4 of the Best Dog Hammocks (REVIEWS)

Should I invest in a dog hammock?

Generally, dog hammocks aren’t super expensive—typically in the $30-$60 range—and they can add a lot to your quality of life (in my experience, anyway), especially if you have a dog who gets car sick or sheds a lot. Here are a few of the main reasons you’d want to pick one up.

It protects against messes.

This is probably the most common reason anyone would buy a dog hammock—including me. When we first got our dog, we found out pretty quickly she got sick in the car sometimes. Not every time, but sometimes.

Before we got a dog hammock, we mostly just put trash bags down in the back seat, and then we put towels over the trash bags. Not only was it a huge hassle, but it was also really awkward for Chewie. The trash bags made noise when she moved around, which kind of freaked her out during the already-stressful experience of a car ride.

Hammocks fill this need: keeping your car clean.

That said, if you’re looking at dog hammocks specifically because your dog gets carsick, make sure to get a waterproof model.

Hammocks make car rides more comfortable for your dog.

The other major benefit of dog hammocks is that they can make car rides significantly more comfortable for your dog.

First, they give a bit of extra padding back there. This isn’t a huge deal, usually, since car seats are often pretty comfortable anyway, but dogs often appreciate a bit of extra padding they can snuggle into. Not all models include padding, but many do, and it’s just an added perk.

However, they also provide a sense of security. Since hammocks provide “walls” on all sides, it’s much easier for your pup to feel at home in the back seat.

They stop dogs from climbing through the center console.

Going on a car ride with your pooch can even be pretty dangerous if you’ve got an overzealous pup who likes to climb up into the front seat.

Hammocks provide a layer of protection by providing a “wall” that closes off the center console and armrest.

Of course, if a dog really wants to jump over, it’s not impossible, but a hammock acts as an obstacle that deters this kind of behavior and gives you a bigger window to correct it before it becomes dangerous.

It creates a familiar space for your dog.

I’m a big fan of creating a space for your dog that feels like “theirs.” For example, we worked for a long time to make Chewie’s crate feel 100% like her space, and we work hard to respect it. A hammock can work in kind of the same way. 

After a few uses, a hammock might begin to take on a bit of your dog’s scent—or at least become familiar. Combined with a familiar blanket and a favorite toy, a quality dog hammock can work in much the same way her crate does: a space for her to retreat and relax.

Here's another quick video to show you how a hammock works:

How to Properly Use a Dog Hammock (Hacks I’ve Found)

For the most part, a dog hammock should be pretty self-explanatory. However, after using one for a while, we discovered a few awesome hacks to get the most mileage out of any dog hammock.

1. Wash it (if applicable) with an unscented detergent, and rub it down with something that smells familiar.

Of course, you’re going to give your dog a familiar blanket and toy in any new space. That’s a given.

I try to take this one step further. Most new products will have a weird factory smell (and if they don’t to you, they probably do to your dog). Hammocks are no exception.

If you bought a hammock that can go in a washing machine, use a good unscented soap and run it through the wash. After it’s dry, use one of your dog’s favorite blankets to rub the whole thing down thoroughly.

The goal, of course, is to get this thing smelling as familiar as possible before you introduce your pup to it. For us, this was the difference between a moderately anxious car ride and one in which Chewie hopped in and went directly to sleep.

2. Hang onto your cleaning kit, but add this to it...

Even if you pick up a good water proof hammock, don’t get rid of your cleaning kit. Accidents happen. Projectile vomiting happens. So keep your cleaning kit stored.

That said, because many dog hammocks are made of nylon, add a 20% hydrogen peroxide solution to your cleaning kit. This will help neutralize bodily accidents. Just remember: never pour the solution directly on the material. Dab instead, and always, always rinse thoroughly with water.

Images credits: Amazon.com , Chewy.com, Photo Stocks.