Best Pet Strollers for Dogs and Cats

I tried all the tricks, including three different pairs of doggy shoes, but my fluffy little pup didn’t want anything to do with any of them. This problem went beyond the searing summer months. He’s a bit too heavy to carry comfortably for longer errands. And I like taking him to dog-friendly restaurants (seated outdoors) but don’t always feel he’s secure just sitting on the ground. I worry about bigger dogs lunging at him, leaving him vulnerable.

What’s a good dog parent to do? I figured I could at least get him out of the house for a bit and provide a comfortable fresh-air experience for those too-hot-to-walk days. Enter dog strollers.

With so many options, I knew the right ones needed to be easy to assemble, store, and stroll. They also needed to be not too heavy so I could pop them into the trunk, small enough for the car but super-comfy for my dog, and most importantly, safe and sturdy.

Five popular models, ranging from the more cost-conscious to fairly luxurious, made our testing list. CR tester José Amézquita assessed them at our headquarters in Yonkers, N.Y. (Watch the video, above.) He put them through our baby stroller testing course, which has uneven surfaces, curved stretches, uphill and downhill portions, and more, to assess stability and maneuverability. And I evaluated them with my real-life pups at home. We also spoke with two veterinarians about what to consider when selecting a pet stroller and whether using one could lead to laziness or other health concerns. Here’s what we found.