The 9 Best Dog Booster Seats Australia: Tested & Evaluated 2024

When it comes to car safety, our canine companions are left out of the story way too often. However, just like us, they deserve to be safe and comfortable.

A dog car seat is one of the best ways to achieve this, especially if you have a small- or medium-sized dog. But how do you choose the best one for your pup? We teamed up with independent experts and tested some of the most popular options out there. Today’s guide aims to help you find the best (and safest) car seat for your furry friend. Let's check them out!

Australia's Best Dog Booster Seats Reviewed

Ready to find the perfect seat and let your canine buddy enjoy being treated like royalty? Below, you’ll find our favourite, expert-tested options.

The simple yet effective design of this car seat from Fur King is what sets it apart from the competition. This car seat is anything but bulky, quite the opposite, it’s lightweight and foldable. At the same time, our experts note that it is very strong and stable, providing a sense of security for your pup and giving you peace of mind.

The dog seat can be fixed either onto the front seat or the back seat, although we always recommend letting your pup ride in the back. The three adjustable straps are easy to snap into place and will keep the seat from moving. Two go around the back of the seat while one goes around the headrest. For added security, there is also a seat anchor.

I love how the seat then forms a box, which my pup sits within. The walls are very stable and strong, but the interior is padded to ensure my furry friend is comfortable.

Dogs love watching through the car window. This can be problematic with small dogs since they’ll move around trying to get a glimpse of the outdoors. Their skidding and jumping around is dangerous, for both of you. But there’s a way to help your tiny buddy enjoy the window view while also riding safely. The key lies in an elevated dog seat, such as the Tagalong Booster seat from PetSafe.

This seat has a simple yet unique design. It features a basket frame covered with a polyester oxford fabric which is durable and stain-resistant. The interior features a soft fleece liner which will keep your pooch comfortable even during long car rides. The light brown colour means dirt and other stains could be visible, but the good news is that the inner liner is machine-washable. The seat comes in three sizes, the largest being sturdy enough to handle a dog weighing up to 11 kg.

Unlike our number one option, which is suitable for dogs up to 18 kg, this booster seat is best for smaller dog breeds. 

Our experts note that setup is easy and can be done in no time. The first strap goes over the headrest, while the other goes around the car seat. Three attachment points allow you to secure the seat in place, so your pooch doesn’t get motion sickness.

One important feature of this option is a safety tether that can be attached to a harness, which prevents the dog from roaming and keeps your furry friend safe. Another nice detail is a storage pocket, where you can put treats or toys. Keeping his personal items at hand is something my dog really loved about this booster seat!

This dog car seat from Good Pet Stuff looks so sturdy and well-made, you might think it costs a small fortune. We’re glad to say it comes with a budget-friendly price tag, which is just one of the things that are great about this product.

The seat features foldable legs, which allowed me to adjust it to my canine companion’s size. You can also extend the legs and let your dog ride 24 cm above the car seat, giving them a great view out the window. If your pooch is medium-sized, you can fold the seat legs down and have them sit at a 15 cm height.

This seat won’t move an inch, no matter how fast you drive. The car’s seat belt slides through openings on each side, keeping your dog safe and secure throughout the ride. For further security in case of sudden stops, there’s a dependable anchor strap that you can attach to a harness. Unlike our other options, this seat comes with a removable food and water bowl, ideal for lengthier car trips.

This dog seat looks very comfortable too, meaning your pooch doesn't sacrifice comfort for safety! The seat is covered with a thick layer of foam and finished with fleece. The cushion is so soft, you’ll wish Good Pet Stuff made a human-sized version. There’s also thin padding along the edges of the seat, to prevent your pooch from getting hurt when moving around. 

This product by Pet Gear works as a carrier and a car seat - all in one. This is one of those pieces of equipment you buy when first getting a puppy that ends up lasting a lifetime. Unless your dog outgrows it, that is.

A padded carrying handle allows you to carry your pooch to the vet or inside the mall. Once I placed it on the car seat, I put the seat belt through the back straps, and it was all set to take my dog for a ride. The installation is done before you can say, “buckle up!” To ensure your pooch is safe riding alone in the backseat, I appreciate that there’s an interior tether that can attach to a harness.

All sides of this dog seat feature mesh fabric, which provides airflow and allows your pooch to gaze through the car windows. The bottom is covered with a washable fleece comfort pad. The carrier opens up with a simple push of a button, which you will find on both sides. Our expert team quickly discovered that this opening method is a notable improvement from those annoying zippers that most mesh carriers have.

Pettom takes pet bags to a whole new level. They make backpacks and suitcases, and they recently introduced this 2-in-1 carrier and dog seat. While multi-purpose dog bags are nothing new, this Pettom seat and bag combo is a high-quality product with a reasonable price tag.

When you look at this carrier for the first time you might be confused by its shape. It can be worn as both a shoulder bag or a handbag, and you can pick whichever way suits you and your pooch. Our expert team say it’s also worth pointing out that the dimensions of the carrier allow you to use it as hand luggage on aeroplanes. The product comes in four colours and two sizes, where the latter can hold up to 10 kg.

Setting up this carrier as a dog seat is an easy job. A safety belt goes through the loops on the back of the bag, while an adjustable strap goes over the headrest. Once you do that, unzip the top entry and let your pooch enjoy the ride. The sides of this seat are rather tall, meaning your dog won’t skid around on every bend in the road.

Like our number four option, this multi-use booster seat has a mesh liner that rambunctious dogs may be able to scratch through and rip.

One thing you can’t overlook about this dog seat is its pockets. There are some on each side, leaving you with plenty of room to store toys, treats, brushes and any other important dog accessories. Once your road trip is over, this dog seat/carrier can be folded flat for more convenient storage.

That’s right, this is yet another two-in-one product on this list. However, this time, it’s a combination of a bed and a car seat. This product is a dream come true for our canine companions. They love car rides probably as much as they love napping. With this car seat from Nibesser, our researchers note that they can do both at the same time.

This dog seat is the definition of comfort. It resembles a sofa chair, and it’s just as snug. The seat cover is made of a sturdy Oxford 900D fabric. This material is hypoallergenic, waterproof and free of any harmful chemicals. It’s also abrasion-resistant and difficult to bite, giving you peace of mind if you own a teething puppy. I also really appreciate how the bottom pad has a non-slip finish, which keeps the seat in place.

This Legendog car seat might look like a basic basket-shaped seat, but don’t let its simplicity fool you. From colour to functionality, our team notes that everything about this dog seat is thoughtfully designed and made with love.

This dog booster seat, just like other square-shaped seats, features two straps - one that goes over the headrest, and the other around the back of the car seat. Depending on how I adjusted the top strap, I was able to raise my pooch up or down, as needed. The inside of this seat is covered with a high-quality fleece that I can wash on a delicate or gentle cycle. Underneath the seat cover, the seat itself is waterproof. This makes it a great puppy car seat, but it’s also suitable for elderly and injured dogs.

The seat has an additional pillow on the bottom which helps your pooch feel comfortable while preventing the bottom from sagging. According to the manufacturer, it can easily withstand dogs under 16 kg. That might be a bit of an overstatement, and our expert team estimates that the top limit lies somewhere around 12 kg.

The ever-growing popularity of basket-shaped dog seats finally resulted in manufacturers designing one with a PVC frame. This new detail assures that the seat doesn’t lose its shape, no matter how restless your pooch might get. This car seat from Genorth features eight PVC bars that are connected to make a sturdy support frame.

The manufacturer claims this seat can hold up to 10 kg. However, dogs come in all shapes and sizes, so this weight limit is more of a general guide than a precise estimation. Dachshunds and French Bulldogs might weigh the same, but their body shape is completely different.

Like other dog seats with a similar design, our team noted that this one also features a headrest strap and a safety back belt. It’s a well-proven method of keeping the seat steady when the car is on the move, so we wouldn’t expect anything new when it comes to security straps.

The front and back side of the dog seat is made of 600D Oxford fabric, while the rear sides are covered with a breathable mesh. The seat comes with a premium quality flannel fleece blanket featuring a cow pattern. The seat has a collapsible design, so after I’m done driving my pooch around, I was able to disassemble the frame and fold it down so that it takes up minimal storage space.

If a sofa and a lazy bag had a baby, this dog seat would be it. This is a true representation of how comfortable a car seat can be, without losing its purpose. Unfortunately, this comfy car seat is only aimed at smaller dogs. According to Yitesen, the seat is suitable for one medium-sized pooch or two dogs weighing no more than 12 kg each.

Sitting on this car seat feels like floating on a cloud, and here’s why. The bolsters and the cushion are generously filled with a recycled plush poly-fill which provides ultimate comfort. This makes the seat suitable for elderly dogs and dogs with injuries and arthritis. My toy breed who has arthritis was able to stretch out comfortably and nap throughout our drive.

The outer fabric is a polyester and cotton twill combination. This type of material is hair-repellent. That’s right, you won’t struggle with clumps of dog fur across the whole seat, excluding maybe in the shedding period. This fabric doesn’t get dirty easily, but when it does, simply remove the cover and machine wash it on a gentle cycle. After that, always remember to tumble dry it, because when air-dried, this material becomes rough and can matt your dog’s fur.

Is a Booster Seat for Dogs the Best Solution?

Car safety for dogs is rarely defined by law. The regulations vary between countries and states (some say the dog shouldn’t ride in the front seat, some say that the dog should be restrained, etc). In Australia, for example, the RSPCA doesn’t impose any regulations, but they do recommend the dog be restrained from moving around the car while you are driving (1).

She also notes that booster seats are generally more suitable for small dogs. This is because booster seats for dogs are usually designed to let the dog move around comfortably within the seat. For large and heavy dogs, this would not be possible.

For smaller dogs, however, booster seats offer a lot of benefits. Not only do they keep your dog safer and more comfortable, but a good seat will reduce a dog’s anxiety by giving them a perfect view out the window. In addition to this, a good car seat that keeps the dog contained will minimise distractions while driving, which in turn, makes driving safer for both of you.

How to Choose a Dog Booster Seat

This is all great, but how do you choose the right seat for your dog? Here is what our experts ask you to consider before settling on a purchase:

Size

Dog booster seats are usually categorised according to the weight they can support, and this is the most important metric to look out for. The car seat must be able to support your dog’s weight. Otherwise, it could do more harm than good.

In addition to this, you should also consider the dimensions of the inside of the seat. Dog seats are not like baby seats, and there should be a bit of space (but not too much) for your dog to move around. Getting your dog all snuggled up in the seat might be tempting and seem more secure. However, if they can’t stretch out at all, dogs tend to get more nervous.

Design

Dog booster seats are usually made of synthetic materials. Any good design will be able to hold your dog’s weight, but what makes the most difference is the softness of the interior. It’s best to look for seats with thicker padding on the inside.

This is not only more comfortable but also safer for your dog in case of sudden braking or anything else unexpected happening. Additionally, you might want to look for dog seats made of waterproof material - just in case. While my dog doesn't have accidents from day to day, he almost always does once we hop in the car and start to motor. Your dog may act similarly.

Installation

There are a bunch of different set-up options used in dog car seats. Some of them go around the headrest (you need your seat to have a headrest for this), others use the seatbelt and so on.

Before buying a seat, make sure to check how you are supposed to set it up and then check if your car fits the description. A booster seat you can’t set up properly is worth nothing!

Final Verdict

A car seat is an essential piece of equipment for all small and medium-sized dogs. Especially since, if you make a good decision, your car seat can last a lifetime.

If you are looking for a quick pick, our expert team has two top suggestions: the PetSafe Happy Ride Quilted Booster Seat and the Good Pet Stuff Travelin' Dog Pet Seat are both great options. The first one is more lightweight and easier to store away, and the second is one of the most stable car seats for dogs on the market. The final decision is yours!

References

1. “Do I need to restrain my dog when travelling in my car?”. June 25, 2020. RSPCA. Retrieved February 5, 2023.  https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/do-i-need-to-restrain-my-dog-when-travelling-in-my-car/
2. PetMD Editorial. December 28, 2018. “Dog Car Safety: Do You Need a Dog Car Seat, Dog Seat Belt, Barrier or a Carrier?”. PetMD. Retrieved February 5, 2023. https://www.petmd.com/dog/care/dog-car-safety-do-you-need-dog-car-seat-dog-seat-belt-barrier-or-carrier
3. PetMD Editorial. January 26, 2018. “Dog Car Seats and Seat Belts: Can They Keep Your Pup Safe?”. PetMD. Retrieved February 5, 2023.  https://www.petmd.com/dog/care/dog-car-seats-and-seat-belts-can-they-keep-your-pup-safe