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10 Best Dog Car Seats For Small Dogs

Written by Laura
Laura is passionate about all sorts of domesticated pets. They have written dozens of articles across the web.
Published on
Friday 4 February 2022
Last updated on
Tuesday 9 May 2023
small dog car seats
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Car seats, harnesses, and seatbelts are important for your dog’s safety when riding in the car. Whichever one you choose for your dog, it’s essential that you buy appropriately sized products. This article will take you through our list of the 10 best dog car seats for small dogs to help you out.

So, what should you look for when buying dog car seats, and what are the benefits of using them? Let’s look at all of that and more, including answers to the most frequently asked questions. 

What Are Dog Car Seats

Dog car seats are just like the car seats that parents use to keep their children safe in the car. Except, car seats for dogs are tailored to fit their bodies; they are usually square in shape to support the sitting position and have high walls for safety.

How Are They Beneficial

Car seats make sure dogs stay in their spot in the car, keeping them secure and comfortable on long journeys. Another popular choice for this is dog seatbelts; all body harnesses that secure onto the seat of the car, mimicking human seatbelts. It is a much tighter fit than a regular harness that secures to a car seat belt, another popular choice for car safety. However, dog seat belts are better suited to larger breeds, as it is harder for smaller dogs to sit comfortably when wearing them.

Harnesses and car seats are much better for small dogs. Unless you’re using a dog seat belt, harnesses should always be worn in the car, with or without a car seat, but adding a car seat gives ensured security and comfort. Most dog car seats also have harness attachments that make for much less restrictive wearing.

They also give dogs with car anxiety a sense of security, especially those with high walls, and there are even elevated seats that alleviate travel sickness. Car anxiety symptoms include trembling and yawning, and motion sickness symptoms include lip licking and drooling.

What To Look For In Small Car Seats For Dogs

When looking for a car seat for your dog, here’s what to keep in mind. 

Size

Your dog’s car seat should be the appropriate size for them and also be able to support their weight. It should have enough space for them to adjust their sitting position comfortably, but not enough that they are not secure. 

Material

All of the materials used in your dog’s seat should be safe and non-toxic as to not cause irritation, but high quality to ensure durability and be easy to clean. The seat should also have a soft and breathable surface material to keep them cool and comfortable. The materials used should be listed on the product label or the product description online. 

Design

The design of the car seat should be effective in keeping your dog secure in the car and keeping them comfortable on long journeys. You also want it to be easily accessible in case of an emergency.

Look out for helpful convenience features, too, such as collapsibility for storage and pockets for carrying supplies. There are also seats with stylish appearances if that’s important to you.

10 Best Small Car Seats for Dogs 

These are our favorite car seats for small dogs currently on the market!

1. Kurgo Journey Booster Car Pet Booster Seat

This booster seat by Kurgo comes in six different colors including nutmeg heather and charcoal heather. It is 12 inches (depth) x 16 inches (width) x 8 inches (height) and weighs 3.8 lbs. It can support up to 30 lbs and has a tether that can attach to any pet harness. 

To install, you simply secure the seat to the headrest of your car seat using the straps. The elevated design alleviates car sickness, and the removable liner is machine washable for your convenience. It’s also waterproof and reversible for changes in weather and has pockets for carrying supplies. 

This product is one of the best-rated car seats for dogs on Amazon. It comes highly recommended by reviews, with many mentioning that it is super easy to install and great value for money.

2. K&H Pet Products Bucket Booster Pet Seat

This seat by K&H securely buckles into place using the car’s seatbelt. It has a removable booster cushion to give your dog a view out the window on long journeys and alleviate motion sickness. For added safety, the seat provides two clip tethers that can attach to your pet’s harness. 

It comes in three colors; grey, tan, and Realtree, and the seat is available in small (14.5 x 20 inches) and large (14.5 x 24 inches). The heavy exterior fabric is durable and long-lasting, and the interior plush quilted fleece is removable and washable. The back of the product is contoured with a curved back to fit into the back seat of any car, and the front of the seat dips down for easy access. 

K&H’s product ranks number 1 for dog car seats on Amazon, and reviews say that the seat is very high-quality and great value for money. 

3. Pet Gear Inc. Carrier & Car Seat for Cats and Dogs

Pet Gear’s car seat doubles up as a pet carrier, which is super useful for traveling and vet visits. It comes in several colors including aqua blue, midnight blue, and floral pink. It is 20 x 12 x 18 inches, weighs 5.5 lbs, and is available to buy in a rectangular or rounded shape. The product is zipper-less and has a push-button to open and close for your dog to get in and out. 

It can be easily installed using the car’s seat belt and comes with a tether to attach your pet’s harness. The exterior features meshing for full-view and proper ventilation, and the interior has a removable, washable pad that is available to buy separately in case you ever need a replacement. Buyers absolutely love the product’s 2-in-1 design.

4. PetSafe Jumbo Deluxe Pet Safety Seat

PetSafe’s car seat is 22 x 17 x 17 inches and lightweight at 7 lbs. It comes in brown, navy, and quilted tan, and installs easily using one of your car’s seatbelts. It also has a built-in safety tether for added protection.

The exterior of the product is made of faux suede and lined with a quilt that is removable and washable. The high walls of the seat are great for relieving car anxiety and the 9-inch elevation reduces motion sickness. You do have to assemble the seat, but buyers say that it is easy to put together and seems to help dogs with car anxiety.

5. PetSafe Tagalong Deluxe Booster Seat

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Another PetSafe product, this suspended booster seat simply attaches to the headrest of your car set for elevation and security. The high walls calm anxious dogs, and it is available in brown, navy, tan, and yellow. 

It comes in three sizes; 14 x 12 x 8 inches and 2.5 lbs, 16 x 13 x 8 inches and 3 lbs, and 20 x 15 x 10 inches and 4lbs. The smallest option supports dogs that weigh under 12 lbs, the next size up supports under 18 lbs, and the largest option supports up to 25 lbs in weight. 

The exterior material is durable and stain-resistant micro-suede. The seat’s interior is a quilted, plaid liner that is removable and washable. It comes highly recommended by reviews with buyers calling it effective, cozy, and cute. 

6. Amazon Basics Pet Car Booster Bucket Seat

This bucket-shaped booster seat by Amazon Basics is designed specifically for smaller dogs and is perfect for those that are frightened of the car or prone to car sickness. It is 18.5 x 17.7 x 15.7 inches and weighs 2.6 pounds. 

There is an opening at the bottom of the seat to thread the car’s seat belt through and secure it to the car. There are also two adjustable tether straps for safety and the exterior is made of durable oxford fabric. The interior is a comfy quilted flannel plush top, and the mat cover is removable and washable. It comes highly recommended by reviews.

7. Stella & Bear Co. Small Cozy Boost

This booster seat by Stella & Bear Co. securely attaches to car seat headrests, it’s 16.5 x 13.5 x 8 inches and weighs 3.2 lbs. It’s also collapsible for easy storage and comes in black and pink or black and blue. The raised design reduces motion sickness and it comes with an adjustable safety leash to attach to your dog’s harness. 

The exterior and bottom of the interior are made of a water-resistant material that can be removed and washed. The wall of the interior and upper portion of the exterior are made from plush thick padding for comfort, and the seat comes with a free collapsible silicone bowl for eating and drinking out of while traveling. Buyers love the product and it has almost no negative reviews. 

8. Petsfit Booster Seat for Small Dogs

This square-shaped seat by Petsfit is ideal for smaller pets. It’s 15 x 16 x 14 inches and can support up to 15 lbs in weight. It’s available in light grey and dark brown and eases anxiety and car sickness with its high walls and elevation. 

The exterior is made of high-quality oxford cloth that keeps dogs cool and has a plush interior cushion that is warm, removable, washable, and reversible for changes in weather. It also has storage pockets for convenience and is easy to install. Reviews love everything about the product and say it is great for smaller dogs that don’t like the car. 

9. FAREYY Dog Car Seat for Small Dogs or Cats

This cushion booster seat by Fareyy is 21.7 x 21.7 x14 inches, comes in seven different colors, and secures to fit any car seat. It also comes with pockets on either side to carry essentials when traveling. 

The seat includes side pillows, a headrest, and a comfortable cushion made of thick, super-soft plush material. The exterior uses durable, scratch-resistant, and waterproof oxford cloth and it has an adjustable leash to attach to your dog’s harness. Buyers love the stylish design and high-quality materials, with many reviews mentioning how well made it is. 

10. K&H Hangin’ Bucket Booster Travel Pet Seat

Another seat by K&H, this one easily installs by buckling the straps around the back seat of your car. It’s grey, 16 x 14.5 x 9.5 inches in size, and holds up to 15 lbs in weight. It has a removable, washable plush quilted fleece for easy cleaning and a firm foam bolster for ensured safety and security. The reviews praise the effectiveness of the product and how easy it is to keep clean. 

Dog Car Seats For Small Dogs – FAQ

Do I need a car seat for my dog?

Not all dogs need car seats, but all dogs need safety products for the car. If your dog is small and less suited to doggie seat belts, you should try a car seat. Certain designs can also reduce car anxiety and motion sickness.

Where should a dog sit in the car?

Back seats are generally the best place in the car for dogs. The boot is also okay as long as it is secure, and the passenger seat can be used so long as they are extra secure, preferably using a car seat. 

How to help dogs with motion sickness?

To help your dog with his motion sickness, try using an elevated car seat and keep the car nice and cool. You could even try spraying the inside of the car with Adaptil. Ask your vet about anti-nausea medications and herbal remedies to relieve motion sickness if it significantly affects your dog’s life.

How to reduce car anxiety?

The car is a common phobia for dogs, usually due to past experiences, such as an uncomfortable journey, scary noise, or an unpleasant trip to the vets. To reduce car anxiety, make positive associations with it by taking your dog to nice places in the car and taking their favorite toy with you on the journeys. You could also consider buying them a car seat with high walls or using a herbal anti-anxiety supplement if it significantly affects daily life. 

Those are the best car seats for small dogs! Consider buying one of these products for your pooch to keep them safe in the car & please share tips for combating motion sickness and car anxiety in the comments below!

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