Having a dog is wonderful, but bringing them along for the ride can be a challenge. Of course, you want them to be safe, comfortable, and happy while on the road, so choosing a high-quality portable dog crate is essential. From security to functionality to aesthetics, the right carrier will make all the difference. Even the smallest risk is too much when it comes to the safety of a beloved pet.
With a number of different portable dog crate options on the market and with each product boasting more winning features than the next, it can be a challenge to choose the right portable carrier for you and your pet. But we’ve done the heavy lifting for you. Below, we’ve rounded up our top picks, plus we’ve put together a detailed buyer’s guide to answer all your portable carrier questions. Let’s take a look!
Available in five colors and four sizes, the Amazon Basics Folding Portable Pet Carrier is a great option if functionality is your top priority. The product features a plush, fleece-covered bed built into the crate, giving your pet added comfort. Plus, with its included side pockets, you can store treats, foldable bowls, and other small items for later. This sleek carrier is soft-sided and easily collapsible, making it simple and convenient to store.
This crate is made of durable PVC polyester, which is long-lasting and great for all-around use, whether you’re bringing your pet on a picnic or on a long trip.
If you’re looking for a portable dog crate that’s affordable yet still has top-quality features, this product is for you! The Love’s Cabin Portable Large Dog Bed is available in three colors: Gray, green, and red. Its standard 36-inch size makes it perfect for a variety of dog sizes, plus its included seatbelt straps keep it safely secured while you’re driving your car, SUV, or truck. With top-tier features, such as mesh ventilation, side panels, and a large zipper door, this portable dog carrier won’t disappoint. You can even place your dog’s favorite bed or blanket inside to give your pet maximum comfort.
Its collapsible design makes it easy to fold down into a travel-friendly size. Lastly, cleaning is a breeze as this crate is waterproof.
SPORT PET’s Large Pop Open Kennel is a soft-sided, portable dog crate. Comfortable and cozy, this portable kennel can accommodate dogs up to 50 lbs. With included seatbelt straps to give this carrier a secure fit wherever you go, you can rest assured that your dog will feel calm even on the longest treks. Plus, if you’re impressed with this brand, SPORT PET also offers three other kennel styles for all your animal-carrying needs: Cat Kennel, Holiday Kennel, and Litter Box.
Collapsible and easy to store, this portable carrier is also washable, and waterproof, and includes an additional drawstring bag for easy carrying.
The EliteField 3-Door Folding Soft Dog Crate is a great choice for those looking for a high-quality, portable dog crate with many top features. Available in a range of 5 sizes and 16 colors, you’re sure to find exactly what you’re looking for with this dog crate. Wider and taller than most dog crates available on the market, this product is a luxury option, perfect for larger dogs or dogs who prefer a little more room to stretch their paws. This soft, spacious crate fully assembles and collapses down easily, all with very little effort required.
Made from a strong steel frame and durable 600D fabric, this carrier is sure to be long-lasting. Plus, included in the set is a carrying bag and fleece bed, along with handles and hand-carrying straps.
Fitting pets that weigh up to 100 lbs, this portable dog crate is ideal for a large or extra large-sized dog. Easy to assemble and lightweight, this soft dog crate takes just a few seconds to set up and fold down. Featuring a durable steel frame, this product also includes mesh panels giving your pet superior ventilation and breathability.
Perfect for traveling long or short distances, you’ll find this large portable crate is easy to lift and lightweight to carry and move in and out of the car. Coming in classic olive green, this high-quality dog crate is functional and long-lasting. Plus, this crate comes in three additional sizes if you’d like additional size options.
Many dogs become excited — or anxious — when it’s time to travel, and keeping their excitement at bay can be a challenge. A portable dog carrier can help do the trick. Giving your dog a designated place to relax and sit during a short or long trip will calm them while keeping them safe and secure.
Portable dog crates are an innovative, functional, and convenient solution to all your pet traveling worries. Simply settle your dog into their portable dog crate with their favorite bed, blankets, toys, or treats, and they’ll be travel-ready. Your precious pup will be comfortable and safe, and you don’t have to worry about keeping an eye on them while you’re trying to watch the road. Yet, with so many different features to consider, it can be overwhelming to know which portable dog crate to go with. To help, we’ve put together this buyer’s guide, breaking down everything you need to look for when choosing your perfect pet carrier. Read on to find out more!
Because the main function of a portable dog crate is to safely and securely move your dog from place to place, the size of your portable carrier is hugely important. When choosing what size to go with, remember that your dog should feel safe and comfortable in their dog crate; they should be able to easily stand, sit, turn around, and stretch out while sleeping. Dogs are usually taller when they sit down, so make sure they can both sit and stand comfortably in the crate.
To measure the crate’s ideal size, start by measuring your dog’s height and length when standing. The height should be measured from the top of the dog’s head to the floor, while the length should be measured from the tip of their nose to the end of their tail. Then, add 4 inches to both of these numbers and you’ll have your ideal portable dog crate size. Also, make sure the dog crate size itself is large (or small) enough to fit in your car where you plan to place it while traveling.
There are two types of crates available on the market: Soft-sided crates and metal dog crates. Both have their advantages and disadvantages and choosing which is best for you and your dog depends on your dog and what will suit them the most.
Soft-sided dog crates are made of soft, durable fabric, usually polyester or PVC. This makes the dog crate lightweight, easy to carry, and perfect for traveling due to its easy setup. This portable crate option is also less expensive. However, because they’re made of fabric, these crates can have a lower quality. Plus, enthusiastic or anxious pets may tear the fabric by chewing or scratching it. These crates are also harder to clean and can be easy for a dog to escape from, which could be a dealbreaker for some pets.
Metal dog crates are a great accessory if breathability is your top priority. Often designed like a cage, these portable dog crates allow for full ventilation and let your dog easily see out, which may be a plus for some anxious animals. These crates often come with included divider panels, which are great for growing dogs. Plus, some metal crates feature an optional crate cover to give the crate additional coziness while your pet rests. However, the metal material is prone to rust, and the design can damage dogs’ teeth if they chew on it.
Sometimes, portable dog crates also come with an additional crate cover. This may or may not be a requirement for your pet, so consider your pet’s needs before deciding on a crate that comes with a create cover — or purchasing one as an additional accessory.
There are advantages to having a crate cover. Crate covers allow your dog crate to become more like a den, which can give the crate a cozier, darker feeling. Some dogs prefer this; it gives them a quiet, dark place to rest away from the commotion and out of sight. However, depending on your dog’s personality, they may or may not like curling up alone in enclosed spaces.
For instance, if your dog is curious, active, or likes to be near you, a crate cover may not be a good choice. Active or anxious dogs tend to pull crate covers off and chew on them. Before purchasing a crate cover, you can test whether or not your dog will like it by placing a towel or sheet over their crate while they are inside. See if it helps them relax or if it makes them more anxious. That will help you make your decision with confidence.
One of the primary functions of a portable dog crate is portability. You want your crate to be easy to pop up, break down, and store. However, this is only possible if your portable dog crate can be folded down easily into a convenient size. Called collapsibility, you’ll see many products boast this design feature. It is truly a feature to look out for as it saves both time and space.
A dog crate with multiple doors may seem unnecessary, but it can come in handy. For instance, some metal crates come with extra doors and paneling, which makes traveling with multiple dogs together in one carrier a breeze. Each dog has their own door, making entrances and exits easy. Plus, multiple doors make the carrier easier to clean.
Choosing a soft-sided carrier that’s made from water-resistant material is a must. With water-resistant material, you don’t have to worry about transporting your dog in inclement weather, like rain or snow.
Ideally, you shouldn’t leave your adult dog inside a crate for longer than 6 hours. For puppies, this time should be even shorter. Remember that dogs need to stretch, walk around, and exercise. While traveling, a good rule of thumb is to stop and let your dog out every hour or so. Leaving your dog inside a crate for too long can be damaging to their mental and physical wellbeing.
It is never a good idea to completely cover your dog’s crate for multiple hours at a time, as this can affect ventilation, and breathability, and block the airflow.
A portable dog crate should be big enough for your dog to comfortably sit, stand, and turn around in, but small enough for them to feel safe and secure inside it. The space between your dog and your crate’s front and back walls should be between four and six inches.
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