Which Dog Travel Carrier?

Now that the Pug Haus pugs are bicontinental, they need a comfortable, safe, sturdy dog travel carrier. It must fit under most seats on international flights. I've narrowed down the options to two. I'm currently training the pugs with them to see which will make the cut. We might need another option. Each pug might choose a different carrier. The test is on!

Lyapuff drew the short stick and will be the first pug to visit France this summer. Currently she gets first pick of the carriers. She'll use one of these and report back. She is well-trained for a variety of totes and bags. She needs to transition into a fully enclosed carrier. Her favorite is her Goyard bag, of course, which will be making its way to France. It isn't airline travel compliant. While Lyapuff is currently a service dog in training for Gluten Detection, she doesn't get service dog privilege yet. (Service dogs must be fully trained to fly in-cabin as a service dog. Dogs in training must fly as pets and remain in their carrier through the entire flight.)

We mostly fly Delta, so have chosen dog travel carriers that meet the Delta Standards for International travel. Make sure to confirm requirements for the airline you choose to fly.

We started with a Petsfit expandable carrier. (I gain nothing from you following that link.) These are sold in many places, including Amazon. The carrier seems solid and Lyapuff seems to like it. The side expansion is easy to pull out. However, there is an inside flap that must be unzipped to access the expansion. With the extension zipped up, there are only three mesh sides. I'm unsure if Delta will accept this bag for International flights. We got this by next day delivery. We wanted to get Lyapuff training right away. Either way, this carrier will definitely work domestically.

We love Petsfit products and have used quite a few in the past. We have a dog seat that we love. All of the soft crates and pens were destroyed with little use. The pugs can get through a mesh screen quickly and easily! We hope the dog travel carrier mesh is stronger. 

Our second carrier choice is the Mr. Peanut's Gold Series Standard Size Airline Compliant Expandable Pet Carrier V3.0. Again we chose expandable on one side. We also added the cart, which can be used with the Petsfit version as well. We have high hopes for this and will add a thorough review once it arrives. We'll share more once we get the pugs adjusted to it. We just added Mr. Peanuts' products to our catalog. I'm excited to get hands-on with this carrier. 

How to Choose the Right Dog Travel Carrier for In-Cabin International Travel

Selecting the best pet carrier for international travel in the cabin is crucial for your pet’s comfort and safety. The carrier must comply with airline regulations, as it needs to fit under the seat in front of you. Before booking your ticket, check your airline’s specific size requirements and restrictions to avoid travel day stress. You may ven want to have a backup if you have any questions about your favorite.

• Dog travel carrier dimensions must not exceed the maximum set by your airline—typical sizes range from 16-18 inches long, 9-11 inches high, and 9-12 inches wide. Delta is 18"x11"x11" so that's what I'm working with.
• Opt for a soft-sided carrier, which fits more easily under most seats and is flexible enough for snug spaces.
• Proper ventilation is vital. Look for dog travel carriers with mesh panels on at least four sides for airflow and visibility. Domestic Travel requires three-sides--the top counts as a side--of mesh, which International Travel requires four sides.
• Choose carriers with waterproof and removable liners to make accidents easy to clean. You should also add a disposable liner for long flights so you can easily pull out and seal in a zip-lock for easy cleanup.
• Check weight limits—most airlines restrict combined pet and carrier weight (often around 15-20 lbs). Delta does not have a maximum weight allowed, but many of their partner airlines do. Be sure to check all the airline carriers in your itinerary for their requirements.

Not every dog travel carrier is up to snuff. Comfort matters, so ensure there’s enough room for your pet to turn around and lie down. Secure closures, sturdy handles, and, if possible, a strap for hands-free carrying will make navigating the airport easier. Add a foldable cart to go hands-free. These carts can easily fit under an second seat or in the overhead bin. 

Get your pug used to the carrier

Train your pet to relax in their carrier well before your trip—stress-free pets travel better. You don't want the first time in the carrier a long trip to the vet or a flight. Start small and ease into lengthy time zipped in. Offer treats inside the carrier, perhaps even feed some meals inside the carrier. You want your pug to associate the carrier with good things like cheese and dinner!

Lyapuff is currently having a makuna honey treat every evening in her carrier. She also gets a couple treats a day in it. She goes in quite a bit on her own but doesn't remain in it for long. Soon we'll zip her up.

What's Next?

After deicing on a dog travel carrier, we're taking a short same-day roundtrip to San Francisco. This will get Lyapuff used to traveling on a plane. We want her comfortable before we head to France. Since we're moving, we're on a quickened timeline. Normally, I'd recommend more than one test flight.

We'll report back on both dog travel carriers and the excitement of travel with Lyapuff!