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Met dank aan Amy ShojaiAls professionele schrijver en huisdierenconsulent, breng ik veel tijd door met reizen naar veterinaire, publicatie- en huisdierschrijfconferenties. Ik leer graag over mijn vakgebied (inclusief alles van hondenpoepzakjes tot kalmerende hondensnoepjes), maar ik haat het om mijn hond en kat thuis te laten. Natuurlijk mag ik er een beetje van meenemen op mijn met bont bedekte kleding, maar dat is niet helemaal hetzelfde.
Het is dan ook geen wonder dat ik verliefd werd op het concept van kinderwagens. Het is een perfecte oplossing voor kleinere honden en zelfverzekerde katten om met hun mens te kunnen reizen. Nu mijn huidige huisdieren geschikt zijn voor een kinderwagen, zowel qua grootte als qua persoonlijkheid, wilde ik er een testen voor Karma-Kat en Shadow-Pup.
Met veel zomerse buitenevenementen in mijn omgeving, weet ik dat ze het leuk vinden om mee te rijden in plaats van thuis te blijven. Na verschillende modellen te hebben onderzocht, koos ik de HPZ Pet Rover om te testen als een van de weinige beschikbare modellen die geschikt is voor grotere huisdieren.
HPZ Pet Rover is een eersteklas, heavy-duty kinderwagen die veel lijkt op een traditionele kinderwagen, maar met enkele belangrijke kenmerken voor het comfort en de veiligheid van huisdieren. Het kwam aan in een grote kartonnen container die ongeveer 25 pond woog en gemakkelijk op de achterbank van mijn auto paste.
Eenmaal gemonteerd (ik hoefde alleen maar de wielen vast te klikken en de achteras op te zetten), zag de stijlvolle blauw met zwarte buggy er indrukwekkend uit. Het lichtgewicht aluminium frame zorgde ervoor dat het moeiteloos kon bewegen, maar de solide structuur en stof voelden stevig aan. Je kunt de wandelwagen gebruiken met de kap open, of de bovenkant sluiten om je huisdier binnen te houden. Voor opslag kan de robuuste, roestvrije aluminium constructie worden opgevouwen voor eenvoudig transport.
Met dank aan Amy Shojai
Als eerste test rolde de Pet Rover moeiteloos over leistenen keukenvloeren, met een kleine draaicirkel vanwege de multidirectionele voorwielen. Ik merkte geen verschil op het tapijt. Ik hield echt van de gebruiksvriendelijke rem. Stap gewoon op een rekstok en hij vergrendelt de achterwielen. Een zachte lift met je teen ontgrendelt de wielen. Als je op een helling parkeert, gaat de kinderwagen niet weg zonder jou.
Ik verwachtte dat de kinderwagen goed zou werken in gebouwen, maar wilde testen op meer uitdagende oppervlakken. Ik vroeg me ook af hoe het extra gewicht van mijn 14-pond kat en 55-pond hond de functie zou beïnvloeden.
We hebben een stenen terras aan de achterkant van ons huis met een enorme omheinde rozentuin in het proces van wederopbouw. Door de herinrichting hebben de paden kale aarde, sporen van afstromend water en - na een regenbui - veel modder. De perfecte proeftuin voor de HPZ Pet Rover.
Met dank aan Amy Shojai
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.
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.
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.
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.
What we liked about the HPZ Pet Stroller:
What to consider about the HPZ Pet Stroller:
Courtesy Amy Shojai
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.
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.
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.
Courtesy Amy Shojai
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!”
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.
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.
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.
via merchant
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