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By air or land or maybe even by sea, dog owners know that holidays are more fun with a dog. But how will you keep your dog safe while you travel? Start with a dog travel crate.
Travel dog crates (also called carriers) provide a safe, enclosed space for your dog to travel in comfort. These crates differ from a home crate by providing ways to secure carriers during travel as well as helpful features for us humans too.
While dog travel crates offer necessary security and durability in the car or on the plane, they can also double as a crate at your destination. After a lot of research, we’ve rounded up our favourite dog travel crates for small dogs and large dogs, for both car and air travel.
How to Choose a Dog Travel Crate
Before we get to our recommendations, here are the factors to consider when choosing a travel crate:
- Size. It should be big enough for your dog to sit, stand and turn around in, but small enough to keep them secure. Generally, dog travel crates should be no more than six inches longer than your dog.
- Safety. However you plan to travel with your dog, a sturdy crate should securely enclose them and protect them from potential accidents.
- Set-up. No matter the crate you choose, it should be easy to assemble, store and use. Otherwise, you’ll be less likely to use it.
- Situation. Some crates work best for car travel, some for air travel, and some work well for both.
A note on car safety: dogs should always be restrained in the car, whether with a travel crate or doggy seatbelt. We recommend choosing a product that’s been crash-tested.
A note on air travel: The cargo area can be scary and even dangerous for dogs. In fact, some airlines don’t allow it due to liability concerns. But if you need to fly your larger dog, we recommend an extra-durable and well-designed crate.
The Best Large Dog Travel Crates for Air and Car Travel
1. Gulliver Sturdy Dog Travel Kennel
If you’re looking for a sturdy dog travel crate for your large breed, this one from Gulliver is a great option. The large size is 104x73x75cm and provides extra safety on journeys with its lockable snap fasteners, complying with the IATA Live Animal Regulations for animal transport.
Features we love:
- Large storage compartments for treats and accessories
- Comes with food/water bowl that can be attached to the cage door
- Cage door has extra bars on larger sized crates for more stability
- Handle for easy transport
2. RuffMaxx Kennel for Dogs
Coming in three sizes, the RuffMaxx offers crates for dogs from 13-41kg. It’s durable and meets airline specifications. And whether your dog is a super spy or just an ordinary street hound, the camo colours are more fun than a lot of standard crate styles!
Features we love:
- Excellent ventilation
- Easy assembly
- Camouflage for outdoor enthusiasts
- Warranty available
Helpful review: “This thing is a monster. It went together very easily, but remember to wait until you get all of the nuts in before you tighten, otherwise you’ll have a hard time lining up some of the holes. There is plenty of ventilation; it’s made from a medium weight plastic, but if handled properly it should last for several years. There are tie-down holes in the corners that make it easy to attach straps to for retention in the truck bed too.”
Find on Amazon3. AmazonBasics Pet Kennel
Our bargain pick for a dog travel crate, this basic pet kennel isn’t crash-rated, but it’s still a good way to secure your dog and prevent distraction on the road. Plus, it can be used as a carrier for vet visits and other outings. Just be sure to secure it with safety straps (not included) and a seat belt in the car.
Features we love:
- Two-door, top-load model allows for easy loading
- Made of durable plastic with a steel-wire front door
- Easy to assemble and disassemble for storage
- It’s a bargain!
Helpful review: “Great starter crate! Overall, this was a great product that worked well for my needs. I was able to set it in my car and wrap the seat belt around the case, but it wasn’t 100% secure. The fact the top can open up was nice because it meant I could leave it in my car and place my puppy in the crate from the top.”
Shop on AmazonBest Small Dog Crate for Car Travel
4. Sleepypod Mobile Pet Bed
One of the most popular travel crates on the market, the Sleepypod combines the features of hard-sided and soft-sided crates for a car-friendly, dog-friendly travel experience. All Sleepypod products have passed the American Center for Pet Safety crash testing. They’re best for small dogs weighing up to 7kg.
Features we love:
- Made from luggage-grade nylon that’s been tested for strength and safety
- Tall dome lets your pet stand, look out and enjoy the ride
- Dome zips off so you can use the pod at home as a regular bed
- Has Velcro positioning points for secure seat belt attachment
Helpful review: “Ultimately, we were persuaded by the attention to pet safety and the use of crash test results in development. Now having used this Sleepypod with our small dog for regular travels over the past 6 months, I have become increasingly impressed with the solid construction, durability, ease of use in a car or in the house, and attractive design.”
Buy on AmazonBest Small Dog Crate for Air Travel
Flying with your dog can be stressful, but the right plane carrier makes all the difference. Our top pick is designed to meet the requirements of the TSA and most airlines (but you should always double-check with an airline before travelling with your dog).
Air travel carriers for small dogs must be well designed, with easy access during travel. Again, Sleepypod comes through with a foldable design that offers the flexibility air travel often demands.
5. Sleepypod Air In-Cabin Pet Carrier
The second Sleepypod product on our list; this carrier is custom-built for air travel.
It contracts to fit in the space below most airline seats during takeoff and landing, and can be expanded while in the air to give your dog more room.
Check out our video review here:
Features we love:
- Soft, fleecy padding keeps your dog nice and cosy
- Pass-through pocket lets you attach it to your roller luggage as you walk through the airport
- The top and ends open for easy access to your pet, and there are large zipped pockets on both sides
Helpful review: “This thing is luxury. Our dog is a cairn terrier mix. Only 5 kg but very long. She had a hard time fitting in other carriers. This one? No way. Even when we had to fold down the sides on the plane (for take-off and landing only), she fit in it fine!”
Buy on AmazonTo learn more about what Sleepypod offers the dog parent on the go, we have a full review of their carriers and harnesses here.
More Small Dog Travel Crates
For small dogs, there are countless options for air and car travel crates. We’ve sourced the best options and highlighted each item’s outstanding features.
Looking for crates for home use? Check out our guide to small dog crates.
6. Gen7 Commuter
This soft-sided, shoulder-carry-style dog travel crate works in cars and planes. It uses your car’s existing seatbelt with heavy-duty latches to keep the crate in place.
And, it’s made from industrial-grade nylon with heavy-duty hardware, built to hold its structure and last a lifetime.
Features we love:
- In 2018, received a five-star crash rating from the American Center for Pet Safety
- Mesh windows and machine-washable pad keep your dog comfy
- Approved for use on most major airlines, so it pulls double duty from car to plane
- Folds flat for storage when not in use
Helpful review: “This carrier is extremely well made, sturdy, easy to carry with the long and short handles, and buckles in with any standard car seatbelts. I have such a great peace of mind with this carrier in the car. My picky pup also liked this right from the moment I put it together!”
Shop on Amazon7. Sherpa Deluxe Pet Carrier
This simple, classic dog travel crate is the official pet carrier of Delta airlines. But of course, it works for other airlines, too! It’s TSA approved and the perfect size and shape for most under-seat storage.
Features we love:
- Spring wire frame allows flexibility to fit under the seat
- Has mesh windows for ventilation, and top and side entry with locking zips for safety
- Rear pocket holds a lead, treats and other travel necessities
- Padded, adjustable, no-slip strap for easy carrying
Helpful review: “Great carrier. I decided to go with the large, we were able to fit our ‘thick’ 12kg pug in with no issues flying Southwest. He had space to turn and lie down but I don’t think a pet any larger would fit. For reference, the little guy is 56cm long (excluding tail) and 36cm high.”
Find on Amazon8. Elitefield 3-Door Folding Soft Dog Crate
If you’re looking for a soft crate with many size options, the Elitefield is a wonderful choice. The only soft crate on our list, it’s also the most popular of its kind.
The various setup options make it one of the most flexible crates available, though the soft design doesn’t make it a good option for air travel with a large dog.
Features we love:
- Lightweight but still quite durable
- The emphasis on purchasing the correct fit, with five available sizes
- Over a dozen colours to choose from
- Three entry doors with sturdy zips
Helpful review: “So far I am a fan of this crate. It is so lightweight compared to the full metal crate! It collapses and sets up easy and comes with a protective travel carrier. It’s perfect for when we travel. The mesh is thicker than I was expecting, which is a definite plus. Of course, with any “soft crate” you need to know what type of dog you have. If you have a puppy/dog who chews or a dog that claws when confined, a soft crate probably isn’t the best pick for you.”
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