A car carrier for a puppy is just what you need when you want to go out and about with your pup in the early stages of their life. It's one of those dog travel accessories that will help your new arrival get used to riding in the car before they outgrow it. Although, if you have a smaller breed, they may be able to use a car carrier while they travel for many years to come.
From taking them home for the first time and going to the vet for check-ups and vaccinations to heading out on adventures, a car carrier for a puppy is made for getting your little doggie to wherever they need to be. They are designed with handles to help you carry your pooch to and from the car, and many have loops that you can put a seatbelt through to keep the carrier in place.
Best car carrier for a puppy at a glance:
• Best overall: Morpilot Portable Pet Transport Bag – view on Amazon UK
• Best multifunctioning car carrier for puppy: Pecute Pet Carrier Backpack – view on Amazon UK
• Stylish car carrier for puppy: Black Quilted Carrier – view on Pets at Home
You could of course use a travel dog crate but this could be a little intimidating to your tiny hound, that's why a puppy car carrier is ideal. They're smaller than crates and most are made using soft, padded fabric to help them feel comfortable, relaxed and ultimately less stressed.
To help you decide which one to get, we've rounded up all the best car carriers for a puppy to keep them safe and secure.
Best car carrier for a puppy
Best overall
Your pup will have everything they could want to travel in comfort with the Morpilot Portable Pet Transport Bag. It comes with a removable and washable mat and a portable water bowl, plus there's a small pocket on the outside of the bag to store treats, poop bags and anything else you may need for your hound on your travels.
Customer review: "This travel crate has been used from the day we picked up our new puppy. It’s great for use in the car as the buckles at the back clip straight onto a fastened seatbelt. The bag is sturdy enough for our puppy to be carried around in for quite long periods. She feels really safe inside so we can socialise her and provide a safe space when she’s had enough. I’ll be looking for the bigger version as she grows."
Pros
- Comes with a travel mat and water bowl
- Has wide straps for your carrying comfort
Cons
- Could have more mesh panels
Dimensions: | 42.9 x 30 x 33cm |
Weight: | 1.28kg |
Recommended for pets up to: | 7kg |
Best multifunctioning car carrier for puppy
If you plan on going on lots of outdoor adventures with your pooch as they grow, this Pecute Pet Carrier Backpack can be used in the car, thanks to the extendable back, but also be used as a backpack to carry your pup on long outdoor walks. Its design allows plenty of light and air in and the panel on the top opens that your dog can stick their head out of.
Customer review: "We bought this for our 6month old Sheepadoodle puppy. We like to go on long walks and as she is still too young to walk too far we bought this carrier. It was brilliant. Our puppy loved it. She was just over 6kg when we first bought this and my husband carried her very comfortably. We bought the large size so there’s still room for her to grow and still fit in it. We are going to try and use it when we go for a ride on our bikes. Very sturdy and has a few extra pockets for poo bags and treats. The only negative thing I can say is it’s not waterproof. I’m sure I can find a cover to go over it though."
Pros
- Plenty of pockets
- Versatile design
Cons
- Not waterproof
Dimensions: | 42 x 33.5 x 27cm (42 x 62 x 33.5cm extended) |
Weight: | 1.83kg |
Recommended for pets up to: | 6kg |
Stylish car carrier for puppy
www.petsathome.com
Want your puppy to travel in style? You need Pets at Home's Black Quilted Carrier. It's designed to look like a handbag with a quilted print and gold hardware detailing. There is a shoulder strap as well as handles for easy transportation and to really keep your pooch safe, it comes fitted with a collar clip for extra security.
Customer review: "I wanted to crate train my new puppy but the crates were all too big! This carrier was the prefect alternative. My pup sleeps in this and rests in it during the day. In the car you can put the seat belt through the handle for a secure puppy!"
Pros
- Super stylish
- Collar clip for extra security
Cons
- Smaller than others on our list so your pup may outgrow it more quickly
Dimensions: | 44.5 x 25.5 x 27cm |
Weight: | Not available |
Recommended for pets up to: | Not available |
Best carry carrier for puppy for breathability
www.petsathome.com
Up next is this totally adorable Just for Puppy Spot Print Carrier from Pets At Home. We're just dotty about the grey and white spot print. It has multiple entry points for ease of getting your pup in and out as well as soft mesh on the sides and on the front flap for ventilation purposes, with handles and a shoulder strap to make it easy to carry.
Pros
- Lots of mesh for ventilation
- Cute print
Cons
- It's a new product so there aren't any customer reviews
Dimensions: | 46 x 28 x 28cm |
Weight: | Not available |
Recommended for pets up to: | 7kg |
Vibrant car carrier for puppy
www.petsathome.com
Another option from Pets at Home is this Bright Blue Fabric Pet Carrier. Its vibrant blue colour and neon yellow trim will ensure your pup will be easily seen from the car. This fabric carrier includes a security clip for collars, with a shoulder strap and handles, plus mesh panels for ventilation, making it ideal for travelling with your pooch.
Customer review: "I have a lab puppy and this was great for carrying him when he was not able to walk on the ground yet. and lasted up to his second vacs. Lost of space for our pup, and even a side pocket which you can put other stuff in. Like how it opens at the top and on the side, and has meshing on the side so the pup can look out. The strap is big enough as well so you can use it like a sling and the bag it's self washed great in the washing machine taking out the cardboard lying which gives the bag its shape. Over all it was a great price for something that you won't use very long but it can double up as a bag to keep dog stuff in once the pup has grown up too"
Pros
- Bright colour for high visibility
- Multiple straps for easy handling
Cons
- One reviewer thought it was a bit small for their dog so we recommend checking the dimensions
Dimensions: | 46 x 28 x 28cm |
Weight: | Not available |
Recommended for pets up to: | 7kg |
Best for comfort
www.viovet.co.uk
You may know KONG for producing dog toys but they also have a range of travel products that will make travelling with your pooch a whole lot easier. Benefits of this KONG 2-in-1 Pet Carrier & Travel Mat include a removable padded travel mat that is designed to reduce stress when your pooch is riding in the car with you and dual entry points.
Pros
- Dual entry points
- Padded travel mat
Cons
- No customer reviews
Dimensions: | 46 x 33 x 29 cm |
Weight: | 250g |
Recommended for pets up to: | 8kg |
Best for practicality
www.petsathome.com
Not just for breakdowns and recoveries, this RAC has made this Fabric Cat and Small Dog Carrier to keep your puppy safe and secure while they're travelling. It's simple to set up and when it's not in use, it folds up compactly and neatly ready for the next time you need your dog to travel with you in the car.
Customer review: "We brought this before our dog arrived. She has happily used it as a day bed, climbs in to get into the car and she is very comfortable with just a small rectangle of vet carpet in there and a cuddly toy. Unfortunately, after two years of daily use, it has started to get some wear and tear, so we are buying a second one. Hopefully, now she isn't a puppy there will be less damage to it"
Pros
- Simple to fold down when not in use
- Ideal for indoor, outdoor and travel use
Cons
- Designed for small dogs so larger breeds may soon outgrow it
Dimensions: | 51 x 33 x 31cm |
Weight: | Not available |
Recommended for pets up to: | Not available |
What to consider when choosing a car carrier for a puppy:
When choosing a car carrier for your furry friend, there are a couple of factors to consider to ensure your pup stays safe, secure and comfortable.
Size and space
Making sure your pup can comfortably move around inside is vital. You'll want to consider the size and breed of your puppy before you buy a car carrier to make sure they've got space for now and enough room for them to grow into in the future.
Safety features
You'll also want to ensure your chosen carrier has plenty of mesh panels for breathability and to allow air to flow freely around your dog so they stay cool and calm. You should also make sure that the zippers of any openings are sturdy and good quality in order for them to stay closed so your puppy can't accidentally make a great escape.
Portability
To make it easier to put your puppy in and out of the car in their carrier, you'll want to look at what handles it has. Smaller handles will be great if you're only going to be carrying your dog small distances whereas shoulder straps are ideal if your pup is larger as it will help you carry the weight.
Comfort and style
Lastly, you'll want to make sure your chosen car carrier has your pup riding in comfort and style. Choose a car carrier for a puppy that has plenty of padding for them to snuggle up to, or opt for a separate travel dog bed to put inside for your little pooch to lay on. This will not only keep them comfy but will also help to keep them relaxed and stop them from feeling anxious and stressed about travelling.
You can get puppy car carriers that will match the interior of your car or ones that really stand out with their bright colours and pretty prints. The style you choose is completely up to you. However, you may want to choose a carrier that is made from easy-to-clean material in case your little one has any accidents while travelling.
Do you need to put a puppy in a carrier when in the car?
You don't need to put your puppy in a carrier when they're travelling in a car, but you do need to make sure they're restrained in some way.
Rule 57 of the Highway Code states: "When in a vehicle make sure dogs or other animals are suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves, if you stop quickly."
While you may not want to use a car carrier for a puppy, you will need to consider another option, such as a seat belt harness, dog cage or dog guard to keep your pup safe and secure.
Rosie Floyd is a Pets, Homes and Garden Product Writer for Take A Break Pets, specialising in all things dogs. She grew up always having at least one dog as part of the family and has experience in owning a variety of breeds, including Labradors, Cockapoos and Yorkshire Terriers.