Dogs are our best companions, and we would love to take them with us wherever we go. While we would love for them to walk with us, some situations do not allow it. It may be that certain institutions require dogs to be carried in bags or some dogs may be too stubborn to walk, especially the small ones. And, if your dog has not ridden in a carrier before, you might want to find creative ways to get them to like it before the day you’re planning to carry them in one.
Out of so many dog carrier purses in the market, we have researched and come up with a list of the purses we think are the best to carry your small dog in. The purses vary in prices so you have the option to choose the one that you can afford.
Factors to consider when buying a dog carrier purse
Size
Your dog will need enough space to sit in the carrier comfortably and breathe freely. Dogs come in many sizes depending on what breed they are, so there are many different carriers in the market created for these different dogs. It is therefore essential to know the size of your dog so that you can get it a suitable carrier, this way your furry friend will be happy.
Pomeranians and poodles, for example, will need smaller carrier purses compared to a Bulldog. Some dogs, however, are so big that they will not fit into any carrier purse and these include the Great Dane. The carrier purse should be slightly bigger by a few inches than the actual size of the dog both vertically and horizontally so that your dog has enough room to turn around or stretch while inside the purse.
Design and material
Of course, you will need to pick a carrier purse that will appease you and at the same time suit your dog. There are many designs in the market to suit different tastes of small dog owners and which also vary in color. You can choose a color that is in line with your sense of style because the carrier purse is also an accessory. The purses are made of different materials which will determine the quality and durability of the purse. Besides, you should choose a material that is warm and cozy for your dog.
You might want to go for a material that is easy to clean after using the bag. Other bags have additional pockets for storing dog treats, poop bags, and other essential items so that you don’t have to carry another purse for these items. Also, always remember to check if the dog carrier purse is airline approved and you can do some research on how to fly with your canine friend.
Function
You might want a carrier purse for specific purposes, and these will determine the type of purse you will choose. If you only need a purse for placing your dog in the car, then you might get a simple carrier purse. But if you want one to carry your dog with you wherever you go, then you might go for a more detailed purse. Airlines may also have specific requirements for the purse you use to carry your dog, so you will also need to know if it is approved by airlines before you buy it.
Your dog should be able to get enough air while inside it, and it should also not be too hot for your dog; especially when you don’t want the dog popping its head outside the purse all the time. Some purses have both mesh tops and mesh windows while others have only one of the two. Others look like apparent dog purses, and others are more discreet and look like ordinary purses, and it is up to you to decide which one you want for your dog.
Also, note that not all dog purses are softly padded inside. In this case, you can place a soft towel or a small pillow inside to create a comfortable space for your dog.
Price
The price of the carrier purses may vary depending on the type of the purse. Designer bags are more costly than ordinary bags and will require you to dig deep into your pockets. Everybody wants the best purse for their dogs, but you will have to go for the ones you can afford. Rich celebrities will mostly go for overpriced designer carrier purses because they have money to spend. Fortunately, there are cheaper bags in the market which are just as good.
Caring for your dog carrier purse
Cleaning
Leather purses can be cleaned easily by using a damp cloth to wipe the bag to remove dirt. Avoid as much as possible scrubbing it with a brush as this is likely to ruin it. It is best to use leather soap and a white cloth to avoid staining the leather. Cleaning fabric carriers may be more tedious since stains get soaked up in the fabric. Some fabric carriers, however, may be put in the washing machine. Luckily, most carrier purses have removable footpads for easy cleaning.
What should I do when my dog pees in the purse?
Your dog may pee in the carrier if it has not been adequately trained. Do not assume that it is sending a message that it doesn’t like the carrier. It may be confused for the first few days you introduce it to the carrier. A solution to this is letting your dog wear a canine diaper or line the carrier with a puppy pad while you patiently train him to pee outside.
Consult a specialist when even after every possible means of training your dog, it will not stop using the carrier as a bathroom as this might be a behavioral issue.
Storage
Store the purses away from places with moisture. Avoid storing them in plastic bags as this may cause them to develop mildew and smell. Also, stuff the purse with newspaper or tissue paper when you are not using it in order to maintain its shape.
The purse also needs to be stored upright and not hung to preserve its shape, especially for the leather ones.
Top 10 best dog carrier purses
1. BETOP HOUSE Pet Carrier Tote
This beautiful tote carrier purse will see you receiving a lot of compliments from other dog owners and those who don’t own dogs. It is also made from good quality leather, and the inside is soft and comfortable for your dog, and it has a removable plate at the bottom to allow you to clean the purse easily without it fading or losing its shape.
The purse is light in weight for convenience, and it has mesh on both sides to allow your dog to get sufficient air and also see what is going on outside without having to pop his head out. Besides that, the mesh also prevents other people from seeing inside the purse.
The purse also comes with a shoulder strap which you can detach or adjust depending on how you want to carry it, plus pockets at the side for you to store smaller items. It comes in small and large sizes depending on the size of your dog.
pros
- Good quality
- Easy to clean
- Comes with a shoulder strap
- Light in weight
- Breathable
- Has pockets for safely storing smaller items
cons
- The flaps covering the mesh may not stay rolled up for long
2. PetsHome Dog Carrier Purse
Best for small dogs
This dog carrier purse is best for small dogs. It is made from good quality leather and comes in various colors to suit your taste. Besides looking very appealing, the purse is softly padded on the inside to ensure your dog is comfortable and to allow it to rest well. The leather is easy to clean and is waterproof to keep your dog dry even when it is rainy or humid.
The purse has a leash inside to hold your dog into place, and it is well ventilated so your dog can get enough air and also not become too hot. It provides you with three options to open the top, either wholly, halfway or small, and it has a pocket at the side for you to store small things.
The size of the purse allows it to fit under seats in planes easily. The purse can be easily detached and folded to make it convenient to carry around as well as to avoid taking up a lot of space during storage.
pros
- Detachable and foldable
- Good quality
- Provides three options of opening sizes
- Easy to clean
- Waterproof
cons
- The purse doesn’t come with a shoulder strap
3. MyGift Faux Patent Leather Pet Carrier
This white leather carrier purse is beautifully designed with good quality leather, and it is softly padded inside at the bottom to ensure that your dog is comfortable. The leather cleans easily, and the padded panel at the bottom is removable to make cleaning more manageable for you.
The purse has two zippers parallel to each other and a mesh top to allow sufficient air to enter the bag. It also has mesh at the sides for your dog to see outside without other people seeing inside the purse. The mesh at the sides of the purse have flaps to cover them when your dog needs some privacy.
The leather carrier purse is light in weight but sturdily built, and it has extra pockets at the side for storing small items. The straps are long enough for you to carry the purse on your shoulder and it is also accepted by most airlines.
pros
- Easy to clean
- Good quality
- Provides needed privacy to your dog
- Light in weight
- Great ventilation
cons
- The mesh top makes it evident that you are carrying a pet inside
4. Argo by Teafco Petagon Airline Approved Pet Carrier
Best pink dog carrier purse
This is the best pink dog carrier purse for people who love the color pink. It is classy and will turn heads as you walk down the streets. The purse is in line with IATA requirements, so you will not be turned down by any airline.
The purse is exceptionally light and has been designed to ensure your dog has maximum comfort. It has a top loading mesh opening and a side feeding mesh opening which allows enough air inside the carrier and also enables you to feed your dog without having to get it out of the bag. The bottom is a cushion plate that can be removed in order to clean it. The mesh windows are also reinforced with a dual layer so your dog cannot poke through the mesh. It also has five external zippered pockets for storing other items so that you are organized while traveling with your little buddy.
pros
- IATA approved
- The mesh windows can be opened for easy feeding
- Light in weight
- Comfortable
- Extra pockets for storing essentials
cons
- The purse is hard to clean
- It is quite small
5. DJANGO Dog Carry Bag
This stylish tote bag is great for traveling with your dog over a long distance because of how it is built. The exterior is made of canvas which is waxed to prevent water from getting in when it rains. The interior is created for your dog’s comfort with a soft footpad which can be removed and machine washed and it has a leash harness to ensure the security of your dog.
The bag can carry dogs up to 17 inches long and weighing up to 30lbs, and the soft leather handle ensures you can carry the bag comfortably. It has extra pockets both inside and outside for storing your essentials as well as the dog’s essentials safely. In regards to that, the bag also allows you to travel light since you will not need to carry your purse as you already have a space for storing your essentials.
pros
- High quality
- Water resistant
- Removable footpad for easy cleaning
- Extra pockets for storing essentials
- Light in weight
cons
- It is quite pricey, but you get what you pay for.
6. Petparty Fashion Cat & Dog Carrier Handbag
This small carrier bag is designed to accommodate small dogs weighing no more than 9lbs and not taller than 11 inches. Despite this, the bag is good quality and very stylish and comfortable for your dog, and it looks more like a regular purse, so it won't be too apparent that you are carrying a pet inside.
The bag is made of canvas and it is waterproof to prevent your dog from getting wet when it rains, and the canvas can be easily cleaned. It has mesh windows on both sides for ventilation and to allow your dog to see outside while preventing people from seeing your dog. The mesh windows also have flaps to close them when needed.
The interior of the bag has a furry footpad for maximum comfort, and it is removable to allow it to be cleaned. It also has a leash which you can hook to your dog’s collar to hold him in place to prevent him from getting away when you place it down. It has pockets on the sides for storing essentials, and the straps are long enough to be worn over the shoulder.
pros
- Waterproof
- Comfortable
- Good quality
- Stylish
cons
- It is small
7. BETOP HOUSE Mirror Surface Faux Leather Tote Purse
Turn heads with this designer style faux leather tote purse. It is suitable for carrying small dogs weighing up to 6lbs. The purse is stiff and can stand firmly on its own, and it will not collapse even when you carry your dog with it, all day. The leather is also easy to wipe clean, and it looks more like an actual purse than a dog carrier purse.
The purse has mesh windows on both sides for ventilation and to allow your dog to look outside, and these windows can be covered using the flaps provided. The inside has soft padding for your dog’s comfort, and it also has a leash to hook to your dog’s collar so that it stays in place.
Like any other excellent dog purse, this purse has extra pockets on the sides for storing essential items, and it can fit comfortably under plane seats. The straps are also long enough for the purse to be carried conveniently on the shoulder.
pros
- Easy to clean
- Comfortable
- Stylish
- Firm and does not collapse
cons
- The two mesh windows do not provide proper ventilation.
8. Kenox Fashion
Your dog will have a wonderful time being carried around in this beautiful tote purse. It is cozy inside with a solid bottom that can be removed when it needs to be cleaned, and the purse is spacious enough for a small dog to lay and turn inside it comfortably.
The purse has a mesh window on the side as well as a mesh top for ventilation. The other side has an opening for feeding your dog with ease while it is still in the purse, and it also acts as an inlet and outlet for your dog. It also has a leash inside it for harnessing your dog so that it doesn’t get away.
The bag has additional pockets for storing other items that you will need on your short trip, and the straps are long enough to be carried comfortably on the shoulder. In addition, the quality is good thus the purse is durable.
pros
- Comfortable to the dog and your shoulders
- Good quality
- Classy
- Roomy
- Removable bottom
cons
- The opening at the side might be too small for some dogs to fit through
9. Hubulk Dog Carrier Bag
Best cheap dog carrier purse
This is the best cheap dog carrier purse. It is ideal for when you need a beautiful dog purse but cannot afford the more costly ones. It is beautifully detailed and is made from high quality and durable material which will allow you to carry your dog in it for a long time.
The purse has a removable padded cushion inside to ensure your dog is comfortable and also to allow you to clean it, and a leash to hold on to your dog’s collar so that it doesn’t escape. The purse is also easy to clean as you can simply wipe it with a cloth. It has a mesh top for ventilation and to allow you to have easy access to your pet and for your dog to see outside. It also has additional ventilation holes.
The purse has pockets on both sides for storing essential items, and it comes with an adjustable detachable strap for you to carry the bag on your shoulder.
pros
- Good quality
- Comes with an adjustable strap
- Affordable
- Comfortable
- Has enough space to allow your dog to stick out its head comfortably
cons
- The purse does not have mesh windows at the sides
10. Pet Tote Bag for Small Dog and Cat
This beautiful purse looks like an ordinary handbag and people would most likely conclude it is until your little buddy pops its cute head out. It is made with good quality leather material, and the leather makes it easy to clean by wiping off dirt and it is waterproof to keep your dog dry at all times.
There are opaque mesh windows on both sides of the purse to allow air in and out of the purse and allow your dog to see outside while preventing people from seeing inside. It has a pocket at the side for storing essential items, and it has a shoulder strap to allow you to carry it comfortably on your shoulder.
The inside of the purse is softly padded to ensure that your dog is comfortable at all times and it also creates an anxiety-free environment for your dog. It has a leash for securing your dog to prevent it from escaping. The purse meets the standards of most airlines and will comfortably fit under a plane seat.
pros
- Waterproof
- Easy to clean
- Comfortable and releases your dog’s anxiety
- Discreet
- Airline approved
cons
- The purse comes in only one color
Bottom line
Your dog should always be comfortable, and the carrier purses mentioned above will make sure of that. Each has been confirmed to be high quality and well made so that you will not need to keep replacing it after a short period.
If you are getting a pup for the first time, you need to know its size in order to choose a purse that best fits it. Although some are a bit pricey, you will never be disappointed spending your money on them!