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Step 1
Choose crates that are appropriate to the mode of travel you propose. Wire crates are good for car travel, since they provide lots of ventilation and you can keep an eye on your pet at all times. Solid-sided plastic crates are best for air travel, since they will minimize visual distractions for your pet that could upset him.
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Step 2
Select a crate made of chew-proof materials. Wicker crates are not appropriate for dogs, as they are chewed through quite easily. Cats can sometimes use wicker crates, as their teeth are smaller and they are not as prone to chewing.
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Step 3
Select a crate that is big enough for your pet to sit up, stand up, lie down and turn around in without any difficulty. It is cruel to keep a pet in a crate that is too small for him, and airlines will not let you bring a pet aboard in a crate that doesn't allow for comfortable movement.
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Step 4
Test the latch on any travel crate you are considering. The latch needs to be very secure and impossible for a pet to break or undo on his own. Crates with loose latches are not acceptable on airlines.
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Step 5
Choose a crate that is easy to clean. Wicker crates do not fall into this category. Plastic crates can be washed out with a hose, while many wire crates have pans attached to the bottom that wastes can fall into. This makes the wire crate/pan combination the easiest to clean.
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Step 6
Get a sales representative at the pet store to assist you in finding a crate that conforms to airline size requirements as well as the size of your pet.
