Customer Reviews

Pet Gear PG8100ST Happy Trails Pet Stroller, Cobalt Blue

5 star:		(38)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

Since my new kitten Meesa loves to run outside the minute we open the door, I felt she was adventurous enough to venture outside in a stroller. She also cries when I leave her alone and so the only solution seems to be to take her with me when I leave the house to go walking or to go get the mail.

Both cats were very curious about this new object as it sat in the living room. I pretended it didn't exist for a few days and then started to put each cat in the stroller and left the zipper panel open so they could get in and out and not feel trapped. Once you go outside you will appreciate the safety the zipper panel provides. Your cat will be spared the inconvenience of being chased by dogs, that type of thing.

So, after a few days, Meesa was ready to go outside. Since she was used to the stroller, she felt safe. I put her mouse toy in the stroller and lined the base with a soft towel. We then ventured out to get the mail. She was in bliss. Not only could she view everything from the safety of her mesh viewing window, she could also see me through the top opening and see out the sides. So, no matter if she was sitting, laying down or looking back at me, she felt safe.

My main concern was that being in a stroller would cause her too much stress. I know how cats seem to dislike suddenly being put in new environments. It seems Meesa is rather adventurous.

The Happy Trails Pet Stroller Features: Shock absorbers in the front wheels, 4 Pet viewing windows, Front Entry with Zipper, Waterproof Material, Top opening to view pet and a One-Hand Fold Mechanism for folding the stroller easily in half.

If you are taking the stroller with you on a trip, it will store flat. Unfolds again in an instant. You will also enjoy the Ergonomic handle.

Other features for your convenience:

Parent-Tray for water/keys, leash, etc.

Waterproof tray on the inside base of stroller - can be removed for cleaning

Large storage basket - You could use this for going on a picnic and taking lunch if you are heading to a park. Also useful if walking down to the mailbox or for carrying around cat toys or other kitten luxuries.

The only thing I was worried about when I ordered this stroller was the handlebar. I wasn't sure if it was expandable. This might be an issue if you are very tall or want to stand further back from the stroller. I found I could easily push the stroller from the side while walking or walk behind the stroller without any problem. They could improve this item by allowing the user to adjust the handle bar position and length.

Assembly: To assemble this item all you do is take the stroller out of the box and then you attach the wheels. Now, if only the instructions matched what is in the box. Fortunately it was easy enough to figure out, although I do think they need to update assembly instructions for the wheels immediately if not sooner. It seems they updated the design, but are still using an older pamphlet. I did not find a collet or a collet cover, but another metal "hair-pin-like" object that fastened the wheel onto the axle very easily. Like putting a hairpin through a metal bar with a hole in it. So, that was easy enough.

Once you get the wheels on, there is a tiny hubcap. Once the rear wheels are attached to the rear axle, you just slide the rear axle onto the frame until it clicks and locks. The front wheels are already assembled and all you have to do is basically remove the covers and press the wheels onto the front of the frame base. Assembly took me about 10 minutes max.

Suitable for pets up to 33 lbs - cats and dogs or I'd imagine other pets who love to get out of the house now and then.

Very lightweight - easy to push with one hand

8" wheels - Perfect on rugged terrain and the shock absorbers make the ride
more comfortable.

Fully lined canopy made from 600 Denier waterproof material - walk rain or shine.

Easy to store, fold or take with you when you travel

Replaceable parts - See the website for customer service.

To minimize wear and tear, they suggest you keep all moving parts in the wheels lubricated with WD40, but they make a note about not lubricating the brake components or swivel locks.

For Pets Only - perfect for older pets, new kittens, puppies, small dogs and other small animals.

My new kitten and I love this stroller and I think you will enjoy this product. Now I look forward to going outside for more walks because I don't have to worry about Meesa getting lonely. She likes to be within 4 feet of wherever I am these days and follow me around like a puppy. She is currently sleeping on the desk in her comfy kitten bed. Eventually I'll train Meesa to deal with a leash so she can get out of the stroller when we arrive at our destination.

Most pleased with this purchase!

~The Rebecca Review

Our boy, Madison, loves his stroller. He was a bit apprehensive, at first, when zipped-in, but soon settled down. This is a well built item...Nothing flimsy about it.

Our only complaints are: The zipper is a little difficult to get started and the pad could stand a little more cushioning (we added a "blankie"). Also, I would have liked the bottom portion of the front screen to have been a bit more rigid....We like to keep the screen open, at times. Perhaps a safety strap (to connect to a harness) would be nice, as well.

On the plus side, Madison has been accepted in many previously forbidden places and he is safe from the probing hands of strangers! This stroller is narrower than a baby stroller, which makes it easier to navigate in stores and crowded areas. The generous canopy provides plenty of shade and both the underneath basket and parent tray supply ample storage space.The mesh is airy and allows us to keep an eye on our boy. Oh, we also love the easy folding mechanism....A flat fold can be achieved in seconds....And away we go!

All in all, I can see that we will get a lot of use out of this stroller. Being a dachshund, Madison has always been height disadvantaged; he is now enjoying "the high life!"


Added: 2/08/06

We lost one of the cute "paw" hubcaps. I E-mailed Pet Gear and less than a week later, they sent a replacement...Plus a spare!

Added: 4/4/08

After almost 3 years of constant use, Madison is still enjoying his stroller. He has traveled up and down the East coast; visits to malls and museums are among his faves. A few quick wipes with a sponge, keep his "vehicle" always looking like new!

I had been looking for months before finally choosing to purchase this pet stroller. No cute frills - this was the most practical that I found, both for pet and guardian. Although it was very easy to assemble, it took me about half an hour of scratching my head trying to figure out why there were parts missing, and why I had parts that weren't listed on the diagram. Fortunately I read one of the other reviews here on Amazon, and she explained how to put it together...phew!
Come on Pet Gear Inc. company - you really need to update your assembly instructions !
Other than incoherent instructions (read other review if you need help), I am very satisfied with this purchase. Now I can take my little dog almost everywhere, and when her tiny legs are tired out there's a place she can go for a snooze without my having to carry her, or take her home.

This is a very beautiful pet stroller. I just got it for my aging dog. When she gets tired walking, I don't have to carry her home. It has a heavy vinyl odor so I am airing it out a few days in the sun. I did need help putting it together. I look forward to long walks with this stroller.

Was so excited (and skeptical) about getting this stroller for our eight-year old neutered male cat named Simon! About a year ago, Simon was diagnosed with FIV (the feline form of HIV); therefore, it's not a good idea for him to roam outside since he could potentially infect other cats in our suburban neighborhood.

This stroller is very simple to put together (although the diagrams are horrible--luckily, it only took me, a non-engineer, only 45 minutes to fully assemble). Also, it's definitely flimsier than most baby strollers so don't even try to use this for people. On the plus side, the brakes are very good and the storage comparments are truly outstanding--the water bottle and key holder is extremely marvelous! The stroller also has front shocks and they work well. I'm not sure how long the plastic tires will last but they seem sturdy even though they're definitely not as good for offroad terrain (if this is a concern to you). The one drawback about this stroller is the replacement parts--no word on whether or not they're available but I haven't researched it, yet.

Simon went on his first "walk" last night and loves it! He was so attentive to all the sights and smells. He did not seem nervous at all but was definitely curious about all the new adventures. This stroller also provides good exercise for his "Mama and Daddy" since we'll get quite a workout pushing it around for our only child. ;-)

I absolutely love this stroller. We have carriers, body slings, the wheelies(roll luggage type from Target), and strollers. Our 3 Yorkies are our children, and we like to make sure they are with us, and comfortable, and happy. Although the other things do work, they can become inconvenient, but the stroller is fantastic. We have the blue, and the larger pink. Our babies go everywhere with us, including restaurants with outdoor seating. If you are reading this to help decide if you should purchase it, I definitely suggest YES. I have not come across any problems what so ever, except one of my babies is a chewer, and she chewed through the mesh around the zipper, but I just sewed it up with a very thick black thread, and keep my eyes on her. My babies love these too, and if we even go near the strollers, they all come running, and try to jump in them. If I put them by the sofas, they will just get inside them, and lay down. This is a GREAT stroller.

I'm concerned about the plastic black mesh window, looks to be coated with some chemical finish. It had a pungent toxic chemical smell to it when first arrived, and even with persistent airing out over several months, smell still persists.

I love the idea of a stroller that is more than a cage on a dolly. But I'm concerned enough about the health safety, and, my dog dislikes riding in it, perhaps for the same reason. It didn't work for us.

We take our cat Muppet visiting the elderly in nursing homes/retirement homes. She's about 9 lbs, a fairly petite tortie cat, and very calm and manageable. She's normally a housecat, but adapts easily. When we first took her visiting, we would carry her in a basket. Now, 9 lbs plus a basket starts getting heavy, especially when it comes to holding her out over beds. I couldn't even take her alone, I had to always make sure my roommate could come with because I'd get tired carrying her. Plus, she didn't seem super comfortable in it and would get restless after a half-hour.

I found this pet stroller online - I had never heard of such a thing. I did some careful research, then bought it at a local pet store in October of 2005. The instructions were a bit odd, but we figured it out fairly easily.

Muppet loves it! She's much more comfortable now, and we don't have to carry her. She likes riding in it, and sometimes curls up and dozes off if we are talking too long to people. We have zipped up the front and taken her on walk-a-thons, even semi-offroading. It's not quite built for this, but has shown no signs of falling apart in the nearly 2 years we have had it.

Critiques:

One of the other reviews commented that it'd be nice to have an easy way to 'fold' over the the screen in front, and I agree - when we are actually doing her pet therapy work, we unzip the screen and fold up the back. We turn over the screen in front as far as we can so people can pet her.

The same review also mentioned that a strap or hook would be a good idea, for you to loop over or attach a leash, and I definitely agree. There is no way to secure her in even loosely if we have the front open, and it'd be good to have a way to attach the leash so that if somebody tries to pick her up when we aren't looking, they are stopped.

Anyway, it's a fantastic device, and due to the height, I like it better than any of the others out there. It's the perfect height for people in wheelchairs or on low beds to reach in and pet her. Great product!! I'd buy another when this one wears out...

This stroller is nice and lightweight. We put our cat in it, and take her on walks with the dogs. She used to be a ferrel cat and now is an indoor cat only. After a couple of walks she adapted to taking rides in the stroller and doesn't seem to mind. She sits up in it and looks around, and doesn't fight to get out, like we thought she might. It is a nice way to let her enjoy the outdoors besides just sitting in the window or out on our deck.

My husband won't push her in the stroller because he's embarrased by it. But I don't care. And the neighbors smile and ask questions when we walk by, and they say our cat is very lucky and special.

This stroller would not be good for rough terrian, there are other strollers for that, and it doesn't do well with shock absorbtion. But we just walk around the neighborhood on sidewaks. So this stroller gets the job done. And if I need to go over curbs, it's light enough for me to just pick it up without a lot of stress or strain. When I bought the stroller I was mainly concerned if our cat would actually let us take her on a walk in it, and enjoy it. And so far she has.

The bottom basket is great for water bottles and treats for the dogs.

I love the pet stroller. I was concerned because it has plastic wheels and I expected rubber but I have been using it for 2 months and haven't had a problem. The handle extension is a little short and you have to get your pace right so you don't run into the stroller because you are a little too close. Also, I have to hold the stroller with one hand because I have two other dogs on a leash. There is some mechanism in the middle of the handle that makes it difficult so I have to hold it close to one side or the other. Neither of these issues has significantly affected our total enjoyment of the stroller. My dog loves it. She can be totally zipped in or I can leave the front wide open. She doesn't have any problem what-so-ever using the stroller. The stroller was actually delivered within about a day and a half of the order. My son put it together and didn't seem to have any problem doing so. I absolutely love it and would certainly order it again if I needed a new one.