Your pet is part of the family and you'll want to bring them along when you travel. Whether you travel by car or by plane you'll want a pet carrier that protects your pet while keeping it comfortable. The safest place for your pet to stay while in motion is in a pet carrier. Pet carriers come in various styles and sizes to fit any type of pet.
The two main types of pet carriers are soft sided and hard sided. The style that you choose will depend mainly on the type of pet and the size and weight of the pet. Larger pets do well in hard-sided pet carriers. Smaller pets can be comfortable in soft-sided carriers. Either way you'll need to keep a few things in mind. First, choose a size carrier that is comfortable for your pet. It should allow your pet the ability to stand and to turn around.
Consider carriers that provide a drink cup or bottle. This allows your pet access to water when they need it most. Choose a pet carrier that has plenty of ventilation. You'll want to have at least two sides that have ventilation. Some carriers have the option of opening any of the four sides to get air. Remember that it can get quite warm inside a carrier, especially on a warm day.
It is important that you get your pet used to the new carrier before you need to use it. Bring the carrier home and let your pet have a look at it on his or her own terms. Prop open the door so that the animal has free access to go in or out. You can try placing the animal into the carrier or luring him in with a treat. Don't lock him in just yet – let him feel safe and secure first. This will make travel with your pet easier and less stressful for both of you.