Travel Dog Crate: Easily Find the Best for Your Pet

So you want to take your pup on the road (or into the sky, for that matter). While seatbelts and car seats can help us arrive safely, our pets need some special consideration. Not every travel dog crate is created equal. That’s why we’ve made a list of some of the best travel dog crates to make sure your friend enjoys the ride.

Travel Dog Crate: Why It is Essential for Safe Pet Travel

Safety and comfort are some of the top priorities when it comes to planning travel for ourselves, and the same should be true for our pets.

When it comes to dog road trip essentials, a worthy crate should be at the top of the list. The right dog crate can help reduce anxiety, prevent injury during transit, and make transport simple. However, putting a dog in a crate is not a failsafe. The crate should be secured in the car as well. Whether you are packing up for a road trip or heading to the airport, here are some crates that make sure your dog is sheltered and snug on the journey.

How to Choose a Travel Dog Crate

Here are some important things to consider when choosing the best travel crate for your pup:

• Size: Your pet should have enough room to turn around and curl up, but shouldn’t be able to fully splay out. Too much room in the crate increases the risk of injury, while not enough space makes for a cramped and stressful experience.
• Travel Method: Some crates are better suited to car trips, while others are appropriate for airline travel. If you plan to fly, check that the crate is compliant with airline regulations before you buy.
• Convenience: Think about what you want in terms of portability and assembly. Would you prefer a collapsible crate for easy storage or a hard-shell type that’s more durable and easy to wash?
• Material: Whether it’s plastic or polyester, construction material can affect internal temperature, ventilation, durability, and ease of cleaning.

Top 5 Travel Dog Crates

With our eyes on safety, durability, and other key traits, here are some of our favorite travel crates.

Our Picks

1. Roverlund Out-of-Office Pet Carrier: Pro Edition

This airline dog crate is ideal for those who wish to bring their small dogs along on the plane. The dimensions of both the large and small sizes suit regular carry-on guidelines, and a removable panel means the carrier can conform to the requirements of smaller aircraft as well.

Highlights

The soft-sided crate has plenty of ventilation, with a durable, waterproof base that helps prevent any accidental messes. The carrier also features a built-in leash to secure your dog while on the move, plus a separate bonus leash.

Things to Consider

This carrier is intended for smaller dogs, as the large size is only suitable for pets up to 25 lbs.

2. Petmate Aspen Pet Porter Dog Kennel

If you have a medium or large pup, this dog travel crate is a versatile option, suitable for both car and air travel.

Highlights

This crate features a top handle for easy lifting, plus an easy-open latch. The lightweight plastic shell is secured with strong metal screws, making it easy and quick to assemble.

Plus, the dimensions and build meet regulations for airline cargo transit, with 3-sided ventilation and sturdy walls.

Things to Consider

You may want to add a pad or bedding to the crate, as the hard plastic bottom isn’t ideal for extended travel.

3. GUNNER G1 Kennel

GUNNER crates were designed with travel safety as a top priority. These big dog travel crates earned a 5-star crash-test rating and feature double-walled impact protection. GUNNER crates are made with car travel in mind but are also suitable for cargo travel on planes.

Highlights

While it has a thick build, this crate stays cool and helps prevent overheating during travel. The crate also comes with a lifetime guarantee.

Things to Consider

Because of its robust design, these kennels tend to be on the heavier side.

4. PetSafe Portable Dog Crate for Car

We’d all love to let our canine friends hang their heads out the window, but it’s not always safe to do so. This collapsible dog travel crate is a great solution. Multiple straps keep it secure in either the back or passenger seat, with ample mesh for ventilation and visibility so your dog can still enjoy the view.

Highlights

This crate has an aluminum frame that folds into a flat, compact unit. It is also machine washable, so you can easily take care of any messes that may happen on the road.

Things to Consider

Due to the size, the crate may not fit some compact vehicles, so check the dimensions before buying.

5. Budget Find: Amazon Basics 2-Door Portable Soft-Sided Folding Dog Travel Crate

This Amazon Basics buy is a good option for those looking for an affordable dog travel crate that still gets the job done.

Highlights

The crate is very light, and easy to set up and break down without any special tools.

Things to Consider

Some customers complain that the zippers could be stronger, as they don’t always hold up with regular use.

Travel Crates: How We Choose the Dog Products to Include

When crafting our list of top travel dog crates, we examined the factors that matter most: safety, comfort, and convenience. Modern transportation can be dangerous for humans and pets alike, but the most durable crates aren’t always comfortable or practical for all pet parents. As such, to bring you only the best options, we considered safety standards across various types of transit, airline regulations, and the size needs of different dog breeds.

Finding the right balance of portability, stability, and security means we can help make traveling with your dog a more enjoyable experience, and you can enjoy some peace of mind. ***

Photo by Patrick Hendry on Unsplash