Soft pet carriers can be a fabulous way for pet owners to carry their pets around in style. These carriers also called soft-sided pet carriers, come in a wide variety of styles, designs, colors, and sizes, so it’s quite easy to find the perfect carrier for one’s cat or dog. The best thing about most soft carriers, even some of the large soft pet carrier varieties, is that they can be carried as “carry on” baggage when pet owners are traveling by plane. This prevents one’s pet from having to be put with other animals in a sometimes dangerous area under the plane. Being confined in this area has caused many pets to become injured or to die, so a good carrier can truly be a lifesaver. Of course, every airline will have its own rules and regulations regarding carrying pets on the plane, so it is always important to research, read, and understand these. Most of these will be clearly outlined on the airline’s website, though it is important to call and ask or to talk to someone in person if one has specific questions not addressed in the policies.
The most commonly accepted brands of soft-sided pet carriers by airlines are Sherpa Pet Groups, Fox and Hounds, Pez for Pets, Luna Brite, Woof Wear Organics, Cloak and Dawggie, Dog Mountain Art, and Go Dog. Some carriers that are specially designed by the airlines themselves are also acceptable. Shopping within these brands or for comparable brands and being aware of each airline’s pet carry on policies is the first step in keeping one’s pet safe and comfortable during travel.
With both small and large soft pet carrier varieties, those who purchase a carrier will want to be sure that they purchase one with a liner. These liners not only keep the pet from slipping around due to movement or tearing through the soft cloth or other material underneath the liner. The liners are also good for keeping accidents from getting into the hard to clean fabric. The best thing about liners is that, with most good carriers, they are easily replaceable. They should be changed anytime a pet has an accident or anytime the pet makes a hole or otherwise harms the liner, such as by scratching at it. This is to keep your pet healthy and to prevent damage to the carrier.
Carrier purchases can sometimes be expensive, especially if one is really in the market for a quality product. The most expensive purchases will be those from retail stores or directly from the manufacturer. If pet owners are looking for a bargain, they should search online for different sites that sell pet carriers. Name brand products, such as Sherpa products and the like, tend to be the most reliable. Going generic is okay, but owners should not buy products that are intentional knock offs, as these are made not with quality in mind, but with the goal of fooling the purchaser. Shopping secondhand, such as at yard sales or through auction sites, is another option for buying soft pet carriers.
