Car Booster Seats for Small Dogs and Cats: A Buyer’s Guide

Small dogs and cats are easily thrown about in a moving car, and many of them are anxious travellers. A car booster seat gives your pet a safe, snug place to sit while keeping them off your lap and out of the footwell.

What is a car booster seat?

A booster seat lifts your pet slightly so they can see out of the window, which helps reduce travel anxiety and motion sickness in some pets. It also has safety straps to keep the seat and your pet secure. Our Car Booster Seat for Dogs and Cats offers a raised view with secure safety straps.

Who is it for?

Booster and safety seats suit small dogs such as Chihuahuas, Yorkshire Terriers, Dachshunds, Westies and Cavapoos, as well as cats on their way to the vet. Check the seat dimensions against your pet’s size and weight before ordering.

What to look for

• Secure fixing: the seat must attach firmly to your car seat.
• Safety strap: your pet needs to be attached to the seat, not just sitting in it.
• Padding: soft sides make the seat cosy and help your pet feel safe.
• Easy-clean liner: travel sickness happens, and a wipeable surface makes life easier.

Booster or safety seat?

We have both styles in our car safety dog beds and seats range. The padded safety seats, such as the Navy Blue, Red Paws and Blue Paws designs, offer padded sides for a snug fit. The booster gives more of a view. Pick whichever suits your pet’s personality.

The law and your responsibilities

The Highway Code says animals must be suitably restrained in a vehicle. Read our explainer, Do Dogs Have to Wear Seatbelts in the UK?, for more detail.

Getting your pet used to the seat

1. Put the seat indoors for a few days and let your pet explore it.
2. Add a favourite blanket and a few treats.
3. Take a short trip round the block, then gradually build up.
4. Keep the car cool, quiet and well ventilated.

For anxious travellers, our guide to calm car journeys to the vet has more ideas.

Make every trip safer. Shop car safety seats now.