Traveling with your dog can be easy with the right crate. A good travel crate keeps your dog safe and comfortable whether you're driving or flying. Let's look at our top 5 picks for the best dog travel crates.
Key Takeaways
| Feature | Importance |
|---|---|
| Size and comfort | Essential for dog's well-being |
| Durability | Crucial for travel safety |
| Safety certifications | Important for car and air travel |
| Ventilation | Necessary for dog's comfort |
| Ease of use | Beneficial for pet owners |
Key Features to Consider
Here are some important things to think about when choosing a travel crate for your dog:
Key Features for Dog Travel Crates
- Size: Big enough for dog to stand, turn, and lie down
- Durability: Sturdy materials for travel
- Safety: Crash-tested for car travel
- Ventilation: Proper airflow for comfort
- Airline approval: Meets airline requirements if flying
When picking a travel crate, think about your dog's needs and how you'll be traveling. The crate should be big enough for your dog to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably. This helps them feel relaxed on long trips.
Strong crates are important, especially if you travel a lot. Look for crates made from tough materials that can handle bumps and rough handling. For car trips, safety is super important. Choose crates that have been tested to protect your dog if there's an accident.
Good air flow is important to keep your dog comfortable and healthy while traveling. Make sure the crate has enough air holes. If you're going to fly with your pet, you need to pick a crate that airlines allow.
Our Top 5 Travel Crates for Dogs
1. Puppy Whelping Box
The Puppy Whelping Box works well for young dogs on short trips. You can adjust it to fit different sizes of dogs.
Key features:
- Available in 3 sizes
- Fully adjustable
- Starting from £57.49 GBP
- Great for puppies and small dogs
This box is good for short trips with puppies or small dogs. You can change its size to fit your dog, which helps them feel safe. It's light and easy to move, which is good for quick trips or vet visits. But remember, it's not made for long trips or airplane travel.
The Puppy Whelping Box is great if you need something for short trips and home use. It's affordable and adjustable, which new puppy owners like. For safer travel in cars or planes, check out the other options below.
2. GUNNER Kennels
GUNNER Kennels are really good for safe car travel. They're the only crates that passed a special safety test, making them great for road trips.
Key features:
- Crash-tested and certified
- Very strong
- Good for car travel
- Double-walled construction
- Raised feet to help keep cool
GUNNER Kennels are super safe. They're made with two walls to protect your dog if there's an accident. The raised feet help air move under the kennel, which keeps your dog comfortable on long trips.
3. Petmate Sky Kennel
The Petmate Sky Kennel is great for air travel. Airlines approve it, and it keeps your dog safe during flights.
Key features:
- Approved by airlines
- Made of strong plastic
- Has a secure lock
- Air holes all around
- Comes with food and water bowls
This kennel is made for flying. It's strong enough for most airlines, and the air holes keep your dog comfortable. The secure lock keeps your dog safe, and the food and water bowls are handy for long trips.
4. MidWest Homes for Pets iCrate
The MidWest Homes for Pets iCrate works well at home and for travel. You can fold it up, which makes it easy to carry and store.
Key features:
- Easy-to-clean removable tray
- Folds up for easy storage and carrying
- Comes with one or two doors
- Different sizes for different dogs
- Made of strong metal
This crate is great if you travel a lot or don't have much storage space. You can use it at home and for trips, giving your dog a familiar place wherever you go. The removable tray makes it easy to clean, which is helpful on long trips.
5. EliteField Soft Folding Dog Crate
If you want something light, the EliteField Soft Folding Dog Crate is a good choice. It's perfect for car trips and short outings.
Key features:
- Light and easy to carry
- Mesh windows for air
- Comes with a washable bed
- Multiple doors
- Available in different colors and sizes
This crate is great if you want something easy to carry. It's light and soft, so you can set it up quickly. The mesh windows let in lots of air to keep your dog comfortable. While it's not good for flying, it's perfect for road trips, camping, or visiting friends.
Safety Tips for Traveling with Dogs in Crates
To keep your dog safe and comfortable while traveling, remember these tips:
| Tip | Importance |
|---|---|
| Proper crate sizing | High |
| Acclimate your dog to the crate before travel | High |
| Secure the crate in vehicles | High |
| Provide regular breaks and water | Medium |
| Include comfort items from home | Medium |
Make sure the crate is the right size for your dog. They should be able to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably. Help your dog get used to the crate before you travel. Start by putting the crate in your home and making it a nice place with treats and toys.
When driving, always secure the crate so it doesn't slide around if you stop suddenly. On long trips, give your dog breaks to stretch, go to the bathroom, and drink water. This helps them feel less stressed and more comfortable.
Putting familiar things from home in the crate, like a favorite toy or blanket, can help your dog feel safer while traveling. These comfort items can make the trip more enjoyable for your pet.
Remember, a good travel crate can make your dog's trip much better. Whether you're driving or flying, the right crate will keep your furry friend safe and comfy.
For more info on taking care of your dog, check out our dog care collection. We have lots of products to keep your pet happy and healthy at home and on trips.
Conclusion
Picking the best travel crate for your dog depends on what you need and how you're traveling. You might choose the Puppy Whelping Box for short trips, GUNNER Kennels for car travel, or the Petmate Sky Kennel for flights. Always think about your dog's safety and comfort first. Help your dog get used to the crate slowly and make it a good experience.
Think about how long your trip is, how you're traveling, and what your dog likes when you choose a crate. If you travel a lot, it might be worth buying a really good, strong crate. If you mostly take short trips, a light, foldable crate might be better.
Practicing with the crate at home can help your dog feel better about it when you travel. Use treats and praise to make the crate a happy place. You can feed your dog near the crate, put their favorite toys inside, and say nice things when they go in on their own.
With the right travel crate and good preparation, you and your dog can have many fun adventures together. Safe and comfy travel can make you and your pet even closer friends, giving you chances to make new memories together.
For more tips on taking care of your pet and to see our products, check out our dog accessories collection. Have fun and safe travels with your furry friend!
