The Essential Guide to Finding the Perfect Animal Travel Crate for Your Pet

A Comprehensive Guide to Choosing and Using Animal Travel Crates

Whether you’re taking your furry friend on a road trip or moving to a new home, transporting animals safely requires proper planning. In this article, I’ll cover everything you need to know about animal travel crates from types and sizing to tips for training your pet. By the end, you’ll feel confident helping your animal enjoy travel.

Why Use an Animal Travel Crate?

An animal travel crate serves two crucial purposes – safety and regulation. First, crates protect pets during transport when they may be jostled or thrown off balance. A secure crate prevents injury if your vehicle brakes suddenly or gets into an accident. Second, many airlines and animal transport services require animals be kept in crates for the duration of the trip. So having the proper crate makes travel with pets much easier by avoiding problems at check-in.

Types of Animal Travel Crates

There are a few main crate styles to choose from:

1. Plastic or wire crates – These are the most durable and come in a range of sizes. Plastic crates can be wiped clean while wire crates offer ventilation.
2. Collapsible soft-sidedcrates – Ideal for small dogs, these packs are lightweight and fold up for storage. However, they provide less protection.
3. Car seats or harnesses – Useful accessories that attach your pet safely inside the vehicle instead of a full crate. But crates are still required during flights.

Matching Crate Size to Your Pet

Getting the right-sized crate is very important for comfort. Here are the basics:

• The crate should be large enough for your pet to stand up and turn around in but not so big they can use one side as a bathroom.
• Measure your dog from nose to tail tip, then add 3-6 inches for growth or movement. The crate width should allow sideways lying down.
• Divide the length by dimensions of available crates to find the best match. It’s better if your pet doesn’t feel crammed.

From my experience, an overly large crate can cause stress and accidents. But a crate that’s too small quickly becomes unpleasant. Take your time sizing properly.

Training Your Pet for Stress-Free Travel

Even with the ideal crate, your pet still needs positive reinforcement training for travel. Some tips:

1. Begin by feeding your pet in the crate with the door open and giving treats/praise. Do short sessions to build happy crate associations.
2. Gradually increase crate time and close the door, rewarding calmly with treats through the bars. Keep a toy or chew inside for comfort.
3. Work up to leaving the crate’s side for a few moments, then slowly build the distance you travel away, before giving your pet abundant praise on return.
4. Practice short car trips with the crate in the vehicle, working up to longer drives over time. Bring water and limit food beforehand.

Be patient, as crate training takes weeks. But it basically prevents any freak outs during real transport. Take it gradual and your pet will relax in no time.

Other Travel Prep Tips

Aside from crate essentials, here are some other ways to prep your pet for smooth sailing:

• Consult your vet for any medications, especially if flying due to lower air pressure affecting animals.
• Pack ID tags on collars and the crate plus copies of vet records in case you’re separated from your pet. Microchipping also helps.
• Bring water, a favorite toy or chew, and pee pads or newspaper in case of delays. Limit food within a few hours of travel starting.
• Have important numbers handy like your vet, local shelters, and a pet-friendly motel in case of breakdown or delays. Map your route, too.

Traveling by car with pets does require a bit more effort. But by following these basic tips, you and your furry best friend can hit the road without stress!

Dealing with Travel Fears or Anxiety

No matter how well-trained, some animals simply don’t like car or plane rides. Here are a few options if your pet seems afraid:

1. Ask your vet for anti-anxiety medication to give your pet before travel. It can work wonders without sedation.
2. Consider calming supplements from pet stores available in chew, spray, or diffuser forms containing pheromones.
3. Play calming music or white noise apps during transport to distract from vibrations or noises outside the crate.
4. Use a pheromone or calming vest treated with synthetic dog appeasing pheromones that relax anxious pets.

With patience and one of these anti-anxiety techniques, hopefully your pet can start to conquer their fears. Taking short practice trips also gradually helps pets adjust.

Flying with Dogs Versus Cats or Other Animals

Air travel is possible for dogs, cats, rabbits, and more – but each has some differences:

• Dogs are the easiest to fly within the US due to typical size limits. Book nonstop flights if possible to avoid connecting stress.
• Cats are not allowed in cabin on most airlines even in carriers. They must fly in cargo which introduces more temperature changes and noise risks. Consider driving instead.
• Rabbits, birds, and other exotics have stricter ventilation and space requirements. Research shipping services specializing in these animals. Fresh air and minimal delays are crucial.

No matter which pet flies, pre-travel health checks, timed food/water, anti-anxiety aids, and careful crate selection give the best odds of smooth flights.

Emergencies and Delays: Being Prepared

Making contingency plans reduces stress if issues arise:

1. Consider travel insurance for flights covering things like cancellations or lost animals. Pet insurance also helps for injuries or illness during long road trips.
2. Program important numbers, maps, and back-up plans into your phone in case of break-downs, lost phones, or no service at an airport. Upload them to cloud storage too.
3. Bring extra water, food, bowls, pee pads, and toys in your vehicle or suitcase to last longer than expected delays without problems.
4. Know the location and contact details of pet-friendly motels or boarding facilities on your route in case a multi-day issue happens.

With the right planning and emergency provisions, hopefully smooth sailing awaits. But you’ll feel prepared for anything that may try to derail your travel!

Final Tips Before Traveling with Your Pet

Almost there! Just a few more things to check off your list:

• Double check your pet’s ID microchip and license/registration are up to date before heading out.
• Get a health certificate from your vet if flying or crossing state lines. Most require one within 10 days of travel for domestic pets.
• Pack any medicines, vaccinations records, and vet records in your carry-on in case you’re separated from checked bags.
• Allow extra time for check-in including required paperwork/checks if flying with pets. Airlines board animals before passengers.

Safe travels to you and your furry friend! With all these tips I’m sure your pet travel experience will be a smooth one. let me know if any other questions come up

Choosing the Best Animal Travel Crate

Crate Size	Material	Door Style	Escape-Proof?	Price Range
Small (up to 20 lbs)	Plastic	Top-loading	Yes	$30-50
Medium (20-50 lbs)	Airline-approved composite	Side doors	Yes	$50-80
Large (over 50 lbs)	Steel	Front door	No, additional securements needed	$80-150
Extra Large (over 100 lbs)	Heavy gauge steel	Side door with lock	Yes	$150-250
Collapsible	Plastic or nylon	Ziptop	No, most secure for transport only	$30-80

FAQ

1. What size travel crate should I get for my pet?

   Most pet owners go with a crate that’s big enough for their pet to stand up, turn around, and lie down in comfortably. But not so huge that their pet has tons of extra space and feels uneasy. Check the measurements for your specific pet breed.

2. How can I make the travel crate less scary for my pet?

   Place a blanket or toy that smells like home inside the crate before the trip. Give treats and praise while the door is open to build happy memories. Take it slow – don’t force your pet inside if they seem nervous. With time and positive reinforcement, they’ll get used to the crate.

3. How do I keep my pet safe and secure in the crate?

   Always use the crate’s locking mechanism so it can’t accidentally open during travel. Cover the crate with a light sheet or towel to block windows and any surrounding activity that could startle your pet. Secure the crate safely in your vehicle so it can’t slide or tip over during drives.

   

4. What else do I need for travel days?

   In addition to the crate, pack water, a leash, poop bags, favorite toys, and treats. Maybe even throw in a worn t-shirt that smells like you for comfort. And don’t forget ID tags in case you get separated from your pal. Comfort items will help them feel cozy no matter where the road takes you two.

5. If my pet gets car sick, what can help?

   Ask your vet about anti-nausea meds that may assist. Try playing calming music or white noise too. Short, gentle car rides at first can help pets adjust. On travel day, don’t feed a heavy meal before departing. And keep destinations low-key with play when you arrive to make the whole experience positive.

6. Can I take my pet’s travel crate on an airplane?

   Most airline carriers will allow pets in crates as cargo. But sizes, fees, and other rules vary, so definitely check with your specific airline well before flight dates. The crate also must meet certain strength and size standards to protect your pet during take-off/landing. Planning is key for a smooth air travel experience with your four-legged friend!