ZuZuca: Funnier Name, Great Bag... For Pets!
A bit over a year ago, we had the good fortune to be some of the first folks to review the Zuca Pro. Aimed at folks who wanted a place to sit during the interminable wait at the airport, it continues to be one of our bags that grabs the most attention. The extremely sturdy aluminum frame and large wheels have stood up well over time. The Zuca manages to be both large (the maximum carry-on size) and maneuverable (with a fairly long pop-up handle), and the main problem we faced was the odd system of individual zippered pouches that you use to actually store items inside.
We never tried the accessories, like seat cushions or the laptop-sized padded bag that appears to solve another of our worries when using the Zuca. But we have just been testing out the ZuZuca, their latest and greatest innovation, that turns the Zuca Sport frame into an all-around awesome pet carrier. Yes, at last you can sit on your pet, safely.
The Sport model uses smaller double wheels instead of the larger single ones on the Pro, which offers some upsides and downsides. It does handle stairs a bit easier than our previous model, and we were mixed on the flashing wheels- good for nights, but could have been a bit brighter. The seat works about the same, and we liked the concept since it’s all too common for your pet to get caught up something while wandering around a location without convenient seating. The carrier handles nicely off-trail as well as on, and is light enough at 9 pounds to easily pickup and put into a car. You can also strap Fido or Bootsy in safely while within the ZuZuca with a normal seatbelt- it just winds around the frame, quick and simple.
One important thing to note is that it isn’t for airline use! Also, it is meant for cats and dogs up to 15 pounds- smaller dogs should be fine, but even a mid-sized pup will feel a bit cramped. But, it’s snug, cozy, and well-ventilated- and easy to clean with removable liners. The mesh sides and front worked pretty well, and a few pockets give you space for toys and other essentials when traveling with your pooch. Available in a few different colors, our frame was red and carrier black (though we confess that it is not our dog above). At $130, it’s a versatile bag that happens to make a great carrier for your smaller family members, and we guarantee that other pet owners will notice. Amazon offers the mesh insert and bag separately, or you can purchase directly from Zuca.
