Our Small Dog Car Travel Setup for Comfort and Safety
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.Before our son was born, there was one change we wanted to make before he arrived.
For years, our dog almost always rode on my lap. It was what made him feel safe and I loved having him close during car rides. But we knew life with a baby would look different. I wanted Mugen to have his own cozy place in the car long before we ever brought our newborn home, so the transition wouldn't happen all at once.
We started looking for a setup that would keep him comfortable while also letting him enjoy his favorite part of every drive: looking out the window.
After quite a bit of searching, we ended up trying a booster seat, HEGGCOOE Small Dog Car Seat, paired with a separate Dog Seat Belt from Mighty Paw, and it's a combination we've really loved.
Why We Chose a Dog Booster Seat
One thing our dog Mugen has always loved is watching the world go by. If there's a window nearby, that's where you'll usually find him.
A regular dog bed on the seat wouldn't have given him enough height to see out the window. We wanted something that would let him enjoy the view while still giving him a soft place to curl up once he'd had enough excitement.
Mugen Approved It Right Away
One of my favorite memories is actually before we ever installed the booster seat in the car.
As soon as we brought it inside, Mugen climbed right in, stuffed his face into every cushion crevice, rubbed all over it, and treated it like a brand new toy.
It immediately seemed we'd chosen well.
The first several car rides were definitely an adjustment. He was used to sitting with me, and changing a routine he'd had for years wasn't something I expected to happen overnight.
But after about a week, he seemed to understand the new set up. Once he realized he could still look out the window from his own little seat, he became a very happy passenger.
What We Like About the Booster Seat
The size has been great for Mugen.
He weighs about 19 pounds and has enough room to sit comfortably while looking out the window or curl up for a nap during longer drives.
The raised height gives him a nice view without making me feel like he's sitting too high for comfort when the window is down.
The cover is also removable and washable, which was something I considered a must. Between dog hair, dirt, and the occasional muddy paw, I knew I'd eventually need to wash it.
After washing it, it still looked great.
Putting the cover back on, though, took a little patience.
To be fair, the first time I did it I was a tiny, very pregnant woman trying to wrestle it back into place, so that probably didn't help. Once everything was lined up again, though, it fit just as it should.
I also remember reading one review saying one of the colorful versions transferred dye onto their light-colored car seats. We chose the black version, have washed it, and have never noticed any color transferring onto Mugen or any of our belongings. Our car seats are black, though, so I can't personally speak to lighter upholstery.
Why We Pair It With a Separate Dog Seat Belt
As much as we love the booster seat, I don't personally look at it as crash protection.
For us, its job is comfort.
The dog seat belt is what gives me peace of mind.
We had bought the Mighty Paw dog seat belt after using an older one we'd been given years ago, and the quality difference was immediately noticeable. The webbing feels much sturdier and the hardware feels more substantial.
It buckles into the vehicle just like a regular seat belt and clips directly to Mugen's harness.
How We Use Them Together
Our setup is a little different than using the booster seat by itself.
We install the booster in the window seat and thread the vehicle's seat belt through it according to the instructions. Then we buckle the Mighty Paw seat belt into the middle seat's buckle beside the booster and clip it directly to Mugen's harness.
We don't clip Mugen to the booster seat itself.
That way, the booster provides the comfort, while the separate seat belt provides the restraint.
I also adjust the seat belt length so Mugen can comfortably put his nose into the breeze without having enough slack to move freely around the vehicle.
That combination has worked really well for us.
Would We Buy Them Again?
Absolutely.
This setup helped Mugen transition from riding on my lap to having a cozy place that felt like his own before our son arrived. He still gets to enjoy looking out the window, he has a comfortable place to rest during longer drives, and I have peace of mind knowing he's secured to his harness with a separate seat belt.
Neither product replaces the other.
For us, the booster seat provides the comfort, and the seat belt provides the safety.
Together, they've become one of our favorite purchases for traveling with Mugen, and they're products we'd happily buy again.
Pros
HEGGCOOE Dog Booster Car Seat
Comfortable for Mugen to sit or curl up in
Great height for looking out the window
Fits our 19-pound dog well
Washable cover
Stays secure by threading the vehicle seat belt through the base
Mighty Paw Dog Seat Belt
Feels very sturdy and well made
Clips directly to a harness
Easy to buckle into the vehicle
Adjustable length
Gives us peace of mind while driving
A Few Things to Keep in Mind
The booster seat is designed to provide a comfortable place for your dog to ride. We personally don't rely on it as our dog's restraint.
Putting the booster cover back on after washing takes a little patience.
If you have light-colored upholstery, you may want to keep an eye on darker or brightly colored versions. We chose black and haven't experienced any color transfer ourselves.
Disclosures: Some links in this post are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means Hearth & Harmony may earn a small commission if you choose to make a purchase through those links, at no additional cost to you. Recommendations are shared thoughtfully and based on what we genuinely find useful or worth considering.
All content on Hearth & Harmony is provided for informational purposes only and reflects personal opinions and experience. Readers are encouraged to do their own research and make decisions that best suit their individual needs and circumstances.
