The best dog car accessories help keep your pet safe, comfortable and secure while protecting your vehicle from dirt, hair and damage. Popular options include dog guards, dog car harnesses, travel crates, seat covers, window guards and booster seats.
If you’re travelling with your dog, it’s important to make sure they are safe, comfortable and secure. Here are some of the best dog car travel accessories to help make every journey easier.
1. Car Dog Guard
What is a dog car guard?
A dog car guard is a barrier that separates your car boot from the passenger area. It helps stop your dog from climbing into the front or rear seats, reducing distractions while driving.
The Halfords Mesh Headrest Car Dog Guard attaches to your vehicle’s headrests and creates a secure boot space for your dog. It can be fitted to the front or rear headrests, depending on your vehicle and setup.
Key benefits:
- Helps keep dogs safely in the boot
- Reduces driver distractions
- Creates a dedicated travel space for your pet
- Easy to install using headrest fittings
The Halfords Mesh Dog Guard can be fitted to either the front or rear headrests depending on your vehicle and setup. It provides a sturdy barrier to keep your dog safely in the boot while you drive. If you’d rather not install it yourself, Halfords also offers a fitting service for an extra £12. Simply select fitting when adding the product to your basket, or visit your local Halfords store.
2. Dog Car Harness
A dog car harness secures your dog in the passenger seats by attaching to your vehicle’s seat belt system. It allows your dog to sit or lie down comfortably while helping prevent movement around the car. They’re super easy to fit, and great on shorter journeys.
Key benefits:
- Works with most vehicle seat belt systems
- Keeps dogs secure during journeys
- Provides comfort for longer trips
- Suitable for dogs travelling on the seats
The Tru-Fit Smart Harness works with any vehicle seat belt system and features a wide padded chest plate for comfort and safety. The design is inspired by rock-climbing harnesses, helping distribute pressure evenly while keeping your dog secure during travel. If your dog travels in the passenger seats rather than the boot, a dog car harness is a safe and practical option. Dog harnesses attach to your car’s seat belt to keep your dog secure while still allowing them to sit or lie down comfortably.
3. Dog Travel Crate
A dog travel crate is ideal for dogs travelling in the boot, especially if they are nervous or prefer a more enclosed space.
Are dog travel crates safe for cars?
Dog crates are the perfect choice for safe and comfortable car rides with your four-legged friend. The Thule Allax Dog Crate is thoroughly crash tested in their own Thule Test Center, as well as certified by TÜV SÜD for extra piece of mind. The innovative crumple zone provides superior protection for both passengers and your dog in the event of a collision. The Thule Allax Dog Crate is available in different sizes for both little and large furry friends, and features a strong steel construction. Plus, it’s tool-free to assemble making it easy to install in your vehicle.
Key benefits:
- Keeps dogs secure in the boot on long drives
- Helps reduce movement while driving
- Available in multiple sizes – xs, s, m, l, xl, xxl
- Easy to assemble and clean
- Window in the back make it easy to check your dog
- Crash tested and escape hatch at the rear in the event of a collision
- Gas dampened doors for soft opening and closing
4. Dog Car Seat Cover
A dog car seat cover helps protect your vehicle upholstery from pet hair, muddy paws, scratches and spills.
Key benefits:
- Easy to take in and out of the car
- Protects your seats, helping you car look newer for longer
- Improves grip for your dog to stop them slipping around on the back seats
- Easy to clean, and makes your car easy to clean
The Halfords Rear Hammock Car Seat Cover creates a comfortable hammock-style area across the rear seats. It features water-resistant fabric and a split design, allowing passengers to sit alongside your dog.
Other options include:
- Halfords Heavy Duty Front Car Seat Protector: Protects front seats from dirt, fur and wet paws
- Halfords Complete Boot and Bumper Protector: Protects boot liners and bumper areas when dogs jump in and out
5. Window Vent Guard
A dog window vent guard allows fresh air into your car while helping prevent your dog from climbing or jumping out of an open window, which is particularly useful if your dog gets distracted easily.
The Pet Gear Window Vent Guard fits over the window frame and uses a wide grid design to provide ventilation while keeping your dog secure.
Key benefits:
- Improves airflow and reduce dog smell
- Helps prevent escape through open windows
- Easy to fit and remove
- Improves safety for your dog and prevents overheating
6. Dog Booster Seat
A dog booster seat can provide smaller dogs with extra support and a more comfortable position during car journeys. It also helps keep them secure when used with a harness and seat belt attachment.
The Kurgo Heather Booster Seat attaches to bucket seats and includes an integrated tether for connecting to your dog’s harness, making hopping in and out of the car after walks a whole lot easier.
Key benefits:
- Designed for smaller dogs and great for smaller vehicles
- Provides a raised, comfortable seating position
- Helps keep pets secure in the front of back
- Easy to store when not being used
7. TAVO Pet Travel
TAVO Pet Travel is a premium pet travel system designed to make journeys safer and more comfortable for dogs. TAVO pet car seats are tested to similar safety standards as child car seats and are designed to provide a secure, calming travel environment.
Like a child car seat, the Tavo Dog Car Seat with Car Seat base can also connect to a stroller, making it easier to move your dog from the car to your destination.
Key benefits:
- Designed to provide a home-away-from-home to help reduce travel anxiety
- Designed for comfort and security, includes a mattress for pure comfort that are washable to keep your system fresh
- Spacious pod and structural canopy create a cosy area for your pet to curl up in
- Helps reduce travel stress
- Converts for use with a stroller
Travel comfortably with your dog
There are many ways to make travelling with your dog safer and more comfortable. From harnesses and crates to seat covers and boot protectors, the right accessories can help keep your dog secure and your car clean.
To explore the full range of dog travel accessories, visit Halfords.com or head into your local Halfords store where a colleague can help you find the right solution.
