Small pet travel accessories
Travel for a small pet almost always means one thing in practice: a secure carrier for a vet visit, a house move, or the odd trip away. It's a smaller corner of the shop than dog or cat travel gear, but getting the carrier right matters just as much for an animal that startles easily.
What matters most for a small pet carrier
Security comes first — a latch that can't be nudged open by a determined paw, and solid sides rather than something that flexes and feels unstable when carried. Ventilation matters just as much, since small pets can overheat quickly in a poorly ventilated box, especially in a warm car.
We stock carrier bags with a viewing window so you can check on your pet without opening the lid, which reduces the stress of a journey for an animal that would rather not be handled mid-trip. Look for a solid, wipeable base too, since accidents happen on longer journeys and a fabric-only base is harder to clean properly afterwards.
How to make the trip itself easier
Line the carrier with familiar bedding from home rather than something new, since scent is genuinely reassuring for a small animal in an unfamiliar box. Keep the carrier as level and stable as possible in the car, ideally secured with a seatbelt or footwell rather than left loose on a seat.
For anything beyond a short local trip, check with your vet or a welfare organisation like the RSPCA about the specific needs of your species — rabbits, for example, have their own temperature and stress considerations that are worth understanding properly before a longer journey.
In this section
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Plush Checkered Dog Car Back Seat Bed
A quilted checkered car bed that turns the back seat into one flat, cosy platform for your dog.
From£11.99
Front-Facing Legs-Out Pet Carrier Backpack
A breathable front-carry backpack that holds your small dog or cat facing outward, legs through the openings. Padded adjustable straps and a secure buckle keep them comfortable on walks and rides.
From£8.99
Canvas Shoulder Sling Pet Carrier Bag
A soft canvas shoulder-sling carrier that lets your cat or small dog poke their head out while you walk. Breathable open top with a novelty lion-mane collar and paw design for hands-free trips.
From£9.99
3-in-1 Padded Pet Travel Bed & Car Booster Tote
A quilted pet tote that switches between a portable bed, a raised car booster and a carry bag.
From£24.99
Front-Carry Pet Backpack Carrier
Hands-free front-carry backpack that holds a small dog or cat against your chest, with breathable leg openings and a padded, adjustable harness. Cute bear-pocket detail and drawstring top keep your pet snug and secure on the go.
From£15.99
Front-Pack Pet Carrier Backpack
A breathable front-pack carrier that holds small dogs and cats against your chest with their legs comfortably out. Padded straps, a mesh back panel and an adjustable buckle keep your pet secure and ventilated on the go.
From£12.99
Replacement Cage Lid Pin (33cm)
A genuine spare lid pin for folding cages — 33 cm in length, so your cage stays secure when the original goes walkabout.
£6.49
6-Panel Metal Dog Playpen with Gate, Floor Grips and Connectors — White
A six-panel iron pen with rounded corners, forming a 120 x 60cm rectangle or any shape you need, supplied with non-slip floor grips, connectors and cable ties.
£61.99
Foldable Mesh Pet Travel Tent
A pop-up mesh tent giving pets shaded, breathable shelter outdoors or travelling.
£37.99
Spare Short Pin for Folding Cage
A spare short pin for the folding cat cage — so a missing pin doesn't put your cage out of action.
£5.99
Quilted Dog Car Seat Booster Bed
A quilted booster bed that lifts your dog for a comfortable window view and a secure ride.
£18.99
24-Panel DIY Small Animal Enclosure with Wipe-Clean Panels and Connectors
A build-it-yourself enclosure of 24 panels giving roughly 142 x 71cm, with wipe-clean PP boards, 4cm wire spacing, anti-slip pads and cable ties for adding doors.
£44.99
Common questions
- How long can a small pet safely travel in a carrier?
- It depends on the species and the individual animal, but shorter is generally better, and regular stops matter for a longer trip. If you're planning anything beyond a routine vet visit, it's worth checking guidance specific to your pet with your vet beforehand.
- Should I feed my small pet before travelling?
- A light feed beforehand is usually fine for most small pets, but avoid a large meal right before a car journey, similar to the advice given for dogs and cats. If your pet has a specific health condition, check with your vet first.
- Do small pets need water during a journey?
- For a short trip, most small pets manage without, but for anything longer, a secure, spill-proof water option is worth having, along with familiar food if the trip runs into a normal mealtime. A carrier with room for a small water bottle makes this easier.
Related
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.