If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to travel with your pet, train them at home a dog crate is a must. Well-constructed dog kennels come with a variety of benefits that can make life better for both you and your dog. They are comfortable, secure and can offer a place where your pet feels protected and at ease.
A wide variety of dog crates on the market: from metal to plastic to soft-sided, small, large, foldable and travel-friendly, there are practically hundreds of different crates to pick from. To help you find the best option for your pet, we’ve reviewed the best dog crates. The outcome is our list of top 5 best dog crates, plus a detailed buying guide that will help you make the correct purchase decision. See also our recommendations on best dog beds, best invisible dog fences, the best electric dog fence, and the best wireless dog fence.
Why does one need a dog crate?
Such bags are necessary primarily for pet owners. They give the dog the opportunity to keep a neat look no matter what the weather is outside. Pet-class dog owners can also use bags – such a thing can be useful during a visit to a veterinary clinic, allowing you to protect your dog from various types of microbes, viruses and bacteria.
If the owner needs to go to visit, and the dog is left with no one, carrying will serve as a convenient solution to the problem: the pet owner will be able to control his pet and not be afraid that something will happen to the dog during his absence. At the same time, the animal will not cause any trouble.
Bag – carrying can benefit even on a regular walk. If the pet is tired after active workouts at the training site, he can recover strength on the way back, being in a convenient carrying.
The most important thing to have this thing, going with the dog on a trip. First, such a movement is prescribed by the rules of transporting dogs. Secondly, the pet will behave more calmly, not seeing unfamiliar objects and persons that can cause stress to the dog.
Many owners are mistaken in the belief that in a bag the dog will be uncomfortable: the soft bottom of the best dog crates for large dogs allows the dog to relax and not feel discomfort from moving.
What Size of Dog Crate Do I Need?
It is strongly recommended that you calculate the length and height of your dog to get an idea of the minimum crate size you need.
To get the length of your dog, you need to put the end of the tape measure on the tip of your nose and extend the tape measure all the way to the tip of your outstretched tail. Whatever number you arrive at, you’ll need to add 4 inches to the cage to get the minimum length of the cage.
To get the height of your pup, you need to make it balance on all four legs, with the head stuck straight out and facing forward. Place the tip of the tape measure at the top of its head. Now, extend the tape until it hits the surface where your pet’s paws are securely planted. Take the measurement and add 4 inches. This is the minimum height of the cage you need to buy.
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Dog Kennel vs. Dog Crate: Which one is Better?
If you’re a dog owner, you’re a dog enthusiast, too. That means you want the best from your furry friend.
Just when you love having your own personal room to relax in, so does your puppy. This is where they’re going to get away from things with some peace and calm, to rest and sleep in peace. This is particularly important in a house with children or other pets. Beyond this, watching him for a while will keep the dog safe and help teach him. By having a secure space and successful training, you allow your dog to feel loved in a safe and clean place. Then the question is: do you use a plastic crate or chain-linked dog kennel for your pooch?
Plastic dog’s crate
Pros: Most of these can fit into your vehicle, so they can be useful for travelling. They’re easy to clean, they just need a tube. If you have several puppies, you can stack them in your driveway while not in use.
Cons: Although they’re famous, they’re not the right option for most situations. Since they are plastic, they can be chewed by a specific dog. Often, plastic absorbs odors, but you can find that over time you’re going to prefer not to drive with it in your car. In addition, they are generally small and your dog can grow out of it and need a new one or two for different situations.
Metal Dog Kennel
Pros: A quality dog kennel is made to last. You won’t need to buy several kennels, the dog can grow up and still love its “bedroom.” Dogs can’t break their way into these, but they’re the ideal place to comfortably set a dog away while entertaining guests, in time or away from home. Often the “open air” nature makes a lot of air passage, and because it’s metal, it doesn’t catch odors. Your dog kennel can never sit stinky the way a plastic crate might, even though it’s a mess inside your dog.
Cons: Metal dog kennels cannot travel with you the way a small crate can. However, with a reputable company you can have one that is free standing, meaning your portable kennel has unlimited uses. With a high-quality dog kennel from Central Fence, there are no posthole to dig and no special tools required- just a wrench.
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Benefits of Dog Crates
It is understandable that some dog owners don’t like the idea of having their pets on a cage, even though on a temporary basis. The fact of the matter is that there are many benefits of dog crates. We’ve listed here some of the more popular ones.
A dog crate provides a calm retreat
In the wild, canines are known to return to their dens because they know it’s the best place to be. It’s their house where no one is going to annoy or interrupt them. This is particularly true if they are anxious as the den offers them a calm retreat. In the same way, your pooch will even re-learn this trait whether you teach or practice early. As you keep teaching, the pooch will quickly learn that the crate has a more convenient and quiet spot to relax in.
A dog crate aids in healing
When your dog is sick or injured, you should still send it to your doctor. Chances are that they will also be kept in a crate to help offer a sense of protection. This helps avoid unnecessary stress on your pet so that the recovery process will proceed smoothly. If it had to be let out, it could go to places where it’s not very healthy or worse, it could transmit the illness it has to your other dogs.
As cruel as it might seem, it’s safer to leave your pet inside the crate while it’s sick or injured to allow for quicker recovery. Think of it this way. When you’re ill, you almost always go to the hospital where you’re confined to a bed so the skilled health care providers can take care of you and make the recovery even faster. That’s exactly the same thing as a dog crate.
Dog crates reduce anxiety while traveling
Not all dogs like traveling. Just as there are some people who have motion sickness, the feeling can be the same for canines. Additionally, there is this fear and anxiety in them related to the unknown. They don’t know where they are going or what will happen along the way. Putting them in their crate gives them a sense of comfort, a feeling of calm and peace. For them, it doesn’t matter where they are going as long as they are inside their ‘den’.
A dog crate provides security
One of the most important benefits of a dog crate is that it provides your pet a sense of safety and security, just like the way dens do in the wild for their feral cousins. So, even if you leave your home or travel with your pooch, getting a crate will help safeguard this sense of security. In like manner, you will also feel more confident and more secure knowing that your pet is safe and sound inside its crate. Toss in a comfy bedding and some of its toys and it will be a calm, relaxed, and happy mutt.
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Best Dog Crate – Reviews
1. Best Travel Dog Crate: MidWest Homes for Pets iCrate Folding Metal Crate
With a lot of support, it’s clear that the pet owners enjoy MidWest Homes for the folding metal crate of Pets. They’re all about lightweight construction, durability, price tag, and size.
It is lightweight and sturdy, this crate is easy to fold down for storage or travel and can be arranged without a single tool. Ensure include two easy-to-access and exit doors, two heavy-duty slide-bolt keys on each door and rounded corners to prevent bumps on both you and your dog. It also has a removable, easy-to-clean base.
Make sure to weigh your dog—and accept the approximate full-grown size—when you buy your crate. Accessible in seven different sizes, ranging from extra small to extra large, this crate can handle almost any size of dog. This is the best travel dog crate to buy if you want the best one.
2. best small dog crate: Carlson Pet Products Small Dog Crate
Would you need a safe place for your little pup? This Carlson Pet crate is made for smaller dogs—the company suggests 25 pounds or less for dogs—and has a small price tag to fit.
Built of durable plastic, this crate features a single door configuration with a safety and security slide-bolt lock while you’re on the go. or just can’t keep an eye on your puppy. It’s super compact and lightweight, making it suitable for travel. Plus, it’s folded flat for fast packing.
Fully designed, this crate is on the smaller side—measuring 24 x 18 x 19 inches—so be careful to weigh your pet before you make your order. So finally when it comes to buying if you really searching for the best small dog crate this is the perfect choice for you.
3. Best small dog crate: MidWest Homes for Pets Stages Dog Crate
If you bring a new puppy home, check out this selection from Midwest Homes for Dogs. It’s available in seven different sizes and provides with an adjustable divider so that you can customize the best match for your dog as it grows. This means that you will never have to replace your crate, except though it exceeds its full-grown height.
This crate is made of heavy-duty steel gauge and has a tighter mesh design that makes it extra sturdy, so your dog can’t chew through it. Plus, the close weave and locking bolts can help to prevent the escape.
Real-life buyers enjoy this crate because of its reliability, its double doors for easy entry and its wallet-friendly price tag. So this is considered to be the best dog crate that you can buy for this year.
4. Best travel dog crate: EliteField Soft Folding Dog Crate
If you and your pet are traveling often, you may want to invest in a folding, fabric crate for comfier car trips and overnight stays with family or hotels. This EliteField crate is one of the favourites of the jet-setting pet owners.
The frame of this crate is made of light steel, so it’s extra sturdy but easy to carry. It is decorated with a sturdy 600D fabric and features three mesh doors (top, front and side) for quick entry or exit, ventilation and visibility, pockets to store your pet’s favorite toys and straps. Plus, it includes a free carrying bag and a washable bed to help your dog feel extra relaxed on the road.
Available in five different sizes and 13 different colours, and this is the best travel dog crate to buy if you often be travelling with your dog.
5. Best Wood: Casual Home Pet Crate End Table
If your dog isn’t that big on chewing, and you think the metal crates are not so good, check out this Casual Home pick. Made of hevea wood, this crate can be doubled as an end table or easily incorporated into your daily furniture.
This crate is available in two sizes: the small one can handle dogs up to 20 inches long and 14 inches tall, while the big one is built for dogs up to 38 inches long and 29 inches tall. Its slatted shape provides insulation, and its latching door keeps your pet safe and protected. So finally when it comes to buying if you really searching for the best dog crate this is the perfect choice for you.
Best Dog Crate FAQ:
Q: Where is the best place to put a dog crate?
A: If your dog is just starting with crate training, it’s best to put the kennel in a high-traffic area, meaning in a room where you and our family members spend a lot of time in. Why? For one, because you can frequently check on your pet to see how they’re doing in their new little house (super important for very young pups). Two, because dogs are social creatures who usually like being near their human family, especially when they’re learning something new. So, you can keep the crate in your living room during the day – if that’s where you spend most of your time – and in your bedroom during the night so your pup can sleep near you. On the other hand, if you know that your dog is independent and likes spending time alone while relaxing, it may be a good idea to place the crate somewhere secluded so they can have some privacy.
In the end, it really does depend on your dog’s needs and preferences. All dogs are different so it’s good to experiment a little and see what works best for both you and your pet.
Q: How long is too long to leave a dog in a dog crate?
A: Crate-trained dogs have no problem staying in a kennel for hours on end. Most adult crate-trained canines will gladly stay inside a kennel overnight. However, it’s not a good idea to keep younger dogs locked inside a crate overnight simply because they’re not able to hold their bladder for so long. Puppies should be let out at least twice overnight so they can do their business in peace. In general, though, puppies should stay in their crate for three to four hours at a time. Similarly, senior dogs may need to be let out once or twice a night if they struggle with urinary problems.
To keep your dog healthy and happy, it’s crucial not to crate them for too long. All dogs need daily exercise and social interaction, so it’s not a good idea to keep them locked for more than a few hours at a time (excluding the nights, of course).
Bottom Line:
Although all of the products included on our Top List are trustworthy, high quality dog kennels, the iCrate Folding Metal Dog Crate MidWest Homes for Pets is our top pick. They are Simple, durable and stable, this heavy-duty metal cage is ideal for both puppies who have yet to learn how to use crates properly and experienced kennel users. It also helps to come in different sizes and types as it’s easy to choose the best one for just about every pet.