It is important to have a good portable crate if you plan on traveling with your dog. Your dog’s at-home crate may not be designed for travel. Travel crates are designed for use on planes, car rides, and any other time you take your dog on vacation or away from home. It is important to make sure your pup is safe, secure, and comfortable when in the car, and on an airplane.
Table of Contents
Compare the 6 Best Portable Dog Crates for Travelling
About the 6 Best Portable Dog Crates for Traveling
AmazonBasics Portable Folding Soft Dog Travel Crate Kennel
About:
The AmazonBasics Portable Folding Soft Dog Travel Crate Kennel is equipped with two doors for easy access (front and top). The windows and front door are mesh to give your pup fresh air coming through on all sides. This crate folds flat so you can take it on the go and easily store it when not in use. There are secure zipper closures and fastening straps to keep rolled up doors out of the way when unzipped.
Features:
- 2 Doors (Front & Top)
- Foldable
- Breathable Mesh
- PVC Frame
- Polyester Fabric
Tips:
This portable dog crate can be set up in seconds with no tools needed for assembly. This portable crate is recommended for use with dogs that are already crate trained.
2PET Foldable Dog Crate
About:
The 2PET Foldable Dog Crate is soft, durable, and easy to fold and carry with you. This crate is designed for both indoor and outdoor use. The versatile design makes the 2PET crate great for both training and travel purposes. Equipped with a steel frame that is covered with a water-resistant Oxford 600D fabric cover. This crate also has a full front zipper that dogs cannot easily unzip or chew on.
Features:
- Steel Tube Frame
- Washable Fabric Cover
- Comes in 5 Color Options
- Top Handle for carrying
- Bone-shaped windows
- Mesh Panels for ultimate ventilation
- Waterproof floor mat
- 1-Year Warranty
Tips:
The soft, fabric cover is removable and machine washable.
MidWest Homes for Pets Dog Crate
About:
The MidWest Homes for Pets Dog Crate comes in a single door and double door option. This crate comes with a convenient divider panel so you can buy one crate that will grow with your puppy. This crate is good for travel because you can fold it flat to take it with you, or to store it when not in use.
Features:
- Divider Panel
- Removable Tray
- Carrying Handle
- 4-Roller Feet
- 1-Year Warranty
- Heavy-Duty Slide Bolt Latches
Tips:
Easy assembly. This crate can be set up in seconds with no tools.
Petmate Sky Kennel Pet Carrier
About:
The Petmate Sky Kennel Pet Carrier is the go-to crate for taking your dog on an airplane. This travel crate is made with heavy-duty materials and a 4-way vault door.
Features:
- 4-way Vault Door
- Heavy Duty Wire Vents
- 2 “Live Animal” Stickers
- Clip-On Food & Water bowls
- Pet ID Stickers
Tips:
This crate is made specifically for traveling on planes with your dog.
Noz2Noz Soft-Krater Indoor and Outdoor Crate
About:
The Noz2Noz Soft-Krater Indoor and Outdoor Crate for Pets is made with heavy-duty tight-weave mesh fabric for ventilation.
Features:
- Rounded Corners
- Tight-weave ventilation
- Mesh Fabric
Tips:
The tight-weave mesh should provide your pup with plenty of airflows during travel.
Petmate Two Door Top Load
About:
The Petmate Two Door Top Load crate has a top entry door for you to easily reach in and pick up your pup. This dog crate is designed to meet most airline cargo specifications. This crate is equipped with an ergonomic comfort-grip handle and ventilated sides to keep your pup comfortable during transport.
Features:
- 4 Color Options
- Top Entry Door
- Comfort-Grip Handle
- Ventilated Sides
Tips:
This crate meets most airline specifications so you can take your pup on the plane.
Shopping Guide for the Best Portable Dog Crates
There is no one size fits all portable dog crate. The type of travel crate you choose will ultimately depend on what you plan to use the crate for. However, there are some features all good portable dog crate options should have. Consider the following things when shopping for your next portable dog crate.
Best Materials for Travel Crates
There are several different materials travel crates can be made from. You may find great portable travel crates that are made with plastic, wire, soft fabric, or metal.
The type of crate you buy should depend on what you are going to be using it for, how old your dog is, and how your dog behaves. A potty-trained pup that is a chewer will need a crate made from different materials than an older dog with arthritis pain, or a new puppy that is not trained yet.
You can get a soft crate for a dog that doesn’t chew or scratch things up, but if you have a more rambunctious pup with destructive behavior, you will need a sturdier, metal crate.
Additionally, various materials are suitable for indoor versus outdoor crates, and at-home crates versus travel crates.
If you are purchasing a crate for air travel, you’ll need to decide if your pup will be traveling in the hold or in the cabin. If your dog will be in the hold, you will need a hard-sided crate, whereas if your dog will be in the cabin of the airplane, you can use a soft-sided crate.
Getting the Right Size
It is imperative to make sure the crate is the right size for your dog. You do not want a crate that is either too large or too small. It is a good idea to measure your dog before deciding on a crate size. Your pup should have enough room to stand up, lie down, and turn around comfortably, but it should not be any larger.
Is Your Dog’s Crate Airline Approved?
If you are getting a crate for plane use, you will need to make sure it meets all of the specifications of the airline. Not all airlines have the same requirements, so you will need to check with the airline to ensure your crate meets the specific airline’s standards. Many crates will be listed as being “airline approved,” but since each airline has it’s own set of rules, you’ll still need to check with them first.
Portable Crates and Ventilation
Dog crates, in general, need to have proper ventilation, but it is even more critical for travel crates to have ample ventilation. If your dog does not get enough airflow, particularly if you are traveling in warm weather, they may overheat and become sick.
How Portable is Your Travel Crate?
If you are looking for a dog crate specifically for traveling with your pup, you will need to make sure it is portable. Look for crates with handles or wheels so you will be able to move it around with your dog inside. Make sure the crate is lightweight, too, so you will be able to carry it with the added weight of your dog inside.
Can Your Dog’s Crate Be Folded for Storage?
You may want to get a travel crate that folds down when not in use so you can store it and transport it more easily when it’s not being used.
Final Thoughts on the Best Portable Dog Crates
If you are planning to do any traveling with your dog, it is a smart choice to get a high-quality travel crate for your dog’s comfort and safety. Look for crates with proper ventilation, well-made locking mechanisms, and portability. Above all, choose the right crate for the type of activities or travel you intend to use it for and consider your dog’s habits before making your purchase.
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