Some dogs are happy riding with views from the backseat or vehicle rear behind a gate. But other dogs want to cruise with a windshield view like a copilot, I like to think my pup is helping to keep an eye out for deer on the highway.
But opening the passenger door to friends after I’ve had my pet co-pilot can be a bit awkward. Especially when the seat is carpeted in dog hair and dusted with dirt.
Adding this front car seat cover before my four-legged friend and I hit the road is a simple solution. After fur-filled drives, I can peel off the seat protector to reveal clean upholstery below.
In short: For dogs that insist on co-piloting from the front seat, the Paw Jamboree Car Seat Protector ($18) shields seat upholstery from dog hair, dirt, and water. The installation is easy, and the protector does a good job of keeping the front seat clean at a price point that’s tough to beat.
Read the full review or scope out other options in the Best Car Seat Protectors.
Paw Jamboree Car Seat Protector Review
Based in Santa Fe, N.M., I’m a dog owner and outdoor recreationist with a Subaru Outback. When heading to the trailhead for hikes with my furry friend, I tested this seat protector for dogs on the front passenger seat, in the autumn of 2024. At any given time, there might be a dog leash, dog bowl, or a dog backpack in the passenger seat, too.
Other times, I also haul gear for yoga, trail running, or alpine, backcountry, and telemark skiing — the latter of which I have a 2013 PSIA certification in with Alpine, Telemark, and Children’s Specialist certifications.
Materials
This Paw Jamboree seat cover comes in a quilted design. Made with multiple layers of materials, the design feels well padded, partially thanks to the PP Cotton fill: a synthetic cotton-like material that’s made from polypropylene.
On the face is a tightly woven Oxford fabric that’s resistant to scratches — including from dog nails, paws, teeth, and collars — and waterproof. A second thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) waterproof membrane is added above the layer of anti-slip dots that faces the upholstery.
During testing, I noticed that water beads when it initially comes into contact with the cover. Under pressure, liquid would saturate the top layers of the seat protector, however the water didn’t penetrate all the way through — so that TPU layer works.
Installation & Non-Slip Design
To secure this cover in place on the passenger seat, there are straps that need to be buckled and tightened into place around the seat back and base of the headrest. There’s an anchor — a plastic cylinder on a strap — that snugs in between the seat back and seat to secure the cover in place.
The profile hugs the seat, and the design is relatively easy to install and remove. That ease allowed me to slip it on before my dog rode along, and I could easily pull it back off before a friend hopped in shotgun.
A skirt shields the zone on the seat’s underside. However, the sides of the seat back remain exposed, so dog hair can still spread along the seat’s periphery.
On the protector’s underside — which faces the upholstery — the design has a grippy layer of anti-slip dots. The layer helped the fabric stay put, especially when my dog jumped into and out of the seat.
Fit & Vehicle Compatibility
These car seat protectors measure 19 inches by 43 inches, which fits most but not all vehicles. My dog and I tested this car seat protector in my Subaru Outback, and the fit worked well.
Regardless of your vehicle’s make and model, the apron-style front means this protector won’t require a precise fit. They’re sized well to pair with bigger vehicles and are intended to accommodate bucket seats. That said, it’s a good idea to double-check measurements ahead of placing your order or picking one up.
It’s also an option to choose a packs of one or two protectors, meaning you could dress the driver’s side to match the passenger side.
Conclusion
The Paw Jamboree Car Seat Protector is an affordable option that I found to be user-friendly during the installation and removal, as well as for my dog when we went on outings. For a handful of outings a week and the flexibility this seat protector provides, I think it’s a worthwhile investment for most dog owners.
These covers are solid enough to block most dog hair and detritus, and the material can be vacuumed while the protector is installed on the seat. The design is also machine-washable.
Though, I advise you to wash the cover sparingly to help preserve the anti-slip dots on the base and the waterproof Oxford material on the face. Instead of using a machine, hand washing or hose rinsing and air drying this protector could help extend the seat cover’s life.
If you have a larger dog or multiple dogs, take your dogs daily, or they frequently soak the front seat, there’s also a premium version of this seat protector that’s available for another $20, which uses a tighter weave of 600-denier polyurethane-based fabric.
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