Types of Portable Dog Carriers for Your Small Dog

Looking for a way to travel with your small dog that’s comfortable for the dog and hassle-free for you? With the variety of portable dog carriers on the market today, you have plenty of options.

Soft-sided carriers
Soft-sided portable dog carriers are great for short trips or car rides over rough terrain. They’re lighter than most plastic and metal carriers and the soft handles are easier on your hands, too. Some of these even have a padded head rest so your dog can poke its head out and look around during the trip.

A carrier lined with thick fleecy material can also help keep your dog stay nice and cozy in cold weather. If you’re fashion conscious, soft sided pet carriers or upscale “dog totes” are a great option because some of them look more like designer handbags than simple pet gear.

Mesh
Mesh-sided portable dog carriers are soft-sided carriers with two sides made out of a see-through nylon mesh. They offer most of the advantages of other soft-sided carriers, plus they give curious pups more opportunity to look around.

This is ideal for dogs that get nervous in enclosed spaces. They’re also good for warm weather because they allow for good air circulation. If you plan to travel with your dog in cold weather, some mesh carriers come with wall inserts that block drafts.

Collapsible
Folding or collapsible portable dog carriers are perfect for overnight trips to friends or when your staying in a hotel and don’t have a lot of extra room to store a hard-sided carrier.

While a lot of the fabric and mesh carriers can also be folded down to a small size, soft-sided collapsible carriers are especially designed to be lightweight and fold compactly. Most are also waterproof.

Portable dog carriers make taking your pup along a lot easier than with the heavy traditional dog crates. Whether you need a soft dog tote to take a tiny puppy to the vet or a sturdy mesh carrier to take your adult dog on road trip, there’s a dog carrier out there that’s right for your and your dog.