Dog travel bags: how to choose the right one

Video: Pet Travel - Selecting the Right Size Pet Travel Crate

One of the wonderful things about dogs compared with other pets is their portability. Not only can you take them out for a run, but they love to ride in cars! Sometimes though, travel with your pet requires more than a leash or a seatbelt. Whether your pet just isn’t built for a long walk or your travel arrangements require your pet to be secured, dog travel bags are a good staple of any pet supply collection.

Picking out the right doggy travel bag is more complicated than you may think, and the search can be just as much fun as shopping for a purse or a new dog backpack. Dog travel bags come in a wide range of colors and styles. Some even come from designer labels.

The first thing you’ll want to consider when beginning your hunt is what you plan to use the travel bag for. Your search will be different if you’re looking for a carrier for quick trips to the vet or an everyday bag to tuck your Chihuahua into while the two of you run around town.

Dog Travel Bags: How to Choose the Right One

What type of dog travel bag do you want?

Dog travel bags come in many different styles and you need to make sure you pick one that suits you. Cross body messenger or duffel bags are great for carrying a lot of weight, so they are ideal when you have a bigger dog – or lots of them! They hang to the side of your body so you can dip in and out of them easily.

Video: How to Travel with a Rat | Pet Rats

However, this particular design means that the weight is not distributed evenly and may not be the best choice if you have back, hip or shoulder issues. They can be cumbersome if you’re hiking or exploring the great outdoors as well.

If you love to have your dog along when you go out shopping or hiking, and she is small enough to carry, you might want to shop for a dog carrier styled more like a purse or a pack. A fair number of different designs are available. The selection you make will depend on how heavy your dog is and how strenuous your activities will be.

Video: Pet carriers - choosing the right one for rabbits!

Backpack styles distribute weight more evenly, although your shoulders and back will take the brunt. Backpacks are easier to carry if you are traveling long distances by foot or if you’re hiking, as they leave your hands free.

They are also more compact in comparison to messenger styles, making them a good choice if you will be flying or taking public transport. However, you will need to stop and take the backpack off if you need to retrieve anything from it and their shape means items can end up buried at the bottom.

Video: Choosing The Right Dog Carrier Crate For Your Puppy

Tote and briefcase styles make it easy to retrieve your doggy’s gear. Their lightweight style makes them ideal for car trips or going to visit relatives, but they can be awkward to carry for longer periods of time.

Many dog travel bags come as kits and include lightweight fabric dishes and water bottles.

If your dog will only be occupying her new carrier when it’s time to go see the doctor, you’ll want something sturdy with plenty of ventilation. Even though some vets will allow you to bring your dog in on a leash, it’s important to have a carrier in case your animal becomes injured or is too ill to move around on her own.

Hurt dogs can also be dangerous, especially around other dogs. For this reason, it may be wise to confine yours to a carrier, even if she is normally well-behaved. You never know what a sick or injured dog may see as a threat – in this case, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Dog travel bags that work well for vet visits can either be made of rigid material or fabric. You can even find some that fold up for storage and pop open like a tent when you’re ready to put your dog inside.

Important qualities to look for are ventilation holes or screens on all four sides, a strong latch or zipper that will keep the door secure, and portability.

If you have a heavier breed, you may want to pick out something equipped with wheels. You can ask your vet what type of carrier they prefer you bring in. Even if the office doesn’t have a preference, they may be able to recommend a few good models.

Price

After you’ve narrowed down your search to the type of bag or carrier you want, the next filter to use is price. What do you want to spend on the new satchel? You need to make sure that you’re only shopping for dog travel bags that fit within your budget.

Searching Amazon, you can find some as low as $12 and others as high as $700. Price shouldn’t be your only deciding factor, but with a range as wide as this, it definitely needs to be a concern. Keep in mind that in most cases, the more you spend the better quality bag you’ll get.

Spending more will usually get you some unique features as well. Some dog travel bags have leg holes for your pooch to put her paws through and others have openings for the head only. You’ll spend more money for safety features and comfort too.

Don’t settle for the cheapest bag that you can find, make sure to find one that fits your budget and meets your needs.

Reviews & Comments