The 9 Best Pet Strollers
Updated by · How we research
Nine dog and cat strollers compared by weight limit, doors, wheels and warranty, from cat-size folders to a big-dog rig. The Pet Gear Happy Trails Lite leads. When users buy our independently chosen editorial choices, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
No federal safety standard covers pet strollers, so a weight rating or warranty is only as good as the company that prints it. A stroller suits a senior, arthritic, recovering or short-nosed pet that enjoys being outside but can't walk far, and cats that would rather watch than walk. It's no substitute for a healthy dog's exercise.
Editor's Notes
November 1, 2026, by Ezvid Wiki Admin:
The Pet Gear Happy Trails Lite now leads this list. It does the everyday job well, with a door that opens without a zipper, a washable liner and brakes, and it comes from a Vermont company that has made pet gear for decades. Its older cousin, the Pet Gear No-Zip PG8450NVD, is gone, and so are the Ibiyaya 3 Wheeler and the HPZ DS328. The Best Choice 2-in-1 is sold these days mainly as a bike trailer, and the BestPet S8013L page now points to a different model, so both came off.
Two old picks stay. The VIVO STROLR-V001K is still a sensible four-wheeler for errands, and the Gen7Pets Regal Plus remains on sale, though the brand's website has lapsed. New picks fill gaps the old list left: the Petbobi PC400T for dogs too big for most cabins, the Bicystar HLD-X6DD and Zoosky 3-in-1 for owners who drive, and the Trixie Foldable Pet Stroller for cats.
No lab has tested pet strollers side by side. We leaned on weight ratings, door layouts and warranty terms from each maker, one pet travel site's trial of five strollers with a 36-pound dog, and a check of every brand against federal recall records. Double strollers, joggers and pricey all-terrain models are a different purchase, so they're left out.
May 11, 2021:
We removed a handful of models that were basically identical to others on the list. Our new addition is the Best Choice 2-in-1, which has plenty of room inside and is one of the few with a spring-loaded suspension. This makes a huge difference when towing it as a bike trailer, and should help keep pets comfortable even when riding on uneven ground. If you don't plan on towing it with a bike, the Ibiyaya 3 Wheeler is still our top choice, thanks in part to its dependable inflated wheels. For the best bang for your buck, consider the BestPet S8013L, which isn't meant for large breeds but is relatively well built for the price.
February 15, 2020:
We wanted to create a list of pet strollers that would make it easier for you to bring your fur baby along, no matter your lifestyle or your animal's habits. With that in mind, we included some options that are good for athletic animal owners. Both the DoggyRide Novel DRNVST09 and the Rage PowerSports 2-in-1 can be hitched to the back of a bicycle in trailer mode, so you can ride around town and Fido can enjoy some fresh air. Meanwhile, the Paws & Pals 4 Wheeler Elite Jogger, with its excellent brakes and a lightweight build, is good for running.
If you're dealing with an escape artist, there is the Pet Gear No-Zip PG8450NVD, which has a sturdy closure that's hard for finicky pets to get out of, as well as the Ibiyaya 3 Wheeler, which has locking zippers.
Durable materials are obviously also important in this category so we like that the Gen7Pets Promenade G2340 has a front steel bar. On the other hand, the Confidence Deluxe lost its spot as it didn't feel very stable.
Conveniences for the pet parents are important, so the Vivo Four Wheel, with its cell phone tray, and the BestPet S8013L with its large storage basket for things like toys and poop bags caught our attention, as did the HPZ DS328, which has the thoughtful feature of a reversible handlebar, so you can position your fur baby to face you.
Special Honors
Pet Gear Inc. Pet Gear, a family company in West Rutland, Vermont, sells its stroller range on its own site, including double-pet and jogging models for bigger or multiple pets, the kind of strollers that sit outside this list's everyday focus. petgearinc.com
Weight Limit, Body Length And Tipping
Small strollers rated for 24 to 33 pounds are made for cats, toy breeds and small terriers.
Start with your pet, not the stroller. Weigh them and measure from the nose to the base of the tail, then compare both numbers with the cabin. A weight rating means little if a long dog can't lie down: the Bicystar HLD-X6DD carrier is rated for 50 pounds but is sized for pets under about 23 inches long, and the Zoosky 3-in-1 cabin suits pets under about 20 inches.
Stay inside the limit. When GoPetFriendly put a 36-pound shar-pei in five strollers, it found that some models tend to tip back toward the handle, a risk that grows with the dog's weight, and that strollers sitting lower to the ground feel steadier. Small strollers rated for 24 to 33 pounds are made for cats, toy breeds and small terriers. Dogs over about 40 pounds need a large cabin with a wide base, such as the 80-pound-rated Petbobi PC400T.
Wheels, Brakes, Doors And Tethers
Wheels decide where a stroller can go. Small plastic wheels at four corners are fine on sidewalks and store floors but bog down on grass and gravel; GoPetFriendly found four small corner tires the hardest to steer on trails. Larger rear wheels, rubber tires or shock absorbers help on rough ground. Three-wheelers turn tightly in crowds, while four-wheelers sit steadier when parked.
Look for brakes you can set without bending over, ideally a foot pedal. A tether inside the cabin should clip to a harness, never a collar, so a startled pet can't jump out or be choked. Doors matter more than most buyers expect: a zip-free door is quieter for nervous cats, and a stroller with doors at both ends lets a stiff or older dog walk in instead of being lifted. Canine Bible rates strollers on these same features, along with mesh for airflow. Warranties on budget models run from 30 days to a year, so the warranty is worth checking before you buy.
Heat, Safety And Getting A Pet Used To It
A stroller cabin can trap heat. Flat-faced pets such as pugs and Persian cats are more likely to suffer heatstroke, according to the ASPCA, which also warns against letting dogs linger on hot asphalt. Keep the mesh open, walk in the shade on hot days, carry water, and never leave a pet alone in a parked stroller.
There is no federal safety standard for pet strollers, because they aren't children's products. We searched the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's SaferProducts database for every brand here and found no pet stroller recalls. A pet stroller is never a safe place for a child.
Introduce the stroller at home first. Leave it open with treats inside, then roll it a few feet indoors before going out. Set the brakes every time you stop, and keep a pet that panics in enclosed spaces out of a stroller altogether.
How we researched this
We compared 15 pet strollers, read each maker's weight ratings, door and wheel layouts and warranty terms, a buying guide fact-checked by a certified dog trainer, a trial of five strollers with a 36-pound dog by a pet travel site, and hot-weather guidance from the ASPCA, and checked every brand for recalls with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Frequently asked questions
Are pet strollers good for dogs?
Yes, for senior, arthritic, recovering, short-nosed or very small dogs that can't walk far but still enjoy being out. A healthy dog still needs its walks; a stroller isn't exercise.
What weight limit do I need in a pet stroller?
Pick a stroller rated above your pet's weight, then check body length too. Most small strollers are rated for 24 to 33 pounds; large dogs need a big cabin rated for 50 to 80 pounds.
Can a cat ride in a pet stroller?
Yes. Use a closed cabin, clip the tether to a harness, and start at home with treats. Many cats prefer a door that opens without a noisy zipper.
What are the top-rated strollers for small dogs?
For small dogs, the Pet Gear Happy Trails Lite, the ROODO Escort and the MoNiBloom Pet Stroller cover most needs, from a zip-free door to a light three-wheel frame to a low price.
Is Gen7Pets still in business?
The Gen7Pets Regal Plus is still sold, but the brand's own website no longer works, so warranty help is unclear. Keep your receipt and buy from a seller with a clear return policy.
Can a child ride in a pet stroller?
No. Pet strollers aren't built or tested to children's product standards, and their tethers, brakes and frames are designed around pets.
