When riding in a vehicle, a conscientious dog owner like you wants to make sure their pet is secure. A dog car seat is an important piece of equipment since it will keep your dog safe and comfortable while they ride in the car. It is crucial to select the most suitable dog car seat among the several accessible alternatives.
Dog Car Seat
Some of the best brands for large dog car seats include:
- Wuglo: The Wuglo Extra Stable Large Dog Car Seat is highly rated for its durability, comfort, and adjustable features.
- K&H PET PRODUCTS: The K&H Buckle N’ Go Large Dog Car Seat is known for its safety, comfort, and unique design that accommodates most large dogs up to 100 lbs
- ELEGX: ELEGX offers an Extra Large Dog Car Seat suitable for dogs up to 65 lbs or 2 small dogs, featuring ventilation and breathability for pet comfort
- Gearking: Gearking provides a dog car seat designed for super large pets, made of high-quality materials like velvet, known for being wear-resistant and durable
These brands offer a variety of features such as adjustable straps, waterproof materials, comfortable cushioning, and safety harnesses to ensure a secure and enjoyable travel experience for large dogs.
The Best Large Dog Car Seats for Pet Safety
1. Wuglo Extra Stable Large Dog Car Seat
- Why It’s Great:
- Designed for dogs that get nervous during car rides.
- The extra stable design prevents tipping over.
- Features four belts and anchoring for enhanced safety.
- An adjustable safety belt keeps your dog secure.
- Waterproof material protects against scratches, hair, and dirt.
- Ideal for medium to large dogs.
2. K&H PET PRODUCTS Buckle N’ Go Dog Car Seat
- Why It’s Durable:
- Made from high-quality fabric that withstands repeated use.
- Sturdy construction ensures stability during turns and corners.
- Protects your car’s back seat from leaks and spills.
- Suitable for large dogs (up to 100 lbs).
3. Adorepaw & Dog Car Seat for Large Dogs
- Why It’s Easy to Use:
- Simple installation and removal for convenient use.
- Provides a comfortable space for your dog during travel.
4. Ablechien Dog Car Seat Half Hammock
- Why It’s Ideal for Restless Big Dogs:
- Comes with a seat belt anchor to keep your dog secure.
- Doubles as a half hammock for added comfort.
5. Petsfit Washable Dog Car Seat
- Why It’s Easy to Wash:
- High-quality car seat with an easy-access storage pocket for pet gear.
- Ensures your dog travels comfortably.
Benefits of Using a Large Dog Car Seat
- Protection from Injury:
- Large dogs can sustain injuries during accidents or while traveling without proper protection.
- A car seat keeps your pet safely inside the vehicle, preventing spinal cord injuries, broken bones, or internal bleeding.
- Damage Prevention:
- Your car’s interior can suffer damage if your large dog roams freely inside.
- Scratched upholstery or chewed wires can be costly to repair.
- Comfort:
- With a large dog car seat, your furry friend has ample room to move around and find a comfortable spot during trips.
Choosing the right car seat size for Dog
Choosing the right car seat size for your dog is crucial to ensure their safety and comfort during travel. Here are some steps to guide you:
Measure Your Dog:
Measure your dog’s length from the base of their tail to the tip of their nose.
Measure their height from the floor to the top of their head or shoulders.
Measure their weight.
Check Weight and Size Limits:
Car seats come with weight and size recommendations. Ensure your dog falls within these limits.
Some car seats are designed for small dogs, while others accommodate medium to large dogs.
Consider Your Dog’s Behavior:
If your dog is restless during car rides, choose a car seat with secure straps and sturdy construction.
For nervous dogs, opt for a car seat with a sense of enclosure.
Type of Car Seat:
Bucket-style booster seats: These resemble armchairs and work well for smaller dogs.
Hammock-style seats: Ideal for restless big dogs, as they provide a comfortable space.
Harnesses: Consider a dog car harness if your dog prefers sitting or lying down.
Ease of Installation and Cleaning:
Choose a car seat that is easy to install and remove.
Look for removable, washable covers for convenience.
Safety Certification:
Check if the car seat has been independently crash-tested.
Look for certification by organizations like the Center for Pet Safety (CPS).
Traveling with a large dog
Traveling with a large dog can be an exciting adventure, but it requires some thoughtful planning. Here are some helpful tips to ensure a safe and enjoyable journey for both you and your furry companion:
- Exercise and Frequent Stops:
- Large dogs can get restless during long car rides. Make time for frequent stops to allow your pup to stretch their legs.
- Choose dog-friendly locations like public parks and rest areas for these leg-stretching sessions.
- Preparation Is Key:
- Pack essentials such as water, food, snacks, and a favorite toy.
- Ensure your dog has ID tags with current contact information.
- Consider fitting your dog with a GPS-tracking collar for added security.
- Vehicle Travel:
- Back seats strapped in or secured in a crash-tested crate are the safest places for larger dogs in a car.
- Harnesses and seat belts are recommended to keep your dog secure during travel.
- Avoid leaving your dog in a hot car—use window shades and cooling mats if needed.
- Flying with a Large Dog:
- Check airline regulations: Many airlines have size restrictions for dogs. If flying, purchase an approved crate.
- Crate training: Gradually introduce your dog to the travel crate to make it a safe and familiar space.
- Health check: Visit the vet for a thorough health assessment before flying.
- Destination Dog-Friendliness:
- Research your destination for dog-friendly parks, hotels, and activities.
- Ensure your dog’s comfort and safety throughout the trip.
What are the shipping options for large dog car seats from the recommended brands?
The shipping options for large dog car seats from the recommended brands are as follows:
Chewy: Chewy offers free shipping on dog car seats for both small and large dogs, including brands like Wuglo and K&H PET PRODUCTS
Amazon: Amazon provides various shipping options for large dog car seats, with some products eligible for free delivery within a specific timeframe. Prices and delivery dates vary based on the specific product and seller
Target: Target offers large dog car seats with options for Same Day Delivery, Drive, or Order Pickup, along with free shipping on orders
These retailers provide convenient shipping options to ensure that customers can receive their chosen large dog car seats in a timely and cost-effective manner.
How do we Choose a Car Seat for a Dog?
- Measure Your Dog:
- Length: Measure from the base of their tail to the tip of their nose.
- Height: Measure from the floor to the top of their head or shoulders.
- Weight: Accurate weight measurement is crucial for selecting the right size.
- Check Weight and Size Limits:
- Car seats come with weight and size recommendations. Ensure your dog falls within these limits.
- Some car seats are designed for small dogs, while others accommodate medium to large dogs.
- Observe Your Dog’s Behavior:
- Consider how your dog behaves in the car. Is your dog restless or calm?
- Choose a car seat that suits your temperament.
- Types of Dog Car Seats:
- Bucket-Style Booster Seats: Resemble armchairs and work well for smaller dogs.
- Hammock-Style Seats: Ideal for restless big dogs, providing a comfortable space.
- Harnesses: If your dog prefers sitting or lying down, consider a dog car harness.
- Ease of Installation and Cleaning:
- Opt for a car seat that is easy to install and remove.
- Look for removable, washable covers for convenience.
- Safety Certification:
- Check if the car seat has been independently crash-tested.
- Look for certification by organizations like the Center for Pet Safety (CPS).
- Consider Your Dog’s Size:
- Large dogs may not fit comfortably in all car seats. Ensure they can lie down if needed.
- If your dog is too large for a car seat, consider a dog car crate or hammock.
Tips and Tricks regarding Dog’s travelling
Keep your dog on a secure leash whenever traveling either on a road trip or flying. Oh, and especially if your dog is a hyper one. Since you definitely wouldn’t want your dog wandering off, or running because she saw something in the distance, avoid this by using your strongest leash from home or get your hands on one.
A great leash for traveling is this one by GOMA Industries and it’s known to be a tough leash because it’s made with the strongest material that doesn’t tear easily when constantly being pulled on or chewing on it. In addition to the hefty leash, keep a name tag on your pet’s collar in case your little one does end up wandering off without you.
Stop frequently for potty breaks and stretching.
When going on a road trip, as important as it is for you, it’s also important for your pup to take quick potty breaks now and then. If you’re heading on a five to even ten-hour road trip, you must take a pit stop for your dog to be relieved of anything. No one, not even a dog, can hold themselves for a couple of hours on the road.
Among the tips for traveling with your dog, while taking your dog out to be relieved, exercise for a couple of minutes! Your dog certainly needs to stretch her legs after being cramped in a small area for hours. This will also revive energy back into your pet after curling up while sleeping on and off for hours.
Always keep your car well-ventilated when road-tripping.
If you’re taking your car for a long ride, always keep your vehicle well-ventilated. This means turning on the AC, rolling down the windows, and letting air flow through your car. This is important for your dog, and even you, since you’re in a small area for hours. We all need air to feel comfortable and gain enough oxygen to breathe.
You should also allow your pup to stick his head out of the window now and then. Not only will this give him better air to breathe, but his little curious mind would love to see what’s happening outside of the car.
As a tip for pet travel, it’s a must to use a pet carrier when traveling with your dog in an airplane. All airlines mention that your pets should be seated in pet carriers for comfortable traveling for you, your pet, and everyone else on board. And if your dog is small, you can place your dog in a pet carrier under your seat, which is what the majority of small pet owners do and it’s one of the tips for traveling with your dog.
A great pet carrier if you don’t own one is this one by SLEEKO. Comfortable, spacious, and allowing constant ventilation, this pet carrier is ideal for any small dog, because it’s airline-approved and comes with many beneficial features. While your pet is sitting with you on board, there is mesh ventilation on the sides and top for your little one to get a good view of the place and gain proper oxygen when comfortably lying in there.
Make sure you pack EVERYTHING that your dog needs.
This is a major one from the tips for traveling with your dog, you must pack everything that your dog will need! You cannot leave anywhere from little to nothing of your dog’s essentials. This means packing lots of food, water, medicine, a strong leash, grooming supplies, favorite toys, blankets, medical records and health certifications, poop baggies, and anything else you can think of. For both flying and road-tripping, you must pack your dog along with your necessities.
Since your dog is an addition to who you’re traveling with, you can’t leave them out when it comes to packing. If they come across an emergency, you always have to be prepared for it, because you’re far away from home.
Don’t feed your dog before a long car ride.
When you’re about to leave for a long car ride, try not to feed your dog right before heading out. There’s a specific reason for doing this. If your little one suddenly gets car sick, the aftermath won’t be pretty—especially if you fed your dog a lot before hitting the road. However, there are certain remedies to treat motion sickness in dogs.
However, even if you shouldn’t feed your dog right before leaving for the trip, this doesn’t mean don’t give her any water. Water is super important, especially when going on a long car ride. Always keep your furry friend hydrated in a well-ventilated atmosphere.
NEVER leave your dog in a parked car unattended.
You shouldn’t do this in general, not only when road-tripping. It’s a well-known rule, and one of the tips for traveling with your dog—you should never leave your dog alone in a parked car unattended. This is very unhealthy for the dog because the inside of the car will soon lack oxygen and something terrible might happen to your little one.
Even if you’re traveling around the hot or cold seasons, never leave your dog in a parked car that’s been turned off. If you’re stopping somewhere for a quick bite or picking something up for the road, take your dog out with the sturdy leash on her and tie the leash to a nearby pole if the place you’re heading to isn’t pet-friendly. This is also one of the tips for safe travel with your pet in the summer.
Allow your vet to microchip your pet.
Have you ever heard of microchipping your pet? Many pet owners consider doing this when traveling with their dog, and it’s among the great tips for traveling with your dog. This also prevents losing your pup when traveling.
To microchip your pet, you must take her to the vet to do so. So, when your pet does get lost and is taken to a vet clinic or an animal shelter, they’ll scan your pet for a microchip to reveal her actual ID number. Then that number will be called into the pet recovery service and they’ll contact you about your missing dog.
Bring extra money for extra fees.
No matter how lovable and a good boy your dog is, it’s pretty expensive to take him around to different places. It also depends on which airline you choose to travel with. Simply traveling one way on an airplane with your dog can cost you over $100, believe it or not.
So, be prepared to come across any extra fees just for bringing your pet along with you. Pack a bit more cash into your wallet, and never be surprised with extra payments. This is just one of the tips for traveling with your dog that you should know.
Last among the important tips for traveling with your dog is constantly placing DryFur pads in your dog’s carrier. When you’re flying in an airplane with your dog… there certainly isn’t a doggy restroom around. Even if you know that your pet is strong enough to hold himself, accidents can happen on the plane.
To avoid a messy situation in your pet’s carrier, place DryFur pads under her pet carrier. This will absorb her accidents if she suddenly leaks. And always keep spare DryFur pads in your bag, because one is never enough.
Final words
Hence traveling with a Dog is an amazing thing but being a human we should also take care of our Dogs and keep the all crucial things along with us while travelling. Dogs are very friendly animals so everyone should take care of their A to Z things