The Best Dog Car Barriers in 2022
- The Best Dog Car Barrier
- 1. Ameiq Dog Car Barrier
- 2. Bushwhacker Deluxe Dog Barrier for Car
- 3. Walky Dog Adjustable Car Barrier
- 4. Jumbl Pet Dog Car Barrier
- 5. The ZooKeeper Dog Car Barrier
- 6. MidWest Homes for Pets Wire Mesh Car Barrier for Dogs
- 7. PetSafe Happy Ride Dog Car Barrier
- 8. Petego Car Barriers for Dogs
- 9. Little Giant Adjustable Wire Dog Car Divider
Dogs are great company when you are traveling but they can also be a hazard in cars if they are not properly restrained. Dog seat belts and crates are the safest way to travel with a dog but many owners also like to use dog car barrier. These are devices that contain a dog within a particular area of the vehicle.
A pet barrier for car use can be used to keep your dog in the cargo area of your SUV. It can also be used to keep them on the back seat of any car. They can be made from mesh or metal and are very easy to install. However, you must be careful that you get one that will fit your particular vehicle. If you are thinking of getting a dog gate for car journeys, check out our quick guide.
The Best Dog Car Barrier
1. Ameiq Dog Car Barrier
Key Features
Mesh barrier
Folds up neatly to fit in a bag
Fits onto front seats
Suitable for any vehicle
Convenient and there when you need it, this mesh barrier will fold up and fit in your bag or in the trunk of your car when you are not using it. It attaches to the two front seats via two aluminum alloy hooks and two nickel plated steel hooks.
This dog guard for car journeys is large enough to cover the gap between the front seats of your vehicle and keep your dogs in the back seat. It’s made from high quality nylon which does not stretch and is very strong. It is very easy to install by simply buckling it to the headrest column. It has adjustable straps and will fit all models of vehicles. There are useful pockets for you to store things in.
2. Bushwhacker Deluxe Dog Barrier for Car
Key Features
Suitable for trucks or large SUVs
Made from tear and scratch resistant fabric
Allows air to circulate
Easy to fit
Just what you need to take your dog in larger vehicles such as trucks, sedans and SUVs. It measures 56 inches across and will fit vehicles that measure at least 56 inches across just below the headrests. A smaller version is available for smaller vehicles.
It is manufactured from tear and scratch resistant fabric that is porous enough to allow air to circulate within the vehicle. This means that your heater and AV will continue to be effective. The fabric is held in place using aluminum tubing that is lightweight but strong enough to stop a dog from pushing their way through. It is easy to fit by attaching to the front seat headrests and to the seat belt mount or car seat frame.
3. Walky Dog Adjustable Car Barrier
Key Features
Strong dog guard
Made from powdered coated steel
Not suitable for small dogs as they can fit through the bars
Easy to fit and take down
This strong and sturdy dog guard is mounted to the headrests of your vehicle and safely keeps your dog in the rear of the vehicle. It is made from powdered coated steel and has telescopic bars so it can adjust to fit most vehicles that have an adjustable head rest. You cannot use it in vehicles that have seat belt boxes in the backseat. You don’t have to remove the parcel shelf to fit it and you can move it from one vehicle to another.
You can fit this barrier in minutes and you do not need any tools or specialist skills but you should measure your vehicle before you buy one to make sure it will fit. You also need to make sure that you have tightened the clamps firmly. To remove it, you simply loosen the clamps – it comes with full instructions.
4. Jumbl Pet Dog Car Barrier
Key Features
Strong and sturdy barrier to keep dogs in the cargo area
Made from steel wire
Fixes by attaching to head rests
Will fit many types of vehicle
A superb device for keeping your pets away from the passengers’ seats and driver’s seat of your vehicle. It creates a comfortable and secure zone in the cargo area of your vehicle. This barrier is made from strong and durable steel wire so it can contain even large dogs.
This SUV dog barrier can be adjusted to fit all sorts of vehicles including wagons, SUVs and hatchbacks. All you have to do is attach it to the headrest – you don’t need any special tools. You don’t have to worry about damaging the interior of your car because the barrier has protective brace pads. The barrier will not block the view of your blind spot.
5. The ZooKeeper Dog Car Barrier
Key Features
Strong and portable
Made from heavy gauge tubing
Adjustable vertically and horizontally
Fits cars and trucks
Engineered here in the US, this universal pet barrier is versatile enough to fit most vehicles and portable enough to be moved from one car to another with ease. It will comfortably fit two door and four door cars as well as SUVs, trucks and wagons and is made from heavy gauge tubing. The structure can be adjusted vertically and horizontally. It will also move with your seats so you can still slide and recline them for your comfort.
The design of this SUV pet barrier is simple and takes no time to install. You do not need any expensive tools or mechanical knowledge. It will not damage the interior of your car because it has flexible cords that fix around the headrest posts. There are protective caps to prevent rattles. You can use it for large or small dogs and it completely secures the dog in the cargo area.
6. MidWest Homes for Pets Wire Mesh Car Barrier for Dogs
Key Features
Adjustable to fit most vehicles
Rubber molding around the outside
Easy to install
Black electro-coat surface to prevent glare
A safe way of preventing pet distractions when you are driving, this wire mesh dog car barrier will ensure that your pooch is contained in the cargo area of your vehicle. It has rubber molding around the outside so that it will not hurt your pet or damage the interior of your vehicle.
Because this model of dog car divider is adjustable (with expansion panels), it can be altered to fit many types of vehicle including SUVs and wagons. It takes just a few minutes to install and there will be no glare from the black electro-coat surface. The two-inch heavy-duty mesh and high gauge wire is strong enough to hold back your pooch.
7. PetSafe Happy Ride Dog Car Barrier
Key Features
Net dog barrier
Fits between the two front seats
Made from a strong micro-mesh
Resists claws
Keep your pooch safely in the rear of your vehicle with this handy net dog barrier. It neatly blocks the space in between the two front seat where dogs love to poke through! The mesh is see-through so your dog can see that you are still there. Because it is made from a strong micro-mesh material, it will resist dog claw scratches.
This simple auto pet barrier has a pop-up design on a wire frame so it will not sag and snaps into position in seconds. Then, you use the adjustable straps to secure it to the front headrests. There is also a support rod and seat anchors. Because there is an adjustable suspension system, it can be made to fit all types of vehicle including sedans and pickups. It comes with a storage pouch for when you are not using it. It may not be strong enough to stop a large dog who is determined to get through it so you may have to introduce some training too.
8. Petego Car Barriers for Dogs
Key Features
Fits cars that have vertically adjustable head rests
Does not cause damage to the vehicle
Made from square steel tubing
Solid adjustable clamps
A useful universal dog car barrier that will fit just about any type of car that has vertically adjustable head rests. It can be moved with ease from one car to another and will adjust to fit correctly. You can avoid the risks of damaging your car because the design does not use compressing barriers and no drilling or clipping is required. Instead, it fixes firmly to the headrest stems.
The pet gate for car journeys is made from square steel tubing with a high resistance. The 75-degree elbows are made from solid galvanized steel and have been doubly reinforced. It also has solid adjustable clamps which are built-in.
9. Little Giant Adjustable Wire Dog Car Divider
Key Features
Keeps dogs contained in the back of a SUV
Strong heavy-duty metal wire construction
Adjusts in two directions
Installation requires no tools
You can keep your dog contained in the back of your SUV or wagon using this sturdy barrier. It adjusts in two directions to get the best fit.
This dog fence for car trips is made from strong heavy-duty metal wire which will contain your dog but they will still be able to see and hear you so they can be reassured that they are not alone. The panels are designed to open up in two directions so you will get a good fit. Installation is both easy and quick and you will not need any special tools. The corners are rounded for safety and it resists corrosion thanks to the black e-coating.
Best Dog Car Barriers Buying Guide & FAQ
Things to Consider When Buying a Dog Car Barrier
There are many different types of dog car barriers on the market. Here are some of the things that you should look for when you are buying one.
- Will it fit your car? Not all dog barriers will fit into all vehicles! You need to know the height and width of the area that you need the barrier to fill. Some will adjust horizontally and some will adjust both horizontally and vertically. Others are available in several sizes. Always carefully check the dimensions.
- Will it fix into your vehicle? Some barriers require your vehicle to have adjustable head rest stems but not all cars have these. Check before you make a purchase.
- Does it fit behind the front or back seats? Think about where you want to restrain your dog. Do you want to keep them in the cargo area of your RV? If this is the case, you need a barrier that will fit behind the back seats. If you want to restrain them in your back seat area, you simply need a barrier that fills the gap between the two front seats.
- What is it made of? Some barriers are made from mesh but others are made from metal. If you have a large dog that is not restrained in the back your SUV, you need a strong metal barrier to protect the passengers.
- Is it portable? Do you want to be able to quickly move the barrier from one vehicle to another? This is a must if you have several cars and just one barrier or if you want to use it in a friend’s car.
Check out our guides on Motorcycle Dog Carriers and Dog Bike Trailers.
Dangers of Unrestrained Dogs In Cars
Traveling with a dog can be an absolute pleasure and they can be great company. However, it can also be hazardous and it is important that your dog is restrained at all times.
If dogs are allowed to get into the front of a vehicle, they can be a huge distraction to the driver and this can have disastrous consequences. Also, should a collision occur, the dog will be thrown around inside the vehicle and can collide with passengers causing serious injuries.
How to Install a Dog Car Barrier
All dog barriers should come with full instructions on how to install them. Most can be installed in a few minutes and do not need tools or special skills. Some simple fit it to the front seats using clips and straps. Others fix behind the back seat to seal off the cargo area. With this type of dog barrier, you will need to connect some frame parts together and use some rubber sleeves to connect them to the main frame. Then you will use strong straps to fix it to your vehicle.
Head over to our reviews of Dog Car Seat, Dog Car Seat Covers and Airline Approved Pet Carriers for more options.
Our Top Pick
Our top pick for the best dog car barrier is a simple device made from mesh that folds up and fits in your bag. It attaches to the two front seats via two aluminum alloy hooks and two nickel-plated steel hooks.
It covers the gap between the front seats and is made from high-quality nylon. It is very easy to install by simply buckling it to the headrest column. It has adjustable straps and will fit all models of vehicles. It has pockets for you to store things in.
FAQ
Q: What is a pet car protector and barrier?
A pet car protector and barrier is a device that fits to a car to restrain a pet in a particular area. They should be used with an appropriate car seatbelt for your pet. They can be used instead of a crate in vehicles where a crate would not fit or would not be appropriate. Barriers can be fitted to keep a dog in the cargo area of your vehicle – these are popular in SUVs and wagons. However, they can also be used to keep dogs in the back seat and stop them from trying to get close to the driver. They can be made from hard metal (steel) mesh or from fabric.
Q: Do vehicle barriers work in any size vehicle?
You will need to check the dimensions of the barrier and of your vehicle to confirm that they are compatible. Some barriers will adjust horizontally but only a few will adjust vertically so they may not reach the roof of your car. Many barriers need to attach to head rest stems and will not work if your car does not have adjustable head rests. Some barriers are available in different sizes to fit different cars.
Q: Are vehicle barriers safe?
Vehicle barriers are very safe if they are used properly and according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Many will not be strong enough to hold back a dog’s body in the event of a collision so you must use a dog seat belt and dog car harness as well. However, some are made from very strong metal and can be used to keep a dog safely in the cargo area of an SUV.
Beware that small dogs may be able to fit through the gaps of some barriers!