comfortably carry and introduce the carrier gradually. When your dog is walking, it converts to a gear pack with up to 60 liters of space. It is for supervised use, not a vehicle restraint.

Water on the road: a 26 oz bottle with a fold-out bowl

The Flipo Fold-A-Bowl dog water bottle carries 26 oz (770 ml), and its food-grade TPU cover folds out to become the bowl, so there is no separate bowl to pack. A push-button closure keeps it from leaking in a bag, and the wrist strap means the bottle and the leash can share one hand.

Offer water at rest stops on longer drives, and ask your veterinarian if you have concerns about traveling in hot weather. For other things to bring on outings, see our dog walking essentials guide.

What car gear does and does not do

Seat covers and hammocks protect upholstery from hair, mud and scratches. Tethers and booster seats keep a dog in one place and reduce distraction while you drive. We sell them as everyday travel aids and make no crash-protection claims for any of them.

Free standard shipping and 30-day returns

Orders ship from U.S. brand or supplier warehouses, usually within 1–2 business days, and typically arrive 2–5 business days after dispatch. Standard shipping is free to the 48 contiguous states and Washington, DC. We do not ship to Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. territories, APO/FPO addresses or outside the U.S.

You can return items within 30 days of delivery. If something arrives damaged, defective or wrong, tell us within 7 days and we will replace it or refund it in full. See our shipping policy and returns policy for details, including return postage and the restocking fee on change-of-mind returns.

Dog car and travel FAQs

Is a dog hammock or a front seat cover better for my car?

It depends on where your dog rides. A hammock covers the rear bench, the rear backrests and the backs of the front seats, while a front seat cover protects only the passenger seat. If your dog rides in both places, you can use them together.

Can I still reach the seat belts with a dog hammock installed?

Yes. The GF PET hammock has seat-belt openings that keep the vehicle belts accessible, for example for a seat belt tether, and a detachable zipper lets you adapt the cover to one seat.

Should a dog seat belt tether attach to a collar or a harness?

Always a harness, never a collar. A collar puts any pull on your dog's neck.

What size dog is the booster car seat for?

The GOOPAWS booster car seat holds pets up to 24 lb (11 kg). A larger dog can ride in the back seat with a seat belt tether clipped to a harness.

Will a soft-sided carrier fit under my airline seat?

Airline rules differ. Check your airline's current pet policy and under-seat dimensions before you book, and measure the carrier against them.

How do I give my dog water on a road trip without a separate bowl?

Use a bottle with a built-in bowl. The Flipo Fold-A-Bowl holds 26 oz, and its cover folds out into a bowl, so you can pour, let your dog drink and close it again at each stop.