Size is the obvious and primary consideration to take into account, but there are other equally important factors when it comes to choosing the correct carrier for your dog or pet. Setting size aside for the moment, consider the other factors.

First, how will the carrier be used? Is it strictly for travel? What kind of trip? With a dog that does not like to travel or one with an active disposition that requires mandatory downtime, it may be helpful to use the carrier inside the house as a bed or kennel. For smaller pets, it’s easy to buy one with more space, for added convenience like a kennel that can still easily be used for travel. But even for the largest pets, the proper carrier still has plenty of room to use your carrier as a bed. Unfortunately, Great Danes, Mastiffs, and other gentle giants are too big for most carriers. Those dogs should be treated like a horse or a human, it is their preference.

The purpose of most carriers is to safely transport a pet from one location to another. But, what type of trip will be used to carry out this transport? If your trip includes a motorcycle or other recreational vehicle, you should probably look for specific carriers for that type of trip. Something that is more suitable for outdoor travel and motorcycle travel is best with a rack that has hard sides, padded interior, and is crush resistant to some degree, for maximum protection.

What about air travel? Do you plan to use the carrier to travel by plane? If so, you should choose a carrier that slides under the seat in front of you for a pet that you plan to bring into the cabin. Keeping the pet in the cabin is most likely for small pets and service dogs. But the space under the seat in front of you is not the same on all planes. For this reason, soft-nature carriers work best. The carrier must be flexible but strong enough to avoid collapsing on your pet! If you plan to ship your pet as cargo due to your pet’s size, travel destinations, or other travel restrictions, you will need a rigid side carrier.

Also, you should consider options that offer some level of climate control. Cargo storage 30,000 feet in the air can be extremely cold in winter and hot in summer. For cold weather travel, the carrier should be able to retain the animal’s body heat perhaps by covering it and using heating pads or by putting a sweater on your dog. During hot weather trips, consider getting a pad or bed that can offer cooling, such as cold packs and, if possible, a small fan to get air through. If the journey will be long enough to require food and water, space may be required within the conveyor. Add this consideration to the size of the rack or purchase a configuration that mounts to the inside of the rack door or walls. Above all, the comfort of your pets during cargo air travel is paramount. The stress associated with these types of trips can be tremendous for some pets. You should do everything you can to make the animal as comfortable as possible to reduce stress as much as possible while keeping safety as the primary concern. Before buying anything for air travel, check with the airlines for their requirements or restrictions so that you can make a full assessment of what you really need for safe travel. Driving may be a better option than freight trips!

If your travels require a lot of walking, you may want to consider a carrier on wheels, primarily for your own comfort. There are a number of options available, from stroller types to tow types. This can also be a great option if your travel companion is smaller, such as a Chihuahua or Yorkie. Or short-legged companions like Dachshunds and Corgis. All of these guys struggle to keep up with human gait and stamina and surprisingly, carrying even a 6-pound Chihuahua for extended periods of time can be exhausting and difficult on your arms. With this in mind, whether you give them, and yourself, a hand by pulling or pushing them or even carrying them in a front bag or backpack, it is a personal choice that is best suited to your lifestyle needs. and physical abilities.

If you plan to use a carrier inside a car or truck, choosing one that can be worn with a seat belt will offer double protection for your pet during a collision or other type of accident. When the sole purpose of the carrier is for the interior of a vehicle, you should also consider using a more comfortable and travel-friendly option, such as a gazebo seat or a console seat. With the use of a harness and tether leash, a dog car booster seat like these offers your pet a safe alternative to the carrier with much more comfort when traveling. So if the carrier rarely, if ever, abandons the vehicle, consider the comfort of pets when making a decision. Would looking out the window make you happier when you travel? Providing an unenclosed space can help a pet suffering from dizziness. And just the overall feel of a plush, well-padded seat and sides is sure to make any animal feel more comfortable.

When the main function of the carrier is to provide a shelter or safe kennel at home for your friend, you should consider a size large enough to accommodate the dog when standing or lying down, have some room to move, and possibly an area to food and water and / or a pad area for going to the bathroom. If your dog is small enough, there are extremely large carriers available to meet these requirements. Having something completely enclosed like a carrier can provide quarantine, confinement, privacy, or added security and warmth when needed, simply by placing a sheet, towel, blanket, or rug on the carrier. It’s also worth noting that cleaning and sanitizing is easier with a hard side carrier when used as a kennel.

So while a protractor can be used for multiple tasks or fulfill multiple functions, consider the primary use and from there determine its size. Regardless of the purpose for which a carrier is used, at a minimum, it must accommodate the animal with enough space to stand up completely, roll over, and stretch out when lying down. Exactly how much more space is better to have, beyond the minimum, largely depends on how much time will be spent on the conveyor. Put yourself in the place of your pets. If you have to spend x amount of time in a minimal space, how much additional space would you like to maintain a reasonable level of comfort for the required time? Scale to match the size of your pet and must have the appropriate size carrier.