Top 10 Cheap Dog Strollers for Pet Owners on a Budget in 2020

For pet owners on a budget with dogs with mobility issues, arthritis, recovering from surgery or injury, a dog stroller can be a life-saver. For owners of small breeds who also try to save money, there are also times when we might prefer to use pet strollers for dogs when going to a park, for a jog, to the beach, or anywhere else.

Other reasons to buy cheap dog strollers is for pets that get easily fatigued, get injured (or are injured) or show signs of serious illnesses. Here on Top Dog Tips, we’ve had a chance to review a number of different pet strollers and in the below article, we’ve ranked some of the best dog strollers and dog carriages, and how to choose the right one.

When You Need to Use a Dog Stroller?

Some pet owners still feel weird about walking around with a dog in a pet stroller, but the times are changing, and this practice is becoming more popular and more acceptable. If you’re still unsure whether a dog stroller is the right choice, here are some of the most popular reasons when owners buy and vets recommend using a pet stroller:

• Your dog is recovering from a surgery or an injury, and has trouble walking
• Your senior dog is too slow to keep up with you, or generally has pain walking
• Your young puppy is unable to walk fast enough to run alongside of you
• You want to protect your dog from weather: hot, cold, rain or snow
• You’re going for a jog and want to bring a dog with you who cannot run as fast
• You wish to keep your small pup away from other dogs, animals when on a walk

Above are just some of the reasons to buy a dog stroller, but there’s plenty more. The bottom line is that pet owners should not be embarrassed about rolling around with a dog in a cheap stroller, even if it’s simply to feel like a caring dog parent.

How to Get Your Dog Used to a Pet Stroller?

Your pup may instinctively jump into a new stroller and almost know what to do right off the bat – stay calm and observe as they’re being rolled around. Other dogs, however, may need some training and getting accustomed to a dog stroller. Here are some tips on how to get your dog used to riding in a stroller and stay in place.

1. Bring out the stroller, and let your pet sniff and walk around it at their own pace;
2. Once they’re comfortable, pick up and place the dog into a stroller, let them sit;
3. After the dog gets comfortable and settles down, secure them with stroller strap;
4. Time to start moving: roll slowly and keep checking if your pooch isn’t escaping;
5. Gradually keep increasing the distance and the speed;
6. After a few “practice runs”, when your pup feels comfortable, it’s time to go out.

How to Buy a Cheap Dog Stroller for Your Pet?

Not all pet strollers are made the same, and other than the stroller price, the type of dog and breed you have will decide which dog stroller you’ll need to buy. Size of your pooch and the size of the stroller will be the main determining factors. Other considerations are the reason you’re buying a cheap stroller: is it for an injured or recovering pet, or is it simple to roll around your small pup?

Consider the environment. Do you live in a city and plan to mostly use the pet stroller on sidewalks, roads, parks and other smooth surfaces? Usually, a basic, lightweight and simply designed dog stroller will do just fine. It’s also cheaper. But if you plan to roll around in forests, country roads or other places with uneven roads, bumps, hills, jogging trailers and so forth, you may need a more heavy-duty stroller with additional features, better rubber wheels and suspension.

How are you going to use it? Is the pet stroller only meant for short and simple walks to the park, or do you plan to travel with it often? For more heavy use and travel, you’ll need a dog stroller that easily folds, is somewhat lightweight and portable so you can keep it in your car and, sometimes, maybe even a plane. Ideally, the stroller should also be easy to assemble with no tools required.

Who’s it for? If the stroller is only for your single pup, there’s plenty of options to choose from. If you have a multi-pet household and need a stroller for two or more dogs, the options are more limited but you still have enough choices. They will be more expensive, and other features will need to be considered as well, such as keeping both pets secured.

For the below ranking of ten cheap dog strollers and carriages, we’ve considered all of the above requirements, and of course the dog stroller cost, and have a list of picks that will fit pet owners in most situations.

Top 10 Cheap Dog Strollers and Carriages

1 Pet Gear Happy Trails Pet Stroller for cats and dogs

First of all, I would suggest you to study this product’s Amazon page – they have a lot of helpful information on how to measure, choose and use your dog strollers. That being said, you won’t regret trying this one out. It’s been the best seller among pet strollers for dogs for a few years now, and for a good reason.

The build is sturdy and made out of quality materials with the most simple design, and it works, because it was built with one purpose – to last (see customer review updates after 2-4 years of using this stroller!) Design is welcoming, nice and cute, but I wouldn’t say “stylish.”

As for disadvantages, the “new smell” odor lasts for a while, but considering that it’s a stroller to be used outside, it should not be an issue. However, if you’re storing this dog stroller somewhere at home, you’ll have to find a way to live with it for 2-4 weeks. Just keep using it often and it will go away. Other than that it’s a great dog product!

 

2 Pet Gear No-Zip Happy Trails Pet Stroller

Now if you like the previously mentioned two cheap dog strollers, then you’re going to love this one as well. Not only is it slightly better in terms of a few extra features, but it’s also cheaper. Easily the best out of more affordable pet strollers, it has a cool locking latch and no zippers.

Don’t fear, it closes very securely and you shouldn’t have any issues. Sturdy and stylish design of this cheap dog stroller is also something that has to be mentioned. It definitely looks great, feels amazing to push, and rides very smoothly.

But it’s not without a few minor issues, if you consider them to be. Nylon can be a little thin, depending on your dog, climate, area, activities, etc. Usually, the only problem will be the wrinkles, but then again, not everybody is as concerned. Also, while the build of these pet strollers themselves are good and very sturdy, wheels seem slightly off sometimes. I believe it’s the cheaper plastic that makes them feel as if they were made out of foam.

 

3 Pet Gear Ultra Lite Dog Stroller

Another one of the top rated dog strollers we really liked but slightly found it a little too expensive (although it does look better and more luxurious than those above). It’s easy to stir, smooth riding, and can be put up or down pretty quickly.

Also, underneath there’s a lot of room for all kinds of things you want to carry with you. It’s primarily for medium-sized dogs, not small and not large. You can easily zip the stroller when needed but most dogs love to look around and hate being inside.

As for cons, it works when riding on grass, but you will get tired of pushing it on such terrain because of all the bumps that can be easily felt (and your dog will especially get annoyed). If you do buy it, make sure to also check the front wheel, which some customers found to be damaged or something. Normally, it’s all good and shouldn’t brake, but things happen. Return it if there’s anything suspicious with the front wheels.

 

4 Paws & Pals Cheap Dog Stroller

This is one of our recommended cheap dog strollers that we liked in terms of average price for best quality build, hands down. The minute you’ll see and touch this product, you’ll notice its sturdy build, quality materials and obvious durability.

Most customers report having the stroller for years and it’s almost as new. The ride is very smooth, and if I could explain and review this pet stroller for dogs in one word, it would be: “works.” It’s very simple, straightforward, and hardly will need to be replaced.

Beware of the size. It’s fitting for most small dogs; however, even though the stroller description says 20 lbs dogs, I wouldn’t count on anything above 15 lbs. A 20 pound dog would definitely fit in there, but it would be a very tight fit and extremely uncomfortable for the dog. Consider your pooch’s need as well and make sure the size will fit before purchasing. A good place to start is look at the Questions and Answers section on the product’s Amazon page – some customers might have answered your question already.

 

5 BestPet Cheap Stroller for Dogs

Among the cheap dog strollers, this one’s a jackpot, in our opinion. The price-for-value on these deluxe dog strollers are great; at around $50 plus shipping, they are a great purchase indeed, which is why I decided to place it 7th (mostly because of the low price!) Dog stroller rolls without any issues – a smooth and pleasant ride for both. And of course cup holders are always popular. For toy breeds or small dogs, you can fit two of them easily.

Our main complaint is color. It’s subjective, but oh that color. What’s with the bright pink? I would’ve chose something more neutral. It might also not be AS sturdy as the two best dog strollers mentioned above, or those below; however, it’s still pretty sturdy and doesn’t feel flimsy at all. For the price, I don’t think you can find anything better.

 

6 Pet Gear Special Edition Pet Stroller

We love the color choices for this pet stroller. Unlike the previously mentioned pink design, these come in three different looks, all of which are very stylish. The description on Amazon is actually very accurate and fits dogs of exactly that size. Folding is also a piece of cake, and if you want to store it – no problem, it’s ultra-flat.

Zipper-thingy works just as you would expect on most cheap dog strollers, but you will rarely use it anyway – dogs dislike them. However, this one has awesome windows that might still accommodate your pooch whenever zipping up necessary.

There are two minor issues with this dog stroller. First, cup-holders are a bit shallow and aren’t the “standard” size, I guess? Although most people report that they fit their water bottles without any problems, so maybe it’s a personal thing. Another thing is that very rarely, somehow, this stroller will lift one of the front wheels while riding for a second. It’s noticeable but not really an issue, and I’m sure anybody will get used to that after 2-3 strollers around the park. No biggie.

 

7 Pet Gear No-Zip Happy Trails Pet Stroller

Pet Gear dog strollers are dominating the market, and pretty close in price-for-value category, this highly rated dog strollers would be a good choice as well, although slightly more expensive, and rightfully so. First, the paw-bar is amazing on this pet stroller because it raises the dog.

Also, the storage basket is pretty big and will hold all the necessary dog supplies you want to carry as well as some of your groceries. It’s compact, easy to move around, and simply works extremely well with no issues whatsoever.

One of the problems with it is that it has to be folded. If you’re going to try and accomplish that, you’ll need to hold the stroller by its front part of the seat, keep holding it, and push a button while also trying to twist the handle forward, and you’ll need to be able to do this with one hand while holding the actual stroller. Not very comfortable, but again, it’s possible get used to that.

 

8 Go Pet Club Pet Stroller

Overall, this is a pretty good price for value among all other dog strollers we’ve looked at. The build quality is very decent, sturdy, and the cost considering the fact that it will last for years is excellent. Everybody’s favorite part about this dog stroller is going to be the storage, and the cup holders, which is extremely convenient.

Disadvantages of these Go Pet Club dog strollers are that their bellybars have to be moved into the raised position before you attempt to pack and fold the pet stroller, and this will require you to “unspan” it from stroller’s mesh part. Even though they advertise this as a “fold in 10 seconds” dog stroller, it’s not really true – it takes a bit longer for sure, but not a big deal.

 

9 Pet Gear No-Zip NV Pet Stroller

Our choice for the ninth cheap dog stroller out there that we liked is this Pet Gear stroller again. This is the most expensive item on the list and we’ll, considering each stroller’s price-to-value ratio. Obviously, this one is more expensive than those mentioned above, and there’s still really no need to spend $400 on a stroller. Trust me, this price is the ceiling if you need a very good pet stroller, and possibly the best one you can buy.

Why? It has air tires – not plastic, but real tires – which means this is the smoothest ride your dog and yourself will experience together. The are for looking around is amazingly wide, yet it’s not too open. The no-zip entry is fantastic as well, and saves a lot of trouble. No need to mention build quality as you’ll quickly notice a combination of high-grade plastic, metal and other materials used.

Delivery is the main disadvantage. What we’ve noticed, and if you also look through other owners’ reviews, you’ll see others complaining about this dog stroller coming with bent parts on occasion. Yup, that happens. Simply return it right away and there’s very little chance that you’ll receive another one with any issues. It’s not common, but everybody make mistakes, we need to accept that. Otherwise, it’s the best investment you can make for your dog and it will last a lifetime. Happy strolling!

Alternative: Ibiyaya Pet Stroller Elegant Retro I

Ibiyaya pet strollers are a great alternative to the above first option, however, they come at a price. Currently, they have one of the largest line of best dog strollers out there, with sizes for small dogs, medium dogs and large dogs. Most of their pet strollers for dogs also have a variety of interesting features. See our pet stroller review below for more details:

 

10 Promenade Pet Stroller, Black Onyx

Now this is our subjective view of placing this pet stroller as second best, so try and read through customer’s reviews on Amazon to get a better idea whether you should go for this one, or the best dog strollers above or below this one. So far, it seems like this could easily be even the best one out there, especially considering the price.

Most dog strollers that are of this type of quality will go for around $200-400, but it’s really unnecessary to spend that much money on a dog stroller. This one’s easy to put together, fits exactly the size of dogs as advertised, and the ride is smooth. Build to last for sure – you’ll notice as soon as you open the box.

In terms of cons, this is based off what other people have found wrong with the stroller, and the potential issue seems to be the poor plastic used on the zipper. If it brakes, then you won’t be able to use the zipper any longer. However, keep in mind that no other customer has found this issue to be the case, so might just be an accident. Research well before making a final decision!

What to Consider for Buying a Cheap Stroller for Dogs?

The most obvious is the size of your pooch. You need to be certain that your pet stroller will be able to fit your Fido, and that the dog will be comfortable in there. If you buy a dog stroller that is way too big for your companion, then they will most likely be very uncomfortable sliding back and forth in the seat.

If you buy a pet stroller that is way too small, then your dog will be uncomfortable yet again and there will also be a bigger potential for injuries. Similarly to picking out dog doors, aside from the size, you would also want to weigh your dog – not every stroller will take any weight, so make sure to check the maximum load for each cheap dog stroller before purchasing.

Number of dogs (or cats) that you own. If your pet family is large, that is at least two, you can find strollers for dogs that will fit more than one pet into the stroller. These are designed to have ample room inside, and will usually have the exact amount of leash attachments that is necessary.

Also, similarly to choosing dog beds or finding the dog clippers, the multi-pet strollers for dogs will be designed with higher grade materials that are durable and last longer, as well as sustain the “double damage” that can be caused by the force of two pets.

The reason you’re buying a dog stroller in the first place. Have you already decided on why, when, how often you’re going to use your cheap pet stroller? If not, consider that for regular, short walks around the block, a cheaper stroller option with the most basic design will do just fine – no need to spend too much cash.

But if you’re an active individual that loves jogging with your dog, and what to provide them with some fresh air regardless, then try to pick one of these top rated cheap dog strollers that have more extra features which will come to be very helpful in the future.

READ NEXT: Top 10 Best Rated Dog Strollers

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