Best Dog Crates Summary
- Best Dog Crate Overall: Revol Dog Crate
Attractive, ergonomic, and space-friendly dog crate that incorporates the baby industry quality standards. - Best Easy Maintenance Dog Crate:MidWest Homes for Pets iCrate
Easy-to-clean dog crate with sturdy walls, removable plastic tray, and several patented features. - Best Dog Crate for Small Breed Dogs: New World Pet Products Folding Metal Dog Crate
High-quality, double-dog dog crate with a collapsible design that is perfect for small dog breeds. - Best Heavy Duty Dog Crate:Confote Heavy Duty Stainless Steel & Metal Dog Cage
Rectangular and heavy-duty dog crate on wheels that can be easily transported despite its weight. - Best Dog Crate for Large Breed Dogs: Otaid 48 Inch Heavy Duty Indestructible Dog Crate
Indestructible and sturdily build pet crate available in big sizes that are perfect for large and giant dogs. - Best Airline-Approved Dog Crate: Petmate Vari Dog Kennel
Easily transportable and airline-approved plastic pet crate with a top handle and easy-open front latch.
Is a Crate a Good Idea for a Dog?
Yes, crating your dog is a good idea as long as you do it safely and correctly. Some of the reasons you might want to consider crating your doggy include:
- Safe space and sense of security. A crate provides a safe space for your dog to rest and relax. Sick, injured, or simply older dogs can use their crates as sanctuaries when they need rest and recuperation.
- Additional training help. Crating can be useful when training your dog, particularly if you are house training a puppy. One way to use a crate for training is by using it for potty training. Crated dogs have the tendency to wait for the right place and time to go as they do not wish to soil their crate.
- Useful for car rides and travels. For vet visits, a crate-trained dog will be much easier to transport than a non-trained one. Crates can also be handy for other times of travel like on road trips or even planes.
- Allows easy movement. In the unfortunate case of an emergency like a fire, you can easily and quickly move your pet without having to rely on dog commands.
- Sense of ownership. Dogs will find a secluded place at home to call their own whether it is provided or not. Having a personal crate will provide dogs with a sense of ownership and security.
What Size Dog Crate Should I Get?
When choosing a crate for your dog, size is a very important aspect as it can affect how willing your dog is to stay in the crate. A good size crate should allow your dog to turn around freely and sit without the head touching the top.
Measuring Your Dog For A Crate
When measuring your dog for a crate, you need to consider three dimensions – length, height, and width.
To measure the length of your dog, have her standing on all fours and measure from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail. Add 2 to 4 inches to this length, and that is the minimum length the crate can be. Do not measure the full length of the tail, as this will result in an unnecessarily large crate.
For height, have your dog in a sitting position and measure the height from the top of the head to the floor. Add 2 to 4 inches, and you get the minimum height of the crate.
Width is easiest to measure. In fact, you do not have to measure the width of your dog’s crate. This dimension can be estimated from the height and length measurements.
For fast-growing puppies, you can get a crate with a divider. You will use the divider to demarcate the space that is just enough for your new puppy. As your puppy grows through different life stages, you can move your divider accordingly to fit her new size.
Dog Crate Size Guide
Dog Size | Dog Breeds | Dog Crate Size |
under 25lb. | Chihuahua, Cairn Terrier, Dachshund, Norwich Terrier, Yorkshire Terrier, Jack Russell Terrier, Norfolk Terrier, Pug, Toy Fox Terrier, Boston Terrier, and Shih Tzu. | 18” to 25” (measure your dog) |
| 35lb to 40lb max. | Pit Bull Terrier, Scottish Terrier, co*cker Spaniel, West Highland White Terrier, Springer Spaniel, Chinese Shar-Pei, Fox Terrier, Silky Terrier, Australian Terrier, and Brittany Spaniel. | 30” to 36” (measure your dog) |
| up to 80lb. | Airedale Terrier, Border Collie, Dalmatian, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Bull Terrier and a small to mid-sized Sarplaninac Dog. | 36” to 45” (measure your dog) |
Isn’t he a big boy? – up to 100lb. | German Shepherd, Newfoundland, Bloodhound, Grey Hound, Irish Setter, and Akita. | 50” to 59” (measure your dog) |
| 100lb and beyond. | Great Dane, Irish Wolfhound, Bernese Mountain Dog, Siberian Husky, Mastiff, St Bernard and Scottish Deerhound. | Up to 60” (measure your dog) |
How We Picked the Best Dog Crates?
To pick the best dog crates, we looked out for brands that meet all or most of the following requirements.
- High overall quality, sturdiness, and durability
- Excellent customer reviews
- Good size range and different size options
- Functionality (portability, easy clean-up, and maintenance)
- Price and cost-to-efficacy ratio
- Brand’s trustworthiness and reliability
Best Dog Crate Reviews
From crate kennels and exercise pens to pet beds and dog houses – there is a ton of different dog crates on the market. With so many choices, finding the right one can be overwhelming. To simplify things, we have reviewed the best dog crate products you can find on Amazon and Chewy.
Summary: Revol is an attractive and unique-looking dog crate. It is made of premium materials and features a collapsible design that makes the crate easy to set up and space-friendly to store. The overall features of the dog crate are inspired by baby industry quality standards and incorporate ergonomic, easy-to-use doors. The crate is available in four sizes and four color options.
Pros
- Premium materials and overall design
- With a ceiling hatch for quick access
- Removable bottom for easy cleaning
- Comes with an included puppy divider
- Available in different colors and sizes
Cons
- Some sizes are often out of stock
Review: Overall, pet owners love this ergonomic and uniquely built dog crate. They say it is very easy to use and set up. They are also happy with the collapsible design that allows space-friendly storage.
Summary: The iCrate is a popular crate from MidWest Homes For Pets, a US-based company with 100 years of experience making pet products. The crate is very popular among dog owners because of its affordability and functionality.
Pros
- Available as single door and double door dog crate
- Caters to a wide range of dog sizes (from 1 to 110 lbs)
- Folding dog crate design for easy mobility
- Comes with a free divider panel and a washable plastic pan
- Affordable and budget-friendly dog crate
Cons
- Not an exceptionally sturdy design
- Some customers find the crate hard to move
Review: In general, most dog owners love the MidWest Homes For Pets iCrate. Fans of the product praise the roomy size, portability, ability to fold, but most of all, they love the price. In short, the iCrate is a good crate, but the price makes it even better. You can even get it as part of a crate starter kit.
Summary: The New World dog crate is a durable, folding, metal dog crate with a double door and a heavy-duty, slide-bolt latch. The crate is very easy to assemble and does not require tools. This pet product is available in five different sizes.
Pros
- Detachable leakproof plastic tray for easy cleaning
- Offers both single and double-door folding options
- Different size options for different dog breeds
Cons
- The plastic tray that comes with the crate is not durable
- The crate doesn't feature a divider
Review: Most customers are pleased with the New World Dog Crate. Many praise how easy it is to set up. Dog owners who travel frequently also love the fact it folds down to a more portable compact size.
Summary: This crate is one of the many pet products by Confote, a California-based pet company. It is known for its sturdiness that comes from the strong steel bars that make it. Plus, the wheels on the bottom protect the floor and allow easy transportation of the crate.
Pros
- Strong and durable, heavy-duty dog crate
- Features a double door
- Removable plastic tray for easy cleaning
- Easy to assemble and use
Cons
- This crate is on the pricier side of dog crates
Review: Customers love the sturdiness of this crate. Dog parents with large destructive dogs especially appreciate how well the crate keeps the dogs from escaping.
Summary: Another sturdy favorite, the Otaid Heavy Duty Crate is a popular choice for parents whose dogs would easily break out of a wire mesh dig crate. The heavy-duty design paired with practical features makes the crate a best seller.
Pros
- Heavy-duty design for durability
- Suitable for strong rowdy dogs
- It is easy to assemble and clean
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Heavyweight and not practical for traveling
Review: The Otaid Crate is a very popular crate due to its durability. Many customers described it as one of the few crates that live up to the heavy-duty label.
Summary: The Vari Dog Kennel is a classic crate and pet carrier from pet company Petmate. Petmate has been in the pet business for over 60 years and continues to make hit best-seller pet products. Featuring a seatbelt loop, a treat compartment, and strap holes for zip-tie installation, it can also be used as a transportation pen.
Pros
- Very durable and sturdy dog crate
- Comes in six different size options
- Allows optimal airflow and ventilation
- Doubles as a dog carrier
- Very easy to assemble
Cons
- Not available in extra-large sizes
Review: The Vari Dog Kennel is loved by most of its users, particularly those who travel with their dogs. However, some customers say the crate doesn’t allow the live animal sticker to stick during air travel.
What to Consider When Buying a Dog Crate
There are several factors you need to consider when buying a dog crate. Here is what you need to factor in before clicking the checkout button:
- Crate size. You need to get a crate that is neither too big nor too small for your dog. A very small crate would be uncomfortable and even lead to injuries in large dogs. A very large crate might cause behavioral issues like pooping in the crate.
- Dog’s behavior and temperament. For more active and aggressive dogs, sturdier crates are the best options as the dogs can easily break or damage a flimsy one. On the other hand, a calm dog will do just fine in a simple crate.
- Durability. Try to purchase a crate that can stand the test of time. Buying new crates every year can quickly add up, potentially costing more in the long run than purchasing a more durable one at once.
- Functionality. Different dog crates will offer different perks like having a double door or side doors for easier cleaning, a detachable crate cover, or a removable plastic tray for clean-up.
- Portability. Dog owners that travel often should opt for crates that are pet travel-friendly. This means that the crate should be easy to assemble, foldable, and lightweight. The crate should also take into account the type of transport available, for example, car size and airline regulations.
- Location. Dog crates that are always on display usually require more aesthetic maintenance compared to dogs in isolated areas like the garage. Wooden crates are popular for display crates as they can function as end tables as well.
- Material. Dog crates come in many materials. The most common are plastic crates, metal crates, and wire dog crates. The best material for you will depend on your personal preference and your dog’s needs.
- Price. The right price for a dog crate depends on your budget. It is, however, important to note that a durable and comfortable dog crate is usually worth the plunge.
- Attractive, collapsible dog crate that is easy to set up, transport, and store.
- Incorporates premium materials and ergonomic, easy-to-use doors.
- Puppy divider included.
What You Need to Know About Crating Your Dog
There is no disputing the number of benefits crating can have for your dog. However, crating is only effective if done right. Keep reading as we answer some of the questions asked about dog crates.
Should I Put My Dog in a Crate at Night?
Yes, you should. If you and your dog are ready for it, there is no reason not to put your dog in a crate at night. Ensure to make the pet crate very comfortable by providing a dog bed or crate mat for your dog to sleep on.
How Long Should a Dog be in a Crate?
It is generally acceptable to crate your dog for up to 18 hours a day. In other words, you can crate your dog for the night and about half of the daytime. The hours, however, should not be consecutive. It would be best if you let your dog free every 4 to 5 hours, depending on your schedule.
Where Should I Put My Dog Crate?
A spot in your home that is not secluded from the rest of the family would be ideal for your dog’s crate. A place like a corner in a living room or family room can make a crated dog feel more comfortable than a secluded area like the garage or basem*nt.
Katelyn Son
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