How To Choose The Best Dog Crate For Your Dog – Top 5 Amazing Crates Of 2023
We all have that perfect place where we enjoy a little “me” time. A den is a safe harbor for us, and it’s a place suitable for all our emotions. Whether we’re happy, tired, sad, nostalgic, or excited, we can just unleash and be who we really are.
Well, don’t you think that your dog deserves to have its den as well?
While many of you hate the words “a dog crate”, and think they only have a negative connotation, it doesn’t have to be that way.
In fact, when the dog crate is used as it’s supposed to, both you and your dog will find it enjoyable.
The best dog crate can give your dog the peace and privacy he needs whereas it will give you peace of mind when you’re not home or you don’t have time to be with your pup.
In this article, we’ll talk about everything that you need to know about best dog crates so that you can find the best dog crate for your dog.
Best Dog Crates See Amazon.com for best selection and value. #commissionsearned
Benefits of a Dog Crate
As mentioned, many people think that dog crates are cruel. However, if you use them in the right way, your dog will enjoy spending time in his crate.
In order to help you realize the benefits of a dog crate, we listed them here. So, be open-minded and take a look.
1. The door to freedom
“A dog crate cannot give my dog freedom – don’t be silly.” Before you start thinking this way, wait a second. Just like a den gives you freedom, a crate can give it to your dog.
When you leave the door on the crate open, your dog will have the freedom to get out of the crate whenever he wants and vice versa.
And believe us; he will appreciate this opportunity, especially when your house is full of people and kids who are eager to bother him.
Not only that but if your dog feels uncomfortable or he’s afraid of something, he can turn to his den and feel better right away.
Whenever your dog feels like he needs a break, he can go back to his crate and relax. Isn’t that something we all need?
2. A safe spot for your dog
Another benefit of a dog crate is the peace of mind it provides.
Namely, if you’re at work, or out and about, knowing your dog is in the dog crate will ease your mind.
You won’t have to wonder whether your home will be destroyed when you get home, or is your dog safe and protected.
The dog crate is a great place to keep your pet safe and sound when you’re not at home.
The same goes for trips or when your dog isn’t at home.
If you take your dog on a vacation or to your friend’s house, the crate will be his home on the go, giving him sweet dreams and safety even when he’s far away from his real home.
3. Transport made it easier
The obvious advantage of a dog crate is that it makes transporting your dog from place to place a whole lot easier and safer.
We all know how dangerous driving can be while your dog sits in the backseat without protection.
He can jump to the front seat in a blink of an eye, exposing you and himself to a big risk. So, the dog crate sounds like a rational solution to this problem.
How to Choose the Best Dog Crate for Your Pet
When it comes to choosing a dog crate, there aren’t many factors to consider.
However, you still have to be familiar with them in order to make an informed decision and buy a good dog crate. Hence, here’s what you need to bear in mind when buying this kind of a home for your dog.
Best Dog Crates See Amazon.com for best selection and value.
All the options out there
There are a few types of dog crates, each one having different advantages and disadvantages.
Plastic Dog Crate
A plastic dog crate cannot work as a permanent den for your dog.
The walls, bottom, and top are all made of plastic, which means the air cannot flow freely and your dog cannot stay for too long in this crate. Because of that, this type of crate is great for short trips.
In addition, it’s sturdy and reliable so your dog won’t escape. Compared to other types of crates, this one is also easy to clean.
But, plastic will absorb the smell of your dog, and eventually, you won’t be able to get rid of that odor.
Another downside is the cumbersome design of the plastic dog crate. It isn’t easy to store and so you’ll have to find a place for it.
Soft-sided Dog Crate
A soft-sided dog crate is a great choice if you plan to travel by plane, car, or train, or if you simply want to take your dog to a friend’s. But, note that your pup needs to be potty trained when using this dog crate.
Compared to a plastic dog crate, a soft-sided one provides better air circulation. This is because sides are made of mesh material.
The crate also looks much better than those made of plastic and metal, plus it’s super portable. You will carry it with ease due to its lightweight.
And one more advantage of this crate is its foldable design. When you no longer need the crate, just fold it and store it in the corner of your home.
However, the dog crate isn’t sturdy, so leaving your pet unsupervised isn’t a smart idea. Besides, the soft-sided dog crate won’t last long, especially if used often. The material will tear and wear quickly.
Metal Dog Crate
And we came to sturdiest option out there – a metal dog crate. This type of crate is great for keeping your dog inside your house.
A metal crate is a great choice for puppies and dogs who love to chew up everything around them. Metal wires will hold up pretty well against chewing unless you have a large and strong dog. In that case, you should buy the best heavy-duty dog crate.
But, folding metal dog crate will last for a long time, which is one of their biggest advantages.
Made of metal wires, a metal crate for dogs will provide the best air circulation. You don’t have to worry whether your dog will feel comfortable because the metal crate will be perfect for him.
Also, if your dog loves to be close to your family, he will definitely appreciate the great visibility of a metal dog crate. When he’s in a crate, he’ll have little time for himself, but won’t feel isolated.
Moreover, the metal dog crate won’t absorb the smell of your dog, as a plastic one would. The metal dog crate is also easy to clean, though dog hairs can stick in the metal bars.
While metal crates are sturdy, they are also pretty heavy and not so convenient to move around. But, if you do have to move it, there are metal dog crates that are also foldable. This will make transport much easier.
Decorative Dog Crate
If you want a stylish and attractive crate for your dog, this is the way to go. Decorative dog crates come in a variety of designs and colors, so you can find the one that will match your décor.
A wooden dog crate works great as a permanent den in your home, and shouldn’t be moved.
Therefore, if you opt for this one, you should buy a portable dog crate as well.
While a wooden crate may sound like a perfect solution, don’t be fooled by its stylish design. This crate is delicate, and easy to damage or scratch.
Furthermore, it’s difficult to clean, and just like plastic one, this one will also absorb smells.
Be Smart from the Start
Obviously, the next step is choosing the size of a dog crate. When it comes to this point, you have to choose a spacious crate for your dog. Otherwise, he won’t be happy in his crate, let alone comfortable.
When buying a crate for a puppy, it’s good to measure your dog and assume how big he will get. That way, you won’t have to buy a new dog crate every once in a while (which, by the way, would cost you a fortune).
To Move or Not to Move
As mentioned in the “different types of dog crates” part, not all dog crates are portable. That’s why you have to decide what you need.
However, chances are that you will need both types of crates – a portable and non-portable crate to suit your dog’s needs.
How Fast Can You Clean the Dog Crate?
A dog crate that is easy to clean would definitely be a big plus and such a time saver.
But, it’s also important to know how to clean your dog’s crate, as well as how to keep it clean for longer. To learn that, take a look at this article: https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-a-Dog-Crate
For more informative tips and tricks, check out this post to help raise your puppy.
Best Dog Crate – Reviews
There are a thousand of dog crates out there. However, we picked the top-rated and most popular ones to help you choose the best dog crate with ease.
1. MidWest Homes for Pets Dog Crate
If you’re looking for a heavy-duty dog crate, you’ll be happy with MidWest Homes Dog Crate. It’s available in different sizes, including a 42-inch dog crate with a divider.
So, this Midwest Homes for Pets crate can be the best large dog crate as well as the best dog crate for smaller dogs. It all depends on what you need.
Thanks to sturdy construction, the crate is practically indestructible. If your dog likes to chew up things, don’t worry, he won’t damage the crate.
The crate is made of durable and strong metal wires and it will be a safe retreat for your dog for a long time. However, it can rust quickly, if you leave it outside.
The crate features two doors, two slide-bolt latches, and rounded corners to maximize safety and convenience.
Speaking of convenience, the Midwest Homes for Pets crate also includes a free divider panel, a carrying handle, a plastic pan, and rubber feet to protect the floors. And there’s a 1-year warranty.
What dog owners appreciate most about this crate is its folding design. Thanks to that, you can fold the crate down for easy storing, or if you need to carry it from place to place.
When you take a good price of this unit and all you get into the account, the crate could really be the best dog crate on the market.
MidWest Homes for Pets Dog Crate Check it out on Amazon.com for best selection and value. #commissionsearned
Pros
- Sensibly priced
- Sturdy
- Easy to set up / store
- Portable
- Available in different sizes and sized dogs
- Suitable for small and large dogs
- Comes with a divider panel, plastic pan, rubber feet, and 1-year warranty
Cons
- Can rust quickly
2. AmazonBasics Folding Metal Dog Crate
The AmazonBasics Metal dog crate would work great as a temporary solution.
The construction is decent, but it’s not as sturdy as with the first product on our list.
Still, taking the price into account, this crate does a nice job. Here are its good and bad features, so you can decide whether this crate would suit your dog.
The crate is metal, ensuring a higher level of security for your dog. You can be sure that your dog will love sleeping in this crate, as he will feel safe and comfortable.
The design also allows your dog to see what’s going on around him, without a need to go leave the crate if he doesn’t want to.
With a double door, you can have better access to the crate. This is especially useful when cleaning the crate or if you want to play with your pup.
The crate can be folded for simple transport, which is a nice bonus.
However, the biggest concern with this model is sharp edges. If your dog tends to slip his paws through the metal wires, you might want to look for another model.
AmazonBasics Folding Metal Dog Crate Check it out on Amazon.com for best selection and value. #commissionsearned
Pros
- Double door offers easy access to the crate
- Good construction
- Easy to store
- Cheap
Cons
- Doesn’t have rounded edges
3. 2PET Foldable Dog Crate
This is the best portable dog crate in our opinion. 2PET Foldable Dog Crate will make trips with your lovely pup such a fun, and a whole lot easier.
By buying this crate, you’ll do a good deed since a part of sales goes to pet shelters.
On top of all, it will give you peace of mind as you’ll know that your dog is protected.
This kennel will allow you to transport your pup with no trouble, but it can also serve as a place where he feels comfortable and relaxed.
This is very important if your dog and you are far away from home.
The crate is made of mesh panels, fabric cover, and the steel frame is lightweight and reliable at the same time. And it features a top handle to make carrying even easier.
Thanks to mesh panels, the crate is breathable and the air will circulate all the time.
The crate looks stylish, and it’s available in three lovely colors.
Moreover, the cover is water-resistant and removable. This means you can wash it when it gets dirty, and give your dog a clean crate every time he travels.
On the other hand, the fabric isn’t high-quality, so the crate won’t last long.
2PET Foldable Dog Crate Check it out on Amazon.com for best selection and value. #commissionsearned
Pros
- Great for travels
- Makes transport easier
- Washable cover
- Great ventilation
- The part of sales goes to pet shelters
- Steel frame
- Looks stylish
Cons
- It’s not very durable
4. AmazonBasics Pet Kennel
Here we have the AmazonBasics Pet Kennel – the best travel dog crate. This one’s a great choice if you’re looking for reliability and sturdiness.
Plastic walls and steel-wire front ensure your dog travels safely. You also get extra screws if you want to secure the kennel even more.
The crate has decent ventilation. However, your dog should be left here only for a few hours, since the crate isn’t spacious.
The double door will come in handy when you want to put your pet in the crate.
All in all, this crate will keep your dog safe while traveling, which is the main purpose of plastic crates. It’s cheap and durable, so no doubt that this unit will pay off.
But, don’t expect a fancy look, and comfort for your dog, because the plastic crate isn’t designed for that.
AmazonBasics Pet Kennel Check it out on Amazon.com for best selection and value. #commissionsearned
Pros
- Durable
- Reliable
- Safe
- Two doors
- Included screws can strengthen the kennel even more
- Cheap
Cons
- Not spacious
- Ventilation isn’t great
- Doesn’t look fancy
5. Merry Pet 2-in-1 Pet Crate
Our last product is the best wooden dog crate. With such an elegant look, Merry Pet 2-in-1 crate will match any interior and it will be a perfect home for your dog.
Made of wood, the crate is sturdy and durable. It’s also easy to assemble.
The most interesting part about this product is that it can be converted into a gate.
How cool is that? You have 2 in 1 crate, which certainly makes it a prudent investment.
As for the downsides, the crate is heavy and will absorb the smell of your dog.
It does cost a bit more, but considering this is a wooden crate, the price cannot be much lower.
Merry Pet 2-in-1 Pet Crate Check it out on Amazon.com for best selection and value. #commissionsearned
Pros
- Looks stylish
- Sturdy
- Easy to assemble
- Can be converted into a gate
Cons
- Heavy
- Absorbs the smells
- More expensive than other types of dog crates
Wrapping Up
A dog crate is just what your sweet dog needs, whether you want to leave him at home because you have to work, or you’re bringing your dog on a vacation with you.
If you want to pick the crate on your own, let our guide steer you in the right direction.
However, if you don’t want to bother with researching the products by yourself, then our list might be a great place to find the best crate for your pup.
Either way, just think of what your dog would like to have, and follow your intuition. Good luck!
If you want your pup to have a bigger space to play around, you can consider getting him an exercise pen for dogs or a dog playpen.
