Travel can be stressful enough for your pet. What's an owner to do about transporting their furry friend on road trips or flights? The SturdiBag Pro 2.0 pet carrier, available on Amazon, is an ideal solution for pet travel with both cats and dogs.
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SturdiBag Pro 2.0 Pet Carrier - Starting at $106.99
The new and improved SturdiBag Pro 2.0 launched last year and ranges in size from small to XXL. Improvements to the original include the addition of a luggage handle loop as well as the incorporation of locking zippers for safety. All sizes except XL and up are suitable for most in-cabin airline travel; but, as always, please double check with your specific airline.
This is my favorite inflight pet carrier because it does so much. There are five main reasons why I think this is the best option for your upcoming adventures, which you can read below. But it should also be noted that this bag is also great for outdoor dining with your pet. I’ll give my dog, Tonka, a chew toy or bone and keep the carrier next to my feet while enjoying a meal on a restaurant’s patio. The SturdiBag Pro 2.0 is worth the cost and more — my dog absolutely loves it and will go rest inside even while we’re hanging out at home.
1. The SturdiBag is lightweight.
When I first got my shih tzu, I’d been looking at designer carriers that were fancy and aspirational. However, little did I realize at the time that practicality and simplicity are best when traveling with a dog. I ended up not using the carrier I so happily shelled out a large sum for because it was leather and too heavy, so it kept sliding off my shoulder. I currently own the SturdiBag 2.0 in medium, which is ideal for pets up to 25 pounds. Made of durable polyester with a replaceable foam pad inside for your pet’s comfort, this bag is light and easy to carry, making travel more efficient. (The company also offers a SturdiBag Cube, which is suitable for pets 10 pounds and under.)
2. The carrier is fully machine washable.
Cleaning the SturdiBag Pro 2.0 is easy because it is machine washable. Simply remove the rods which hold the opening of the bag in place along with the floor pad, strap, zipper clips, and the floor base before placing it in your washing machine.
Set on a gentle cycle in either cold or warm water. I tend to use the warm water setting to eliminate germs and get a deep clean. Hang to dry. The older version of the SturdiBag required users to “flex” the rods when removing, which required more time. The updated version improves functionality and makes this process more convenient.
3. You can get replacement accessories for a great price.
A replacement base, which is the piece that gives the bottom of your bag structure, ranges from $6 to $10, depending on size. The company also offers an interior foam bedding replacement for $8 in case your pet destroys the pad so badly that washing it is out of the question. I love that the company offers replacements for their products, an indicator that your purchase should last a long time.
4. Mesh flaps create privacy in airports and on planes.
Another winning aspect of this travel carrier is the mesh windows and doors, which have optional privacy flaps. My dog sometimes gets anxious when traveling in the plane, so when I draw the flaps down he can easily fall asleep, muting out some of the noise around us. This feature also assists in calming him while we move through the airport. The flaps can be easily kept open with Velcro tabs if your pet needs more ventilation.
5. The carriers come in an assortment of colors.
SturdiBags come in an assortment of colors ranging from neutrals like black and tan to statement colors lavender and red. The brighter colors are a good choice in my opinion because they make the bag easier to spot in a crowd.