Dog Seat Covers - Your Companion Will Be Thankful
Thursday, October 22nd, 2009Cars and Pets, They have gone hand in hand since almost the beginning. However, they are not really designed to function well together. It is best to find an economical solution to protect your vehicle from the ravishes of say an ill-tempered shiatsu. You also want to make sure your pet is both comfortable and safe while riding with you. Car seats are usually the best option but are not always the best fit financially. If you really do not want to or cannot spend the money on a car seat for your dog, but want to protect the fabric of your seats the best solution for you is to invest in buying a seat cover. This article explains the different types of seat covers and the benefits of using one. Later I will walk you through the steps necessary to properly install a dog seat cover.
Dog seat covers are not really a new thing, people have been doing this for years, the only real difference is that companies are just now beginning to catch on to the popularity of people taking their dog everywhere and have started to cash in on the idea.
Most covers will install within seconds and involve very little if any tools at all. Most of these applications slip on over the seat and attach to the headrest on the driver and passenger side. Many people don’t realize that seat covers actually serve a dual purpose. One, they protect the car from any scratches with the dogs nails. Second, they prevent the dog from soiling the car by losing control of their bladder. Lastly, they help to protect the dog itself from any potential injury.
One of these add-on items is called a pet barrier. After all the other reason for a dog, car seat is for safety. However if you decide not to use an actual car seat then you should invest in a barrier to separate the front of the car from the rear of the vehicle.
Seat covers can come in many sizes and styles to fit every car from a Toyota Prius to an SUV, and have an adequate choice of colors to choose from. Most seat covers come in the standard four popular colors for cars. A few companies will allow you to special order a color.
Installation of the cover is usually simple, below is an example of how easy a cover is to install. Most covers come with simple to follow instructions and include diagrams to help assist you, should you find yourself lost.
Once you have the cover in place fasten it down and you’re ready to go. If you get lost along the way simply check out the diagram instruction given with most styles. If you have any questions or concerns revisit the store where you purchased the cover. Most times the staff has been trained to assist customers with proper installation. If you bought your cover online call the website producer or the manufacturer with any issues, they will usually be glad to help.
After fitting the dog car covers in place, fasten securely it with the straps included. If your pet will be riding in the car on a regular basis, do not bring the rear seatbelts through the pre cut slots. Most dog transport accessories and other Dog Products retail from around $50 to $100 depending on the brand and the type of application you are installing. Another factor on price is the vehicle in question. A compact car or pickup truck will usually cost less than say an SUV or a minivan. Designs for luxury vehicles will usually be more than for standard cars but may include more options standard. It also depends on what material the over is made of. Leathers covers can range from $175 to $220 and ones with heating or cooling options or “memory foam” padding with also cost more. The main thing to remember is to keep your car damage free and your pet safe.