Choosing Dog Cages for Travel

Choosing Dog Cages for Travel

Article by Chris Robertson

Dog cages offer many advantages for dog owners, but they're especially valuable for those who travel with their pets. Whether you transport your pups in your own vehicle or travel with them by air, using the right dog crate can help him have a safer, more comfortable trip. With all the dog crates on the market, though, how to you choose the right ones for your travel needs? These tips can help you understand the differences between the many types of dog cages and puppy pens so that you choose the best one for your pet.

Dog Cages for Airline Travel

If you're planning air travel, check out the airline's rules and regulations before shopping for dog crates. Every airline has different dimensions and specific regulations concerning traveling with dogs. The rules will also vary depending on how you're planning to carry your dog. Many airlines allow you to check your dog carrier as carry-on luggage if it will fit under the seat in front of you, for example. In that case, the exact dimension of dog crates you can use will vary not only from airline to airline but from plane to plane.

Likewise, airlines have different standards for dog crates that are checked as baggage, though all of the regulations are aimed at ensuring that your pet travels as comfortably and safely as possible. Check the requirements for the airline on which you'll be traveling, and shop for dog cages with those requirements in mind.

Dog Crates for Car Travel

Your dog will always be safer in your vehicle if she's safely tucked into a travel crate or auto dog carrier. Just as you'd never drive around town with your child bouncing around the inside of the vehicle, you shouldn't drive around town with your pet unsecured in your car. There are many different kinds of crates and cages designed to hold your pet safely in your car. They include plastic and metal dog crates that can be secured with a seat belt in the back seat, as well as dog cages designed specifically to be secured in the back of a pickup truck, an SUV, a hatchback or mini-van.

When choosing dog crates for car travel, select one that's designed especially for that purpose. Be familiar with the various ways to secure dog cages inside a car, including seat belts and tethers that help prevent the crate from tilting forward if you stop short.

Choosing the Right Size

Once you've established the best types of dog crates for your purpose, consider your puppy's size. Choose a crate that allows your dog to stand up on all fours without touching the top of the cage, and to lie down in the position in which he most typically sleeps. If he'll be in the crate for an extended period of time, make sure that there's enough room for a dog dish and water bowl.

Aside from that, avoid choosing dog cages that are too big for your pet. Your dog will be most comfortable in a cage that's cozy and enclosed - and much safer if he can't bounce around too far inside the cage in case of turbulence or an automobile accident.

If you're not sure what kind of dog cages will be best for your pet, ask your vet's advice. He'll be happy to provide you with the information you need to make the best decision.

About the Author

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the world's MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web.Learn more about Dog Cages.

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