We'd do anything to make sure our beloved four-legged friends are safe, which is why the best cages and dog crates for car travel are must-have pet travel accessories to use on the go. Importantly, it is legally required to ensure your dog is restrained in the car. This is so they can't distract you while you're driving or injure you; this will help them stay safe and secure if you stop the car quickly. For dogs who experience car sickness or anxiety about travelling, dog crates will make them feel more secure and help them feel at home in new environments. Luckily, we've found the best crates and dog cages for car travel.
You can get specifically designed leads that can be fastened to headrests, dog guards, and even dog car seats to keep your dog safe while travelling in a vehicle. However, the best way to protect your dog is by using a dog car crate or a dog cage for car journeys. If you're introducing a crate to your dog for the first time, it would be a good idea to get them used to it before driving anywhere. To get your dog used to the crate, start with very short periods and give them plenty of praise and treats.
Best dog crates for car travel at a glance:
From the size and ease of use to the overall comfort provided, there are a couple of factors to consider when choosing the best cages and dog crates for car travel. You'll want to make sure the size is right for your dog and for your car and that you can easily assemble it so, you pop it up and down when needed. You'll want to check you're securing it in the right way, too Most important is the safety and comfort of your pooch so they'll be at ease while travelling. Luckily, we've covered everything from what to consider when buying a dog cage or crate for the car to how to secure it in our FAQs section.
If you're on the hunt for a cage or crate that will keep your hound safe, secure and comfortable while you're travelling, you've come to the right place. From strong metal ones to stop chewers in their tracks to softer-style car carriers for puppies and smaller breeds, we've searched the web for all the best dog cages and dog crates for car travel so you don't have to.
Best dog crates for car boot
Best overall
Ellie-Bo/AmazonIf you are looking for a crate for the boot of your car, then this medium-sized folding Ellie-Bo Deluxe Sloping Dog Cage would be a great pick. It features a non-chew metal tray that can be removed for ease of cleaning, a fleece liner for comfort and a slanted front to help it fit in most car boots. It also folds flat for easy storage and transportation.
Customers appreciate how easy it is to assemble this crate as well as the overall quality, mentioning that they think it's durable and sturdy. A pain point for some reviewers is that the tray and door rattle while driving along, which is annoying for drivers but could also make pups more anxious. However, a handful of reviews mention that the fleece liner included does help lessen the rattle.
Pros
- Fits most car boots
- Removable tray for easy cleaning
Cons
- Some reviews complain of a rattley tray/door
| Dimensions | 54 x 76 x 54 cm |
| Weight | 8.84kg |
| Features | Extra-thick 4mm bars |
Best dog crate for large dogs
Cadoca/AmazonThis Cadoca Dog Car Crate Aluminium Transport Box offers a similar concept to the first dog car crate above. However, this has a chunky aluminium frame that is water and weather-resistant, which means it's super strong. Additionally, it has lockable doors and it is well ventilated so your pup will be safe and comfortable for car journeys.
Opinions are mixed on the overall assembly, with some saying it takes a while and others finding it easily assembled. We think this crate is a bit more industrial-looking compared to other crates and carriers on our list but the material and style mean that it's ultra-tough so your pup shouldn't be able to gnaw their way out of it.
Pros
- Strong and ultra tough
- Made using weather and water-resistant aluminium
Cons
- Some reviews felt assembly took a while
| Dimensions | XL - 89 x 70 x 51 cm, XXL - 97 x 90 x 70 cm |
| Weight | 10kg |
| Features | Aluminum Frame |
Best dog crate for small dogs
PawHutThe angled shape of this foldable PawHut Metal Collapsible Car Dog Cage makes it suitable to fit in the boot of most cars. It has one door and a removable tray, plus it folds flat so you can fold it down when you need to use all the space in the boot. All in all, it is a good size for puppies and small dogs and will give them excellent protection when on the road.
Like some of the other cages and crates we've listed in this list, the PawHut Metal Collapsible Car Dog Cage is known for rattling. This is due to being made from wire with a light gauge with small gaps around the door so it may move about a bit while you're travelling along.
Pros
- Folds flat so you can easily take it down if you need to make the most of the boot space
- Angled shape to suit the boot of most cars
Cons
- Wire is a lighter gauge with wide and narrow gaps so it can rattle
| Dimensions | 55 x 47 x 77 cm |
| Weight | 6kg |
| Features | Foldable sloping dog cage |
Soft crates for easy travel
Best overall fabric dog crate
Morpilot/AmazonProvide comfort for your four-legged friend when travelling with this lightweight Morpilot Pet Carrier Bag. This model comes at a great price, is well-designed and comes in eight different colours and two sizes. It has breathable mesh for good ventilation and the outer material can be wiped clean in case of little accidents or to get rid of other dirt you may have picked up on your travels.
This carrier is well worth the money, according to Amazon customers as it comes with a portable water bowl for hydration on the go as well as a machine-washable cushion inside. However, it's worth noting that the sizing comes up small as even the largest size is not going to be suitable for dogs bigger than a Beagle.
Pros
- Comes with a portable water bowl for hydration on the go
- Wipe-clean outer and removable, machine-washable cushion inside
Cons
- Sizing is on the smaller side as the largest size is not suitable for dogs bigger than a beagle
| Dimensions | M - 44 x 31 x 34 cm, L - 47 x 32 x 36 cm |
| Weight | 1.28kg |
| Features | Mesh sides make it breathable |
Best folding dog crate
AmazonBasics/AmazonThis soft-sided AmazonBasics Folding Soft Dog Crate in seconds and comes with zippered closures to ensure secure containment. The folding soft-sided 26-inch crate is ideal for small dogs up to 30 pounds or can also be used for a cat or kittens. The largest 30-inch crate can hold dogs up to 42 pounds. It's made with a hand-washable, water-resistant polyester fabric cover so you wipe clean any messes or accidents.
With over 15,000 reviews, it's a popular choice with customers online, with many reviews mentioning they love how lightweight this crate is, even with their dog inside, and that it's a good size for keeping their dog contained but happy. Some reviews question the durability as a handful of people have had issues with the zip breaking.
Pros
- Made from a hand-washable and water-resistant polyester fabric cover
- Lightweight so it's easy to carry even with your dog inside
Cons
- Some customers have reported issues with the zipper breaking
| Dimensions | M - 66 x 46 x 46 cm, L - 76 x 54 x 54 cm |
| Weight | 2.5kg |
| Features | 2 doors (top and front), Zippered closures |
Best dog carrier for small dogs
pecute/AmazonThis reasonably priced pecute Pet Carrier Bag is perfect for small dogs that weigh less than 8kg and work as a multi-purpose transporter. It has multiple entrances, a three-layer bottom pad, and a large area of breathable mesh for your pet's comfort. Lightweight for travel, easy to assemble and foldable so it can be stored away.
A stylish design and how easy it is to carry and store is something that is mentioned time and time again in the reviews. They also mention it's a good size for their pooch but as we've mentioned above, it's designed for dogs that weigh less than 8kg so it's suitable for tiny/small breeds and puppies.
Pros
- Made largely from mesh so that it's nice and breathable for your pup while inside
- Foldable so it can be easily stored away and moved while travelling
Cons
- Made for small dogs up to 8kg so it's not suitable for medium or large dogs
| Dimensions | 42 x 28 x 29 cm |
| Weight | 8kg |
| Features | Collapsible, takes up a small space |
Best for versatility
Pets At Homewww.petsathome.com
Whether you're travelling to the park or the beach, heading to the vet, or wanting to give your pet a little privacy at home, this Pets at Home Fabric Pet Kennel will have you covered. The fabric material is an easier option to spot clean if it gets a bit dirty when getting your dog in and out.
It's mostly made of mesh, with mesh on the doors and the sides too. While this is fantastic for letting air flow in and around your pooch, it may not be the best option for chewers as they could easily bite through it.
Pros
- Suitable for small-sized pets
- Easy to spot clean as it's made from a washable fabric
Cons
- May not be the best choice for chewers as the mesh sides and doors could easily be bitten through
| Dimensions | 40 x 65 x 46cm |
| Weight | Not available |
| Features | Front and top mesh door |
How we chose the best dog crates for car travel
All of these dog crates have been hand-selected by our team of Take A Break Pets shopping experts. We carefully considered the quality, safety features, and value in our selection of the best. Our team has spent hours investigating and researching dog crates to make it easier for you to find the very best, and we'd never recommend a product we don't believe in.
And, with pets big and small on our team, where possible we'll share the best products that have been tried and tested by us and our own furry friends who have given their paw of approval.
Dog crate for car FAQs
Does my dog need to be in a crate or cage while travelling in the car?
According to the Highway Code, dogs and other animals need to be suitably restrained while travelling in the car. This is so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you or themselves if you need to suddenly stop or are involved in an accident.
While your dog doesn't have to be in a crate or cage while they're travelling in the car, you will need to make sure they're safe and secured at all times, using either a dog seat belt and harness, a pet carrier or dog guard to name but a few methods.
How do I choose a dog cage or crate?
Whatever dog cage you choose, bear the following factors in mind when choosing a dog cage for car travel:
Size: First thing to consider is what size the crate needs to be for your dog. The crate should be large enough for your dog to sit, stand, and turn around but small enough to keep them contained. The best way to check this is to measure your pet’s sitting height and length and add 5 to 10cm.
Sturdiness: If you plan to travel with your pup, a sturdy crate should securely contain them and protect them from potential accidents and keep them calm.
Ease of use: The crate you pick should be easy to assemble, store, and suitable for your pet.
Situation: First check where in the car you would like to put the crate such as the back seat, footwell or boot. Also, it is good to consider if the crate will work best for car travel as well as air travel.
Comfort: You will want your dog to have a positive association with the crate so remember to include a soft blanket, towel or dog travel bed, particularly for longer journeys. Using something that already has its own scent on it will also make them feel more at ease.
Extras: Some dog crates come equipped with everything your pooch may need for travel. For example, our best "overall" pick comes decked out with a travel water bowl and a lead for security.
How do I secure a dog crate in my car?
How you secure your dog crate in your car all depends on where you want to put it. If you want to put your dog crate in your boot, remove the parcel shelf and measure the interior of your car boot. Compare these to the dimensions of the crate you select. Ensure the crate is as tight as possible; the less it can move, the safer it will be for your pet. Smaller crates for small dogs can go in the back seat footwell.
If you want to put your dog on the back seat rather than on the floor, don’t use a seatbelt to secure the crate unless the manufacturer specifically says their crate is safe for this. Some are not, and you could be putting your dog in danger. A safer alternative is to use a pet hammock and place the crate inside. That way, they will not be propelled forward into the front of the car if you halt the car suddenly.
Ellen Kinsey is a former Senior Health and Wellness Product Writer and has been a part of Bauer Media since 2020. She has left Bauer Media to study Ayurveda in India to expand her knowledge and skills in the health and wellness field, where she plans to continue making journalistic contributions.