Best dog car crates

If you like traveling with your dog in the car, then you understand how hard it can be to get your pup to sit still while you drive. Your canine friend might pace around or fall in between the seats — which is, needless to say, pretty dangerous. This is where dog car crates come in handy. 

The pet supply market is full of different brands and types of dog crates. So we’ve reviewed the best dog car crates out there and put together a handy guide to help your search.

What to Consider When Buying Dog Car Crates

Choosing a dog car crate should not be too big of a deal, but you should consider a few things to ensure you are buying a safe and comfortable crate.

• What is the size of your dog?
• Can the crate fit in your car boot?
• What material would you prefer for your dog’s crate?
• What type of crate will best suit your needs?
• What goes into your dog’s crate?
• What is your maximum budget for a crate?

If you can answer these questions, picking a dog car crate will be virtually hassle-free.

Best Dog Car Crates

We have reviewed the crème de la crème dog car crates available in the UK. We based our research on the most reputable brands on the market. These brands design their crates to offer your dog comfort while giving you peace of mind.

1. FEANDREA Dog Car Crate

Carrying your dog in the car has never been this easy. The FEANDREA Dog Car Crate is a simple design and is easy to assemble — it only takes a few minutes. The crate is reinforced with a 19 mm metal frame for resilience, stability, and durability. The reinforcement ensures that the dog’s kicks and paws cannot damage the crate. If storage is your concern, the FEANDREA is collapsible, making it convenient to stow away or carry around. You can remove dirt and stains with a soft brush.

Key Specs

• Made of polyester material
• Weighs 3.42 kg
• Dimensions: 70 x 52 x 52 cm
• Lightweight and foldable for storage and transportation
• Stable and durable
• Comes with instructions for easy assembly

2. Fauna Dog Puppy Lightweight Grey Travel Crate

The Fauna Dog Puppy Lightweight Grey Travel Crate is designed with your dog in mind. The crate gives your canine friend their own place to relax and rest. It’s great for travelling and home use. The meshed siding provides excellent ventilation with a view. It comes with a soft fleece pad for ultimate comfort, suitable for a napping puppy. And no tools are required for assembly. The frame locks into place with a snap. The top pouch is ideal for storing your dog’s toys and other essentials. A lightweight frame provides stability and extra support.

Key Specs

• Removable interior faux lambskin pad
• Top and side entries
• Mesh windows for ventilation
• Available in three sizes; small, medium, large
• Weighs 2.98 kg
• Pouch for toys and other accessories

3. MC Star Dog Crate -unavailable

MC Star Dog car crate is made of 600 D Oxford material with waterproof PVC coating for added durability. The lightweight product is portable, suitable for traveling. It comes with two ventilated grill windows and three retractable doors. This makes cleaning the crate or changing the bedding a breeze. The panels are surrounded by a sturdy steel frame for extra stability and security. Fix the hook with zippers to make them tighter. Since the crate is available in different sizes, it’s prudent to measure your dog before purchasing the product.

Key Specs

• Excellent air circulation through ventilated mesh
• Ideal for home, car, travel, and vacation
• Stable and light steel tubes for ultimate stability
• Removable and padded bottom for optimum comfort
• Foldable for portability and transportation
• Washable and easy to clean
• Weighs 2.9 kg

4. Ellie-Bo Sloping Puppy Folding Crate – unavailable

Ellie-Bo Sloping Puppy Folding Crate will increase the safety of your dog in the car. The crate measures 24″, making it ideal for most cars. You can, therefore, travel with your dog all the time. The foldable slated crate makes it easy for storage and transportation. Although the crate is slightly heavy at 6.32 kg, the extra weight makes it more stable. It comes assembled in a foldable position with a detailed instruction booklet. Ellie-Bo Sloping Puppy Folding Crate is designed with a movable carry handle for easy portability.

Key Specs

• Heavy-duty latch on the doorway
• Sloped front to fit inside most cars
• Steel non-chewable removable tray
• Foldable crate making it ideal for transportation
• Suitable for a variety of breeds
• Weighs 6.32 kg
• Measures 63 x 50.2 x 17.6 cm

5. Petsfit Dog Crate Foldable Extra Large Dog Crate

Enjoy your dog’s company on a road trip with Petsfit Dog crate. The collapsible soft dog crate is made of high-quality material that is safe for your dog. More so, the material is durable, ensuring the crate will withstand the wear and tear of your dog’s nails. During the winter, you can use the plush mat to keep your pet warm. When summer knocks, remove the plush mat, exposing the nylon side to provide a cool bed. Roll up all mesh sides to provide a well-ventilated crate with good viewing.

Key Specs

• The crate works for dogs up to 58cm high
• Two doors and top entrance for easy accessibility
• Several mesh windows for excellent ventilation
• Patented steel frame design
• Easy foldable and lightweight
• Fleece removable mat

6. Casaria Dog Car Crate

Casaria Dog crate is made of aluminum, making it strong and durable. The trapezoidal shape is suitable for a wide range of vehicles. Durable plastic corners will protect your dog and car. The crate has a comfortable design with one door for easy access. This makes your dog feel comfortable and relaxed while travelling. You’ll also have peace of mind knowing your pet is comfortable. The space between vertical bars is 7 cm, which prevents dogs from slipping their paws and legs out in between the bars. Simple to assemble, with no tools needed.

Key Specs

• Strong aluminum construction
• Reasonable gap distance of 7 cm
• High-quality fabric avoids the possibility of chewing
• The secured plastic corner will protect your car and puppy
• Door close with a rotate lock
• Weighs 12 kg

7. Foldable Dog Crate

The Foldable Dog crate measures 70.5 x 45cm x 56 cm, ensuring your dog can comfortably fit. You also won’t have to struggle to put it together. The simple twist feature makes the crate sturdy, reducing the risk of it collapsing during travel. To fold the crate for storage, simply twist and fold it into a compact package. The crate is reinforced with seat belt loops and also comes with a built-in hook to secure the dog’s collar. Multiple ventilation windows and a spacious interior provide comfort for long journeys.

Key Specs

• 600D Oxford Fabric on the exterior and water-resistant PVC on the interior
• The spacious interior and several ventilation windows
• Built-in hook
• Easy to assemble
• Collapsible
• Lightweight at 1.84 kg

Benefits of a Dog Car Crate

Dog car crates offer a myriad of benefits, including:

• Transporting your pet dog becomes easy and comfortable.
• Your dog will gain more confidence during car rides, reducing anxiety.
• A dog crate keeps your puppy safe and secure during fireworks and storms.
• With a dog crate you can also use it indoors to house-train your pet.
• It will keep your pet safe when you’re not around.
• The crate will prevent the dog or puppy from damaging your car seats.

Buying Guide for Dog Car Crates

There are many factors to pay attention to when it comes to buying a dog crate for your car. But paying attention means that you’re picking the most suitable crate for your puppy. This guide is strictly for you, so you may know what to consider.

Your Vehicle’s Boot Size

If you have a crate that fits in your Range Rover, it won’t be hard to fit it in a Ford. But maybe it’ll have some trouble squeezing into your Fiat. It is, therefore, important to measure the width and height of the boot. The crate should not stick out or fail to lie flat.

More so, measure the distance between the back seat and the door. Take into account the effect of slanting the boot door. You can also place the crate onto the back seat and fasten it using straps or seat belts. However, your car seats are not flat, which might cause lots of wobbling. This may affect your dog’s health.

Dog Size

As you look for a crate that fits in your car, it’s crucial to ensure your dog is comfortable in it. Your dog will need a crate that is a bit bigger than its length. It should go past the dog’s neck so that it can lie down comfortably. Although the crate should be roomy, don’t give your pet too much vertical space. Too much room means they could jump up or fall over while you’re driving.

If you need to buy a crate for a puppy, consider a bigger crate but with versatile divider panels. This way, you can condense or expand the space without buying a new crate or making your dog feel uncomfortable.

Material

Dog crates are available in different materials, but most are made of metal. Metal is a popular material that’s incredibly strong and durable. Some brands design crates with sturdy front door locks for added security. Metal crates can be light, depending on the material you choose. Aluminum is favorite among consumers.

Wired pet crates are also strong. In this case, the manufacturer uses wire instead of bulk material. They offer excellent ventilation and viewing. If your pet dog reacts harshly to environmental stimuli, you can invest in a crate cover.

There are wooden dog crates that are tough and sturdy and are often handcrafted with impressive designs. However, they lack features such as flexibility, and they’re not ideal for the casual car. Depending on the wood used, these crates can be very heavy.

Plastic dog crates are the most popular crates on the market. They tend to be strong, sturdy, and well-engineered. Plastic crates are light to carry and transport. They are generally cheaper and offer tons of desirable features.

Crate Door

Some crates are designed with single or double doors. Ensure the design allows the door to open fully, and your dog can easily exit. A double-door design gives you easy accessibility inside the crate, especially if it’s big. You can clean it or change the bedding without any hassle.

Your Budget

How much are you willing to spend on a dog car crate? Price is affected by the brand, crate material, the size, and even the design. However, do not compromise on quality as you go for cheaper crates. Take your time to look for what will give your dog comfort as you travel. And you don’t have to break your bank account for a crate. There are reliable brands that strike a balance between affordability and functionality.

Once you purchase your dog car crate, you’ll be able to travel with your pup without looking over your shoulder every second. Pick a quality crate that gives you safety first! It’ll be easy riding for the two of you.