5 Questions To Ask When Choosing A Dog Crate For The Car

One of the most common reasons people think about
buying a dog crate is so they can be able to
transport them inside their car. Most people go
so many places with their dogs, and just as
seat-belts are essential for humans, dogs also
need a way of being kept safe and secure -
whether it is during a short trip to the vet or
an extensive road trip across the country.

Quite a lot of people let their dog roam free
within the car, or even let them sit on their
lap while they're driving. Not only is this
illegal in some countries, it can become a big
distraction and in extreme cases may lead to an
accident. Dog harnesses are one way you can keep
your dog contained during car travel, though they
don't offer some of the same benefits to keeping
them in a crate. Here are a few important
considerations you should make when looking for
the right crate for the car.

1. How Big?

The size of your dog is the first thing you
should think about for any crate you buy. In the
case of choosing a crate for the car it can mean
the difference between buying a specialized
crate for the front passenger-side seat or
purchasing one that can fit across the back seat
(or in the back of a hatchback or station wagon).
The dog should be able to comfortably turn around
but not have so much space that they're tempted
to go to the toilet on one side.

2. How Much Ventilation?

Dogs with more hair (especially like a
Pekingese) can overheat easily and need more
ventilation. Most crates do have some holes in
the side to provide this, though hairier dogs
will need more and perhaps even a fan to keep
them cool in warmer months.

3. How Much Protection?

Not all crates offer a dog the same protection,
and some will offer very little if you were
involved in even a minor accident. Soft crates
in particular will not do much to protect your
dog in this scenario, so if safety is your
priority it's best to stick with a harder
plastic crate.

4. How Easily Cleaned?

You should always aim to give a dog regular
breaks to relieve themselves while traveling, or
if they cannot be let out for an extended period
of time it's best to give them a good amount of
exercise beforehand. Occasionally there might be
mishaps, however, and it's reassuring to know
that these can be easily cleaned. Thankfully,
most crates are designed this way, but crates
with a more open construction do give you more
access to clean them out. Odors can also be
easily trapped inside a dog crate, so even if
the need to clean is as simple as this it can
easily be achieved.

5. How Much Viewing Space?

One of the more common reasons dogs may get
anxious when inside a crate is because they
can't see much outside of it. Particularly when
they're in the car and they don't know where
you're taking them. A wire crate with an open
construction usually offers the most comfort in
this regard, as they can see their surroundings
easily and apart from being unable to move it's
almost as if they weren't in a crate.

Though practically all dog crates make it
possible to take your companion with you inside
the car, some are better suited to the task than
others. Wire crates are a good all-purpose crate
that come in sizes to suit nearly every breed of
dog, and if you put a crate bed or pad inside
they can offer a similar level of cushioning to
soft crates. If safety is your priority, though,
plastic crates are the best choice for small to
medium-sized dogs and give you that extra peace
of mind when traveling with them.

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CratesDog.com provides information and advice for
people looking for dog crates, as well as other
tips for choosing car dog crates:
http://cratesdog.com/

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