The Best Dog Crates

Wandering, unattended dogs can lead to chewed-up valuables, ruined furniture, even injury to your pet. Investing in a dog crate provides peace of mind and mitigates unintended mishaps. Crates can also help an owner create a special spot for their dog in a secure environment that makes them feel at home, even when they aren’t actually at home.

Buying Guide for Dog Crates

Why buy a dog crate?

Dog crates are an effective, affordable way to keep your dog (and sometimes your valuables) safe. Whether you’re leaving your dog at home for a while or taking them on a trip, finding the right crate will help make things easier.

What should you consider in a dog crate? 

• Material: Wire crates are ideal for training as they offer ample ventilation and full visibility for pet and owner. They are also easily cleaned. Plastic crates have more limited visibility but allow your dog to create a safe place with extra privacy. Plastic crates are also ideal for traveling, as the smooth surfaces reduce the risk of injury.
• Construction: Ensure that your crate features rounded edges and corners to keep your dog safe from harm. Metal screws and nails will increase the crate’s longevity but should be used on the outside for safe use.
• Doors: Depending on your dog’s size, it may be beneficial to select a crate with a top-loading door to allow you to place your dog in the crate. For larger or mature dogs, side doors should give ample space for their entrance. Ensure that no blankets, beds, or toys block the doorway or locking mechanism.

How much should you expect to pay for a crate?

Dog crates vary pretty widely when it comes to cost. For a quality crate, you should expect to pay at least around $50, but it’s normal to pay up to $100 for something that will last a while. If you’re looking for a premium option, you can find truly impressive products for around $200.

Our Picks for the Best Dog Crates

Pros: The MidWest Homes iCrate caters to dogs of almost every size with seven different options. While this crate may look basic, it’s specially designed to be portable and easily cleaned. This crate can be collapsed for travel, and the patented rounded side clip eliminates sharp edges that could harm your pet. When it’s time to clean the crate, the pan unclips from the crate with ease. The heavy-duty construction won’t harm your floors because of the roller feet attached on both sides to allow easy movement across short distances.

Cons: The main issue with this crate is that it doesn’t latch very securely! If your pup has a knack for escaping, you’ll want to be extra careful if you go with this crate. It also isn’t the sturdiest option around.

Bottom Line: This crate is a great option overall. It keeps your dog secure and will hold up even if your pup chews on the metal bars. You can even fold it up easily to take it on the go.

 

Pros: The Noz2Noz Soft-Krater Crate is lightweight, durable, and easy to assemble and disassemble. You can fold it down in seconds. Plus, the crate is well-ventilated thanks to mesh panels that let air flow through the cate. Because it’s so easy to assemble, it’s portable and can go with you when you travel.

Cons: This crate wasn’t made to hold the strongest pups, so if your dog will try to escape and is relatively strong, this crate might not hold them. Overall, the crate is a bit flimsy, which makes sense since it’s portable.

Bottom Line: Though it’s not the most durable, this is a great crate if your pup is relatively well-trained and if you travel often.

 

Pros: The SportPet Designs Plastic Kennel features a heavy-duty design that is also airport-friendly. It’s easy to put together and works both at home and for traveling. There’s room inside of the crate for you to add a comfy bed to support your pup. Plus, this crate comes with removable wheels, so you can glide right through the airport with it.

Cons: If you plan to travel, you may want to size up if your dog is bigger. The crate tends to run a bit small. Plus, the walls aren’t rustproof, so if your dog likes to chew on things, they can damage it.

Bottom Line: This crate is well-made and approved for most airlines. It’s big enough for most dogs if you pick the right size, and it does a good job of keeping them secure. It also works if you plan on keeping your dog in a crate at home.

 

Pros: The FEANDREA Wooden Dog Crate is a great option when you’re working with a bigger budget. This premium choice is made of particleboard and steel to keep your dog comfy and safe and to look good in your home. It’s designed to prevent your dog from getting out and doing damage. It’s also stylish and works as a table, so you can put a lamp or other things on top of it.

Cons: While this dog crate is designed to be easy to assemble, there are some issues with lining up the pieces correctly. It’s at least a two-person job if you want to get it done quickly and correctly. It’s not made for larger dogs, so don’t expect your 80-pound pup to fit.

Bottom Line: This crate is not only functional and made to keep your pup happy, but it also looks good pretty much wherever you decide to keep it. It’s a solid choice if you have a small- or medium-sized dog.

 

Pros: The Petmate Two-Door Pet Kennel works great for smaller dogs! It comes in a variety of colors and offers super convenient features for securing your pooch. Not only will it keep your pet safe at home, but it’s also approved for air travel. You get the trusted brand name of Petmate, which has been making crates for over 50 years.

Cons: It’s only for smaller pets. While it covers the basics, there aren’t many features to keep your pet comfy.

Bottom Line: This product has all the fundamentals covered: it keeps your dog secure, it’s easy to carry, and it’s relatively sturdy. While it doesn’t have some of the comfort or features of more expensive models, it’s worth checking out if you have a smaller dog.

Final Thoughts

Crates are a product that almost all dog owners will need at some point. Finding the right one really depends on your dog, their personality, and your purposes. Some are made to transport pets more easily, while others are made to keep your dog secure for hours at a time. Once you’ve figured out what you need, our selections should be a good place to start.