Dog Crates and Carriers – Crash Tested

Jan 14, 2018

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You’ve seen companies conduct crash tests on cars for years. But what about the crates and carriers into which we place our pets?

Here’s some interesting information about recent dog carrier crash testing done on dog crates and dog carriers to keep your pets as safe as can be.

The Dog Carrier Crash Test

First, please know that crash testing is never done on living, breathing dogs. No. Crash test dog dummies were created using the ingenuity of The Center for Pet Safety, Subaru of America and NASA engineers.

Dog Carriers

Naturally, not every carrier could qualify for the crash test. And there were just three carriers that got the Center’s top award for safest pet carrier:

Gunner Kennels G1 Intermediate with 8’ Tie Down Straps
Pet Ego Forma Frame Jet Set Carrier with ISOFIX-Latch Connection
Sleepypod Mobile Pet Bed with PPRS Handilock

Gunner Kennels G1 Intermediate with 8’ Tie Down Straps

This is the dog carrier that took top honors in the crash testing for 2015. Why? The Center says this: “… the dual locking feature on the door provides significant structural support to the door in case of an accident.”

Gunner Kennels G1 – Large

When the anchor straps are tightened down, the rubber feet grips carpet better than any other crate which prevents tipping over.

This carrier was tested to withstand force of greater than 4,000 pounds. It’s pricey at a cost of $449 but isn’t your best friend worth a carrier that grabbed best in test show?

Pet Ego Forma Frame Jet Set Carrier with ISOFIX-Latch Connection

The Center for Pet Safety was very impressed with this carrier particularly because of the well-performing latch system. This connection holds the carrier in place much like a latch system for a child’s car seat.

This product comes in two sizes, small and large. The small is $150 and the large is $160.

Petego Jet Set Pet Carrier with Forma Frame, Large, Black Label

Sleepypod Mobile Pet Bed with PPRS Handilock

Following up on its 2013 Center for Pet Safety Harness Crashworthiness Study top honors, Sleepypod has done it again with a bed that straps securely to the seat using a car’s lap and shoulder belt system.

The Sleepypod system is perfect for cats and dogs between 10 and 18 pounds and acts as a 3-in-1: pet bed, carrier and car seat. These all-in-one carriers retail on Amazon for between $160 and $190.

Sleepypod Mobile Pet Bed, Sky Blue, Medium

Which Dog Carrier to Choose?

Since all of them passed the Center’s crash testing with flying colors, choosing will be a matter of taste and pocketbook. If you need a hard sided kennel for a larger dog, the Gunner Kennels carrier may be the best choice.

If you’re looking for a system that holds your pet securely in place in a car, go for either of the other two. The Sleepypod has a bit more versatility for the price and confines your cat or small dog into an easy to use pet carrier. And it’s a simple thing to get your buddy used to it because it can be used as a bed when you aren’t traveling.

Give any of these crash-worthy choices a try and feel the peace of mind knowing your pet is safe and sound when you travel together.

Other products you may like…

AmazonBasics Double-Door Folding Metal Dog Crate – Medium (36x23x25 Inches)