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Original poster

To feel mean about putting my dog in a smaller car cage?

26 replies

hatesalons · 03/10/2020 16:01

I have been researching crash cages for my dog in the car

I am surprised how small they are I think I read somewhere they need to be a certain size and not too big?

currently my dog is in quite a large cage and he can roam about and has toys and a water bottle

I have measured him and he is an 11kg dog who will be getting a 15kg crash cage

I feel mean putting him in a smaller cage but he will never be in it for more than 20 -30 minutes as all our drives involve taking him to somewhere nice for walkies!

Please help me not to feel mean!!!

OP posts:
Mascaramademehappy · 03/10/2020 16:12

It’s best to have them in a crate big enough to sit comfortably, be able to lie down and turn but not have tons of extra room. The thinking is that if there was an accident they are not further injured by being slammed a longer distance into the side of the crate. You can get clip on water dishes so they do not take up floor space.

CitizenFame · 03/10/2020 16:16

@hatesalons

I have been researching crash cages for my dog in the car

I am surprised how small they are I think I read somewhere they need to be a certain size and not too big?

currently my dog is in quite a large cage and he can roam about and has toys and a water bottle

I have measured him and he is an 11kg dog who will be getting a 15kg crash cage

I feel mean putting him in a smaller cage but he will never be in it for more than 20 -30 minutes as all our drives involve taking him to somewhere nice for walkies!

Please help me not to feel mean!!!

What would you rather have? Your dog feeling you are mean for about ten seconds or your dog being slammed around the metal cage, if you were in a car crash?
SBTLove · 03/10/2020 16:17

It’s called a crash cage for a reason, it’s to keep him safe. Far too many cases of dogs getting loose in RTAs and either being killed on the road or running for days before capture. Get the cage.

Original poster
hatesalons · 03/10/2020 16:19

You are right on the importance of safety which is why I want to change cages in the first place

it just seems a big change for my little boy and of course he won't understand

I think the chance of us being in an accident is very remote given where we live, the amount of traffic, and how good a driver my husband is but of course one can never say never!

I was just surprised about how much smaller the crash cage would need to be. Although my dog isn't very big He does like to lie out at full stretch

OP posts:
Original poster
hatesalons · 03/10/2020 16:20

You are alll right - I need to get that cage!!!! It would give me peace of mind and I am quite an anxious person so that is surely a good thing

OP posts:
Original poster
hatesalons · 03/10/2020 16:22

@Mascaramademehappy

It’s best to have them in a crate big enough to sit comfortably, be able to lie down and turn but not have tons of extra room. The thinking is that if there was an accident they are not further injured by being slammed a longer distance into the side of the crate. You can get clip on water dishes so they do not take up floor space.
That does make sense thank you
OP posts:
Original poster
hatesalons · 03/10/2020 16:22

@SBTLove

It’s called a crash cage for a reason, it’s to keep him safe. Far too many cases of dogs getting loose in RTAs and either being killed on the road or running for days before capture. Get the cage.
That's awful yes I would be heartbroken if that was my baby
OP posts:
Original poster
hatesalons · 03/10/2020 16:23

I am sure he will adjust very quickly and since 99% of our drives involve taking him somewhere nice and exciting I am sure he will get over it pretty fast

OP posts:
AbitSceptical · 03/10/2020 16:42

Would you feel guilty about putting your child in a car seat for their safety? (Hope not!)

ColleagueFromMars · 03/10/2020 16:46

I don't particularly want to open this worn hole but here i am... are crash cages safer for dogs than a doggy seat belt clipped onto their harness? That's what I use, adjusted so that she can sit/stand/turn around but not be thrown far if there is a collision.

SBTLove · 03/10/2020 16:49

@ColleagueFromMars
Your dog being secured is good and prevents injury and escape, I shudder every time I see dogs standing head out window on somebody’s knee.

Original poster
hatesalons · 03/10/2020 19:33

@AbitSceptical

Would you feel guilty about putting your child in a car seat for their safety? (Hope not!)
I don't have a child but i do get your point - that is a good way of putting it. My dog is my child so yes you're right - I shouldn't even be questioning this.
OP posts:
Gertiegumboot · 03/10/2020 19:40

Can I ask about car sickness with crash crates please?

Our dogs currently travel up front with harnesses because one of them tends to throw up after about an hour's travelling even when we've fasted him in advance.

Do dogs tend to throw up more in the back, and in a crate?

Original poster
hatesalons · 03/10/2020 19:58

@Gertiegumboot

Can I ask about car sickness with crash crates please?

Our dogs currently travel up front with harnesses because one of them tends to throw up after about an hour's travelling even when we've fasted him in advance.

Do dogs tend to throw up more in the back, and in a crate?

I hope you get an answer to your query - wish I could help but my boy is a natural traveller.
OP posts:
Hyperfish101 · 03/10/2020 20:04

My dog is sometimes sick. Adaptil helps.

Gertiegumboot · 03/10/2020 21:32

Thank you salons - sorry to hi-jack!

Thanks Hyperfish we'll try it

Catdogmum · 03/10/2020 21:36

Try and make the new crate as positive an experience as possible - blanket which smells of him, a nice biscuit or treat when going in etc. @Gertiegumboot - someone told me that the safest way is a crate on the backseat, followed by crash tested crate in the boot - not sure where they had found that out from though!

Gertiegumboot · 03/10/2020 21:48

Thanks Catdogmum you mean building them up to it?

Honeybobbin · 03/10/2020 21:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SBTLove · 03/10/2020 21:57

www.transk9.com/crash-testing/

imissthesouth · 03/10/2020 21:57

Definitely not mean, he won't mind honestly. It's so important to keep them safe in a crash, as a PP mentioned you wouldn't feel bad for putting a child in a car seat. The dog will just be happy to go to the park! I have one for my own fur baby and she doesn't mind at all.

Original poster
hatesalons · 04/10/2020 04:31

@Gertiegumboot

Thank you salons - sorry to hi-jack!

Thanks Hyperfish we'll try it

Not at all - you're welcome Smile
OP posts:
Original poster
hatesalons · 04/10/2020 04:33

@Catdogmum

Try and make the new crate as positive an experience as possible - blanket which smells of him, a nice biscuit or treat when going in etc. *@Gertiegumboot* - someone told me that the safest way is a crate on the backseat, followed by crash tested crate in the boot - not sure where they had found that out from though!
That's a good idea about the treat or the toy.

I was planning to put crash cage in back seat with isofix

OP posts:
Original poster
hatesalons · 04/10/2020 04:35

@Honeybobbin

I also use a harness clip, never heard of a crash cage. Will follow this closely as obviously want my lovely dog to be as safe as possible.
Yes I only realised about these two weeks ago reading an old thread. Been thinking about it ever since and just about to purchase.
OP posts:
Catdogmum · 04/10/2020 08:04

@Gertiegumboot

Thanks Catdogmum you mean building them up to it?
No - I think they meant that the safest place was in a crate on the backseat and the next safest was in a crate in the boot (because the boot and bonnet on most cars are designed to crumple in a collision but the crash crate offers some protection I guess)

Mine are in a crate but I do need to invest in one of the sturdier ones...difficult to fit two dogs into a Golf though when they are a pair of absolute divas and will NOT share a crate to travel in, thank you very much!

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