Crates, carriers, doors, and kennels ... all are designed to keep your pet safe and secure. You have a number of choices available, depending on your particular needs.
- Auto Barriers and Safety Harnesses
Hard Carriers
These are generally made of a high-density polypropylene, are durable and are the only type of crate accepted on airlines. These make excellent indoor homes for your pet because the pet feels safe and secure inside it. Padded, washable foam pads are available to make the crate a little more comfortable.
Soft Carriers
These are made of a softer, more flexible material and are used for transporting small pets. They are equipped with handles and have "windows" for the pet to see out. Some airlines allow pets to travel in the main cabin under your seat, and these soft carriers are ideal for this. Make sure you allow adequate space for the pet to stand up, move around, and be comfortable.
Wire Crates
Metal wire crates are well-ventilated, provide the best visibility, and are collapsible for easy cleaning, transporting, and storage. They are particularly helpful when housetraining or for limiting a pet to a small area when you leave the house. Use our wire-crate sizing guide to find the right crate for your dog. Wire crates may not airline approved, please contact the airline for more details. Placing a crate pad inside will make it more cozy for your pet.
Cardboard Carriers
These are typically used for cats, but they may be used for transporting very young puppies a short distance, for example, to the veterinarian.
Kennels and Pens
Kennels and pens are a more permanent means of keeping your dog within a limited space. They are large, they may or may not have a top, and are constructed of metal. Some pens are collapsible so that they can be easily moved or stored.
Gates
Gates are the perfect solution if you want to limit your dog to a particular part of the house while giving him freedom to move about. They are installed in the opening of a doorway, but still allow you to pass through.
Pet Doors
Tired of going to the door every time your dog wants to go in or out? Consider a dog door. Pet doors allow your dog (or cat!) to come and go as they please, without being a nuisance to you. Some doors are installed in an existing wall or door. Other doors are installed as a separate panel that serves as an extension to a sliding glass door. In all cases, pet doors can be locked to keep the pet inside or outside, and to be an added security.
Auto Barriers and Safety Harnesses
Does your dog like to "go for a ride?" Auto barriers are gates that you can install in your vehicle that will keep your dog from moving all over your vehicle while you're trying to drive safely. It still allows your dog to move around, but it limits the space that he can do so. This makes driving much safer for you and keeps your dog's head inside the vehicle, which is safer for him. If a dog barrier seems like too much for your small pet, then you will want to invest in dog safety harness to make sure your dog is riding securely.
