If you are looking for the best dog crate then you have found the right spot. There are many different types of crates available for your puppy or grown dog but each of them can serve a different purpose.
Is typically the number 1 reason that people get a dog crate. If you are just bringing home your puppy for the first time, or you have an older dog, then there are many benefits that you can get by owning one.
One of these benefits is that you can help deal with the separation anxiety that your dog has. You can also use it to control a pet that is acting aggressive or is just getting into trouble around the house. Whatever the issue with your dog, or maybe no issue at all, picking out the best dog crate will come down to a few different key points.
It should also be stated that dog crates can be used for in home use as you are aware, but some people even use them for taking their dog with them on vacation. This can include bringing your pet with you on a plane, or just to see the vet down the street.
The crate you end up choosing is going to have to factor in how big your dog is as well as what their temperament looks like. While there are some crates on the market that can just hold your pet, others will be escape proof for that really mischievous dog. These are typically a bit more heavy because they are so strong so keep that in mind.
The first thing you need to keep in mind when looking to buy a crate is how big and what weight your dog is. You then need to think about how your dog is going to be using the crate. Are they going to be using the crate as a training tool, or perhaps just a place to keep your dog while you are out of the house?
If you have a puppy or a very docile dog that will not attempt to break out and run free, some of the crates below may be a very good fit for you. There are many different materials that are used to make these crates. These include wood, plastic, metal wire, wicker, soft material, or aluminum. Below, I go into each type so you can choose the best pet crate for your animal.
Wood Dog Crates
Some of these pieces will come with a top of the crate that can be used as a table. You can place these anywhere in your home and use them in the corner or a centerpiece or table, the sky is the limit.
The entire case of these crates is made of wood and the crate sides and doors will be made of metal. These type are my absolute favorite for an indoor pet and they will love you for it!
Metal Wire Dog Crates
They will also give you the ability to keep an eye on your dog at all times without any place for them to hide. Max visibility is a nice thing when you have a new puppy.
The best selling crates for metal wire are the Midwest iCrate and the . I have seen these in most homes that I have visited that have any type of dog.
A large dog will also like this as there is plenty of room to stand an lay down.
Wicker Dog Crates
The wicker crates are for small dogs mainly. The main material is wicker so it is not as strong as a wood or metal wire that would enclose a larger dog. They can be used as a type of decorative case for your animal, but if you have anything larger than a small dog, i would recommend you to go with metal wire.
Plastic Dog Crates
These plastic crates are for transporting your pet to and from the vet and back to your house. They can also be used if you are going on short trips but anything longer than that you should be using a full size crate for your dog.
These type of crates can be considered a bit more safe than other types because they are so small. There is no room for your dog to turn around or get tossed while driving. Remember, it is cruel to keep your dog in one of these for too long so please only use for short rides.
Soft
The soft sided dog crates are very similar to the plastic ones because they are used to travel with your dog. The difference being that with a soft crate, they are what they say they are, soft, which makes them suitable for longer rides as well as living conditions.
Soft crates will generally have an internal steel frame which makes them much more sturdy so they tend to retain their shape for longer.
Heavy Duty Escape Proof Metal Dog Crates
These are extremely heavy dude and will make sure that your large dog will not bust up the crate or escape. They are built to take abuse and will stand up under any angry dog or animal you put inside it.
Many people witness their dog being an escape artist and breaking out of all dog crates they have tried to date. After putting their dog inside one of these dog crates though, they will not be able to escape and wreak havoc to the furniture that you paid good money for.
How Many Doors Should Your Crate Have?
Most dog crates come with a single door but there are some designs that come with both a double and triple door.
Really the only reason to have multiple doors is that you want to have different angles of getting your pet out. This may be because you want to place the crate in a certain area of your house or you like to get them out on a different side in the morning. It is really up to you.
You really do not need more than one door for your crate so you can always save the money on one that offers more doors if you do not need that feature.
Should You Buy A Dog Crate Bed Or Use the Crate Pan?
Almost every dog crate that you buy will come with a pan floor that is made out of plastic. This is for convenience as these are easy to clean and maintain if your puppy has an accident. If you are going to be keeping your dog or puppy in crate as a type of kennel, then you may want to invest in a dog bed. This will help your dog feel at home and be happy and comfortable in his new home!
What Size Dog Crate Do You Need?
You do not want to get a crate that is too large for your dog. You also do not want to get one that is too small that they will not be comfortable. To combat this, you must take an accurate measurement of your dog before you buy a crate.
When your dog is naturally standing up and not crouching, is when you will need to measure your dog. You want your pooch to be able to stand up comfortably as well as lay down, stretch, and turn around with comfort.
Also make sure to measure your dog when they are laying down in a sleeping position. This will give you an idea of how much room they need to be happy in their new home that you are about to buy them.
If your is much bigger than your measurements, then you may have issues with your dog using one side of the crate as a potty while the other they sleep in. Keep it just big enough to avoid this issue. Typically, if the crate is not big enough for your dog to go potty in a corner, then they will not go inside the crate, they will bark for you to take care of them. This will help greatly in your training, I promise.
The only way that you should make an exception for this is if you just got a puppy. Since they are growing, you do not want to have to buy 10 crates so you should get one that is big enough to accommodate their growth. Make sure to get one that has a divider panel to deal with the issue outlined above.
These divider panels will let you essentially make your crate smaller by inserting a little wire divider. This can keep your crate at the same size while allowing room for your puppys growth.
If you are looking for some general guidelines then here are some of the rules and sizes that you should look for when picking out the new dog house.
- If you have a , then you should get a crate that is no longer than 24 inches in length by 18 inches in width and 21 inches in height.
- For medium dogs, get a crate that is about 30 inches in length, 21 inches in width and 24 inches in height.
- Large dogs need more room so give them a crate that is at least 35 inches in length, 24 inches in width and 27 inches in height.
- Giant dog breeds need a very large cage as you can imagine. The bigger the better when it comes to these guys!
If you are looking for a little bit more info, check out this video for some more tips.