How to Choose a Dog Carrier for your canine friend

If you have a dog and if you are a frequent traveler within the country or internationally and would want to carry your dog with you then what you really need are dog carriers. You can purchase fabricated dog cages or made to order.

There are several different types of dog carriers available in the market and choosing the right one for your dog can be quite difficult. Here are some shopping tips that will help you choose or find the right dog cages for your favorite companion:

1. Check the design: The first thing to check is the design of the dog carriers. Start from the front door and check if it is spring loaded or not. Some of the dog carriers have doors that can snap shut on your dog抯 tail or paw and injure him. The next thing to look out for is the latches. You need to ensure that the latches for the dog cages are in place and should be secure. It is recommended to choose the metal pin latches over the plastic latches as the former are more durable and stronger. Another type of latch is the dial latch, which is also strong enough although they might be a little tricky to work with and at times might just get stuck.

2. There are certain types of dog carriers that can open from the top, the front as well as from the sides. There are times when the moment you arrive at your new destination, your dog might want to get out of his carrier. At that point using the front door to take him out can be challenging and hence a top side flap or a side door can be extremely handy.

3. Material: Most of the dog carriers are made of plastic and hence they are easy to clean and last longer. Most of the plastic dog carriers available in top pet stores have been approved by various airlines and will have a label reinforcing the fact.

4. Soft carriers: There are different types of dog carriers and meant for short travels. These dog cages are not approved by the airlines and hence it will not be a good idea to carry your dog in it if you are traveling by air.

5. Cardboard carriers: There are certain dog carriers that are made from card board and are much less sturdy and durable than the plastic ones. If these dog cages become wet then they can easily get destroyed or broken. It is recommended that you refrain from using them.

6. One of the good quality dog cages include the collapsible dog carriers, which are good to work with and are durable too.

7. Ensure that the dog carriers have enough ventilation for your dog and he should not feel uncomfortable or get suffocated within it.

8. You need to also ensure that the dog carriers can hold food and water bowls as attachments.

The most important thing is that your dog should feel secure and comfortable during the ride or flight and hence choosing top-of-the-line dog carriers is important.