How to Choose a Dog Car Hammock That Fits Your Car
Measure two things before you buy a back-seat dog hammock, understand water-resistant vs waterproof, and keep your dog safe on the road.
A back-seat hammock keeps fur, mud and claw marks off your seats, and covers the footwell gap so your dog has a flatter, more stable place to ride. The most common complaint is that it doesn't fit. Here's how to avoid that.
Measure two things
- Rear seat width, door to door at the seat cushion. Most hammocks fit seats between about 50 and 58 inches. Smaller coupes may be too narrow, and some large trucks may need an XL.
- Headrests. Hammocks hang from the front and rear headrests. You need adjustable headrests with posts you can loop a strap around. Seats with fixed, built-in headrests may need a different design.
Know the materials
- Water-resistant means it sheds splashes and wet paws for a while.
- Waterproof should mean a coated or laminated backing that stops liquid soaking through. Ask the seller how they know: a spec sheet or a spill test.
- A non-slip backing stops the hammock sliding around on leather seats, and gives your dog better footing.
- Quilted tops are comfortable but can trap sand. Shake them out after beach trips.
Safety
A hammock is a seat cover, not a restraint. For crash safety, use a crash-tested harness attached to the seat belt, or a secured crate. The Center for Pet Safety publishes test results for harnesses and crates. Never let a dog ride with its head out of the window at speed.
Installation in four steps
- Loop the rear straps around the rear headrests and tighten.
- Loop the front straps around the front headrests.
- Push the seat anchors into the gap between the seat back and cushion.
- Open the seat-belt slits so you can clip in a harness.
Check the vehicle-fit chart on our Road Trip Back-Seat Hammock before you buy, and if it doesn't fit a car within the chart, return it within 60 days.