9 Best Dog Bike Baskets For Small and Medium Dogs
Are you looking for the best dog bike basket for small or medium sized dogs? In a previous article, I spoke about the best dog bike trailers.
The problem is bike trailers can feel like overkill if you have a small dog. The great thing about bike baskets is that you can stay in constant contact with your furry friend the whole ride.
In this blog post, I’ll be talking about the 9 best basket options on the market and some of the most commonly asked questions.
Whether you want the best bike basket for small dogs or even a bike basket for 20 lb dogs, I’ve got you covered.
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My Top Picks for Best Dog Bike Baskets
1. Pet Safe Happy Ride Wicker Bicycle Basket (Best Overall Pick)
- Dimensions: 16.5” 10” 13”
- Material: Rattan with a fleece lining
- Weight: 5.95 lbs
- Maximum Capacity: 13 lbs
- Color: Brown with white fleece
- Guarantee: N/A
It was built with water-resistant resin wicker, which provides an excellent finish and looks incredible. And because a wicker basket isn’t very comfortable for your furry friend, they added a white fleece lining to the basket. You can also remove the white fleece liner so you can wash it in the machine.
To connect the dog basket to the bike, you use a series of brackets and safety straps. And to increase the safety for your dog, they included a safety leash to attach to your dog’s harness.
One of the best features of their basket is the removable sun shade. On the days when it’s a bit too hot for your dog, you can add the sun shade to give your dog the protection they deserve.
It can hold up to 13 lbs in weight.
Pros
- The fleece makes it extremely comfortable
- A lot of room for your dog in the basket
- Securely straps to the bike
- It has a safety leash for your dog
Cons
- It’s not the deepest
- It bounces quite a lot
2. Travelin K9 Pet-Pilot MAX (Best Bike Basket for 20 lb Dog)
- Dimensions: 13” x 16” 10”
- Material: Faux leather, polyester, metal
- Weight: 4.4 lbs
- Maximum Capacity: 20 lbs
- Color: Cherry Red, Neon Blue, Neon Green, Neon Orange, Neon Pink, Purple Passion, Silver, Turquoise
- Guarantee: N/A
If you’re looking for a dog bike basket that can handle heavyweights, then this one might be the option for you. It’s one of the best bike baskets for 20 lb dogs since most baskets don’t have as high of a weight limit.
It’s made with a combination of faux leather and polyester with a sturdy and robust metal frame. They claim that if your dog can fit inside the basket, it’s able to carry the weight without the fear of it breaking.
One of the best things about their pet basket is how strong the mount it is. It’s straightforward to put together and feels exceptionally sturdy at all times.
And if you couldn’t fall in love with it anymore, it comes with a two-point safety leash to hold your dog in place while you’re peddling.
Pros
- It comes with a two-point safety leash
- It’s extremely sturdy
- Quick and easy to install
Cons
- Feels pretty heavy on the bike
3. Snoozer Pet Rider (Highest Weight Limit for Rear Basket)
- Dimensions: 19” x 16” 10”
- Material: Foam form with plywood reinforced base
- Weight: 5.5 lbs
- Maximum Capacity: 24 lbs
- Color: Black/Black Sherpa
- Guarantee: 1-year limited warranty
The Snoozer Pet Rider is another great bike basket for 20 lb dogs. It has a rear-facing dog basket that can hold around 24 lbs in total weight, making it the strongest on my list. It’s made with a foam form and a plywood base, which is wrapped in a removable cover to make it easy to clean.
You install the dog bike basket at the rear of the bike on the rack. This means you need a bike rack on the bike before installing it. From there, it’s a simple case of securely strapping it to your bike.
It also comes with a three-point safety harness so your dog can’t jump out and hurt themselves.
Another great thing about their dog bike basket is you get a one-year limited warranty if you need to return the product in the future.
Pros
- Unique to find a rear-facing basket
- Very well padded
- The safety harness to spot on
Cons
- Can’t pay full attention to your dog
- Feels a bit jumpy while peddling
4. Sportneer Bike Basket
- Dimensions: 9.8” x 13” x 7.9”
- Material: 600D Oxford cloth with a water-resistant coating
- Weight: 2.3 lbs
- Maximum Capacity: 11lbs
- Color: Black
- Guarantee: N/A
Sportneer uses a tear-resistant 600D Oxford cloth that features a water-resistant coating. It even comes with a water-resistant cover so you can keep your dog dry if the weather is a little bit rough.
It’s made with an aluminum alloy frame, which stops the frame from rusting. It also comes with multiple pockets, so you have some extra room for storage.
To ensure the bike basket can fit your bicycle, it comes with eight rubber handlebar washers, which means it can fit bikes with a handlebar diameter of 0.9-1.3 inches.
They also designed the basket to be as easy to attach as possible so that you can go straight on a road trip with your dog. It even comes with a quick-release handlebar mount, so you can quickly detach the basket from the bike.
Pros
- Super easy to attach to the bike
- You have a quick-release button
- Feels very sturdy and secure
Cons
- It doesn’t fit all bikes
- Some people thought it was too small for their dogs.
5. COFIT Detachable Bike Basket
- Dimensions: 13.78” x 8.27” x 9.45”
- Material: 600D Oxford cloth
- Weight: 2.2 lbs
- Maximum Capacity: 11 lbs
- Color: Black or Grey
- Guarantee: N/A
COFIT made their dog bike basket with a waterproof oxford cloth and a rustproof aluminum frame. This makes the dog basket extremely easy to clean with a cloth and very lightweight.
It was built to be easy to attach to your bike by using the mounting brackets provided in the pack. But more importantly, you can quickly detach it so you can use it as a pet carrier, shopping basket, or outdoor container.
To help you carry the dog basket around with you, they have aluminum handles with a soft and tearproof sponge pad. Thanks to the sponge pad, you’ll find it extremely comfortable to carry.
And, if you want to have a day biking without the basket, it’s completely collapsible, so you can easily store it away for the day.
Pros
- It was very sturdy
- The handles make it very pleasant to carry
- Straightforward to install
- You can collapse it
Cons
- No clip to keep the dog in the basket
- The bike connection isn’t the best
6. RAYMACE Bicycle Basket
- Dimensions: 13” x 10” x 10”
- Material: 600D Oxford polyester
- Weight: 1.87 lbs
- Maximum Capacity: 11 lbs
- Color: Orange, Blue, Palm Leaf, Black, Pink Palm Leaf, Pineapple Leaf, Floral
- Guarantee: N/A
The collapsible basket is made with a 600D Oxford material which reduces the damage your pet causes with their claws. They also included a safety leash to stop your dog from falling out of the basket while you’re riding.
You can connect the dog bike basket to your handlebars using the mounting brackets provided as long as the diameter is between 0.9”-1.3”. They also add a quick-release button and a cleaver locking mechanism so you can use it as a dog carrier.
To help you use the dog bike basket as a carrier, they included two handles that can be sealed together with Velcro. It also means you can use it as a shopping basket if you don’t have your dog with you.
It can hold a maximum of 11 lbs and features additional internal pockets so you can store things like a purse or your mobile phone.
Pros
- Very easy to attach
- I loved the color selections
- The quick-release button works excellent
Cons
- The basket sags under load
7. ANZOME Bike Basket
- Dimensions: 12.9” x 8.6” x 9.8”
- Material: 600D Oxford cloth
- Weight: 1.6 lbs
- Maximum Capacity: 11lbs
- Color: Black
- Guarantee: N/A
The multi-functional dog basket is made with a solid 600D Oxford with a sturdy metal frame that provides security for your dog. They also include a modern quick-realize handlebar adapter bracket.
They wanted the basket to be as easy to clean as possible, which is why it has a waterproof layer to help withstand accidents or bad weather.
If you’re looking to keep your dog dry in bad weather, it’s got a drizzle-proof lid with an adjustable hole so your dog can poke their head out.
And finally, ANZOME designed the bike basket to hold a dog with a maximum weight of 11 lbs, so that’s something to think about before making your purchase.
Pros
- Super easy to install
- Lightweight
- It comes with installation tool
- Locks on tight
Cons
- Moves while you’re peddling
8. Lixada Bike Basket
- Dimensions: 13.3” x 11.2” x 9.8”
- Material: Oxford cloth
- Weight: 1.8 lbs
- Maximum Capacity: 11 lbs
- Color: Black, Paw Print, Grey/Black writing, Grey, Khaki, Purple
- Guarantee: N/A
This multi-use basket is made with a solid aluminum frame which is wrapped in a durable Oxford cloth. You don’t have to worry about your dog’s claws breaking the material, thanks to the durable material.
It was designed to be extremely easy to install, thanks to the mounting system. Not only is it easy to install, but thanks to the quick-release system, it’s also effortless to take off when you need to. You can use it as a shopping basket if you haven’t got your dog with you.
On top of that, you have a waterproof lid at the top of the basket, which you can use to protect your dog against harsh weather.
Pros
- Very easy to remove and install
- Has multiple uses
- Good price
Cons
- Not the biggest basket
9. Lixada Folding Bike Basket
- Dimensions: 14” x 10” 9”
- Material: Oxford cloth with an Aluminum frame
- Weight: 4 lbs
- Maximum Capacity: 11 lbs
- Color: Black, Blue, or Floral
- Guarantee: 100% Money-back
The Lixada folding basket is made with a hard-wearing oxford fabric which is known for its durability. They used an aluminum frame with a fixed mounting bracket that fits a 25mm handlebar to hold everything in place.
The bike basket weighs 4 lbs and can hold 11 lbs in weight, so you have to make sure your dog is light enough to fit inside.
They also designed the bike basket to be waterproof and easy to clean, which means you can leave it outside in drizzly conditions without the fear of causing damage to the basket.
If you’re looking for a dog bike basket but you’re not sure about it, then this model comes with a 100% money-back guarantee.
Pros
- The material is strong and waterproof
- Great for a small dog
- Easy to setup
Cons
- Expensive if you want to send it back
- The frame isn’t the strongest
Frequently Asked Questions
What To Look For In The Best Dog Bike Baskets
Buying the right dog basket for you and your dog isn’t an easy task, especially if you don’t know what you’re looking for. So, to help point you in the right direction, here’s a list of things I’d consider before making my purchase:
Basket Position
One thing you should think about before purchasing your dog basket is what position it sits at. Some are rear-facing, and some are front-facing.
In my opinion, front-facing dog baskets are the best when you’re biking with your dog. It makes it a lot easier to pay attention to what they’re doing. If it looks like your dog is freaking out, you can comfort them a lot easier.
Your Budget
One of the most important aspects to consider before you think about buying a dog bike basket is how much you’re willing to spend.
Everyone has a different budget, so what works for someone else might not work for you. Think about how much you’re willing to spend and work around that.
Material
The material the dog basket is made with is a crucial aspect to think about. Your dog’s claws are sharp and can quickly destroy weak material.
You should look for a material that’s highly durable and has waterproof abilities. Another thing you should think about is what material the frame is made with. A robust frame should be built with something like aluminum.
Size
Size is a significant factor when it comes to picking the right dog basket. You need to think, “will my dog fit in the basket comfortably?” And this isn’t an easy thing to do when you can’t see the bike basket in real life.
The best way to figure this out is by measuring out the dimensions on the floor and marking it with tape. Place your dog within the markers and see if your dog will look comfortable inside the basket.
Weight Limit
You’ve thought about the size of the basket, but now you need to think about how much weight it can hold.
Most of the baskets on the market are for small dogs. However, if you’re looking for a bike basket for a 20 lb dog, both the Travelin K9 Pet-Pilot MAX and Snoozer Pet Rider work well.
Hopefully, you know how much your dog weighs, but you should get them weighed beforehand if you don’t.
Once you know the weight, look for dog bike baskets that can fulfill your and your dog’s needs.
Safety Features
For me, this is one of the most essential aspects you should be thinking about when you’re buying your bike basket for dogs.
You should be looking for something that comes with a safety leash or some sort of barrier that will stop your dog from being able to jump out of the basket.
If anything happens, you don’t want to watch your puppy flying out of the basket down the street. Having a safety feature can save your dog’s life in the long run.
Rain Cover
It’s not the most essential thing to think about, but it can come in handy. Sometimes the weather can change, and keeping your dog warm and dry can be an essential factor. If they do end up getting wet, consider some of these tips to care for a wet dog.
Sun Protection
Dogs can get hot very quickly when the sun’s out, so protecting your dog against the hot weather is very important. Try to find a dog basket that can offer some sort of protection from hot weather.
Extra Storage Space
Having extra pockets and spaces for your personal belongings can come in very handy in the long run. Biking with backpacks or bulky items in your pockets can be extremely difficult, which is where having a bit of extra space can come in handy.
Quick-Release
Another great feature to look out for is a quick-release button. Sometimes you might not want to take the basket out with you, and that’s okay. But you don’t want to have to whip out the toolset to take it off.
With a quick-release button, you can quickly remove the basket with the touch of a button and no tools involved.
What Are Safety Tips For A Dog Basket For Bike Rides?
Okay, you want to take your dog with you in the bike basket, but you want to make sure your dog will be safe. To help you out, I’ve outlined some safety tips for you to follow:
- Follow the weight restrictions outlined by the manufacture. If your dog is too heavy for the basket, don’t even try and put them in there. You can break the frame, and your dog can hurt itself if they fall out.
- Make sure you measure your dog to ensure they can fit inside the dog basket comfortably without hanging out of it.
- Do some research about the dog basket before you make a purchase. You need to make sure people find it strong enough for their dog before putting your dog in there.
- Make sure you follow the positioning guidelines for the bike. If it’s not attached correctly, it’s not going to do the job correctly.
- Make sure you use the safety leash and a harness. This can stop your dog from falling out of the basket and getting hurt.
How Do You Get Your Dog Comfortable With A Bike Basket?
Getting your dog used to being in a bike basket should be something you’re thinking about; not all dogs can get straight into and start enjoying the ride.
To help you out, I’ve compiled a step-by-step guide to getting your dog comfortable with a bike basket.
Check it out:
- Introduce Your Dog To The Basket: Get your dog started by placing them in the basket and sitting with your dog on your lap. Make sure you give them plenty of praise. When they feel ready, stand up and take a walk with them in the basket.
- Put The Basket On Your Bike: Introduce your dog to the basket while it’s connected to your bike. Hold on to your dog and keep petting them while they’re in the basket.
- Walk Your Bike: Get your dog used to the feeling of being on the bike basket while it’s moving. Going at a walking pace allows your dog to get comfortable with the movement without the danger of falling out at speed.
- Take A Slow Short Ride: As your dog starts getting used to the basket, try taking a slow ride; make sure you’re giving praise.
- Go For Long Ride: Start introducing your dog to long rides; just make sure you go slow and keep praising your dog.
- Keep Practicing: Your dog isn’t going to get used to the bike basket straight away, so keep practicing with your dog.
What Dog Breeds Can Safely Ride In A Bike Basket?
When it comes to what breeds can ride in a dog basket, you’ll be happy to know that as long as your dog is small enough and complies with the weight limit, your dog should be absolutely fine.
Conclusion
Well, I hope I’ve helped you find the best dog bike basket, so you can enjoy extra time with your dog while biking outside.
Any of the options above should work well; just make sure you follow the buying guide, so you don’t end up disappointed with your purchase.
As mentioned, most of the baskets on the market are for small dogs, but you can also find bike baskets for 20 lb dogs as well.
Let me know if you have any questions or comments below.