Ritogato Front Dog Carrier Review for a 6.7 lb Yorkie
The Ritogato front dog carrier became one of the pieces of walking gear I reached for when taking a stroller felt unnecessary. Louie, my Yorkshire Terrier, weighed 3.04 kg, or about 6.7 lb, when I first wrote this review. He is a small dog with relatively short legs, and that body shape turned out to matter almost as much as his weight.
My overall experience was positive, especially after I added an interior cushion. The carrier kept Louie close to me, left both of my hands free, and was convenient for short outings. However, I would not choose this type of carrier based on weight alone. The height of the dog inside the bag, the dog’s leg length, and the owner’s comfort while carrying the weight all matter.
This review is based on the Ritogato carrier I purchased and used in 2024. Ritogato’s current front-carrier lineup includes newer models, so current specifications and accessories should be checked separately before purchasing.
Why I Bought a Front Dog Carrier
We live in a condo where dogs need to be inside a stroller or pet carrier when using the elevator. That means I need some type of dog transportation gear even for ordinary outings.
One of our regular trips was picking up my daughter from school. Louie learned the routine quickly. When my afternoon alarm went off, he became busy because he knew we were getting ready to leave.
I already had a stroller, and I still find a stroller useful. But bringing one out for every short trip can be cumbersome. For a quick pickup or a short walk, I wanted something smaller that would let me move through the building without pushing extra equipment.
That was the main reason I bought the Ritogato front dog carrier.
Instead of carrying Louie in my arms, I could place him against the front of my body, keep him where I could see him, and still have both hands available.
How the Ritogato Front Dog Carrier Fit My Yorkie
Louie’s weight was not the main fit problem. His short legs were.
The bag had enough overall length for him. He could stretch his body out, and there was still room around him. But without an extra cushion, he sat too low inside the carrier.
When he tried to look out from the side, the upper edge could meet his neck. Looking straight ahead was also awkward because his body did not sit high enough.
I eventually purchased the separate cushion and placed it inside the Ritogato front dog carrier. That changed the usable height considerably. Louie’s head and shoulders sat higher, and he could look around much more naturally.
His reaction changed too. Before adding the cushion, he clearly disliked being inside the bag more. After I started using the cushion, he became much more comfortable with it.
That experience is also why I would measure a small dog instead of relying only on a weight recommendation. The American Kennel Club recommends considering a dog’s height, length, and weight when selecting a carrier, because dogs with the same weight can have very different body proportions.
What I Liked About Wearing It
One of the biggest advantages was how close Louie stayed to me.
A conventional shoulder bag moves beside the body as you walk. With this carrier, Louie was positioned against the front of my body, so the movement felt different. He could also see my face from very close range.
For Louie, that seemed to make the Ritogato front dog carrier easier to settle into once the cushion was added.
I also found the straps comfortable with his 6.7 lb weight. The back straps cross in an X shape, and the straps themselves are relatively wide. The buckles also felt substantial when fastened.
I used the carrier for the kind of short everyday outings I bought it for and did not find Louie’s weight difficult to carry.
That does not mean I would expect the same result with every dog. I did not test this carrier with a dog weighing 10 or 11 lb, so I would not claim that my comfort at 6.7 lb applies to a heavier dog.
Visibility and Mesh Made a Difference
Another feature I liked was visibility.
Louie could keep his head outside the bag and watch what was happening around him. At the same time, I could look down and see him immediately without opening a separate carrier.
There is also mesh stored inside the carrier that can be brought up when more coverage is needed. For me, that gave the Ritogato front dog carrier two useful configurations: an open position where Louie could look around and a more enclosed position with mesh.
The mesh was useful because it provided coverage without completely blocking his view.
For a small dog that wants to see its owner and surroundings, this type of design can feel very different from sitting low inside a closed tote.
The Safety Tether Is Not Optional for Us
The carrier has one internal safety tether, and I use it.
Louie is cautious about heights and normally does not try to jump down from high places. But I would not depend on that behavior as a safety measure.
He sometimes trusts me enough to stand very high inside the Ritogato front dog carrier or lean over the edge. At the animal hospital, I was especially careful because a nervous dog can move differently from the way he behaves during an ordinary walk.
The internal tether gives me another point of control if he suddenly changes position.
I also keep the small side openings snapped closed. Louie is tiny enough to put his head through openings that look too small at first glance.
For my dog, checking the tether and closures before moving became part of using the carrier.
Storage and Construction Details I Actually Used
The bag has several details that turned out to be more useful than they first appeared.
There are multiple pockets around the carrier, so I can keep small walking items within reach. One side also has a loop where I can attach a poop-bag holder.
The bottom of the carrier has a firm insert. That insert can be removed from the lower exterior section.
There are also snap openings on both sides. They can be opened so a dog can put its head out, although I normally leave them closed with Louie because of his small size.
The combination of the structured bottom, storage, mesh, and internal tether made the Ritogato front dog carrier feel like more than a simple fabric sling for the way I use it.
The Cushion Was the Most Important Accessory for Louie
If I had to identify one part of this setup that changed my opinion of the carrier, it would be the cushion.
For Louie, it was not simply an extra layer of padding. It changed his sitting height.
Without it, his short legs kept him too low inside the carrier. With it, he could sit higher and use the opening more comfortably.
That does not mean every small dog will need the same accessory. A taller dog at the same weight might naturally sit higher.
But if your dog is short-legged, I would place the dog inside the carrier and check where the upper edge sits against the chest and neck before deciding that the fit is correct.
The Ritogato front dog carrier was roomy enough for Louie’s body, but the interior height did not work well for him until I adjusted it.
Pros and Cons After Using It
Here is how I would summarize my own experience.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Leaves both hands free | Higher price than many basic pet carriers |
| Keeps Louie close and easy to see | Louie needed an additional cushion |
| Comfortable for me with a 6.7 lb dog | A heavier dog would put more weight on the owner’s body |
| Mesh can provide more coverage | Fit cannot be judged by weight alone |
| Internal safety tether | Short-legged dogs may sit too low without extra height |
| Multiple pockets and poop-bag loop | Open side areas need attention with very small dogs |
| Firm removable bottom insert | Not my first choice for every type of outing |
The biggest limitation for me was not the carrier itself. It was that I needed to buy another item before the fit worked properly for Louie.
Front Carrier or Regular Dog Carrier?
I now use different carriers for different types of outings.
The Ritogato front dog carrier works best when I want to keep Louie directly against me and need my hands free. That makes it convenient for building elevators, short walks, and quick trips.
A regular shoulder carrier serves another purpose. It can be easier when I want to put the carrier down after arriving somewhere and let Louie remain inside it as his own resting space.
For example, my LikaLika Cushion Bag review covers a carrier I use differently: the bag can stay with Louie as a padded place to sit after I put it down.
For me, those two types of carrier are not interchangeable. One prioritizes hands-free carrying against the body. The other is more useful when the carrier needs to become Louie’s space after we arrive.
Who I Think the Ritogato Front Dog Carrier Fits Best
Based on my experience, I would consider the Ritogato front dog carrier for a small dog that is comfortable being carried close to its owner.
It was especially practical for me because:
- Louie was only 6.7 lb.
- I often needed to use an elevator with him contained.
- Some outings were too short to justify bringing a stroller.
- I wanted both hands free.
- Louie preferred being able to see me.
- I could adjust his sitting height with the cushion.
I would be more cautious if the dog were considerably heavier, if the dog struggled when carried against the body, or if the dog sat so low that the edge of the carrier pressed against the neck.
I would also check the owner’s comfort. Even if a dog technically fits inside a carrier, the person still has to carry the combined load.
Final Verdict
The Ritogato front dog carrier became one of the pieces of gear I regularly used because it solved a specific everyday problem.
It was easier than taking out a stroller for short trips, it kept Louie close enough for me to watch him, and it left my hands free.
The biggest lesson from using it was that small-dog fit is not just about kilograms or pounds. Louie’s short legs made the original interior height uncomfortable for him even though the bag itself had plenty of room. Once I added the cushion, the carrier worked much better.
Today, when I bring the bag out around pickup time, Louie recognizes what is happening. If I put the carrier on and sit on the bed, he will even jump up toward me because he expects to go out.
For a very small dog with the right body proportions—or a dog whose sitting height can be adjusted comfortably—the Ritogato front dog carrier is one I would use again. I would simply check the dog’s actual position inside it before deciding that the fit is right.
