The Best Pet Stroller on Amazon, According to our Pet Expert
Updated: May 05, 2022
Taking pets along for the ride just got easier. Make cat and dog outings more fun for everyone with a safe, stylish, and comfy pet stroller.
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Want to travel with your pets?
As a professional writer and pet consultant, I spend a lot of time traveling to veterinary, publishing, and pet writing conferences. I love learning about my field (including everything from dog poop bags to calming dog treats), but hate leaving my dog and cat at home. Sure, I get to take a bit of them with me on my fur-covered clothes, but that’s not quite the same.
It’s no wonder, then, that I fell in love with the concept of pet strollers. It’s a perfect solution for smaller dogs and confident cats to be able to travel with their human. Now that my current pets are a pet stroller fit, both in size and personality, I wanted to test one out for Karma-Kat and Shadow-Pup.
With lots of summer outdoor events in my area, I know they’d enjoy riding along instead of staying at home. After researching various models, I chose the HPZ Pet Rover to test as one of the few available able to accommodate larger pets.
What is the HPZ Pet Rover?
HPZ Pet Rover is a top-of-the-line, heavy duty pet stroller that’s a lot like a traditional baby stroller, but with some key features for pet comfort and safety. It arrived in a large cardboard container that weighed about 25 pounds and easily fit in the back seat of my car.
Once assembled (all I had to do was snap on the wheels and put on the rear axle), the stylish blue and black buggy looked impressive. The lightweight aluminum frame allowed it to move effortlessly, yet the solid structure and fabric felt sturdy. You can use the stroller with the canopy open, or close the top to keep your pet contained inside. For storage, the rugged, non-rust aluminum construction folds up for easy transport.
How I tested the pet stroller
As a first test, the Pet Rover rolled effortlessly on slate kitchen floors, with a tight turn radius because of the multi-directional front wheels. I noticed no difference on the carpet. I really liked the easy-to-use brake. Simply step on a horizontal bar and it locks the rear wheels. A gentle lift with your toe unlocks the wheels. Should you park on any sort of incline, the stroller won’t take off without you.
I expected the stroller to work well inside buildings, but wanted to test on more challenging surfaces. Also, I wondered how the added weight of my 14-pound cat and 55-pound dog would affect the function.
We have a brick patio at the back of our home with a massive fence-enclosed rose garden in the process of reconstruction. Because of the redesign, the paths feature bare earth, ruts from water runoff, and—after a rain—lots of mud. The perfect testing ground for the HPZ Pet Rover.
How the dog and cat reacted to the pet stroller
I had two furry friends to convince, and since anything my dog sees the cat do, he wants to copy, the cat went first. I loaded up the stroller’s interior with Karma-Kat’s favorite treats, then I placed him inside and shut the canopy, securing it closed with the fasteners. They were stiff, but will relax with use. Karma objected and pushed his face against the netting, looking for a way to escape. He’s an inside-only cat, but has always wanted to explore, and I hoped the stroller would make that a safe option for him. The stroller easily navigated out the kitchen door onto the brick patio, and almost immediately, Karma settled down, enthralled by new scents and sites.
As expected, the HPZ Pet Rover worked perfectly on the brick patio. We went “off road” onto the dirt pathway, complete with mud and gravel from recent storms. It surprised me how easily the stroller maneuvered on the uneven ground, turning with no problem, and with little jarring even over rough areas. Karma gave it four paws up! We rolled back into the kitchen, unhooked the still-stiff canopy fasteners, and let Karma take a break. Next came Shadow’s turn.
While enthralled by the idea of his cat friend inside, it took some effort to convince Shadow to take a ride. He’s a young athlete and prefers his four paws to the stroller. He also sits taller than the closed canopy, so an open-carriage ride worked best, though I did secure him with the stroller’s tethers to prevent him from attempting to leap out. Shadow’s added weight made no difference in maneuverability on solid, even surfaces of patio, kitchen, and carpet. It became more difficult to turn the stroller on the uneven, rough terrain, but not too bad.
HPZ Pet Rover product features
Dimensions
The pet stroller was designed for dogs and cats. It weighs 23 pounds and, when folded, measures 40 inches tall, 25 inches wide, and 13 inches deep. When fully assembled and ready to roll, dimensions measure 40 inches tall, 30 inches long, and 23 to 25 inches wide (narrower in the front). The canopy measures 15 inches high from the surface of the inside pet area.
Most pet stroller allow for only small and lightweight animals, but the HPZ Pet Rover’s sturdy frame and high-quality fabric hold up to 75 pounds. The design can expand to give your large single dog space to stretch out, or you can use the space for multiple smaller pets.
Safety and security
To keep pets secure, two buckle straps hold the top canopy in place while the pets view the world through viewing screens. They’re rather dark, making it difficult to see inside, but offer shade and UV protection. You can open the weather-resistant canopy fully (270 degrees) or only partially. Snaps secure the canopy open to one of three positions. That gives pets an open air ride and provides you with easy access to your pet without cumbersome zippers.
The inside area, water-resistant and scratch-proof, has two washable pet pads. You can use one or both for extra protection and comfort. There are two tether straps to secure one or two pets by their harness for safety. There’s also a plastic step-up for the pet in front of a zippered mesh front entrance area. Alternatively, this flips up to use as a feeding station.
Storage and maneuverability
A large fabric under-basket hangs suspended beneath the carriage, perfect for holding pet supplies and healthy treats. Extra pockets and a cup holder on the handle allow for plenty of storage, and you can adjust the reversible handlebar the way you like. The automotive-grade solid rubber wheels require no inflation and work for slippery surfaces or even stairs.
The HPZ Pet Rover glides on sidewalks and maneuvers like a champ over gravel, grass, and rougher terrain. The larger rear wheels have been vibration-tested to reduce the jarring ride common in competitor strollers. The rear axle includes a step-on safety brake to lock the wheels. Two front wheels swivel 360 degrees for easy steering, but can lock in place for a better ride on rough surfaces. Wheels include three-year free replacement.
Pros
What we liked about the HPZ Pet Stroller:
- Solid yet lightweight construction
- Very little assembly required, with snap-on wheels
- Easy maneuverability, even with heavy weight added
- Multiple ways to adjust for the specific pet’s needs
- Easy to fold up for storage or car transport
- Ideal for single or multiple small pets
- Great option for larger dogs with ambulatory issues (seniors, or those recovering from surgery)
Cons
What to consider about the HPZ Pet Stroller:
- Ships in an enormous box, so plan for help to unload
- Expanding the rear compartment may pose a tip-over hazard
- Best to provide pets with training for improved acceptance
FAQ
How do I assemble the HPZ pet stroller?
I’m not mechanical, and worried the assembly would challenge my skills. However, once open, the stroller pulled out of the box mostly complete. It came folded, and following the directions, I opened it to put on the rear axle, four wheels, and a storage basket. At first I put the rear axle on upside-down (I told you I’m not mechanical!) but re-doing the assembly took no time at all. The wheels snapped into place with no tools needed, as did the cup holder.
How do I collapse the HPZ pet stroller?
To collapse the HPZ Pet Stroller for storage, find the bright red metal bar at the back—it’s above the brake—and the structural bar that’s somewhat hidden by the storage basket. Step firmly on the red bar while grasping the front frame and rear handlebar, and the pet stroller folds. Flip forward to clip the folding lock on the right side of the handlebar to secure it in place.
Are pet strollers safe?
Pets should not be unattended in any stroller. Bored dogs could chew their way out and rambunctious pets might tip over the ride. Strollers parked on an incline could roll away on their own if not locked in place. And for strollers that fold up for storage, beware the possibility of it closing or collapsing unexpectedly with a pet inside. I like the HPZ Pet Rover for its attention to safety: rear wheel locks to prevent runaways; a Safety Lock to prevent collapse/folding; and a caution to ensure the weight remains balanced during the expansion of the pet space.
What other reviewers had to say
Verified purchaser Skypilot282 says, “Fantastic stroller! Perfect for a few small pets or a single large dog like ours. It fits my baby perfectly and there is extra space when he lays down, so he can now sleep comfortably in the stroller. Very well-designed and solid for long walks even with inclement conditions (rain and mud, even slush). It’s the best decision I’ve made, I love this stroller, and my dog loves it too!”
Amazon reviewer KD78 felt hesitant at first: “After having three pet strollers, I know exactly what my dog would appreciate in a stroller and what I appreciate in a stroller as well. So I took the plunge and I’m sooo glad that I did. It is worth every penny! I appreciate how this company has thought of every detail and didn’t compromise quality!”
Product comparison
The HPZ Pet Rover comes in various styles and sizes. They upgraded this version from the award-winning original version to allow for larger pets. The redesign also addressed reviewer concerns about maneuverability on rough terrain, and now allows the front wheels to lock for better stability. They eliminated the zipper opening, replaced it with the quick-release clips for faster access to pets through the canopy. The plug-and-play assembly design makes it easy for anyone (including me!) to snap on wheels and be ready to roll within less than 10 minutes.
Final verdict
While it costs more than others on the market, you get what you pay for. I’m in love with the HPZ Pet Rover. It’s easy to put together, easy to store, and easy to use—a triple play that my pets appreciate too. I feel secure in their safety and I love that I can bring them more places.
Where to buy the HPZ Pet Rover pet stroller
The HPZ Pet Rover stroller costs between $263 to $313 depending on color or extra features—like an expandable back section to the pet space. You can find the stroller I reviewed, plus several other versions, at both Walmart, and Amazon.
Originally Published: May 05, 2022
