The Best Console Dog Car Seat Choices [Updated 2023]

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

– Dog console seat is basically a dog car seat that can be attached to your car's console; It also has a safety harness, unlike regular car seats

– Fastening your dog safely and securely should be the number one priority when travelling with your dog

– Some things to consider when buying a console dog car seat are its size and comfort, ease of use, storage, and safety features

– We recommend the 5 best console dog car seats reviewed in this article

Many of us like to take our dogs for car rides.

The dog’s safety in those situations depends on the way that the dog is restrained.

Lindsey Wolko, the Center for Pet Safety founder, said there are many potential dangers when travelling with your pup.

“Pet owners are largely unaware of the dangers of travelling with their dog,” Wolko stated in an interview. “[The number one rule is to] always restrain or contain your pets when travelling.”

Many different pet supplies do this, like back-seat barriers, harnesses and seat belts.

Don't worry; these are all effective, according to Wolko, as long as they're rated for safety.

But if you're asking us what we can recommend to restrain your pooch during car rides, it's by using a console dog car seat!

In this article, we're going to discuss:

• What is a console car seat for dogs
• Why it's recommended for every pet owners
• How to choose the best one
• What are the best brands of console dog car seats in the market

Let's get started!

Quick Glance at the Best Console Dog Car Seat in this Article:

• Snoozer Console Lookout Car Seat (Cream Fur)
• Snoozer Luxury High Back Console Car Seat for Dogs
• Snoozer Luxury Console Pet Car Booster Seat
• Meago Pet Console Booster 
• BurgeonNest Upgraded Console Dog Booster Seat

What Is a Console Dog Car Seat?

How is a console dog car seat different from, well, a car seat for dogs?

To put it simply, a console dog car seat is basically a regular pet car seat but instead, it connects to your car’s center console and your dog’s harness rather than the back seat of the car.

Some dog car seats for console come with raised backs for additional security.

They also often include a non-slip bottom or some other kind of grip that keeps the seat firmly on the console while you drive.

Most center console car seats for dogs will also have adjustable straps that you can attach between the lower part of the console and the lid.

That way, the seat can remain firmly in place during the ride.

Additionally, a security strap can be attached to the dog’s leash so your pet can sit in the console seat safely.

While this security strap or seat belt is optional, dogs that are anxious during car rides need something like this to keep them in place.

This is also because there is always a possibility of something scaring your pooch or you having to brake suddenly, in which case the security strap may just save your pet's life.

Why Do Owners Need Console Dog Car Seats?

The main reason why you need some type of dog car seat is obviously safety.

It's not only about your dog’s safety but your own safety too, and the safety of other people on the road.

Unfortunately, one in five pet owners admitted that they have taken their hands of the steering wheel at some point during a drive so they could stop their dog from climbing in the front seat.

This information, revealed in a survey by the American Automobile Association, shows how important it is to have your pooch contained during car rides.

Dogs that struggle with car rides—whether it's car sickness or anxiety—will also benefit from having their own secure and comfortable space inside of a vehicle.

It may take some time for your pup to adjust to a console seat, but after he gets used to it, he will be more of a perfect passenger, trust me.

Lastly, center console car seats for dogs can help you keep your vehicle clean from dirty paws and dog’s hair.

And if your pet likes to chew on things or scratch them, you'll save your upholstery from serious damages when your pooch gets nervous on the road.

How to Choose the Best Console Dog Car Seat?

Unfortunately, unlike regular pet car seats, dog car seats for console is more of a new thing.

There really aren’t many options available.

Still, when you're shopping for a console seat for your pooch, pay attention to some of these below features.

Size and Comfort

A console dog car seat must be spacious so your pet can feel comfortable and remain calm during car rides.

The lack of space could make your pooch feel more restraint than it needs to be, as well as nervous and cause anxiety.

Your dog should be able to curl up in the car seat or, at the very least, lie or sit comfortably.

Keep in mind that dog car seats for console are for small dogs only, unlike traditional pet car seats (booster seats).

This is understandable since the size of the seat is limited by the size of the car’s console.

Thus, make sure to always measure the size of your car console properly before you buy a console dog car seat.

If you're a small dog owner, lucky you because you will have more choices when it comes to design, color, and type of these seats.

But if your pooch is a gentle giant and weighs over 20 pounds, finding a console dog car seat for them is nearly an impossible task, so instead you may need to look for a traditional dog car seat.

Check out the recommended sizing below depending on dog breeds:

Ease of Use and Storage

When you're shopping for the best dog car seats for console, pay attention to the way it is used and how easy it is to set up, especially if you don’t travel with your pet often and you have to pack it away and set it up each time you do.

Most good console car seats can be easily attached and unattached with buckles.

You can also find car seats that are foldable to provide easier storage when you don’t use them, whether you decide to store the seat in your trunk or at home.

High quality console seats will be easy to fold and won’t break after a few weeks of use.

Safety Features

The most important factor to consider, and the reason to even buy a console dog car seat, is how this seat can ensure your dog’s safety.

This usually depends on the attachment system the seat has.

Most of the console dog car seats have a seat belt that allows you to lock them in safely.

Other important security features are adjustable security leashes you can latch to your pooch to make sure that they are safely seated during the ride.

These will also prevent dog's car sickness because it means less moving around, especially on bumpy roads.

5 Best Console Dog Car Seat

Hold up!

Before we go about recommending the best console dog car seat brands, it is important to note that this is a relatively new type of product.

In fact, the market is pretty much dominated by Snoozer, the company that came up with this idea. They even have a patent on console car seats for dogs.

But fortunately, they offer a very versatile selection.

1 Console Lookout Car Seat (Cream Fur)
by Snoozer

• Find it on Amazon ($59.95)

One of the best console dog car seats is also one of the most affordable.

This car seat comes in two sizes – small and large.

The small seat has interior dimensions of 5”H x 7”W x 13”L, outer dimensions of 7″H x 9″W x 15″L and it is suitable for dogs up to 7 pounds.

The large seat has interior dimensions of 5”H x 9”W x 16”L, outer dimensions of 7″H X 12″W X 19″L and it is suitable for dogs that weigh up to 12 lbs.

The seat is also available in various colors and styles.

Finding the right décor for your car shouldn’t be a problem with so many choices.

This console seat comes with a removable, machine washable cover and you can choose whether you want Polly cotton, vinyl fabric or quilted exterior.

The interior is lined with soft, quality Sherpa material, while the core is filled with comfortable foam.

It also comes with straps that allow you to secure it to your center console, and another strap to keep your dog in place.

While we mostly had a positive experience with this product, the straps need to be tightened well or the seat will slide backward.

Make sure that you measure your console properly or the straps will seem too loose.

» PROS: Affordable, Comes in Multiple Sizes and Colors, Machine-Washable Cover, Easy to Install

« CONS: Straps May Get Loose If Not Tightened Properly

2 Luxury High Back Console Car Seat for Dogs
by Snoozer

• Find it on Amazon ($110.95)
• Find it on Chewy ($110.95)

This luxury console car seat is perhaps the best of all when it comes to quality alone.

However, it's on the expensive side, which is why we put it in second place on our list.

The seat comes in three sizes: Small, Large, and Extra Large.

• Small – Exterior: 18″L X 9″W X 7″H (front)/12″H (back); Interior: 16″L X 6″W X 5″H(front)/10”H(back); Weight Capacity: Up to 7 lbs.
• Large – Exterior: 20″L x 12″W x 7″H (front)/12″H (back); Interior: 7″L x 9″W x 5″H (front)/10”H (back); Weight Capacity: Up to 12 lbs.
• X-Large – Exterior: 18″L x 16″W x 7″H (front)/12″H (back); Interior: 5″L x 12″W x 5″H (front)/10”H (back); Weight Capacity: Up to 20 lbs.

It also comes in a variety of colors you can choose from.

This console car seat for dogs comes with a removable and machine-washable microsuede cover.

You can also wash the inner Sherpa pad, which is also very soft and comfortable. The seat's core is filled with durable foam.

This seat is suitable for larger consoles but you still need to measure both your console and your dog properly.

The item comes with safety straps to secure your pet to the seat, while the high back servers as an obstacle to prevent your dog from jumping out.

The seat is also secured in place with straps and a non-skid bottom.

Perhaps the only drawback of this product, along with the higher price point, is the fact that it may be too big for most regular cars.

This may not be a problem if you drive an SUV but if you don’t, make sure to measure the console properly before you buy this car seat.

» PROS: Comes in Multiple Sizes and Colors, Machine-Washable Cover and Inner Pad, Easy to Install, Non-Skid Bottom

« CONS: Expensive, Too Large for Some Cars

3 Luxury Console Pet Car Booster Seat
by Snoozer

• Find it on Amazon ($72.95)
• Find it on Chewy ($72.95)

This is the mid-range option from Snoozer when it comes to their console car seats.

The Luxury Console Booster is available in small and large size, both in different colors.

Here are their measurement for your reference:

• Small – Exterior: 7″H x 9″W x 15″L; Interior: 5″H x 7″W x 13″L; Weight Capacity: Up to 7 lbs.
• Large – Exterior: 7″H x 12″W x 19″L; Interior: 5″H x 9″W x 16″L; Weight Capacity: Up to 12 lbs.

The seat is filled with durable but comfortable foam and comes with a removable and washable cover and inner pad.

The cover is made from microsuede, while the inner pad is made from Sherpa material.

This console seat can be safely secured to the base and the lid of the console with straps but it also has a non-skid bottom to make it more stable.

Your dog can be secured with safety straps that will keep him in place during the ride.

While we did like this console seat, we found that it is a bit small even though we measured it correctly, so you may want to give a bit of allowance when measuring.

» PROS: Comes in Multiple Sizes and Colors, Machine-Washable Cover and Inner Pad, Easy to Install, Non-Skid Bottom

« CONS: Runs a Bit Small

4Pet Console Booster
by Meago

• Find it on Amazon ($45.98)

A only console car seat for dogs that's good enough to make our in list that wasn’t made by Snoozer is this product by Meago.

This car seat is only available in one size – 17″L x 10″W x 6.7″H (front), 9.5”H (back), with weight capacity of 12 lbs.

And it also comes in just one color, which is plaid.

The seat is lightweight and easy to fit with any console, as long as the size is appropriate.

You can put it in place thanks to the hook that makes it fixated to the console lid. The seat also includes a safety belt.

As for cleaning, the cover can be removed and washed in a machine.

This console seat is good but the foam shape got a bit distorted from being boxed up.

It also runs a bit small, so take that into account when you measure your dog.

» PROS: Available in Multiple Colors, Machine-Washable Cover, Easy to Install, Non-Skid Bottom

« CONS: Only Available in One Size, Runs a Bit Small, May Get Distorted a Bit from Being Boxed Up

5Upgraded Console Dog Booster Seat
by BurgeonNest

• Find it on Amazon ($38.99)

Another non-Snoozer product on our list is this Upgraded Console Dog Booster by BurgeonNest.

This car seat also comes only in one size that measures 17 x 9 x 8 inches and can carry up to 15 lbs.

It features an adjustable velcro seat belt, large side pocket, and a replaceable pee pad perfect for nervous dogs.

We also liked that this serves multiple functions: not just as a dog seat for the console, but also for the co-pilot and the rear seat.

And it can also function as a portable dog carrier!

The seat is lightweight and easy to fit with any console, as long as the size is appropriate.

You can also fold it when storing, thanks to the foldable metal frame.

This console is good, overall, however, we find the bottom a little too hard that some dogs may find uncomfortable. But what's good is it's spacious enough to put a dog pillow in.

» PROS: Multifunctional, Adjustable Velcro Seat Belt for Security, Lightweight and Easy to Fit

« CONS: Only Available in One Size and One Color, Hard Bottom

FAQs about Console Dog Car Seats

Are console car seats safe for dogs?

Yes, as long as it's secured properly on the console, and your dog is harnessed properly to it.

And also, make sure that the console car seat you are going to use is crash-tested and rated for safety.

Should a dog sit in the front or back of a car seat?

The safest area in the car to put your dog is still the backseat.

This is because the front seat of a car can be dangerous for dogs in the event of an accident or sudden stop.

Airbags in the front seat can deploy with great force, which can cause serious injury or even death to a dog.

In addition, dogs can be a distraction to the driver if they are sitting in the front seat, which can increase the risk of an accident.

Are dog seat belts effective?

Yes, dog seat belts can be effective in keeping dogs safe during car rides.

However, it's still best to use this in conjunction with a properly secured dog crate or carrier.

In the event of an accident, a dog crate or carrier can provide an additional layer of protection for the dog, and can help prevent them from being thrown around in the car.

Best Console Car Seats For Dogs: Before You Go…

Dog car seats for consoles are different to standard pet booster seats, and they can keep you and your pooch safe and secure during car rides.

Just make sure that you follow all safety protocols (a.k.a. keeping both your hands on the wheels!) and your pet properly fastened to avoid any unfortunate incidents from happening.

Want to learn more how to keep your pooch safe and secured when travelling? Check out our recommended articles below!

Related Articles:

• 6 Important Tips for Long Distance Traveling with Your Dog
• 3 Crash Tested Dog Harnesses for Cars
• Are Dog Travel Crates As Safe As You Think They Are?

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