Traveling with your dog is a wonderful experience, but it comes with its challenges. One of the most important considerations is ensuring your pet’s safety and comfort during the journey. A dog travel crate can provide a secure and familiar environment for your dog, reducing stress and making travel more enjoyable for both of you. In this article, we’ll explore the best dog travel crates on the market, suitable for various needs and preferences.
- Midwest Homes for Pets Dog Crate: Best Overall
- Pet Gear 3 Door Portable Soft Cratel: Best For Cars
- Sherpa Travel Original Deluxe Airline Approved Pet Carrier: Best For Flights
- EliteField 3-Door Folding Soft Dog Crate: Best Collapsible
- AmazonBasics Soft-Sided Dog Travel Crate: Best For Small Dogs
- Petmate Ultra Vari Dog Kennel: Best For Large Dogs
- AmazonBasics Single-Door Folding Metal Dog Crate: Best Budget
Midwest Homes for Pets Dog Crate: Best Overall
The Midwest Homes for Pets Dog Crate stands out as our top pick due to its exceptional quality and thoughtful features designed with both pets and owners in mind. Available in multiple sizes, this crate caters to a wide range of dog breeds, ensuring a comfortable fit for your furry companion. The crate’s sturdy metal construction guarantees durability, providing a secure and reliable space for your pet during travel or at home.
One of the standout features of this crate is its removable plastic pan, which makes cleaning a breeze. Simply remove the pan, clean it, and place it back in the crate for a fresh and hygienic environment for your pet. Additionally, the foldable design of the crate allows for easy storage when not in use, making it convenient for pet owners with limited space.
Price: $37 – $130
What We Like:
- Sturdy metal construction
- Easy-to-clean removable plastic pan
- Foldable design for storage and portability
Pet Gear 3 Door Portable Soft Crate: Best For Cars
The Pet Gear 3 Door Portable Soft Crate emerges as an outstanding alternative for car travel, offering a secure and cozy haven for your beloved pet. Crafted from durable fabric, this crate is designed to withstand the rigors of travel while ensuring your pet’s comfort. The inclusion of mesh windows not only provides ample ventilation but also allows for easy visibility, ensuring your furry friend feels safe and connected during the journey.
What sets this crate apart is its three-door design, which enhances accessibility and allows for flexible positioning, making it easier to accommodate in various vehicle setups. Additionally, the crate comes complete with a water-resistant mat, ensuring accidents or spills are contained, while the fleece pad adds an extra layer of comfort for your pet.
Price: $50 – $150
What we like:
- Durable fabric construction
- Three doors for versatile positioning
- Includes water-resistant mat and fleece pad for comfort
Sherpa Travel Original Deluxe Airline Approved Pet Carrier: Best For Flights
The Sherpa Travel Original Deluxe Airline Approved Pet Carrier stands out as an exceptional choice for air travel, offering a secure and comfortable space for your dog while meeting most major airlines’ approval requirements. Its compact size allows it to fit comfortably under the seat in front of you, ensuring your pet stays close throughout the journey.
One of the carrier’s standout features is its top and side entry points, providing easy access for both you and your pet. This feature is particularly useful during travel, allowing you to quickly attend to your furry companion’s needs. The carrier’s mesh panels not only offer ventilation but also provide your pet with a view of their surroundings, helping to alleviate any potential anxiety during the flight.
Price: $43-$55
What We Like:
- Airline approved for most major airlines
- Fits comfortably under the seat in front of you
- Top and side entry for easy access
EliteField 3-Door Folding Soft Dog Crate: Best Collapsible
The EliteField 3-Door Folding Soft Dog Crate is an ideal choice for pet owners seeking a collapsible crate that offers both durability and convenience. Crafted from durable fabric and featuring a sturdy steel tube frame, this crate ensures stability and security for your pet. The collapsible design allows for easy storage and portability, making it perfect for travel or use at home.
One of the standout features of this crate is its three mesh doors, which provide excellent ventilation and allow for easy access from multiple angles. This feature is particularly beneficial for pets who may feel more comfortable with a variety of entry points. Additionally, the crate includes two accessory pockets, providing convenient storage for your pet’s essentials such as treats, toys, or grooming supplies.
Price: $54 – $118
What We Like:
- Collapsible design for easy storage
- Durable fabric and steel tube frame
- Three mesh doors for ventilation
AmazonBasics Soft-Sided Dog Travel Crate: Best For Small Dogs
The AmazonBasics Soft-Sided Dog Travel Crate is an excellent choice for pet owners with small dogs, offering a secure and comfortable space for their furry companions. Crafted from durable fabric, this crate is designed to withstand the wear and tear of travel while ensuring your pet’s safety and comfort. The inclusion of mesh windows not only provides adequate ventilation but also allows your pet to have a clear view of their surroundings, reducing anxiety during travel.
One of the standout features of this crate is its top and front zipper openings, which provide easy access for you and your pet. This feature is particularly useful during travel, allowing you to quickly attend to your pet’s needs. Additionally, the crate includes a removable, machine-washable fleece pad, providing added comfort for your pet and making cleaning a breeze.
Price: $55 – $100
What We Like:
- Durable fabric construction
- Mesh windows for ventilation
- Removable fleece pad for comfort
Petmate Ultra Vari Dog Kennel: Best For Large Dogs
The Petmate Ultra Vari Dog Kennel is an excellent choice for pet owners with large dogs, offering a spacious and secure environment for their furry companions. Constructed from heavy-duty plastic, this crate is designed to withstand the rigors of travel while ensuring your pet’s safety and comfort. The metal wire vents provide adequate ventilation, ensuring your pet stays cool and comfortable during the journey.
One of the standout features of this crate is its secure, easy-to-operate door latches, which ensure your pet remains safely inside the crate at all times. Additionally, the crate meets most airline cargo specifications, making it suitable for air travel with your large dog. The built-in interior moat is another useful feature, helping to keep your pet dry in case of accidents, ensuring a clean and hygienic environment.
Price: $130 – $170
What We Like:
- Heavy-duty plastic construction
- Ventilated design for airflow
- Meets most airline cargo specifications
AmazonBasics Single-Door Folding Metal Dog Crate: Best Budget
The AmazonBasics Single-Door Folding Metal Dog Crate is a fantastic budget-friendly option for pet owners seeking a reliable and affordable crate for their furry companions. Constructed from durable metal, this crate provides a secure and sturdy environment for your pet. The single door design allows for easy access, making it convenient for both you and your pet.
One of the key features of this crate is its removable plastic pan, which makes cleaning up messes a breeze. Simply remove the pan, clean it, and replace it for a fresh and hygienic environment for your pet. Additionally, the crate’s foldable design allows for easy storage and portability, making it ideal for travel or use at home.
Price: $28 – $81
What We Like:
- Durable metal construction
- Easy-to-clean removable plastic pan
- Foldable design for storage and portability
How We Picked The Best Dog Travel Crate:
In selecting the best dog travel crates, we considered several factors to ensure they meet the needs of both pets and owners. Our criteria included:
- Durability: We looked for crates made of sturdy materials to withstand travel stress.
- Safety: We prioritized crates with secure latches and proper ventilation for pets’ safety.
- Comfort: We considered crates with features like removable pads and ample space for pets to move comfortably.
- Portability: We favored crates that are easy to fold, carry, and store for convenience.
- Price: We assessed the crates’ value for money, considering their features and durability.
Things to Consider Before Buying:
Before investing in a dog travel crate, it’s crucial to consider several factors to ensure you select the right one for your furry friend. Firstly, consider your pet’s size and breed to ensure the crate provides enough space for them to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably. Additionally, consider your pet’s temperament; some dogs may feel more secure in enclosed crates, while others may prefer crates with more visibility and airflow.
Furthermore, think about your travel needs. If you plan to travel by air, ensure the crate meets airline requirements. Most airlines have specific guidelines regarding crate size, construction, and ventilation, so it’s essential to do your research beforehand. For more detailed information on airline-approved dog carriers, refer to our article on the best airline-approved carriers, which provides specific recommendations for air travel.
Choosing The Best Dog Travel Crate For You:
Having a dog travel crate is essential for ensuring your pet’s safety and comfort during journeys. The right crate can reduce stress and make travel more enjoyable for both you and your furry companion. In addition to a crate, other important products to have when traveling with your dog include a leash, collar with ID tags, food, water, travel bowls, and a first-aid kit. By investing in the best dog travel crate for your pet, you can make every trip a safe and pleasant experience.
