The carrier is a very useful accessory in some situations that we share with our animals, such as traveling by car, plane, transport on foot in the case of animals with reduced mobility, puppies, etc. However, we do not always have the necessary information to be able to choose the most suitable type of carrier depending on the type of dog we have and for what purpose we need it. If you continue reading, we will give you important information in this article on our site so that you know the types of dog carriers and how to choose the most suitable one.
What type of dog carrier to choose?
Before purchasing a carrier, we must take into account what we are going to use it for, since the characteristics that we must focus on will be different. In any case, whatever its purpose, we always recommend choose those that are approved and are sold in specialized stores, since if you choose a low-quality one, we may end up having a security problem, such as the closure opening or a piece breaking and our dog ending up injured or lost.
We have decided to classify the carriers according to the use we are going to give them, so that it is easier to know what we should pay attention to in each case.
To travel by plane
This type of trip is often long and, depending on the size of the dog and the company you are traveling with, your pet will go in the cabin or in the hold of the plane. Most airlines will require a carrier that meets the IATA (International Air Transport Association) regulations. However, it is also important that before the trip we contact the airline so that they inform us of its particular technical specifications.
In general, we will choose a dog carrier with the following characteristics:
- Must be made of strong material (such as rigid plastic, rigid or laminated wood, or metal)-
- With adequate ventilation at least in ⅔ of the surface of the container, which will be in the upper area without reducing resistance.
- It must have a safe closure (it is recommended that it be metallic), even in some cases, especially if we want it for dogs very large, it is better that they have more than one closing system.
- It must have a resistant mesh door, with holes through which the animal's head does not fit to avoid security problems and with a feeder and drinker adjusted to the door and that can be filled from the outside. The door will be located on one of the fronts of the carrier and may be sliding or hinged.
- As for the floor of the container, it must be impermeable, solid and resistant.
- If the carrier has wheels, we will remove or disable them for the ride.
To know if the carrier is the right size, we must make sure that our dog can turn around easily and can remain both standing and sitting in a natural posture, without his head touching the the ceiling. In the following sections we explain how to measure both our dog and the carrier to confirm that the measurements are suitable for our furry friend.
To travel by car
Although there are several containment systems for car journeys, such as harnesses that are attached to the Isofix system or to the seat belt, as well as dividing bars, the carrier is considered one of the most insurance. In this case, the recommended measures are the same as for airplane journeys and we recommend a resistant and rigid material On the other hand, on this type of journey we could choose carriers both with the door on the front and side of it, depending on the one that best suits our car or is more practical for us.
In small animals and for short trips, carriers made of less rigid materials such as cloth can be used, but we must be aware that in the event of an impact, our dog will be less protected and the damage that suffer may be greater. In any case, they should always be carriers that can close completely, without the possibility of escape by the animal. In addition, they must be well ventilated and we can provide you with a mattress or padded surface to make your trip more comfortable.
Regarding the position of the dog carrier inside the passenger compartment, it can be placed on the floor behind the passenger seat if the animal is small, or in the trunk crosswise to the direction of travel if our dog is large.
For other types of transport, such as buses or trains, we will always check with the company to find out what requirements we must meet and, when in doubt, once again we will choose a resistant and rigid material.
For walking routes
On this type of route, widely used with miniature breeds, puppies that have not yet completed their vaccination plan or geriatric or sick animals with mobility problems, we can opt for thebag-type dog carriers , in which even the dog can carry its head outside, those that are backpack-type or trolley-type with wheels. Either of them is usually more comfortable for the dog because they are more padded.
For this purpose, we can choose the one that seems most comfortable to us, since in this case we do not have to follow established rules. We could even use the rigid type, but they are heavier and less practical for use on foot. Whatever we choose, always well ventilated and of the highest possible quality.
As a resting area or for dog shows
In this case, the folding carriers are widely used, due to their easy transport and the little space they occupy when stored while not in use. need. If its purpose is to be a comfortable and safe rest area, it is very important that it be of the appropriate size, that we place a padded surface at the base and place it in a quiet area of the home, preferably one that our dog has already chosen and where it is comfortable. We will put his favorite toys inside and we will gradually get him used to using it, always without forcing him and without leaving him locked up if he is not used to it. Consult your veterinarian if you have questions about how to create a safe area for your dog.
What measurements should the dog carrier have?
To know if the chosen carrier has the ideal size, as a general rule we will choose one in which the dog can be both sitting and standingin a natural position without your head touching the roof of it. In addition, he should be able to turn around completely and lie down comfortably.
In any case, to ensure that you are choosing the most suitable, there are a series of simple formulas[1] that we can apply once we have measured our furry and that will let us know that we are complying with IATA standards. The dimensions below refer to the measurements we should take of the dogin his natural posture:
- A: length of the animal from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail.
- B: height from the ground to the elbow joint.
- C: width between the shoulders or the widest area (whichever is greater of the 2).
- D: Height of the dog when standing, from the top of the head or the tips of the ears (whichever is higher) to the ground.
Once we have the measurements of the dog, we can apply the formulas to obtain the minimum dimensions of our carrier (referring to its measurements internal):
- A + ½ B=Length
- C X 2=Width
- D=Height
When you have selected the carrier, see our article on "How to get a dog used to the carrier".
