Waterproof for Wet Dogs: Shodu Car Seat Cover for the Back Seat and Door Panels

When a grumbling thunderstorm surprised my dog and me on an autumn hike, the Shodu Waterproof Dog Car Seat Cover rose to the occasion.

The storm produced so much hail and rain that the trail looked like a small creek. Water and mud dripped off my dog. Thankfully, it all beaded up on the seat cover’s face fabric. Puddles sat beneath my dog on the fabric, which collected dog hair and dirt — keeping it off my car seats and the interior car door panels.

In short: The Shodu Waterproof Dog Car Seat Cover ($33) has multiple layers of heavy-duty fabric. The design is a hammock-style dog seat cover that clips onto the seat backs and side windows, offering 360-degree wrap-around protection that shields a high level of moisture and residue.

See our complete round-up of well-made car seat covers in the Best Car Seat Covers buyer’s guide.

Review: Shodu Waterproof Dog Car Seat Cover for Back Seat

On that stormy day, my dog immediately shook its hair dry after hopping in my Subaru. Moisture splattered across the hammock-style cover. I watched the puddles form beneath those four paws — and it wasn’t an issue.

The seats were fully protected despite the storm’s aftermath. And I was able to tuck the damp leash out of the way in the car seat cover’s storage pocket. 

Once at home, I could easily release the clips that secured the cover. This allowed me to shake off the remaining moisture and dirt. And the fabric quickly shed the debris and didn’t even hold that wet dog smell.

When I’m not hiking with my dog, I also carry around gear for yoga and ski days in Santa Fe, N.M. So, the seats of my Subaru are exposed to plenty of opportunities to be beat up. I tested this setup in the fall season of 2024.

360-Degree Seat and Door Coverage

Coverage from this seat cover extends to the car’s side doors, which keeps away shaken-off moisture or marks from dog claws. (In my case, my dog is often clamoring for the armrest for a better view!)

You can zip up the side flaps to make the hammock into something more like a full box. There are also extra straps that can be used to secure the flaps to handles located above the side windows. 

At 52 by 57 inches, this cover will span most backseats. It can also double as a blanket, should your car have the option to lay down both seats and need protection from pet hair. 

Dog Seat Belt Included

To install this cover, the straps hook around the headrests. And, seat anchors tuck in between seats to secure this cover in place. There are openings for the seat belt buckles, which also allows you to thread a dog seat belt through, so you can buckle in your pups while driving.

A dog seat belt is even included with the seat cover. The seatbelt openings can also Velcro shut if blocking out dirt is the priority.

Pockets & Materials

Leashes and treats can travel neatly in a storage pocket that’s on the driver’s seat back. A mesh window allows more air conditioning and heat into the back seat. A zipper down the side of that mesh window can allow dogs through to the front seat. 

Layers of polyester material in this cover hold up against snags, as promised.

Orange piping adds a flare of color at the trim. But that tangerine hue seems to quickly fade. At least, that was the case in extreme New Mexican sunlight. I suggest pulling off the cover if you’re parking outdoors for extended periods.

Conclusion

Shodu’s Waterproof Dog Car Seat Cover offers serious waterproofing and thorough coverage for fastidious drivers. The design wraps 360 degrees and is waterproof, keeping puddles, slime, and water off a car’s back seat and the interior door panels.

Plus, once the material is dirtied, a vacuum or a wet cloth can handle small messes. All you need to do is toss it in the washing machine. 

If you’re interested in containing dog messes, along with some organizational and safety bonuses like a pocket and dog seat belt, check out the Shodu Waterproof Dog Car Seat Cover.