Protecting your car's seats from pets: Six easy car care hacks

If you enjoy taking your pets along for the ride when you hit the road, you're certainly not the only one. According to the American Automobile Association, over 80% of fur baby owners drive with their pets in the car. However, it's not as simple as just tossing them in the seat next to you and hitting the highway. Your pets - albeit unintentionally - can actually damage the interior of your car, especially materials like leather, SofTex, and plastic. Toyota of N Charlotte is here with six easy car care hacks to better protect your vehicle next time you take your four-legged friend along for the ride. 

Six car care hacks to protect your car from your pets   

Hack #1: Keep your pet as calm as possible. The calmer your pet is, the less damage they're likely to do to your car's backseat. Keep them occupied with treats and toys to prevent excessive slobbering or moving around the back, and ask your vet for suggestions if your pet gets overly nervous in the car. 

Hack #2: Get them groomed routinely. Another great way to protect your car is to get your pet groomed regularly. Routine grooming and nail trimming will keep your pet from scratching the seats and shedding like crazy, leaving hair everywhere. 

Hack #3: Buy a car hammock. Did you know that we sell pet car hammocks at Toyota of N Charlotte? This car care accessory effectively creates a hammock in your backseat that not only keeps your dog from jumping into the front but also protects the seats themselves from being scratched and drooled on. 

Hack #4: Explore the idea of door protectors. Your seats aren't the only part of your backseat taking a beating from your pets. When they stand up to look out the windows, their nails can damage the plastic and the trim on your car doors. Door protectors may seem like overkill, but they can save you a lot of money in the long run. 

Hack #5: Protect your cargo area. Even if you put your pet back in the cargo area of the car, there's still a risk that they can scratch the plastic sides or that you could end up with endless hair stuck in the floor mat. Protect it all - invest in a cargo area protector to save yourself time and money in the future. 

Hack #6: Think about a car seat for your pet. They actually make these, believe it or not. They're sort of like booster seats that 1) keep your pet contained in one spot and 2) allow you to secure your pet via a harness and the car's seatbelt. So they're dual purpose - your pet is safer, and so is your car. 

Shop for car care accessories at Toyota of N Charlotte 

Want more tips or need to shop for pet car care accessories? Toyota of N Charlotte is here to help. Call us today at (704) 875-9199 or stop by! We're open seven days a week at 13429 Statesville Road, just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville.