Pet Parent Essentials: Car Accessories for Pets

If you ever want to take your dog, cat, or other critter with you on a drive, it’s always best to be prepared. Pets are an important part of our lives, and they bring so much love into our hearts. However, traveling with them can be a bit of a hassle, especially if they’re the frisky type and tend to move around a lot in the back seat.

The last thing you want is for your beloved pet to put you and themselves in danger. It also won’t hurt if you protect your car from them while you’re at it. Here are some great pet accessories for cars that you should consider buying:

Pet Dividers

A car divider for pets will keep your precious companion safely tucked away in the back seat or in your hatchback’s cargo area. It’ll keep your pet from bothering you as you drive, and it serves as a safety precaution as well. If you need to brake suddenly, your pet won’t go flying over the center console and into your lap.

Some anxious pets might whine because they can’t reach you as you drive, but it’s ultimately the safer measure. Who knows, other anxious pets might instead feel safer in their own designated space. You can give them some of their favorite toys to make them feel more settled.

You can purchase something like the Weathertech Pet Divider for your hatchback cargo area. This is great for larger pets that need extra room. The sturdy metal will also make sure they won’t escape into the rest of the cabin and bother you.

Pet Car Ramps

If your pet has a difficult time boarding your vehicle, it might be time to consider a pet ramp for your car. A pet ramp is a slanted ramp that you can set up next to your vehicle so your pet can climb into the cabin or cargo area more easily.

These ramps are great for pets with short legs or those getting along in years. Pets can more easily board and alight from the vehicle on their own when you set a pet ramp down. It’ll also save your back in the long run if your usual habit is to pick them up. A pet ramp can reduce potential injury risks for both you and your beloved pet.

One extra portable option is the Weathertech Pet Ramp, which can fold in half for easier storage. It has rubber feet on both ends to keep it from slipping off the vehicle or the ground, and it also has traction pads on its surface so your pets’ feet won’t lose their grip.

Pet Safety Harnesses

A specialized automotive pet harness or seat belt will also help keep your pet safe while on the road. These car safety harnesses for pets connect to your vehicle’s seat belt, keeping your pet in place and sitting upright. The position prevents pets from lying down, but it protects their spine in case of an accident.

You might not want to use a safety harness for longer drives though. Your pet might get too tired sitting straight the whole way. Purchase something like the Weathertech Pet Safety Harness for those shorter trips.

Floor Mats

Your vehicle’s floor mats aren’t necessarily a pet accessory, but we can confirm picking the wrong ones will mean more cleanup than needed. Imagine getting white carpet floor mats only to have them ruined with grass stains or muddy paw prints.

Try to pick a car floor mat that suits your lifestyle and your pet’s needs. It’s best to go with something more rugged in this case unless you’re willing to launder your floor mats every week. Rubber or all-weather materials will work beautifully with a more outdoorsy pet.

Seat Protectors

Your car seats will thank you if you order a set of seat protectors for your pet. This way, you won’t have to worry about their nails scratching the cloth or leather. And if any unfortunate accidents should happen, at least they won’t stain your seats.

Seat protectors are meant for kids, but it shouldn’t hurt to have one for your furry companions as well. If they’re in a crate or a carrier, you can place the seat protector under them for that extra layer of protection.

Pick up a Weathertech Child Car Seat Protector or a similar protector to keep your seats safe from stains and other nasty surprises from your pets.

In the end, the important thing will always be safety. Not just for your pet, but also for you. They may whine if you cordon them off, or they might not like the pet ramp at first. However, if you work patiently and lovingly with them, they should be able to adjust just fine.

With these pet accessories for your car, you’ll be driving safer, keeping your pet more protected, and leaving less of a mess to clean up afterward.