Our dogs need their very own space that will make them feel comfortable and secure at the same time. And we’re not just talking about a cozy sleeping spot. Although a dog bed works best when it comes to giving your furry friend a comfortable place to sleep in, you’ll need more than just that when you want to take him with you while traveling. This is where a dog crate comes in.
With the help of the best dog crate, you’ll be able to give your dog a comfortable spot during transportation. However, it can also be used alongside other training tools such as dog training collars and invisible dog fences. Due to that, it’s important that you only get a high-quality dog crate which can serve your dog for years.
While looking for the best small dog crate is easy, the task becomes a bit daunting when it comes to the big boys. After all, larger dogs will need an even bigger space so they won’t feel constricted while inside their crate.
That said, we’re going to talk about the best dog crates for both small and large dogs on the market. But first, let’s talk about why using a dog crate can be beneficial for your dog.
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Benefits of Using a Dog Crate
There’s actually more to a dog crate than just offering a comfortable sleeping spot for your pooch. Despite the fact that it looks like a cage with its appearance, it can actually be quite helpful in dog training. That said, here are the major benefits that a dog crate offers:
It can serve as your dog’s calm retreat
As your dog gets used to using his crate, it will serve as a comfortable place where he can retreat to when needed. However, for that to happen, you have to make sure you place it in a quiet area in your house. If your dog associates his crate as a comfortable room and bed, then he may seek it out whenever he feels tired, scared, or stressed.
It keeps your puppy safe
Since puppies naturally chew stuff, putting yours inside a crate could significantly reduce his risks of choking, electrocution, poisoning, or more while you’re out of your house. Moreover, tiny puppies have a high risk of being stepped on when there are many people inside the house.
For this, putting your puppy inside the crate can be a really wise choice as far as his safety is concerned. However, you have to make sure that you don’t put him inside for too long. The time your puppy spends inside his crate should be limited.
It can be used for travels
If you frequently travel with your dog, a dog crate can be really beneficial. After all, not all dogs feel comfortable traveling in vehicles, and a dog crate can help them stay calm and relaxed throughout the drive. It also provides them with a safe and comfortable way to travel.
How to Choose a Dog Crate
Now that you’ve known about the benefits of using a dog crate, it’s time to talk about how you can find the best dog crate for both small and large dogs. Basically, these are the factors you should consider:
Type
Dog crates are categorized into different types depending on the material used. That said, the following are the most common types you can find on the market:
Plastic
A plastic crate is designed to withstand lots of wear and tear. It’s basically a more private crate type with more solid walls. Due to this, plastic crates are generally more calming for dogs to sleep in. They’re also a legal requirement for transporting your dog via planes.
Soft
Soft crates are ideal for dogs who are already comfortable sleeping inside a crate. They are similar to camping tents in terms of design and feature support poles and strong fabric for added durability and comfort. Basically, they offer your dog with a more comfortable sleeping place.
Wire
As one of the most popular choices on the market, wire crates are made using thick metal wires. They’re generally very durable and easy to move at the same time. In fact, most wire crate models can be easily folded to make transportation easier and hassle-free.
Wood
Wood crates are designed for those who are looking for a fancy-looking crate due to their furniture-like design. Also, the fact that they’re made of wood makes them quite durable.
Your dog’s temperament
Another thing you have to consider when looking for a dog crate is your dog’s behavior and temperament. After all, different crate types have different levels of security and protection.
For example, if your dog has an aggressive behavior, then you’ll need a crate that’s chew-proof and solid. Meanwhile, if you have a relaxed dog who won’t mind being inside a crate, then you’d do well with a softer one. That said, it’s important to choose a crate that will match your dog’s personality. This way, you can provide him with a comfortable spot where he can stay for a while.
Size
Upon choosing a dog crate, you have to check if its size can accommodate your dog. Fortunately, most manufacturers will provide size and even weight ranges of their products so you can determine if your dog can fit inside them or not. Additionally, you have to measure your dog in the process. The best thing to do this is to measure his length laying down as well as his height when sitting.
Your chosen crate should also have enough room to allow your dog to switch positions whenever he wants. At the very least, go for a crate that provides around 1-2 inches of head clearance and around 4-6 inches of length clearance.
Durability
If you’re planning to have your puppy undergo crate training, then it’d be wise to avoid putting him inside a plastic crate for long periods of time. This is because puppies tend to chew stuff a lot, and when they’re placed inside a crate, they will destroy it with if it’s made of a less durable material. For this reason, a metal crate would be a good choice for crate training purposes.
Appearance
A crate’s appearance would be the least of your worries. However, if you want to keep it inside your living room, then you’ll have to consider its appearance as well. You may want to go for a crate that can also double as movable furniture. For this purpose, wood crates would make the best option considering that they’re made with aesthetics in mind.
10 Best Dog Crates
MidWest Homes for Pets Dog Crate (iCrate)
Simple Yet Very Reliable Design
The iCrate by MidWest Homes for Pets is no doubt one of the most popular choices on the market. It comes with a very simple yet durable and secure design as it’s made of thick and durable metal wires. However, that doesn’t compromise its comfort and safety as it has rounded corners.
It also comes with a strong slide bolt system that will keep your furry friend secure inside. There’s even a divider for added comfort and a plastic pan to make cleanup a lot easier. Lastly, it’s easily foldable for hassle-free storage and transportation.
Why We Like It:
- Features a heavy-duty lock system
- Available in 7 different sizes
- Can be folded easily in seconds
What We Don’t Like:
- Its construction isn’t the strongest out there
Carlson Pet Products Foldable Metal Dog Crate
Designed for the Small Boys
If you need a small sleeping space for your little pup, then the Carlson metal dog crate is a great choice. According to the manufacturer, it is designed to be used by dogs weighing 25 pounds and below.
Just like the iCrate, this one also comes with a slide bolt lock for added security and safety for your dog. It’s even lightweight, making it really hassle-free to carry when traveling with your dog. Lastly, it’s available at a really affordable price.
Why We Like It:
- Durable all-steel construction
- Comes in 5 different sizes
- Designed for puppies and smaller dogs
What We Don’t Like:
- Some customers complained about how flimsy the crate is
Petmate Two Door Top Load Dog Kennel
Easily Portable with a Top Loading Kennel
Although PetMate’s crate is intended for puppies, it can still fit in smaller dog breeds without any problem. Its most notable feature is the top loading kennel which is ideal for keeping your pet secure and safe while traveling. With this top loading mechanism, you can access your pet with ease. Moreover, its ergonomic carry handle allows you to carry it comfortably as you travel with your furry companion.
Why We Like It:
- Strong and durable construction made of steel and plastic
- Features an ergonomic handle for easy carrying
- Comes in 4 different colors and 2 different sizes
What We Don’t Like:
- Not an option for larger dogs
AmazonBasics Single Door & Double Door Folding Metal Dog Crate
A Secure and Dual-Purpose Metal Crate
AmazonBasics’ entry is a versatile metal crate which can serve both security and training purposes. It comes with rounded doors for added safety, while the bottom side has mini dividers so your dog’s paws won’t get through. Moreover, it features two doors with secure sliding latches and a removable pan.
Why We Like It:
- Durable metal construction
- Can be folded for easy storage and carrying
- Comes in double door and single door variants
What We Don’t Like:
- Not as durable as the other products
Paws & Pals Dog Crate
Durable and Waterproof Metal Crate
Do you prefer a metal crate for your dog? If so, this one is for you. In fact, it’s one of the best on the market, not to mention it’s really durable as well even among other metal crate brands. This is because the metal is treated to be waterproof so it can easily resist wear and tear brought on by full washing.
That aside, it’s very easy to set up and store due to its foldable design. Its small size even allows you to use it for traveling purposes.
Why We Like It:
- Comes in a variety of sizes to choose from
- Made of durable and specially treated metal
What We Don’t Like:
- Might not be too durable for larger dogs
EliteField 3-Door Folding Soft Dog Crate
Lightweight Alternative with a Mesh Side Design
This soft dog crate from EliteField comes in a variety of colors to choose from. That aside, it’s the best soft dog crate when it comes to providing your dog with a lot of comfort. Since it has completely mesh sides, it won’t feel like a crate at all.
Although it’s very easy to transport and is really lightweight, it’s not really that durable. If you prefer a more durable crate, you’re better off looking for another product instead.
Why We Like It:
- More than a dozen color options
- Available in different sizes
- Includes a fleece bed in the package
What We Don’t Like:
- It’s not really ideal for potty training due to the fleece bed included
MidWest Life Stages Dog Crate
Perfect for All Stages of Your Pup
The Life Stages is, as the name implies, a reliable crate that will grow along with your puppy. It comes with a divider insert so you can easily customize it to fit your puppy as he grows. This only means that you can keep on using it until he reaches full-grown size.
Moreover, as it’s made of heavy-duty gauge steel and comes in a mesh design, it is strong enough for your dog to chew through.
Why We Like It:
- Can be customized to fit your dog’s size
- Available in 6 different sizes and 2 different styles
What We Don’t Like:
- The thick wires used for its construction make this crate a bit heavy
Casual Home Wooden Pet Crate
Securely Holds Your Dog Without Compromising Your Home Design
Crates for pooches are so important to help them feel safe, and to keep them contained when they can’t have the run of the house. Crates have a lot to offer but if there’s one thing they don’t offer, it’s a nice aesthetic. Most people’s homes just don’t match a metal barred crate, which can be annoying if you’ve spent a lot making your home look nice.
The Casual Home wooden pet crate offers an effective alternative to a metal crate with an attractive, sleek design that will fit in with most home aesthetics. It’s designed to work very much like a table with extra space for your dog underneath. So you can place it against a wall, or at the end of the sofa, and use the top for storage. It comes in a few different shades to suit different home designs, avoiding that visual jarring from the traditional metal crate.
Your pooch will feel just as safe and comfortable in the wooden crate as he would in a metal one. The first half of the four walls from the ground up are solid, offering security and privacy. The second half from the middle to the top of the four walls are slats for ventilation and to enable the dog to view his surroundings. There is also a strong lockable gate which ensures your dog is secure when he needs to be.
Why We Like It:
- Blends in seamlessly with other home decor
- Can be used as a table and dog crate
- Available in multiple colors and sizes
- Strong lockable gate
What We Don’t Like:
- Crate can slip and slide on tiled or wooden floors
- Crate is not made of 100% solid wood
Petnation Port-A-Crate Indoor and Outdoor Home for Pets
Heavy-Duty and Durable Yet Highly Comfortable
With a heavy-duty mesh and steel frame, this indoor and outdoor crate is an excellent solution when it comes to durability and strength. Due to its design, you can easily take your furry friend along with you wherever you go.
It even comes with honeycomb mesh windows to allow air flow, hence keeping your dog comfortable. It’s designed to be easy to set up and disassemble as well.
Why We Like It:
- An excellent choice for crate training
- Features a durable woven mesh
- Sturdy steel frame endoskeleton
What We Don’t Like:
- Not a good choice for heavy chewers due to the materials used
Guardian Gear ProSelect Empire Dog Cage
Intended for Holding Dogs with Aggressive Behaviors
No doubt one of the sturdiest crates on the market, the ProSelect Empire is a heavy-duty kennel that is capable of holding even the most aggressive dogs. Every part of this crate has been through heavy-duty wielding to ensure maximum durability.
Another notable feature is its robust latches that will keep your puppy from getting into contact. This also deters any escape artist’s plan of escaping.
Why We Like It:
- Very durable construction
- Rust-resistant
- Can easily deal with aggressive dogs and escape artists
What We Don’t Like:
- Quite expensive compared to the other products on this list
Conclusion
Regardless of the type of dog crate you choose, it’s really important that you only buy a high-quality product from among the best dog crates on the market. This way, you’ll be able to provide your pet with a safe, comfortable, and secure sleeping spot. Also, doing so will make crate training a lot easier and more effective.