- This post contains affiliate links. Read more here.
- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Pet parents consider dog carriers—like backpacks, totes, and strollers—for a lot of reasons. Some may want to take their aging pup on an adventure, while others are looking for a safe way to contain their dog while traveling by plane or car. Regardless, there’s an overwhelming number of options out there, including some that seem more fashionable than functional, leaving you to wonder: Are dog backpacks and carriers safe?
To help you answer this question, we went straight to the experts, consulting veterinarian Dr. Shannon Barrett of Downward Paws and Lindsey A. Wolko, founder of the Center for Pet Safety. Together, we uncover what design and elements to consider and discuss tips for choosing the right dog carrier for your pup. Buckle up; you’re in for a ride. We’ve got all the details covered!
What Makes a Dog Carrier Safe?
Whether a dog carrier is safe for your dog partly depends on how you plan to use it. Carriers for car or air travel, for example, have different safety features than dog backpacks used for a bike ride or hike.
According to Dr. Barrett, there are a few things to look for regarding dog carriers, particularly backpacks:
- A structured bottom to support your dog’s body and allow them to adjust their position
- Your dog’s weight and measurements, in conjunction with the carrier’s height and weight limits
- Good ventilation to prevent overheating
- Additional chest straps to keep your pet safely attached to you
- Padding inside to keep your dog comfortable
- Zippers with a safety feature so your pet can’t escape
Bigger is also not necessarily better when using a dog carrier for travel, points out Lindsey A. Wolko of CPS. Too large can increase the risk of injury. “Your pet should fit snugly in,” she says. “A good guide is to measure the dog from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail and add six inches.”
Dog Backpacks, Slings, and Totes
Backpacks
Dog backpacks are great for hiking, commuting, and even bike riding with your pup—essentially, any instances where you need to do a lot of hands-free moving. A properly padded and solidly structured backpack can be one of the safest and easiest ways to carry your dog because the weight is more evenly distributed on your back versus a tote or sling.
Dog backpacks vary a lot. Some have your dog facing toward you, others away from you. Still others are made to carry your dog in front rather than on your back. The structure can also vary from hard—almost like a crate you wear on your back—to softer and more bag-like.
For optimal safety, dog backpacks are best used for short-term adventures and transportation—or with a mix of walking and riding, like Rover pup Oscar does when he hikes. “For me, dogs should not be carried in backpacks for longer than 30 minutes,” says Barrett. “An hour is pushing the maximum time I would keep them in the backpack.”
Totes and Slings
Dog tote bags are ideal for short trips with your dog, like meeting friends for brunch or running errands around town. While totes vary from casual (think dogs in purses) to bags made of luggage-grade material, they’re typically suited for pups up to 20 pounds. Typical styles, like this tote from Wild One, have an open or zippered top with a notch in the side for your dog to put their head out and a firm bottom that lets your pet stand or sit comfortably. These open-style totes, however, aren’t suited for car travel, as your pup can easily pop out and distract you while you’re driving.
A sling-style carrier is great for distributing your dog’s weight across your shoulders and front instead of your side or back—ideal if you’re carrying a wiggly or anxious pup and need to keep an eye on them. Dog slings, however, are pretty limited to small pets that weigh under 15 pounds. If you do go with this type of carrier, just make sure your sling has the structured bottom Barett recommends. This YUDODO Pet Sling Carrier, for example, has a sturdy bottom with breathable mesh and a safety hook for extra security.
Dog Strollers Make Surprisingly Practical Carriers
Dog strollers can seem a little over the top if you’ve never used one before, but they’re actually handy tools for many pet parents. In particular, they’re great for:
- Transporting a recovering or super senior dog, letting them enjoy their environment and take in the smells without taxing their bodies
- Pet parents who want to run or walk faster or farther than a small, senior, or recovering dog
- Dog guardians who walk multiple dogs with different stamina levels
- Crowd safety, especially for dogs who get stressed in busy areas
- Pet parents who find it difficult to lug around a 10+ pound dog
- Navigating rough terrain (like hot pavement, broken glass, etc.)
- Transporting multiple small dogs or a litter of puppies—ideal for socializing young puppies who aren’t fully vaccinated
When looking for a dog stroller, consider your dog’s size. Measure your pet, and then take a look at their habits, proportions, and how much space you think they would prefer: Do they like to curl up, sit up, or sprawl? Are they a taller dog or a shorter dog? Can you lift your dog into a stroller that’s higher up, or would you prefer the cabin low to the ground so they can step up into it?
Dog Carriers for Cars and Planes
For air travel, small dogs and puppies can accompany you in a carrier in the cabin, but larger dogs will need to fly in a sturdy crate that meets all airline requirements.
If flying with a smaller pup, look for airline-approved carriers that are durable and made from luggage-grade materials, like Sleepypod Air. We tested this one ourselves and found the quality to be top-notch and resistant to tears, meeting all the TSA requirements for cabin travel for dogs up to 18 pounds.
When it comes to finding carriers to keep your dog safe in the car, Wolko encourages pet parents to review the CPS-certified list of products that offer crash protection. While the list doesn’t include the only crash-safe options on the market, it’s a fantastic place to start.
“We want pet owners to understand the difference between distraction-prevention products and crash-protection products,” Wolko says, adding that the majority of products on the market are designed to prevent distraction. Far rarer are crash protection products, which she says “can protect the human vehicle occupants and give your pet the best possible chance of survival if a crash occurs.”
Similar to air travel, larger dogs are safer in a crash-tested crate, while smaller pups are best suited for car carriers. These small carriers are not only portable but are popular with small dogs who like to bunker up in a den while they travel. Car carriers should be put on the floor of the backseat, behind the driver or passenger seat, unless the manufacturer recommends you secure it to the backseat, as with the Diggs Passenger.
What Kind of Carrier Is Right for Your Dog?
Whether a backpack, tote, or stroller is the safest and strongest choice for your pup will largely depend on the size, breed, and preferences of your dog and how much you, the human, are willing or able to carry.
Urban adventurers or commuters with smaller dogs can get by by using a tote, while hikers or bikers will likely prefer a backpack. When it comes to bigger dogs, things get a little complicated. A few dog backpacks, such as the K9 Sport Sack, are made for bigger dogs. But as Barrett points out, giant breeds, such as Great Danes and Bernese Mountain dogs, aren’t good candidates.
Dogs with arthritis, back issues, or breathing should also take a hard pass on dog backpacks. “Be careful if your dog has certain respiratory diseases such as a collapsing trachea,” she says. “Some backpacks can be tight around their necks, especially those where you carry your dog on your back. If your dog already has trouble breathing, a dog backpack may not be a good idea for your pet.”
For aging dogs, Barrett says that a backpack can be a nice way to get them out to their favorite nature spot. “If that spot means a short walk, they may be okay in a backpack since they don’t have to be carried for very long,” she says, adding that the backpack should provide good support without requiring a lot of manipulation of their bodies to get them in.
Strollers and wagons are likely your best option for an older dog, especially if they’re big or are recovering from an injury. These carriers provide a structured space and shock absorption and come in a variety of styles that can handle varying terrain. Dog strollers are also ideal for pet parents who are unable or don’t want to lug their pets around town.
If in doubt, it’s always a good idea to consult your veterinarian to see if your dog’s health and body are the right fit for a particular carrier.
How We Chose
The products featured here were selected based on a combination of our own hands-on testing, a comprehensive look at customer reviews across a wide variety of retail platforms, and interviews with DVM Shannon Barrett and Center for Pet Safety founder Lindsey Wolko. We’re also guided by the experience of living and playing alongside our own much-loved and strongly opinionated pets, who are never stingy with their feedback.