Ericka Liam
Vacation Dog Kennels – Like many unsuspecting dog owners, I used to let my dogs ride in the back seat or on the curb of the car without concern for their safety. They sleep and are quiet, so I haven’t seen the need to use a dog crate for car trips.
Sitka is uncomfortable in the car, and on the first trip, when they put her in the van and on the motorcycle, walking back and forth and crying the whole time, I knew she needed a solution to keep us safe and sound.
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At first, I used Kurgo’s crash-test harness system to secure him and prevent him from walking back and forth, but he occasionally required tugging to free his legs and would get caught in the harness.
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From there, I decided to look for a kennel and began intensive research to find the best dog crate for car travel. I asked my friends, surveyed my Instagram audience, read reviews and emailed brands to create a list of potential candidates.
In this post I show the dog crates I bought, which means they meet the criteria I describe below. I’ll explain why I chose one and offer advice on why other brands might work better for your car and dog’s situation.
They are the most expensive dog crates on the market, but they are worth every penny because I have complete confidence that they will survive an accident.
Even if your dog is like my first dog and lives peacefully in the car, it’s a good idea to secure him in a doghouse in case of a car accident.
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Think about it, we do it every time we get in the car, but most dog owners don’t think about insuring their dog. In an accident, defenseless dogs become weapons and can cause serious injuries and even death.
If you are injured in a car accident, your dog will be in a safe place where he cannot run away or bite anyone.
When I first drove through Sitka, I was sure we were going to crash. Their movements and shouts distracted me so much that I could not concentrate on driving.
In 2019, Volvo conducted a safety study that found that unrestrained dogs led to more unsafe driving behavior, distracted driving and increased stress for humans and dogs.
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In the unfortunate event that you are in a car accident, there are some preparedness steps you can take to ensure your pet’s maximum safety.
This is especially important if you are injured and unable to train your dog after an accident.
Keep an extra leash and muzzle in the car and include instructions on how to take your dog out to the kennel and where to take him until you pick him up (ie with a friend or a nearby vet).
When dealing with emergency personnel, if you can, let them know you will be kenneling your dog.
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I once saw a video posted on Instagram in which a dog jumped out of its cage while firefighters were pulling it out. Fortunately, his e-caller was on and he was able to call back.
In stressful situations, dogs bite or run away. Do your best to avoid this by communicating as much as possible with emergency parties and in writing.
There are many factors to consider when deciding which dog crate is right for your needs, ensuring the best fit for your dog and your car, meeting safety needs.
When you measure your dog for a crate, you want the perfect fit. More space means they can be injured by the greater impact of an accident.
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You don’t want it too tight because then your dog won’t be able to move around comfortably.
Since most of the kennels mentioned in this article are not available for purchase in stores, doing a fit test is not an option. The best plan is to provide the manufacturer with the measurements and weight of your dog and car and work with them to determine the best fit.
To best protect your dog in the car, look for a dog crate made from a single piece of molded polyethylene. Being a single piece, the shelter has no weak points that could fail in the event of an impact.
The Center for Pet Safety (CPS) conducted a series of crash tests for dogs in 2015 in partnership with Subaru of America. CPS evaluates accidents that cost between $150 and $1,000 and puts them through a series of tests, including:
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There are many dog crates that claim to be crash tested, but since dog crates do not have the same safety testing requirements for car or child seats, buyers should do their homework.
Since the most recent CPS testing was completed in 2015, it is possible that there are eligible kennels that were not added to the list or that were not tested.
Email the manufacturer to ask about their crash testing protocol and read reviews from people whose dogs have been in car accidents to verify claims.
Some dog crates come with clips that allow you to secure the kennel to your car. This is especially important for those whose dogs will be traveling in open bed pickup trucks.
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Different manufacturers may recommend different types of straps for kennel construction. If you plan to put a kennel in your car, check them out before you buy.
Plastic crates can get hot and stuffy, so when looking for a crate for your dog in the car, make sure it has good ventilation.
Depending on the car you have and the size of your dog, different crates will fit differently. Additionally, location depends on where your car’s crumple zones are.
For example, many cars have crumple zones at the front and rear, designed for passenger safety, but this is not where you want to put a kennel.
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You can check with your car manufacturer to determine where the crumple zones are on your particular car. Next, measure the kennel to make sure it fits in the designated safe space.
I did extensive research on several dog crates for car travel before making my decision. I visited many different websites, checked reviews and talked to my community on Instagram to choose different kennels.
A quality dog house that will protect your dog in the event of a seizure is not cheap, and in most cases you get what you pay for.
Ordinary wire cages or clamshell airplane kennels are not suitable as protection during a car accident. They will not protect your dog.
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After all my research, these are the brands I considered and finally chose.
Gunner is an industry leader when it comes to dog crate carts. They are the only boxes to pass the 2015 CPS study and have a 5-star crash test designation from the organization.
Virtually indestructible, Gunner tested the kennels by dropping a box off a 200-foot cliff, placing a 630-pound sled on it, shooting it with a shotgun, and applying 4,000 pounds of pressure. All tests resulted in very little damage.
This is the kennel I use for my two dogs. The two mediums fit perfectly in the back of my Forester. Read my review of the Gunner Dog Crate here.
Tough Trail® Folding Travel Dog Crate
When considering purchasing a dog crate for the car, I initially chose the Dakota G3 medium. Although not crash-tested by CPS, the company has extensively tested the dog.
“We’ve internally tested our dog through multiple impact tests, including a 25-foot drop test to determine impact and durability. Our testing fails most tests to give us an understanding of limits and strengths.
Additionally, and more importantly (sic) our kennels have been involved in several rollover accidents in which the dogs were not injured. “This is the ultimate test and contract of our design and functionality.”
I chose the Dakota G3 Medium because it seemed like a good mix of Roughland and Gunner Kennel at a mid-range price. The military-strength box is made from a single piece of rotomolded polyethylene that withstands extreme impacts.
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I love this kennel and am confident it will protect my dog in case of an accident. It was more spacious than the Gunner, which is not ideal for car travel. It’s also tall, so it blocked my rear sight more than the artillery.
Dakota 283 has generously provided a discount code for fans of long haul trekkers. Get 10% off your order with code SITKA10 at checkout.
Roughland Kennels (formerly known as Rough Tuff Kennels) is one of the most popular cattery kennels for road trips. They are very affordable and made of durable one-piece rotomolded construction that can withstand heavy impacts.
They were tested in
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