Dog Hammock vs. Bench Seat Cover: Which Back Seat Cover Do You Need?

A back seat cover is the single easiest way to keep dog hair, mud and drool off your car's upholstery. Instead of scraping fur out of the fabric after every trip, you catch most of it on a cover you can shake out or vacuum.

There are two main styles: the hammock and the bench cover. Both protect the seat, but they work differently, and the right one depends on your dog, your car and who else rides in the back. This guide walks through the differences so you can choose.

What is a bench seat cover?

A bench cover lies over the back seat like a fitted blanket. It covers the seat cushion and usually the seatback, and it attaches with straps around the headrests and anchors tucked into the seat crease.

Good things about bench covers:

• They leave the footwell open, so the back seat stays easy for passengers to use.
• Many have openings for seat belt buckles, so people can still buckle in.
• They are quick to put on and take off.

Things to keep in mind:

• There is nothing to stop a dog from stepping or sliding into the footwell, where hair, mud and claws can reach the carpet and the back of the front seats.
• The back of the front seats is usually left uncovered.

What is a dog hammock?

A hammock cover attaches to the headrests of both the back seat and the front seats. It stretches across the back seat and creates a sling that also covers the gap between the back seat and the front seats.

Good things about hammocks:

• They cover the seat, the seatback and the footwell gap, so there is more of a barrier between your dog and the car's interior.
• The back of the front seats is protected from paws and claws.
• They help keep your dog in the back seat area rather than stepping down into the footwell.

Things to keep in mind:

• When the hammock is fully set up, the back seat is mainly for your dog. Passengers need to unhook the front side, or use a hammock that converts into a bench cover.
• Some dogs need a little time to get used to it.

Hammock vs. bench cover at a glance

Which one is right for you?

Choose a hammock if...

• Your dog likes to move around or tries to step into the footwell.
• Your dog sheds a lot, or often gets in the car muddy or wet.
• The back seat is mainly your dog's space.
• You want to protect the back of the front seats too.

Choose a bench cover if...

• Your dog settles down calmly on the seat.
• You often have passengers in the back next to your dog.
• You only need light protection for short trips.

Features worth looking for

• A mesh view window. On a hammock, a mesh panel between the front and back lets your dog see you up front, and lets you glance back at them.
• A zipper opening. It makes getting your dog in and out easier without taking the cover down.
• A storage pocket. A handy place for leashes, treats and poop bags.
• Easy cleanup. You should be able to shake out or vacuum the cover after a drive.
• The right fit. Measure the width of your back seat and the distance between the headrests before you buy, and compare it with the cover's dimensions.

Our Dog Back Seat Hammock Cover has a mesh view window, a zipper opening and a storage pocket. It covers the seat, the seatback and the footwell gap, and you can shake out or vacuum the fur after the drive.

Safety first: a cover is not a restraint

This is worth saying clearly. Neither a hammock nor a bench cover is a safety restraint. They protect your seats, not your dog. For safety while driving, use a dog car harness that attaches to the seat belt system, or a secured crate. Never let your dog ride in the front seat or loose in the car.

What about the hair that still gets through?

A cover catches most of the hair, but some always finds its way onto the carpet, the floor mats or your clothes. For that, keep a couple of reusable tools in the car:

• The Reusable Pet Hair Remover Pad, a serrated scraper that rakes embedded fur out of seats, floor mats and trunk carpet.
• The Pet Hair Remover Mitt, for wiping loose hair off seats and the clothes you wore on the ride.

The Car Fur Kit bundles the hammock cover with the pad and the mitt, so you have both protection and cleanup in one order. For a full cleanup routine, see our guide on how to get dog hair out of your car.

Quick FAQ

Is a dog hammock better than a seat cover?

It depends on your dog. A hammock covers more, including the footwell gap and the back of the front seats, so it suits active, heavy-shedding or muddy dogs. A bench cover is easier when people share the back seat.

Can passengers sit in the back with a dog hammock?

With the hammock fully set up, the back seat is mainly for your dog. To fit a passenger, you usually need to unhook the front side so it lies flat like a bench cover.

Does a back seat cover keep my dog safe?

No. A cover protects your seats. Use a dog car harness or a secured crate for safety while driving.