Taking Fido with you on a road trip or a plane trip this holiday season? You’ll need to know what size dog crate is right for them. Learn here!
67% of pet owners are planning to take a holiday vacation with their dogs this year. And why not? Your pet is part of the family and will enjoy the smells and tastes of a new place.
But is your pet safe as you travel? Most aren’t. 84% of dog owners do not restrain their dogs when they travel by car.
Whether you plan to take a road trip or a flight this year, make sure your pet is safe in a dog crate.
There are dozens of crate sizes you can use for a dog. Read on to learn what size dog crate to get for your furry friend.
Ensuring a Good Dog Crate Size
Your dog cage should allow your pet to stand up straight and sit erectly. There needs to be enough room for him to lie down in a natural position. And your dog should be able to turn around while standing.
You could go to a pet store and try out each dog crate, but the best way to determine the right size crate for your pet is to use precise measurements.
Measure Your Pet
Measuring your dog enables you to accurately assess the crate dimensions you need for your pet. You will need four measurements of your pet in total.
First, measure your dog from the tip of her nose to the base of her tail. Don’t include the tail in this measurement. This is measurement A.
Next, measure from the elbow joint all the way to the ground. Label this measurement B.
You’ll also need your dog’s width from one shoulder to the other. This is measurement C.
Finally, measure the height of your dog in his natural standing position. If your pet has erect ears, measure all the way to the tip of her ears. Mark this as measurement D.
Calculate What Size Dog Crate to Buy
Now that you have accurate measurements for your dog, you can calculate the size dog crate you need.
Here are the formulas to calculate the crate size you need for your furry friend.
To determine the length of the crate you need, add measurement A plus half the measurement of B. This is the length of the crate you need for your pet.
Next, multiply measurement C by 2 to get the width you need for your dog crate.
The crate height needs to be the same as measurement D. This is simply the height of your dog. You don’t need to do any calculations.
Is Your Dog’s Crate IATA Compliant?
If you want your pet to fly in the cargo hold of a plane, your crate must pass International Air Transport Association (IATA) regulations. These IATA rules dictate the ways that live animals may be transported in order to keep them safe. It’s not up to the airline to make rules on pet crates.
Even if you aren’t taking a flight right now, you might as well choose a dog crate that is IATA compliant. That way you won’t have to buy another crate down the line.
Not sure you will use your crate enough? Check out these 5 travel bucket list ideas and you’ll soon be itching to go.
Your dog crate must have a water and food bowl and a pet pad (or similar). It must also have a sturdy door and sufficient ventilation.
There are also specific construction requirements in order for a dog crate to be IATA compliant.
For example, there can’t be any rough edges or nails protruding. And the door’s locking mechanism must prevent accidental openings.
Besides flights, you should also use a crate when you are traveling with your dog by car.
Should I Use a Dog Crate in the Car?
Yes! You should use a dog crate in the car anytime you travel with your dog for various reasons.
For one thing, pets that are allowed to move freely in a car can distract the driver. Distracted driving is one of the major causes of car accidents. It’s not only limited to cell phone use.
A dog licking the driver, trying to get in the driver seat, or running back and forth in the seats is very distracting. Keep everyone safe by securely restraining your pets during car rides.
Also, using a dog crate in the car keeps your four-legged friend safe in the event of a crash or sudden stop. A loose pet could be ejected from the car and even be thrown through the windshield. Or, he could hurt one of the other passengers in the car.
In an emergency or accident, a loose dog could escape through an open door or window. A scared dog will likely run without noticing where she’s going. She could end up lost or hurt by running through traffic.
In the event of a collision, your pet may threaten or bite emergency responders on the scene. Your pet may see first responders as a threat and react aggressively.
Even if you don’t get into a serious crash, a sudden stop could result in an injury for your pup. Loose objects in the car could injure your furry friend.
We know you love your fur baby. So why risk his safety? Play it safe and always use a crate to transport your dog.
Bottom Line
Thanks for reading. We hope this article has given you clear guidelines on how to measure your dog for a crate. You should now understand what size dog crate you need to buy for your pet.
Remember, a dog crate is the best and safest way to travel with your furry friend, whether by plane, train or car.
Next, read more about how pet ownership can change your life.