Pet parents who frequently travel with their pet pals in the car, know the hassles of making the dog sit confined during the drive. Furry friends have difficulties with the pace around, have trouble standing as they find themselves falling in between seats or are seen to sit on the driver’s lap when stuck in jams.
This article will provide insights into having a safe trip with the furry pets with the aid of carriers and crates but will also review the best products in the market to convert the rides enjoyable for the both with safety.
Why Do The Dogs Need To Be Secured In The Car?
The section beneath provides the reasons or facts as to why a pooch needs to be secured during the car ride.
Car interior protection: Dogs tend to damage the car seat, doors, and windows as time passes. The chances of the pooch digging its nail into the upholstery, scratching or even piercing it during the start and end of a car journey are high. So, the chances of upholstery damage also increase.
In cases of dogs that drool, which many do when they get excited and pant in the car, the deposition of white gunk on the windows and the door of the car increase and is a tedious task to clean when dry. This is seen to affect the functioning of window controls, locks and so on.
Distraction: The dogs are distraction objects during the ride as they tend to jump around in the car. This can create a dangerous situation for the dog, pet parents and the people on the road as an unexpected new site or sound will make it behave uncharacteristically.
Discomfort: Not all co-travellers are pet friendly. Many don’t like pets to sit on their laps or move around during the ride to get the best outside view.
Safety: During unexpectable mishaps, the chances of the dog’s injury are very high if they are not secured. A crate or carrier is seen to also offer some protection from the pointers mentioned above.
7 Best Carriers and Crates for Car Travel
#1: Purrpy Premium Car seat safe/Airline Pet Carrier
Key Features:
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The Purrpy car seat carrier is hassle-free to set up and folds down flat for storage. This carrier can be carried multiple ways around: by hand, by the shoulder and through the suitcase handle. It possesses enough pockets that aid in easy storage of toys, treats and other essentials. The three entrances feature helps for the easy entry and exit of the furry pals. The carrier is made with ballistic nylon and industrial-grade stitching, that makes it sturdy and is also seen to retain its structure to prevent collapsing.
The Seatbelt Loop features make it hassle-free to buckle the pet and its carrier into the car seat for enhanced safety during the road travel. The lockable zippers help in confining the playful dogs inside during the car journey or while one is stuck up with other chores outside. Reflective strips ensure safety in the darkness.
The carrier also comes with a cosy fleece pad and mesh windows for ample visibility, light and airflow. One can calm the uncomfortable furry pets in between the travels by slightly opening the zippers.
The manufacturer also provides friendly after-sale service and any problem with quality is assured to get replacement or 100% refund.
Pros
- Designed to make use of the existing seatbelt mechanism in cars.
- Potable and easy to storage.
- Heavy duty seatbelt latch for protection from a collision.
- Sturdy and compact.
- Weather resistant.
Cons
- Reviews suggest that the material comes with a leather-type smell which needs to be aired out before the initial use.
#2. Ibiyaya 5 in 1 Pet Carrier
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The five in one multifunctional car travel carrier can be used as a pet carrier, backpack, car seat, pooch carrier stroller and can be used as a rolling carrier. This carrier is can be used daily and for trips to the vet, hiking, riding and road journeys.
The carrier has cleared Environmental Stress-Cracking Resistance and SGS quality test. It does not smell of any cheap toxic chemical. The stroller abides the baby stroller standards. The carrier has sturdy high-quality wear-resistant wheels with light metal and plastic frame and can be hassle freely folded with a one-hand-fold mechanism.
The five in one pet carrier can be assembled easily. The switching between functions can be performed in minutes and the carrier also collapses as the two outer shells collide and zip together. The carrier is seen to disassembles with smooth zippers which not only aids for easy storage but also transportation.
The carrier features a large opening for entry and exit. A sturdy mesh window and perforated holes ensure ample ventilation and better visibility. A roll-up flap at the entrance is provided for ultimate privacy.
The accessories included with the stroller frame comprise of a folding cart with multistage telescopic handle, machine-washable padding, tether with snap hook and an adjustable shoulder strap with padding.
Pros
- Multifunctional.
- Sturdy and durable.
- Compact, stylish and collapsible.
- Hassle-free assembly.
Cons
- Bulky and slightly expensive.
#3. Pet Gear Carrier & Car Seat for Dogs
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This all in one carrier and car seat comes with 360-degree ventilation and visibility for the pet. The carrier is seen to easily attach to the seat belt without any tools. Features a hassle-free dual push-button entry to quickly access the pet.
The interior tether attaches to the pet’s harness for improved security. The carrier also includes a removable and washable comfortable fleece pad. The pet carrier and car seat suit all pet life stages.
The canopy can be positioned in three different ways: either fully open, half-open or closed. The padded carry handle makes it easy and comfortable to transport. Available in three different colour variants that are collapsible and space savers.
Pros
- Push-button system for pet entry and exit.
- Lightweight
- Interior tether for enhanced safety.
- Removable and washable pad.
- Hassle free conversion from carrier to seat and easy seat attachment.
#4. Pet Gear I-GO2 Travel Carrier and Car Seat for Dogs
Key Features:
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The Pet Gear 5-n-1 I-GO2 Plus Traveler features a telescoping handle with wheels to function as a rolling suitcase. It has five multi-functional usage as a backpack, tote, carrier or car seat. The carrier comes with a removable and washable plush pad, tether for extra pet security and a wheel cover.
The Plus Traveler offers a hard shell for the protection of the pet and is suitable for pets up to 25-pounds. Available in two colour variants. The interior dimensions of the carrier are 12″L x 8″W x 17.5″H and can be expanded up to 3 inches.
The mesh provides ample ventilation and the carrier also features one storage pocket. The carrier suits car seat with headrest only. The adjustable shoulder straps are extra comfortable when used as a backpack.
Pros
- Telescopic handles with wheels.
- 360-degree ventilation and visibility.
- Multifunctional usage.
- Comfortable and secure.
Cons
- Suitable for cars with headrests.
- Sharp teeth or claws can damage mesh
#5. 2PET Foldable Dog Crate
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The 2Pet foldable and multifunctional pet crate is a soft-sided collapsible model. Apart from car strolls, this can also be used for camping too. The rectangular design of the carrier makes it suitable for indoor and outdoor usage.
Available in four sizes and colours variants. Is well suitable for small to extra-large pooches. The crate is seen to neither warp nor bend due to the robust steel framework that accounts for the product durability. The 600-Denier Oxford construction makes the crate water- and scratch-resistant.
The entire cover of the crate is soft and machine washable. It also features a waterproof pad and has two entry points that are both mesh and zippered. The crate possesses three mesh windows for enhanced visibility and ventilation. The crate can accommodate a water bottle and a cylindrical food container.
Pros
- Water- and scratch-resistant fabric.
- Lightweight.
- Fleece liner covers the entire cover.
- Hassle-free spot cleaning.
- Waterproof pads.
- Two entry and exit points.
- Three mesh windows.
- Available in variant sizes and colours.
Cons
- Not recommended for dogs that get excited easily.
- Entrance seems to fall short for the crate size.
- Reviews suggest that the mesh and zippers are flimsy.
#6. Pet Limousine Pet Travel Tube Car Crate Kennel
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The Pet Tube Limousine is a spacious, comfortable and safe travel accessory for all pets. It is easy to install and folds flat for hassle less storage in a carrying case that is included for convenient storage and transportation. Safety belts are attached to the tubes to fasten the pets during the journey.
The crate has multipurpose uses as a car seat, garage crate, indoor kennel and doghouse cage. The tubular crate is built of water-resistant sturdy material that is washable and easy to maintain. The manufacturer guarantees free returns and money-back features if the product does not satisfy the customer.
Pros
- Water resistant.
- Multipurpose.
- Sturdy and safe.
- Money back guarantees on product dissatisfaction.
Cons
- Bulky.
#7. WarmieHomy Heavy Duty Dog Carrier
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The WarmieHomy Heavy Duty Dog Carrier is built of aluminium bar, premium MDF and strong lockable door latches. This kennel can also be used as a pet carrier. Provides a safe, secure and comfortable space to not only transport but also train dogs pets.
The trapezoidal unique design facilitates easy and convenient assembly in the car boot space for secured travel. The dog kennel offers good airflow and visibility for the pets. Hassle-free cleaning and assembling. Overall crate size is 25.59″ L x 35.82″ W x 27.56″ H, Door size 17.72″/19.69″ (W)x 23.23″(H) and suits for pets up to 30lbs.
Pros
- Heavy-duty and durable.
- Easy to clean and assemble.
- Great ventilation and airflow.
Cons
- Reviews suggest that the push board walls are not sturdy.
Where To Place The Crate or Carrier In The Car?
Most of the pet owners place the crate or carrier at the back of the vehicle. However, this is not the safest option as these zones are ‘crumple zones’ that are meant to get crushed during a mishap for passenger protection.
The positions of these zones vary from one model of a car to another. Hence experts recommend knowing the crumple zone of every individual’s car from their dealers.
On the other hand, one needs to refrain from placing the pooch on the front seat. Though it exposes the pup to front-passenger airbags, these things are not designed for canines.
How Safe is Car Travel For Larger Pet Dogs?
Safety is pivotal for canines of all sizes. But bigger dogs need to be given special care as their larger bodies may turn them into larger projectiles, thus making them more dangerous than the smaller ones. Larger canines are seen to experience more force on impact.
One needs to pay special attention when securing a large pooch. Make sure that the pooch and its crate are placed at an appropriate place inside the vehicle and its crate is stable and doesn’t move on travel.
How To Choose a Car Carte or Carrier?
Investing in a special car crate brings includes many other factors into play, and safety is the most pivotal of them. This section explains a couple of factors that one needs to ponder on while choosing a quality car carrier for their four-legged pal.
Size: Zeroing on a model that’s quite big leads to dangerous consequences as more space around the pet enhances its chances of being “thrown” in cases of a collision. Experts recommend looking for crate models that are neither too spacious nor too small but is just perfect for the furry companion to lie down and sleep during the journey.
Construction material: Experts recommend avoiding wire models as these are not strong enough to withstand the collision forces during accidents. On the other hand, soft-sided models also to be refrained from for larger breeds.
Weight sustainability: Every dog travel crate mentions the acceptable weight range it can hold. As the kennel will not be very safe and secure if the weight range is violated. Experts recommend not only knowing the exact pet’s weight but also the maximum allowance of the carrier before investing in one.
Durability: The carrier no doubt should be highly durable and built up of a mixture of heavy-duty plastic and metal. For strong soft-sided products, experts advise looking for the ones made from luggage-grade nylon.
Secure attachment: Zero on carriers or kennels that possess strong and highly durable straps. Smaller carriers can be secured to the car seatbelts, while most of the larger models require the pet parent to have them strapped to tie-downs.
Crash-test certification: Experts recommend looking for models that possess or have passed crash tests, with publicly available outcomes. The best carrier models are one that bears a 5-star Center for Pet Safety (CPS) certification.
Comfort and portability: A portable dog crate needs to provide a canine passenger with a comfortable travel experience. The carrier should provide proper ventilation to protect the dogs from excessive heat and should also possess removable and comfortable bedding for the pet to lie down. Additionally, one should also look for a that also features a sturdy, ergonomic handle for transportation convenience. A shoulder strap is seen to minimize the strain caused by the pet’s weight.
Why is CPS Certification Important?
One cannot blindly trust the claims of the manufacturers. The Center for Pet Safety comes into play in this scenario. CPS is a non-profit organization that provides pet parents with independent safety testing for the different kinds of pet-related safety equipment in the United States as the manufacturers of pet safety equipment do not require to test their products before selling them here.
This CPS certification is important because a piece of equipment with this certification never fails to protect the pooch and the humans during the carb travel.
How Does The CPS Testing Work?
Two tests are performed by the CPS. Firstly, the carrier is securely placed in the cargo compartment of the car, with the backseat folded down. Many affordable safety carriers fail to clear this test.
Secondly, the carrier is once again placed in the cargo area but is placed against the backseat. This support provides the crate with additional support. Many carrier or crate models manage to clear this test.
The use of seatback support crates is not recommended for the travel pet crate because it enhances the risk of seatback failure in mishaps of front impact collision placing the dog as well as the passengers at risk.
Final Thoughts
Making sure that the furry pal is safe during the car travel is of pivotal importance as mishaps happen at any time and one would not want their pets to be injured or killed during this collision. Precisely that is these quality crash-tested kennels and carriers are designed for pooch’s safety and comfortability.
This article will help new travelling pet parents to not only choose the right dog travel car crate but also will help them to identify the right crates.
References
- B. Johan Ivarsson & Johan Davidsson (2018) Dogs in passenger vehicles – crash safety evaluation of travel crates, International Journal of Crashworthiness, 23:3, 266-277, DOI: 10.1080/13588265.2017.1316007
- https://woofdog.org/best-dog-crates-for-car/
- https://www.thedogclinic.com/dog-crates/car
- https://www.loveyourdog.com/dog-crates-for-cars/
- https://smartpetbox.com/best-dog-crates-and-carriers-for-car-travel/
- https://mysleepingdog.com/dog-crates-for-car-travel/
