SwissGear 3323 Carry-On Pet Carrier Airline-Approved Dog Carrier & Cat Carrier, 18.5 x 10 x 10

Better for shorter dogs or cats
My dog is a 9 lb Chihuahua/Min Pin mix, and he’s on the long-legged side. I really love how well ventilated this travel crate is, but it’s just too short for him. The other one we have is pretty identical in size, but it has a top flap that can open, and it makes it easier for him to stand or sit up in it. This has a heavy metal bar across the top, so he sort of just crouches in it without being able to stand tall. He’s at 11”, and 10” from floor to top of back, so just that one inch is too much for his comfort. We’re using the Sherpa airline-approved one instead and it’s much better for him. So if your dog is under the size limitations, this is a strong, sturdy travel crate with loads of ventilation. I also love that it folds flat when not in use. The pad is a little stiff, so maybe add a blanket, but consider the height for their comfort.

Roomier than Mr. Peanuts, but not as plush or well designed
We have 3 carriers by the Mr. Peanuts brand that we love, but they’re too cramped for our 12.5 pound cat to sit in comfortably for any length of time. This carrier definitely seems roomier on the inside, but it sacrifices the plush pad and side padding (obviously – they had to cut something). It’s definitely more of a utilitarian, budget carrier than Mr. Peanuts, which I’d consider more comfortable and better made, with much more thoughtful design than this one (at about the same price, as of this writing). The minimal padding and weak walls mean your pet isn’t as protected from accidental bumps, and the lack of a top opening make access much less convenient. The carrier also has a tendency to collapse on itself, which could be really annoying to your pet.Given those limitations, it’s fine if you’re looking for a basic carrier that’ll work for plane travel. It unzips from either end (not the top), and has one zippered pocket on the side. There’s the regular carry handle, plus a detachable shoulder strap included. One very handy feature is that it zips back down to a flat parcel for storage, and it does so reasonably easily.There’s also a thin strap to hold the carrier on your roller bag, but I would NOT use it, personally. Thick, tight, sturdy sleeves are far more secure. I’ve found that straps that are this thin and have this much give don’t work well at all to keep the bag secured on top of the roller. I inevitably end up having the bag slide right off the top of the roller bag and swing around to the front (usually in a large crowded area where it’s a huge inconvenience). This is less of a problem with a regular carry-on, but could be a serious issue for a pet. If your pet might move around at all, in fact, I’d definitely not rely on this thin little strap to keep the bag in place. Recommended with reservations.

The SwissGear of Pet Carriers
As a backpack company, I think SwissGear is my favorite. I also like backpacks from Samsonite. However, I didn’t know they also make pet carriers, so when I saw this I had to try it out. To be honest, I don’t think it is as thick and sturdy as their backpacks, but maybe that’s by design as it’s meant to be light, since you’d have to carry like a duffle bag with a small dog inside, which could weigh an extra 15-20 pounds more. At least, the zippers and the stitching are very sturdy. I also like there is a lot of mesh for breathability, as well as so you can keep check on your loved on, and also they can have a sense of the world outside and not be in a totally blind atmosphere. The bottom is padded for their comfort as well. Included is a photo with my beloved puppy enjoying his first ride.