Get Ready to Make Your 2023 Toyota Tacoma a Pet-Friendly Pickup Truck

It’s a well-known fact that if one was to buy a new car, chances are they take their pet(s) into consideration when choosing a car. Some people find it easy to have their dog or cat next to them in the passenger seat, some want them in the back. Others want them in the trunk.

In any case, a good pet owner would mind the safety of their pet when transporting them. Psychologically speaking, just like any other mammal, cats and dogs like to have a more open space when going on a long trip. For example, most truckers who have a sleeper cab take their dog with them because not only are they good travel companions, but they also have a pretty good sized area within the cab to move around. Therefore we can use the rule that the bigger the area of the cabin of any car or truck, the more comfortable your pet will be.

Many pet owners know this so when it comes time to buy a new car, they take that into consideration. Let’s say you just bought a brand new 2023 Toyota Tacoma and now you want to pet-proof it for your dog. What should you do? Everyone has a different preference in terms of seating. I know some people who put their dog in the bed, some put them in the front passenger seat, and others just put them in the back. But what should you do?

Thus was the question of Andrew O’Brien who asked, “How do you guys transport your pups? I’ve got a German shepherd, Shiba Innu, and a husky. The Shiba isn’t an issue, but I’m trying to figure out how to transport all 3 at the same time along with another passenger.” This was asked on Facebook’s Toyota Tacoma TRD Trucks group.

Before we take a look at what other owners said, it’s important to remember that the aftermarket world offers a lot of really nice products to help with your pets in your car. I’ve seen some people who have the back end of their car specially fitted with a fiberglass cage to fit their dog, almost like a K-9 unit. I’ve also seen some owners use seat covers to protect their seats and interior plastics from scratches. It’s basically a big tarp with a few straps that you lay across the back seats of your car and turns it into a little bassinette.

With those in mind, let’s see how these owners are making their 2023 Toyota Tacoma more pet friendly. Beth Leese said that she invested in a bed canopy after seeing a dog jump out the back of another Toyota Tacoma in a Costco parking lot. In retrospect, a canopy wouldn’t be such a bad idea however you would deprive your pet of A/C if your canopy doesn’t have a window feature to open up. Not only would that make it really uncomfortable for your pet, but it would also harm them on a hot day. If the canopy suits you, make sure it has a window that can open without the tailgate having to be open.

Todd Carney said, “I have a seat cover that attaches to headrest in the backseat of my Toyota Tacoma. It helps keep my truck cleaner from dog hair.” As mentioned above, these seat covers would be ideal if you have multiple small pets or just one really big pet. They’re relatively cheap and they really protect the plastics inside the cabin.

I think that these ideas would serve aptly to pet owners who are maybe looking at getting a 2023 Toyota Tacoma but don’t want to have it ruined by their pets. If I was to be in that scenario, I would most likely invest in a canopy with a window so that my dog wouldn’t be cramped in the back seats (I don’t see myself ever having a small dog).

What do you think? How would you pet-proof your 2023 Toyota Tacoma? Let us know in the comments below.

Harutiun Hareyan is reporting Toyota news at Torque News. His automotive interests and vast experience test-riding new cars give his stories a sense of authenticity and unique insights. Follow Harutiun on Twitter at @HareyanHarutiun and on Youtube at Toyota Time for daily Toyota news.