The easiest and most foolproof way to protect car doors from dog scratches and drool is with a car door protector
The dogs love going for car rides and I love taking them cruising around town in the Jeep all year long.
However, having one of the top dog breeds that drool and shed the most, they can easily trash the interior of my car.
Last month I learned that instead of trying to scrub the dog slobber off of my car interior, plain old baby wipes make dog drool on car seats magically disappear.
Now I just needed if there was an easier way of removing the dog drool from the inside panel of the car door and at the same time, protect the car from getting scratched by my dog’s nails.
My car doors take the brunt of anything and everything that my dog’s can dish out until now.
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Last week a friend told me about car door protectors and my mind was blown.
I’ve owned Newfies for well over 20 years and this is the first time I’ve ever heard of such a dog product so of course I immediately ordered it.
Now let me tell you, this thing is awesome sauce.
It’s simple, easy to install and it truly does work.
The one that I ordered was the Durapower Dog Car Door Protector and even though it was a little big for the back door of the Jeep, it still works.
It also has pocket at the bottom so you can store dog supplies , dog bibs or even an extra roll of paper towels!
It has suction cups so you can stick it to your window or plastic slats that fit right in between the window and door frame.
I love it and I highly recommend it for any dog owners that take their dog for car rides often!
How To Protect Car Doors From Dog Scratches and Dog Drool
If you’re looking for easy ways to protect you car interior from dog scratches, check out these other recommendations:
- Car door protector
- Car cargo cover
- Dog seatbelt
- Dog seatbelt tether
- Trim nails
- Dog towels or dog bibs
Car Door Protector
Buying a car door protector is not only the easiest way to protect your car from scratches but it also affordable.
There are several different models available but they are have a pretty simple and foolproof design.
When purchasing a car door protector make sure that the fabric is easy to clean and waterproof.
These protectors will not protect your car doors from dog scratches and drool but also mud, vomit and any other bodily fluid your dog throws at it.
This set on Amazon has a 4/5 star rating with over 484 reviews and it’s the one I have on my Jeep door right now.
Dog Cargo Cover
If you need more of an all over car protector, then a cargo cover might be your best option.
Dog cargo covers come in a variety of shapes and sizes and they can cover an entire back cargo area or backseat of your vehicle.
Make sure you get one that is waterproof and cleans easily.
Dog Seatbelt
If your dog loves to hang their head out the window or they can hardly contain their excitement, a dog seatbelt is a good option to keep them safe and secure in your vehicle.
A seatbelt might keep them more contained to one area of your car so it will lessen the chance of the dog scratching your car door.
I don’t have a dog seatbelt but this one on Amazon has a 4.5/5 star rating with over 4,000 reviews.
Seatbelt Dog Tether
If your dog wears a walking harness then a seatbelt tether might be a better option than a dog seatbelt.
Seatbelt tethers clip into your car’s seatbelt clip and buckles to your dog.
I have this one from Kurgo that I use for my dogs and it works well.
Keep in mind that a dog might still be able to get their paws on the car door, so it’s not guaranteed that they won’t scratch it.
Keep Dog Nails Trimmed
Long dog nails can do more damage so it’s always best to keep your dog’s nails trimmed to reduce the damage.
Trimming your dog’s nail at home can be intimidating especially if they have black nails, so take your time and be sure to be aware of where the dog’s quick is in the nail before you start cutting.
When in doubt, ask your veterinarian or dog groomer for a quick trim!
Towels or Dog Bibs
If you’re trying to limited the amount of dog drool that gets dripped in your car you can invest in a drool bib.
Drool bibs are a great option for dog breeds that drool a lot but they also work well for dogs that drool in the car because they’re nervous or excited.
Drool bibs come in several different sizes and colors too!
If your dog is too cool for a bib, it’s always a good choice to carry some microfiber towels in your car for easy clean ups!
Can You Train Your Do To Not Scratch Your Car Doors?
You probably could try to train your dog’s behavior so they’re not jumping all around but dogs don’t deliberately scratch car doors.
Most of the time it’s done on accident so while you might be able to adjust their behavior, accidents will still happen.
I’m not super picky about my car’s interior but I do like it to be presentable and why make more work for myself when there are easier options out there?
A car door protector is the best way to go if you’re looking to keep your car clean and keep your car doors safe from dog scratches and dog drool.
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Melinda
Wednesday 4th of October 2023
Hi there my question is this I’ve been looking at door panel protectors and they all pretty much use tabs to slide in between your window and the door frame. My concern is I’ve read that these plastic or metal tabs can scratch or ruin the inside tint on your windows and I don’t want that to happen. It’s not cheap replacing that. I’ve read that dirt and sand will get in between the window and the door panel and when you open the window up and down it will scratch the window tint. Any ideas on that except maybe to take the door tabs out weekly and clean the tabs. ?
Jen
Thursday 12th of October 2023
Hi Melinda, I haven't noticed any scratches on my Jeep's windows but they aren't tinted.
Jeannie
Wednesday 18th of January 2023
Household of great danes here, and I outfit my vehicles with Carpet protector from Lowe's or Home Depot. Those not familiar, it's a large roll of clear, tough tape; about 2 feet wide that is intended to cover your carpet during construction (or people put it down during open houses in high-traffic areas to keep the carpet clean). I drive a large SUV with 3rd row seating (Audi Q7; prior to that, a VW Atlas), and we put all rows down for the dogs. The backs of the seats are carpeted. So we cover the back of the seats with Carpet Protector. In fact, I cover all of the carpeted areas in my cars including foot wells under the mats, etc. Hair. Doesn't. Stick. when there's no carpet to attach itself to. Sure, the hair blows around like a snow globe when the windows are down, and lands on the dash, etc., but that's easily vacuumed up every few days and my car stays pristine. Only need to change the plastic about twice a year. The plastic covering in the cargo area seals off all the cracks and crevices and prevents dirt, sand & hair from falling through, as well as creating stable, solid footing for the dogs. Once the plastic covering is applied, I then put down a Yeti blanket and use zip ties to secure each corner to a part of the car. Yeti blankets have proven to be great heavy-duty dog covers: (a) they fit the cargo area like a glove; (b) they have a loop on every corner (for the zip ties); they're impervious to dirt, hair and sand; (c) the backing is waterproof; and (d) they wash and dry like a dream. I've had 2 Yeti blankets in rotation for about 2 years, and they're as good as new. Highly recommend. Yes, a bit pricey, but this is also coming from a household whose dogs have LoveSacs for dog beds (another topic, but great, quality product). Speaking of vehicles, one more thing we do is install 3M protector film on the bumper (to prevent scratches when loading and unloading dogs); and on the outside of the passenger doors. Dog drool is damaging to the paint. So if you have a big-guy whose head is out the window a lot with tons of heavy drool all over the outside of your car, you'll find it's pretty hard to clean it up once it dries.
Jacquie
Friday 14th of April 2023
@Jeannie, Hello! I loved your idea of the plastic for the carpeted areas in my car. But after looking at them closer, the manufacturer does not suggest using more than 2 weeks. Otherwise, you can have adhesive left behind. Did you come across that issue and if not, what brand are you using?
I totally let my last car get trashed by my dogs and could never have passengers other than k-9. Now I have a beautiful new car and I am determined to take better care of it and want to protect as much as possible.
I have a white and black spotted Carolina Dog and a black and tan GSD. I get no breaks here.
Thank you Jacquie