Do want to start taking your dog on trips or car rides?
If you do, then it could be necessary to buy the best travel dog crate to keep your pup safe while traveling or in the car.
A reliable, comfortable, and secure travel crate will give your mutt a cozy place for resting, and in case of an accident, you won’t have to worry so much about his safety.
There are lots of different best dog crate for car travel– some are made of plastic, some out of mesh, while some feature heavy-duty metal construction. Hence, figuring out the best option can be very challenging.
We help narrow down your options by reviewing the best travel dog crates for 2019 that will help you keep your pooch safe while traveling.
We created this list based on Amazon ratings, quality of material, as well as other crucial considerations.
Best Travel Dog Crates
- Best Overall: A4Pet Soft Collapsible Crate
- Runner Up: AmazonBasics Pet Carrier Kennel
- Best Airline-Approved: Mr. Peanut’s Airline Approved Pet Carrier
- Best Sturdy Construction: Pet Kennels Medium
- Best Versatile: Petsfit Travel Pet Home Dog Crate
A4Pet Soft Collapsible Crate
AmazonBasics Pet Carrier Kennel
Mr. Peanut’s Airline Approved Pet Carrier
Pet Kennels Medium
Petsfit Travel Pet Home Dog Crate
Review of the Best Travel Dog Crates for 2019
#1. A4Pet Soft Collapsible Crate
Best Overall
Leak-proof bottom
Great for traveling in the car
Easy to clean and store
Not crash-proof
Unsuitable for standard vehicles
A4Pet Soft Dog Crate is one of the few large soft-sided crates that is indoor or travel use. It is the best collapsible dog crate that fits in the back of most hatchbacks and SUVs.
You can easily and quickly pop it up and fold it out. You can easily use it for camping trips or trips in rough environments because the material outside is durable.
The material is strong enough to make this crate a perfect option for extremely active and rough dogs and teething puppies.
You can easily detach and wash the cover. This crate comes with a waterproof bottom that makes cleaning easy in case of an accident. Hence, the waterproof also protects your car upholstery.
It has two doors, one on the top for easy access and one on the side for easy view of your pooch. The doors are also well ventilated, therefore, sufficient flow of air.
The design is made of rounded corners that further protect your car’s interior design.
#2. AmazonBasics Pet Carrier Kennel
Runner Up
It’s a bargain
Two-door, top-load model
Easy to assemble and disassemble
Not suitable for large breeds
This AmazonBasics pet kennel is perfect for those looking for an affordable travel dog crate.
It is the perfect solution to securing your mutt and preventing any distractions on the road within a friendly budget.
It can serve as an all-purpose crate since you can still use it as an indoor crate or carry it for vet visits and other errands.
However, if you are using this crate for a car drive, always make sure that you firmly secure it with the car safety straps and seat belts.
It has two doors, one in the front for convenient and easy access and the top-load door that allows you to load your pooch in the crate quickly. The top door can also open to the right or left.
The material is made of durable, sturdy plastic with a steel-wire front door. The material is well-ventilated allows natural airflow.
It comes with screws that you can use to further secure kennel for added reinforcement.
#3. Mr. Peanut’s Airline Approved Pet Carrier
Best Airline-Approved
Seat belt attachment point
Premium locking zippers for safety
Pop-out apartment for easy stretching
Limited to small pets
This travel carrier is particularly favorable to pet owners looking for a stylish, airline-approved pet carrier.
If you intend to travel with your pup on an airplane, then you have to make sure that your travel dog crate meets all the airline requirements.
Remember, airline regulations vary from domestic, international, and shuttle services. So always make sure you check with the airline first. Even so, all airlines require your dog to be comfortable inside the crate and to always remain under the seat in front of you.
This soft-sided carrier is due to its collapsing roof that easily fits under any airline seat.
Before you buy this model, measure your pet. This capable airline carrier is designed for pups lying down. Hence, please measure your pet when it’s comfortably laying down.
It comes with a removable fleece padding that is comfortable and easy to clean. The material is Oxford 2 Tone fabric, which is easily washable. The designs include mesh which offers proper ventilation.
It also features storage compartments for meds or treats, padded shoulder pad, a seatbelt attachment, and a 2-year warranty. A percentage of the profits is donated to animal welfare organizations.
#4. Pet Kennels Medium
Best Sturdy Construction
Air vents with metal grill
Easy to handle
Airline approved (only without wheels)
Can’t withstand severe impacts
This kennel by Sportpet Designs consents every aircraft endorsement rules except one. IATA rules don’t approve of moving wheel, in which this crate has four moving wheels. However, the wheels are removable, which means that all you have to do is remove them.
It has a handle on the highest point of the roof that allows you to carry the crate comfortably. In any case, if you are not traveling, you can install the wheels and move the crate around.
It is budget friendly and also an excellent way to secure your pooch and prevent distractions on the road. When not traveling, you can also use it as a carrier for vet visits or outdoor outings.
It is made of durable plastic and a steel-wire front. It is easy to assemble as well as disassemble for storage. Comes with a water and food bowl.
#5. Petsfit Travel Pet Home Dog Crate
Best Versatile
Versatile
Machine washable soft fleece pad
Lightweight, sturdy frame
Unsuitable for chewers and escape artists
This soft, portable, foldable travel crate is the most versatile option. You can either use it inside your home or outdoors like when you are traveling. Plus, let’s say you live in a small apartment in a huge city like Chicago, you’ll love the versatile size of this one for storage reasons.
It features three mesh sides on the front, side door, and front offering proper ventilation and allows your dog to stay calm.
It also features a soft fleece pad that is super comfortable and machine washable.
It is also lightweight and sturdy. You can opt to close the sides or the top using zippers and make a safe place for your mutt to relax.
However, this crate is only suited for dogs that stand up to 23 inches tall. That is medium-sized breeds.
Why Do You Need a Travel Crate?
If you have already crate trained your dog, it makes perfect sense to consider buying a lighter, comfortable, more manageable best portable dog kennel for use when you are traveling with your fuzzy mutt.
Hence, if you or your family like to travel often, the best soft dog crate is a perfect addition when you want to accommodate your pet.
Even though travel dog crates are wonderful options for some dogs, they may not be the best idea for every other pooch.
So why do you need the best portable dog crate?
It’s a comfortable way to travel
When you are traveling, you make sure you are as comfortable as can be. Otherwise, the trip is no fun.
Your dog needs the same leverage. A travel dog crate allows you to maximize on this by giving your dog an extremely comfortable space to lounge in when you are driving or traveling.
Curb pet accidents
For those instances where your dog can’t possibly make it to the next relief stop, you will find that the best dog car carrier comes in handy.
Compared to you, your pet has a smaller bladder, and so he can’t understand when you tell him that the next stop is in fifteen minutes.
Since a crate is easy to clean when your canine companion has a potty accident, you will find the best travel crate for large dogs very convenient while traveling.
However, before you consider purchasing one, consider these fundamental rules
Does your pooch have anxiety?
If your pooch uses his crate as a safe space when he feels anxious or scared, then you should consider the best portable dog kennel option that features a nice, soft, and comfortable mattress pad he can curl up on.
Is your dog especially aggressive?
If your fluffy buddy likes to claw at fabrics or chew on just about anything and everything, then the best soft-sided dog crate is not the best idea.
It would help if you instead considered buying a crate that is well-suited for aggressive dogs, and that is durable even when subjected to lots of chewing and scratching.
What type of traveling will you use the crate for?
Road trippers have different needs compared to airline travelers, such as a way to safely and adequately secure the crate in the seat or the cargo area of the car or the best dog backpack carrier for hikers and cyclists.
Airline travelers, on the other hand, have to meet specific airline guidelines and requirements. In which case, one should consider buying an airline-approved crate.
Types of Travel Dog Crates
Travel crates vary in construction and design. It is crucial always to consider a travel crate that suits both you and your mutt’s needs. Here are some of the dog travel crate types:
Airline Approved
IATA manages air cargo transport rules and regulations. For a dog travel crate to fit for the airline approved crate label, it has to meet the rules IATA states.
The guidelines states by IATA focus on various factors like sturdy construction, lightweight, food and water availability, maximum volume, and most importantly, the safety of your pooch.
It allows outdoor dog crates made up of metal, plastic, wood, and fabric materials. All you need to do is make sure that the dog crate you want to but is compliant with the IATA guidelines, especially if you will travel with your pup in airline cargo.
Consider that some airlines don’t allow pets on boards and so you will need to keep your dog in his crate during the trip.
Crash Proof
The primary purpose of a crash-proof crate is to save your pet during a crash. A crash-proof dog crate has a robust design and also chew proof.
If you are traveling in the car with your pup, a major or a minor crash is probable. Isn’t that why the first thing you do when you get in your vehicle is put on your seat belt? The dog crate is also prone to head-on collision or a violent backlash in case of an accident.
To save your pet in case of an accident, you need to take maximum precautions. In this case, you need to purchase a crash-proof best portable dog crate that can resist shocks or any impacts from a car crash.
Soft Sided Travel Crate
Most pet small dog owners prefer soft-sided dog traveling crate. A soft-sided dog crate is made up of synthetic or natural fabric materials.
It is the cheapest and lightest type of outdoor dog travel crate. It is easily foldable hence easy to handle.
It makes traveling more convenient for you and your pooch since you can easily use it while traveling on an airplane or in a car. It can be a helpful feature for pets who suffer from separation anxiety.
Indestructible Dog Crate
Pet owners with medium-sized or large-sized dogs who are ill-behaved, will find an indestructible travel dog crate to be handy.
Indestructible travel crates can be used while traveling on an airplane or in a car. However, if you want to use the kennel for air travel, you should make sure that the kennel is compliant with airline rules.
The sturdy construction and robust design make it an exceptional and reliable traveling crate for people with large active dogs.
Dog Carrier
In another article, we reviewed the best dog crates for your puppy when they are at home.
But how if you want to take them outside?
Pet parents can also use dog carries for their pooches when they are traveling. Dog carriers are particularly useful for toy breed pets.
Because toy breed dogs have small bodies, they cannot go for long walks or participate in long exercises. Hence, you can’t let them walk longer than just a few meters.
Hence, for pet owners with such pooches will find a dog carrier to be necessary. It is more useful during a small trip or tour.
In fact, of all travel dog crate types, dog carriers are mostly airline approved.
Frequently Asked Questions
- The dog must easily and comfortably stand up, turn around, and lie down.
- The crate should be made of rigid weld metal mesh, metal, plastic, or fiberglass.
- Ample ventilation on at least four sides for international flights and two sides for domestic flights.
- The door should have a safe and secure spring-loaded locking system.
- Crate floor should be stable and leak-proof.
- Food and water bowls must be attachable and refillable from outside without opening the crate.
- In case of wheels, they should be taped up or removed, so it doesn’t roll around in the flight.
There are no size rules for best soft dog crates. However, the crate has to be the correct size for your pooch. It should be the right length, width, and height for your canine companion.
If you intend to bring your pup in the cabin with you, he has small enough to fit in a crate that can be placed under the seat in front of you. In which case, the approximate maximum crate size for in-cabin use varies between airlines.
Conclusion
The best travel dog crate is one that ensures your pup’s safety while traveling in your car or plane to avoid accident-related accidents. Hence, we find A4Pet Soft Collapsible Dog Crate and Kennel to be the best option.
We loved that it is collapsible, affordable, leak-proof, well-ventilated, and quite easy to assemble.
Depending on why you are looking to purchase the best travel dog crate, analyze the features carefully before you determine the model that offers value for your money.
In addition, if you’re struggling to find your way through the overflowing dog crate market, check out this article to see our picks of the best dog crates to save you some time.
