Pet Carriers: Light and Mobile
Pet carriers are the lightweight and low-key option. Carriers are constructed from nylon and other soft and flexible materials. There are also plastic carriers with hard shells. Most carriers come with soft inner linings to ensure your pet is snug and comfortable.
As their name suggests, carriers are easy to carry. They come with shoulder straps or handles made of nylon or leather. Some carriers are even designed as backpacks with double shoulder straps. Alternatively, you might prefer a single strapped, pet sling.
The average pet carrier is around 11 inches tall and wide, and 18 inches long. They often have multiple zippered pouches for storing accessories like your pet’s collar. Many have zipper locks so your furry friend stays out of trouble. Carriers have top and side openings, or both, making it easy to get your pet inside. Many dog and cat carriers have fashionable designs and decorations.
On average, pet carriers are less expensive than crates. A simple carrier retails as low as $20 USD, providing a stable platform, synthetic walls, and a shoulder strap or handles. More expensive carriers feature backpack and sling designs and luxury models with dual compartments, divider panels, and expandable sections.
As for airline travel, most travel carriers are acceptable as one of your carry-on items as long as they follow airline size requirements. This is a huge money-saver for people who travel with their pets.
Pet carriers are a perfect choice for people with smaller pets like cats or small dogs. If you have cats or puppies, it’ll be no problem popping them into their soft carriers. Then, you’re off to the vet, a friend’s place, or to catch a flight with no hesitation.
You might want to rethink, however, if your puppy will eventually grow out of its dog carrier, or if you have a large dog. Carriers only keep your pet secure if they fit well and fully protect them. Generally, carriers should have enough room for your cat or dog to comfortably turn around, curl up, and stretch out. It all depends on the cat or dog’s size.
Is a pet carrier the same as a crate?
No. Pet carriers are made of soft materials and are best for small pets. Crates are largely made of hard materials and double as both pet transport devices and pet safe spaces. Carriers are singly purposed for pet transportation.
Let’s Begin with Definitions
So, before we start this battle, let’s first identify what we mean when we talk about dog kennels and crates.
The two are quite different despite the fact they kind of do the same thing – contain and secure your pet. They can be used in a wide range of situations and have their advantages and disadvantages, as you will see a little later.
To be completely honest, you’re more likely to see pet carriers being used for transport reasons because they’re light and easy to carry (hence the name). However, we will still review them to get a comprehensive view.
Pet crates are the things that we always talk about on Pet Crates Direct.
This should be obvious since it is kind of in the name. Crates are one of the best things to have (in our opinion) if you’re a pet owner.
They are the large dog kennel looking objects that you’ll often see at a breeding farm and they are very useful for a number of reasons.
When comparing them to dog carriers, it is quickly identifiable that they are normally larger and more secure.
They can also be made from a range of materials, including wood and metal (materials you don’t see in carriers). For this reason, they are commonly used inside the home for permanent use as opposed to traveling.
Midwest Homes for Pets offers a number of excellent single door and double door dog crates to choose from, such as the Midwest iCrate folding dog crate, at a very reasonable cost, and often with free shipping. This line has excellent product ratings.
They are also often used for larger pet dogs. Pet crates also cost a lot more than carriers and you will later see this in our advantages and disadvantages section below.
Dog kennels are the type of things you’d likely see someone using when they’re boarding a plane. They are a look lighter when compared to crates and they are more commonly used with small dogs.
They might be a little less practical when compared with crates but they excel when it comes to transport. They come in both plastic and soft-sided but you won’t even see a carrier that is solid metal or wooden. This would make them a little too heavy.
They can also be used in the home as a small den for the pet. They can be used just like crates but are less practical because they’re weaker and more fragile.
Larger pet dogs are likely to break out of them if they’re not secured properly. Although this can be an issue, carriers are still used around the US and often substitute for pet crates when it comes to price.
Cats are often shuttled with carriers, sometimes allowing enough room for a cat litter box.
Dog Crate Size – Which Dog Crate Is Best
Crate training is a method of house training your puppy or dog. The crate is used to keep your dog confined when you are not able to supervise. Since most dogs will not urinate or defecate in the same place they sleep, your dog will most likely try to hold the urge when it is confined to its crate.
When used correctly, a crate prevents the dog from getting in the bad habit of having accidents in your home and gives it a safe space that is akin to a doggie sanctuary. 2:31