SofTex with Dogs?

I ALMOST bought the V5 for the softex seats. I love the way they feel but got a three for $3700.0 less. Yes, the price difference was a factor but realized that whatever seats I got, I would cover them with water proof seat covers to protect them from my critters. My dogs sit in the back seat belted. I have been told the softex is very durable but I would cover them anyway to protect them from dog nails and fur. My friends who have softex here, complain that softex is extremely hot in the summer too. Good luck!

 

Prius v5 with Softex seats. I finished up pruning some bushes. Put the shears in my right back pocket pointy side up (unfortuately). Got into the driver side to move the Prius... tried to get up and out of the car.. pointy side shear made a gouge in the Softex 1/2" wide. Immediately got some clear super glue and patched the hole. Only my pride was hurt. Prius was only 1 week old.

I suspect dog/cat claws might do the same thing. Sheet steel car seat covers might work well for you.

 

I have gone out and bought a dog hammock.

there are 4 attachment points that loop around the front and rear headrests. The fabric is water repellent and will protect my softex when I have the dogs in there. Only pain is taking it on and off when I have passengers but the dogs love it and they don't have to be afraid of slipping between the seats. Works like a charm.

 

Have a big lab who fits great in his bed in the rear. Bought a barrier on Amazon that works great. I do not trust his nails on the soft-tex.

 

Off topic, but how does the dog GET in the car? Just purchased a Prius V 5 - small dogs love it - but I am trying to figure out the best way to get the old Weimaraner with a weak rear in --- not a jumper but loves the car.

Any suggestions?

 

Hi NurseGrammy,
We bought a ramp at Petco. It took awhile for our dog to get the hang of it (and they give you that look like "what the h are you going to make me do now?) but he does fine with it. It's hard to find one that is lightweight enough to be reasonable, folds up to fit in the car and also attaches to the rear without danger of pulling and possibly scratching anything. Horrors. We ended up with a lightweight aluminum one. There is actually a much better selection at Amazon, and if I were to do it over this is the one I'd buy.http://www.amazon.com/dp/product/B0002ZFOWM?tag=priuschatcom-20 like it would take up a lot less space than mine.
Btw, I am Nurse Granny. Small world

 

Can you please point me to the barrier that worked for you?

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0039U7NOO/ref=oh_o01_s01_i00_details
Best to you.

 

Is it possible to set it up so that it rests on the cargo floor rather than the top of the seat (as shown in Amazon picture)? I would like to retain the adjustability of the rear seats.

 

No, that's the only place it can attach unfortunately.
One note to anyone else interested on this barrier. Attached as it does to the rear headrest adjustment it leans into the cargo area at about a 30* angle from the height of the headrests. This angle is also not adjustable. It does not rattle, but did before I glued down all the adjustable bars that extend from the middle piece.
Since it can be shipped with Amazon's free super saver shipping you can buy try it out and ship back free if you don't like.

 

I own three three legged dogs-not my fault-all have been rescued and have different stories! One of my guys is a weimeraner. I have a harness for him with a holding loop so I can lift him into my new Prius V. I used to lift him in to a Land Rover which was pretty high. He sits in the back seat and I loop the seat belt through the loop in his harness. Using the seat belt is the safest way for pets to travel. (I bought a pet car booster seat for my two little ones).
The harnesses that I use is the Ruff Wear Web Harness. Good luck!