When you travel with your dog, there are many things to take into consideration, and choosing the Dog Travel Crates or Travel Carriers For Dogs is one of the more important ones. A reliable, secure and comfortable dog crate and Carriers for travel will provide a peace of mind for you and a safe place of rest for your pup.
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More pet owners today travel with their dogs than ever before. Some dog it properly and safely, while others take unnecessary risks or forget about the appropriate pet travel safety practice as laid out by the FDA at the cost of their dog’s health.
When traveling with your dog, it’s important take certain precautions and secure your pet for a stress-free journey. Purdue University vets are advising owners to choose safe dog travel crates or travel carriers that are appropriate for that specific trip.
Choosing the right type of dog travel crate or travel carriers is essential, and will depend on the type of trip you’re taking. Are you traveling in car? By plan? By train? Maybe you decide to travel on a motorcycle or even a bicycle. For some, soft sided dog crate or travel carriers may be the ultimate choice, while others will need a metal dog crate. There are many different types of best dog crates or dog carriers for travel that will fit any form of transportation choice.
In this article, we’ll discuss all the types of dog travel crates or carriers, their pros and cons, and which one fits your needs best. We’ll take a look at the top rated best dog travel crates and travel carriers including these ten from each area.
Top 10 Best Dog Travel Crates & Carriers For Dogs Compasion
Our view: Top 10 Best Dog Toys That Dogs Love
“Do you own an adorable dog? If so, you will be aware that owning a dog is not just all fun. It constitutes tremendous responsibility as well. Such responsibilities include providing your pup with a private space in the form of a dog house or a dog bed, taking it out on walks, providing it with food, and ensuring that they exercise and are entertained”
1. Soft Side Pet Crate, Navy/Tan
This attractive travel crate comes in four different sizes, able to cover a dog up to ninety pounds with the largest size. Your dog is sure to enjoy its large, nylon mesh windows and the comfortable, padded bottom panel.
The bottom panel itself can be removed for easy cleaning, and since the crate as a whole is made of waterproof material you’ll be able to wash it out easily if your animal does have an accident. Three of the sides open up, and as a bonus the top also unzips, allowing you to feed or water your dog without having to open the sides.
The crate itself is durable, the zippers are high quality and the corners are reinforced with an extra layer of tough fabric. It features an accessory pocket and water bottle for additional utility when you’re on the go, and when you fold it down you’ll be glad for the convenient carrying handle.
With four sizes to choose from, you’ll be happy to know that you can purchase one of these for all but the most massive canines and be content that you have a home-on-the-go for your companion.
The navy and tan coloration looks great, making this collapsible dog crate a stylish and functional item which will be sure to keep you, and your dog, happy for a long time to come. Wherever you may go, this crate has indoor and outdoor functionality and you’ll be sure to get the most out of your purchase.
2. Go Pet Club Soft Pet Crate – Green
The Go Pet Club Soft Pet Crate is another great choice. This functional and aesthetically pleasing crate comes in five sizes, with the biggest one being a full thirty-nine inches tall. It’s important to make sure your dog can stand up fully within their mobile home, and this crate definitely provides that.
It features a faux-lambskin pad for covering the bottom to provide extra comfort for your dog and windows on three sides which give it an almost tent-like look when they’re rolled up. It’s made of heavy-duty polyester with PVC backing, making it waterproof and suitable for use almost anywhere.
The smaller sizes can be confidently recommended to meet your puppy crate or small, traveling dog needs. The handle for this design is located on the top and runs perpendicular to the length of the crate, making it easy to carry even when it’s fully assembled. You’ll easily be able to carry your smaller dog or puppy around with you, which means that this crate can also function as a basic pet carrier for your smaller animals.
One of the big draws of this product is the amazing amount of volume gained when it folds down. This model folds down to less than two inches of thickness when you’re ready to take it somewhere, meaning you can fit it virtually anywhere in your home or vehicle. Combined with its rather unique look, this is a solid purchase for your traveling needs, and indeed, it may be one of the best small dog crates available.
3. 2PET Foldable Dog Crate
For those on the go who are looking to spend a little bit less money, this collapsible dog crate by 2Pet might be an ideal solution. Its removable cover is made of 600d Oxford fabric, making it an easy to clean and attractive option at a bargain price.
These crates come in three different colors, an attractive deep blue, a cheerful red, and a neutral beige tone that is almost white. It also comes in four sizes to meet your dog’s size needs, making for a good looking and ec
onomical option for those who aren’t quite sure if they want to commit to soft crates permanently.
The biggest of the various size options is only 32” however, making this an unsuitable purchase for those who want a crate for larger dogs. However, the carrying handles make for an easy way to take your smaller dogs on the go securely, and your dog will be sure to enjoy the view with windows on all four sides. A conveniently located top door also allows you easy access to your pet when he needs a treat or a pat while you’re on the go.
The 2Pet Fold-a-Crate is a solid option for your smaller dogs and puppies, and it folds up enough that it’s also convenient for you. If you’re not sure yet if you really want to go with a soft crate, you might want to make the investment to try this one out. There’s nothing to lose, and your pet will thank you.
4. K&H Manufacturing Classy Go Soft Crate
This great item from K & H Pet Products definitely lives up to its name. That is to say, it looks classy and it’s definitely a soft crate for the go. But this deceptively glib name is actually fastened onto a great collapsible dog crate.Featuring three large, mesh windows, and a very durable frame this is a fantastic option for your dogs.
It comes in four different sizes, with the largest being 42”x28”x27”. It may not be the biggest crate on the market, but it is one of the best if it suits your dog’s size.
One of the best features of this product is the locking zippers. We all know our pets can be quite crafty at times, but there’s no way for them to get into any mischief if they’re locked inside. Keep your escape artist safe, and you can rest easy on your camping trip. Another standout feature is that it has a place for an inverted water bottle, and with a purchase of one you can keep your pooch from getting parched with a minimum of spillage as you travel together.
Really this product is quite simple, it’s a very high quality, soft-sided dog crate with a couple of unique features. Those unique features do make this crate a stand-out in this category, however, and make for a great all-around second home for your dog. This is one purchase that you will not find yourself regretting, and with its high durability, you’ll be sure to have it for years to come.
5. Petmate Two Door Top Load Kennel
Ergonomic, plastic crates are ideal for car and train journeys, they are light and designed for mobility. Most of them use a heavy duty plastic shell that protects against most shocks and resists dog bites.
The handle is essential and it must be solid enough to bear the weight of an agitated large dog, a 42 inch dog crate is large enough to comfortably contain a large adult dog.
Plastic crates are much smaller than metal crates so they cannot really be used as dog houses. They should be used solely as transportation cages.
When buying a plastic dog crate, you must choose one designed with a great air flow system so the dog can breathe properly even in high temperature. More and more plastic crates meet the requirements for airline travel which is a plus.
The Petmate Two Door dog crate for travel is very easy to clean because it’s all plastic and, although they are made with heavy duty materials, they are surprisingly lightweight. These pet travel crates are equipped with tie-down holes in all four corners to make them more stable while traveling. They also include a hole so the door can be secured with zip-ties during travel.
All of Petmate plastic crates, including this one, come in a variety of sizes to fit most dog breeds, although you’ll be hard pressed to find one for a large breed (mostly, it’s for small to medium dogs). The wire doors of these crates lock shut with a chrome squeeze door latch. The crates are shipped as two half shells and are very easy to assemble. They come with no-rust plastic wing nuts. These crates are also equipped with side air vents.
6. MidWest Life Stages Heavy-Duty Folding Metal Dog Crates
Continuing the trend with leaders topping our list of best travel dog crates and carriers, MidWest are best known for their top quality metal dog crates. This Midwest Life Stages folding metal dog crate in particular can be used throughout the life of your dog, and it’s a great alternative to soft travel dog crates. Normally, it’s recommended to buy the crate for regular use as opposed to just travel, and when looking for it, make sure to buy one for your dog’s adult size (if you still have a puppy that is). Metal dog crates are good for both plane and car travel if you know how to use them. Some dogs prefer metal crates over soft, but they’re not always the best option. A divider panel is included with the crate to adjust its size as your dog grows. This gives the option for the crate to be used for more than one dog, as the size of the cage can be adjusted for each dog.
As with all dog cages, because it’s a metal dog travel crate, it’s very easy to clean and it’s super durable and strong, which can be the deciding factor for most. It has double doors for front and side access. It also has slide-bolt latches that provide easy entry as well as security. The Midwest Life Stages folding metal crate is surprisingly uncomplicated to set up and put away, since it folds flat. When you consider how you’re going to travel, this can be either the best dog travel crate for your trip, or the worst, so make sure you know where the crate is going to go and how it’s going to be used.
All MidWest Life Stages crates include handles for easy carrying and a plastic pan for comfort inside the crate so your pup isn’t sitting on the metal bars. Metal crates like this one are great because you can see your pet from all angels since there there are no hidden sides. Midwest has seven different sizes for your dog that adjust to his growth and the divider panel is a huge advantage over soft dog travel crates. Overall, metal dog travel crates are the most optimal option for many pet owners, especially those who travel in cars very often.
7. Variocage Single Crash Tested Dog Cage
Venturing away from standard best travel dog crates, we’ve now coming into the territory of heavy duty dog cages for travel which is yet to be dominated by one single manufacturer. However, the Variocage is one of the best heavy duty dog travel cages due to its smart design, stylish looks, high quality material and crash tests. These are very expensive travel cages for dogs, but well worth the investment if you’re looking something for large dogs and long distance travel. Not only do these heavy and indestructible dog cages look very stylish, but they’ve been ranked best for crash tests. These travel dog crates are very comfortable for dogs and easy to clean too. In addition, for added security, the Variocage includes a built-in key lock.
Variocages heavy dog travel cage is not a popular option, mostly due to its large price tag and the fact that very few dogs and pet owners need such type of travel crate. That said, these indestructible dog cages look like something from Jurassic Park and are the only crates that are rated using government safety standards for the protection they provide during accidents. That means that they passed the front, rear and rollover crash tests. Also, all models include an emergency escape as an additional safety measure. This crate really is a must have for any dog owner that frequently travels with their pet in the car.
With all of its great features, this heavy duty dog cage is not without its faults, and the main issue is that it’s difficult to put together. Unlike metal dog crates like MidWest iCrate, the MIM Safe Variocage dog travel cage needs to be assembled from scratch which takes time, effort and understanding. These dog crates come in 14 changeable sizes to fit most dogs, and they come in four different models. This gives you a better chance at finding a suitable fit for your vehicle or one that will pass the guidelines for the method of transportation that you will be taking.
8. Sleepypod Mobile Pet Bed
This nifty carrier also doubles as a bed! It works great for airline travel and has even been crash-tested for use on the road. The great thing about this carrier is that if your pup uses it normally as a bed, it’ll make traveling a little less stressful when you zip the sides up and turn it into a carrier!
The Sleepypod Pet Bed could technically be classified as a soft-sided carrier, but really it’s an entirely different beast.
The Sleepypod is actually made of tough, durable, luggage-grade material. Owners have reported real-life experiences getting into car accidents, even having their cars get completely totaled, but having their dogs come out of the crash safe thanks to the security provided by Sleepypod.
However, you don’t have to go off of rumor – the CPS tested Sleepypod and found that these carriers do indeed provide tremendous safety in the event of a crash.
The CPS test noted that the Sleepypod Mobile Pet Bed, with the added PPRS Handilock feature, performed exceptionally well. The unit’s straps snugly fit into the car’s seat through the use of the lap and shoulder belt system, providing canine safety.
NOTE: When ordering, remember the Sleepypod’s special handilock device is what, in part, makes this carrier perform so well in car crashes.
Previously the handilock was an optional add on, but after realizing the value of the device, Sleepypod now provides the handlock free with your carrier purchase! Owners note that usually the handilock ships seperatly from the actual carrier, but it automatically be shipped to your doorstep when you order the bed. If for some reason it doesn’t arrive, make sure to reach out to Sleeypod and they’ll get you set up with a handilock for free!
9. Gunner Kennels G1™ Intermediate
In the CPS crate crash study, the Gunner Kennel G1 Intermediate Crate was the only kennel that passed for large dogs. This ultra-durable kennel is sure to keep your canine pal safe, no matter how rough the road is.
This kennel is serious stuff – it’s tested to withstand over 4,000 lbs of force! In Gunner Kennel’s own tests, they even shot at it with a 12-gauge shotgun, and not a single pellet went though. Wow.
Gunner kennels features extra-strong double-walled rotomolded plastic, along with uniquestrength-rated connection straps, rubber grip feet, and a dual locking feature on the door that provides additional structural support.
This kennel takes the cake with excellent structural integrity, providing car safety and security even for larger canines.
The only downside is that these kennels are pretty unattractive – those double-cased walls don’t exactly have an aesthetic appeal, but safety doesn’t always look pretty!
The Gunner Kennel car crates are also very expensive – high enough that the average owner might not be able to swing the cost easily.
10. Petego Jet Set Pet Carrier with Forma Frame
Pet Ego’s Forma Frame Carrier is a elegant, durable dog carrier suitable for smaller sized dogs.
The Pet Ergo Forma Frame Carrier is a nice carrier on its own – however, what really sets this carrier apart (and helped it pass the CPS crash study) is its special ISOFIX-Latch Connection, which snaps into place just like a child’s safety seat does.
The CPS was very impressed by this latch system. In their study, they found that this innovative latch connection provided great security and allowed the Forma Frame Carrier to safely contain the test dog (latch connections were a main point of failure for many other carriers tested).
10 More Best Dog Travel Crates & Carriers Options as Alternatives
11. Bergan Wheeled Comfort Carrier
A great carrier that your shoulders and back will love. This one comes on wheels and makes it convenient for you to bring your pup around with you. The wheels are actually detachable, and there is a comfy fleece travel bed inside so your four-legged friend can be as comfortable as possible.
12. Teafco Argo Airline Approved Aero-Pet Carrier
A smaller carrier best for the toy breeds out there. Its sleek and modern design with privacy mesh ensures you can travel discreetly with your pup.
13. Outward Hound Kyjen PoochPouch Front Carrier For Dogs
Going on a camping trip? Need to bring your small dog around where you’ll be walking a lot? This is the perfect carrier for you! Made especially for dogs, this is a great way to bring your furry friend along if they’re a little bit older.
14. Sherpa on Wheels Pet Carrier, Black
This one I’ve personally tried out and like because it has wheels on the bottom. With a pup that weighs 20 lb. and who is almost too big to fly in the cabin with me, the wheels on this carrier made it so much easier for me to make my way through the airport without having to lug that much weight on my shoulder.
15. Marshall Pet Designer Pet Tote
A super airy carrier that is great for pups who get travel anxiety. Three vented areas allow for extra airflow and more visibility for the pup to see outside. There are also three zippered areas for easy access in case you need to reach inside and give your pup a pet.
16. Sherpa Deluxe Pet Carriers
With various colors and sizes, this is one of the most popular carriers that you can find at any Petsmart or local pet store. The medium-sized version of this bag is “Guaranteed On Board and Airline Approved” on most major domestic airlines, and should work great when flying with a small dog.
17. Sleepypod Air In-Cabin Pet Carrier
One of my personal favorites. This carrier puts safety as a top priority and works great for flights and drives. When flying, the sides of the carrier fold up to ensure it fits under the seat in front of you, which is a rule that most major airlines go by when allowing pets in cabin. The carrier itself has slits on one side that you can slide over the handle of your carry-on, so that you don’t have to carry it on your person through the airport. Your shoulders will thank you! The carrier also includes straps on both sides to secure a car seatbelt in place so that, in the event of an accident, the carrier doesn’t get displaced in the vehicle. Two birds, one stone.
And for something completely different, if you don’t have an extra large dog who needs an indestructible cage but rather looking for something to fit multiple dogs at the back of your car, this may be a great alternative. This pet tube travel car kennel from Petego will be much cheaper and look substantially better in your car, and it also folds.
19. Sliverylake Heavy Duty Dog Cage Crate Kenel with Tray
An even cheaper alternative is this heavy duty metal cage from Sliverylake. The design is simpler and it’s not as sturdy as either ProSelect of Variocage, but if you don’g have a hyperactive extra large dog, then this may be a better choice considering that you also pay significantly less for it. The standard features will be more than enough.
For a significantly less money, ProSelect is a decent alternative to Variocage if you’re going for a short distance car travel and it’s been rated as one of the best heavy duty cages for dogs. It’s not crash tested, isn’t as stylish or as heavy and large as Variocage, but they will be an appropriate choice for most pet owners with medium to extra large dog breeds.
Buy’s Guide
Your dog’s size and the mode of transportation you will be taking are the two biggest factors to take into account when choosing the best dog travel crates or travel carriers for dogs. Your pet will have to fit comfortably in the carrier without having too much excess room, and the carrier will need to be appropriate for the car, plane, train, or other mode of transportation that you’ll be taking as well as easy to transport from location to location.
If you and your dog are taking a trip by vehicle, finding the best travel dog crate or carriers for dogs that is suitable and fits your car is actually an easy task, since majority of these travel carriers are designed for cars first. If you are both travelling by plane, it is a good idea to be aware of the airline crate policies before purchasing one of your own, as airlines require specific dimensions and rules for travelling with pets in crates. Fortunately, some of the pet carriers are already airline approved, and others are easy to get accepted.
Finally, you’ll want to be sure to check with the travel agency (if you’re using one) and all locations where you will be staying to make sure that both pets and the type of crate you’re taking are allowed. Remember to ask if they have unique crate specifications. This is particularly true for airlines, because each airline has their own guidelines, but the same can be said for every bus service, train service, and hotels. Planning ahead could save you from dealing with unnecessary issues during your travels.
Last Thoughts
There are so many dog breeders and dog owners liking different styles of dog travel crates or carriers that it makes it impossible to come up with the perfect ideal one. We have, however, picked a wide range of top choice, high quality, carriers and bags.
These various crates and quality carriers are only a few amongst many, but each one is the first choice in its own category. It is for you to know what use will you make of your travel carrier and then go for a professional metallic crate or a more ergonomic quality plastic carrier.
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