Kennel cages or travel crates are important tools for dogs and cats to meet their transportation and shelter needs. I am referring to kennel cages, also known as pet crates, and not kennels as in dog hotels, animal shelters or a kennel club. The right kind of kennel cage or crate depends on your pets likes and dislikes.

Dog and cat kennels cages or crates are made of many different materials. Heavy duty plastic with metal doors and the aluminum travel cages are the most popular. Full plastic kennels with metal doors are usually the safest type of kennel when traveling in a vehicle with your pets, especially in the unlikely event of a collision. Putting soft toys and cuddle blankets or small bed makes inside the kennel makes it even easier on a dog or cat should a collision occur. Plastic crate kennels are also FAA approved and are good for airline travel.

Plastic kennel cages only come in one, non folding, style. However, aluminum cages come in two styles folding or non-folding. One thing that makes an aluminum cage good for travel is they are very strong, however, only if constructed with appropriate bracing. Aluminum kennel cages do not rust easily, they have excellent airflow and vision for your pets enjoyment; which is a feature that is appreciated by cats as well as dogs.

The larger types of outdoor kennel cages are good for unfenced yards and are usually big enough to fit a dog house on the inside. However, depending upon your climate, you should not overlook the styles of outdoor kennel cages that come with their own roof so rain cannot get in. These styles of pet kennels do not have a flooring; thus the bare ground becomes the kennel floor.

Believe it or not, outdoor cages are great play places for cats and keeps them dry and safe from unruly neighborhood dogs. Many outdoor cat kennel cages even have shelves, ladders and hanging toys to keep your cats happy and well exercised. Cyclone fence style outdoor cages can be dangerous especially to cats due to their non-right angular chain links.

One good travel kennel accessory that I use for my dog is a car harness. This car harness fits onto my dog just as a walking harness would. Attached to this car harness, between the dogs shoulder blades, is a short leash that snaps onto the back of the harness and the opposite end of the leash snaps into the vehicle's seat belt device; the device that a passenger would snap their seat belts into. This holds my dog securely in place just as a passenger is safely held.

It took my dog a few short trips to fully become used to the travel harness. I made sure his kennel cage was in the seat beside him, with it's door open, that allowed him to retreat to his familiar bed when he desired. Once he became used to wearing his travel harness, he loves it! On long trips I still keep his kennel cage sitting in the seat beside him allowing him the choice of a nap in the kennel or in the car seat.

A vehicle safety harness should only be used on cats that are already accustomed to wearing walking harnesses. If your pet feels insecure in a vehicle travel harness, please do not use it. You are the only one who knows your dog or cat best. You must always keep their safety and comfort levels in mind at all times.