Hartwen Dog Car Seat — Quilted Booster

Why you’ll like it

• Raised to window height, so your dog can see out instead of staring at the back of a seat.
• Straps over the headrest rather than resting loose on the seat, which is the difference between a seat that stays put and one that shifts on every corner.
• An internal tether clips to your dog’s harness, so they stay in the seat rather than climbing into the footwell.
• The cushion lifts out and washes — useful after a muddy walk or a journey that did not agree with them.
• A side storage pocket for the lead, a few treats, and the poo bags you always forget.

Product information

Please check the weight limit before ordering. This seat is made for dogs up to 9 kg — a cavalier, a small terrier, a dachshund, a toy poodle. If your dog is heavier than that, it is the wrong seat, and we would rather tell you here than take your money. Email us their breed and weight if you are unsure.

What it is like to live with

The first drive is usually the honest one. Some dogs settle straight in because they can finally see where they are going; others need two or three short journeys before they stop trying to climb out. A familiar blanket in the base helps, and so does starting with a ten-minute trip rather than a two-hour one.

What changes for you is the driving. Not having one hand reaching backwards at every roundabout is a different experience, and most of the people who buy something like this say that is the part they actually notice.

Who it is for

This is for owners of small dogs — up to 9 kg — who travel regularly, and whose dog currently spends the journey sliding around the back seat. It suits dogs who are unsettled in the car rather than dogs who are already happy lying flat in a boot.

It is not for medium or large dogs, who will not fit, and it is not for owners looking for certified crash protection. See the note below.

An honest note about safety

This is a travel accessory, not a certified safety restraint. It keeps your dog contained, raised, and comfortable on a journey. It has not been crash tested, and we make no claim that it protects your dog in a collision. If independent crash protection is what you need, buy a certified restraint from a brand that has paid for that testing. We would rather lose the sale than tell you something we cannot back up.

Care instructions

• Lift out the cushion and machine wash it cold on a gentle cycle.
• Air dry. Avoid the tumble dryer.
• Wipe the outer shell with a damp cloth and mild soap. Do not machine wash the whole seat.
• Check the headrest straps and the tether clip every few weeks and tighten anything that has worked loose.
• Let everything dry fully before the next journey.

Frequently asked questions

Will the colour look exactly like the photographs?
There may be a slight difference. Screens and lighting vary, and fabric batches are never perfectly identical. What arrives will be close to what you see here, but not always an exact match.

My dog is 12 kg. Will it work?
No. The limit is 9 kg and we would rather be blunt about it. A heavier dog will flatten the cushion and sit above the sides, which defeats the point. Look at our back seat extender instead.

Will my dog actually use it?
Most dogs settle within a few days, particularly once they realise they can see out of the window. Some take longer. If yours will not take to it, return it within 30 days and we will refund you.

Can I use it on the front seat?
It fits, but we recommend the rear seat, for the same reason you would put a child seat there. Airbags are designed for adult humans.

Does it need a harness?
The internal tether clips to a harness, which is how it is meant to be used. Please do not clip it to a collar.

Support and secure payment

There is a real person at support@hartwen.com who answers within a day on weekdays, before you buy as well as after. Sizing questions are welcome and we would honestly rather have them.

Payments are handled through an encrypted checkout. We never see or store your card details. Delivery is free across the UK and takes 6–11 business days, and you have 30 days to return anything that is not right, with no restocking fee.