Best Pet Crates for Travel – Keep Your Dog or Cat Safe and Comfortable During Car Rides

Choosing the Right Pet Crate for Your Furry Friend’s Road Trips

Whether you’re taking a long drive or flying with your pet, having the proper crate is essential to keep them safe and comfortable during travel. As someone who has transported dogs in crates for over a decade, both domestically and abroad, here are the top considerations when selecting a crate and some tips from my experiences.

Material

Pet crates come in a variety of materials. The most common are:

1. Plastic or wire – Lightweight and easy to carry, plastic and wire crates offer good ventilation. However, they provide less security if the dog is anxious. From my experience, anxious pups have been known to chew or break out of flimsy plastic crates.
2. Fabric or soft-sided – More flexible than hard-sided crates, fabric crates are a good low-cost option for calm pets. But I’ve found them less durable and the zippers can break on airlines. An anxious dog may chew right through the fabric too.
3. Hard-sided – Hard plastic or aluminum crates provide maximum security through solid panels. In my opinion, they are worth the higher cost for noisy or destructive dogs. The heavy construction also stands up to baggage handling machines better than other options.

So in summary, I’d recommend a hard-sided crate for anxious pups and long trips, while a cloth crate works for mild-mannered pets on shorter car rides.

Size

The crate should be large enough for your dog to stand up and turn around in comfortably, but not so big that they have excess room to potty in one area. Most pet stores offer crates in multiple sizes. From experience, I’ve found it better to get a crate slightly larger than needed rather than one too small.

Quirks and Features

Consider these extras that can make travel a bit easier:

• Sliding divider panels to adjust the crate size as your pup grows.
• Ventilation panels keep air circulating on hot days. Wire crates have better airflow than solid plastic.
• Easy-clean surfaces like plastic are more sanitary than fabric.
• Locking doors deter escapes during transport and transit.
• Carabiners or handles for snapping the crate onto luggage.

From my experience, dividers and handles have been awesome for adjusting crates over the years and keeping them securely attached in vehicles.

Airline Regulations

If flying, check specific size limits as airlines have regulations. Most allow crates up to about 20″ long for under-seat storage on smaller planes. Larger sizes can go in the cargo hold. I once had a flight cancelled because my friend’s oversized crate didn’t comply and they wouldn’t check it. Yikes!

Training Your Pup

Get your dog used to their crate well before travel day. Throw treats and toys in there when they’re calm so it becomes a positive space, not a punishment. Leaving the crate door open all the time they’re home also helps. I’ve found that slow desensitization builds crate comfort versus coercion.

My vet once told me stressed pets in unfamiliar crates may refuse water during lengthy trips, so it’s crucial they feel at ease beforehand. Introducing the crate early, kind of like crate training 101, pays off in the long run.

Transporting Safely

As for travel day, use harnesses not collars when leashing dogs in and out of crates. A pull or tangle could injure their neck. Keep crates secure with straps or tiedowns wherever they’re positioned to avoid cargo shifts triggering anxiety.

Covering the crate creates a den-like feel and blocks distractions. Bringing toys and chew treats provide enrichment. I like having a familiar worn shirt in the crate that smells like home too. Doing lil things to create a sense of “den”, not just imprisonment, seems to make trips go way smoother based on my observations. Anxious pups feel safer with little tricks like that.

Finally, pack medications, vaccination records, microchip numbers, and contact info in your wallet, not in the crate itself in case you get separated for any reason. I made that mistake once and luckily my number was on his collar too! Silly me.

Ready to Travel?

So in summary, choose a durable, properly-sized crate large enough to let your furry buddy stand and turn around. Train them with it at home in a happy, relaxed way in advance. Transport it securely using harnesses, not collars. And most importantly – you and your pup’s comfort are what really matters, not following arbitrary rules to a T. So bend guidelines if needed for the sake of their stress levels. Happy travels to you both!

With these tips in mind, you and your pet should be well-prepared for safe, low-stress travel in their crate. Do your research, listen to your instincts, and most importantly consider Fido’s needs over your own convenience. A little preventive pre-planning goes a long way to creating glorious memories instead of stressful ones. Have fun out there and drive safe!

Top Pet Crate Choices for Traveling by Car

Crate Type	Size Range	Material	Ventilation	Ease of Cleaning
Collapsible	Small to Medium	Plastic or Metal	Good	Easy to Clean
Hard-Sided	All Sizes	Plastic or Metal	Varies	Moderate to Difficult
Soft-Sided	All Sizes	Soft Canvas or Mesh	Excellent	Very Easy
Gates & Panels	N/A	Plastic or Metal	Varies	Easy
Ramp	Fits All Crates	Plastic or Metal	N/A	Easy

FAQ

1. Are pet crates safe for travel?

   Basically, pet crates are generally thought to be safe for transporting pets as long as they are properly sized and secured. The crate provides containment and protects your pet during travel. It prevents them from wandering around the vehicle where they could possibly distract the driver or even get hurt. So in general, a crate is thought to be the safest way to transport a pet.

   

2. What size crate should I get?

   When picking out a crate, you’ll want to choose one that is not too big but also not too small. The crate should allow your pet to stand up and turn around comfortably but not have too much extra space where they could be thrown around during travel. Experts suggest getting a crate that is only big enough for your pet to stand and turn around in. A too-big crate could result in injuries if your pet is sliding around inside during breaks or accidents.

3. How do I introduce my pet to the crate?

   Introducing your pet to their crate in a positive way is important so they learn to feel comfortable and not frightened inside it. You can start by feeding your pet inside the empty crate with the door open to associate it with good things. Eventually close the door while they eat, then give treats for calm behavior inside. Take things slow and go at your pet’s pace. It maytake time for them to get used to such an enclosure, so be patient. Rushing the process could result in fear and anxiety about the crate long-term.

4. Can I use a harness and seat belt instead?

   While using a harness and seat belt may seem like a suitable alternative to a crate, it does have some risks. If your pet is frightened or anxious during travel, they may struggle and cause distraction for the driver. Whereas a crate provides containment to prevent this. Another issue is that in a crash, an unsecured pet could fly around the vehicle, putting them and the passengers in danger despite the harness. A crate provides impact protection during an accident. So a properly-sized crate is generally thought to be the safer option for transporting pets, particularly during long trips.

5. How should I secure the crate in the vehicle?

   Strongly securing the crate is key to safety during travel. You’ll want to anchor the crate directly to the vehicle using the seat belt or special anchor straps made for this purpose. Simply placing the crate on the seat is not enough, as it could easily slide or tip over during braking or turns. Going over bumps at high speeds could toss an unrestrained crate around like a metal baseball. And that would certainly equal disaster! Most experts agree the only right way is to tightly tether the crate so it cannot move an inch no matter what. Your pet’s life may depend on it, so secure it down tight!

6. Do I need anything else for long trips?

   For trips lasting more than a couple hours, it’s a good idea to bring along some other items too. Clean water is important so consider a portable bowl or bottle that won’t spill. Also think about smaller toys and treats to keep them occupied. Blankets or pads can make the crate more cozy and help reduce anxiety. Speaking of which – ask your vet about calming aids if your pet seems to have travel stress. And of course, don’t forget any medications they take! Proper planning equals a more pleasant trip for everyone involved.

   

7. Are there any alternatives to a crate?

   In some situations, a crate may not be suitable and other options can work instead. A large dog may not fit comfortably in any available crate size. Or some pets simply won’t adjust no matter how much training. In those cases, consider a well-ventilated pet carrier or divider with the same securing methods. As a last option, you could try confining an extremely large dog with a seat belt inside an SUV type vehicle where they cannot roam freely. However, this should only be done if the dog is very well trained and unlikely to cause problems. Overall, a crate is still thought to be the safest choice for most.

8. What precautions should I take at rest stops?

   When stopping during long trips, there are some things to watch out for with your crate-traveling pet pal. Only open the crate in safe, contained areas away from traffic. Don’t leave pets unattended, not even for a minute, as accidents can happen quickly. Be careful of hot surfaces they could burn paws on, like asphalt. Keep an eye out for ingested trash or hazards on the ground too. And of course, supervise closely around other unfamiliar animals at stops. A tired, stressed pet may not act their normal calm self and unwanted meetings could occur. So go potty, get snacks, but then hit the road once more with your furry friend!