Choosing a Safe Dog Tote
Owners of little dogs have one leg up on big dog owners – the added bonus of being able to stow away their canine pal and sneak them into restaurants, shopping malls, and movie theaters. Thanks to the creative designers of dog totes, sneaking Fifi into public places is easier than ever, and now it can be done with a little style, too. Dog bags used to look very utilitarian, but today’s bags meet the needs of every fashionista. You can even have a bag for every season, outfit, or mood! But remember, the health and safety of your dog is more important than your tote’s bling, so here are some things to remember when purchasing a safe doggie tote:
- A dog tote should first and foremost have good ventilation. Look for a tote with a mesh front and sides for cross-ventilation.
- Your dog should fit snuggly into the tote, but she should be able to lie down and relax inside, too. Make sure that the bag is tall enough for her to stand up in. She won’t have fun if she’s uncomfortable.
- Ideally, the tote will have padding at the bottom. If it doesn’t, you can add a small towel or baby blanket.
- One nice tote feature is the ability to roll down a cover over the mesh sides in case you don’t want anyone to know that Fifi is inside.
- The tote should be sturdy and well made – Fifi shouldn’t be able to scratch or bite her way out of it.
- The inside of the bag should have a collar clip so that your dog can’t jump out.
- Some totes come with a zippered place for Fifi’s head to pop out, giving her a nice view of the world while still safely stowed away under your arm.
- A tote on wheels is great for a dog that’s small enough to fit in a bag but slightly too heavy to carry. A five-pound Poodle won’t over-burden your shoulder, but a fifteen-pound Schnauzer might.
- Like a diaper bag for babies, it’s nice to have a tote that has extra pockets for treats, wipes, and pick-up bags.
- If you want to travel with your pet, make sure that the tote you choose is airline approved.
- Want to get really fancy? Some companies offer matching leads and collars, and even doggie duds to compliment their totes.
- If your pet is small but tilting the scale a little, consider a doggie backpack rather than a shoulder tote.
- If you don’t want to go with a tote but want to carry Fifi around easily, consider a “front pack” that straps to your chest. These are very popular in the baby marketplace, so why not for dogs?
- Most pet totes are made by boutique-y manufacturers, but luggage companies have gotten into the mix, so if you want something a little less girly, that’s a good way to go.