5 Types of Crates for Dogs & What’s the Best Crate for Dogs in Your Home

A plastic dog crate will certainly be more sturdy than a soft sided crate, and it will allow for a little more privacy for your pooch than a metal wire cage. But even with all the holes in the crate, the ventilation isn’t always sufficient and the dog cannot stay there for too long. Plastic crates may or may not be easy to clean depending on the type you purchase.

The most popular plastic crate for dogs on Amazon is currently the Petmate 2-door plastic kennel for dogs up to 15 pounds. Overall, these are good crates for short travel and quick trips in the car or airplane (provided you confirm that the airline has approved your specific design). Take a look at the pros and cons of

Pros:

• Plastic dog crates are really easy to clean. Just a quick hose down would suffice.
• They are durable. The thick plastic is pretty hard to break. They can be stacked on top of each other when not being used.
• Because they are enclosed and thick, it creates more of a “den” feel for the dog.
• They can help keep reactive dogs calm and quiet, because they can only see out of one side.
• Most airlines have approved these plastic pet crates for both in-cabin and below the seat use.

Cons:

• Plastic crates for dogs do not fold flat so they are harder to store.
• They are durable but some dogs may be inclined to chew on this pet crate as it is made of plastic.
• Plastic absorbs odors so even though they are easy to clean, after a while they can have a permanent dog smell.
• They are bulky and can be difficult to carry around.

3. Metal or Wire Crates for Dogs

Metal dog crates and/or wide crates for dogs (pictured above) are the ones people usually think of with the mention of a crate, kennel or cage for dogs. These crates are exactly what you imagine: a construction made out of metal wires that’s very well-ventilated and provides great visibility (for you and the dog).

Metal pet crates are the best option for puppies who like to chew a lot, since it would be nearly impossible for them to destroy this type of crate (although certain larger breeds do manage that). The best thing about them is their sturdiness, visibility and the extra air-flow, but the major con is that they’re heavy and difficult to travel with. For large and strong dogs, there are also heavy duty cages which are made of sturdier metal; they’re often more expensive and not travel-friendly, but will be impossible to break.

Fortunately, there are plenty of metal dog crates that have been designed to fold easily for quick breakdown so that owners can take them wherever they go. The best and most popular metal dog crate option on Amazon is the MidWest Double-Door iCrate. MidWest are the experts in wire cages for pets and have a huge selection of high quality metal crates for dogs and cats of all sizes. Browse their store for more options.

Pros:

• Most metal dog crates will fold up for easy transport.
• They are also easy to clean. Some even have bottom trays that could slide out for cleaning.
• Dogs can’t break through this type of pet crate.
• They are “open air”, which means that there is a lot of airflow. This is great for breeds that get hot easily.
• This type of cage will not absorb odors and remains odor-free.
• For dogs who like to be apart of all family activities these pet crates are great because they allow for 360 degree visibility.

Cons:

• Because of the high visibility of these metal dog cages, they are not recommended for canines who are reactive.
• They are easy to clean but over time dog hair and dirt can get stuck in the cross bars.
• Because they are made of metal, these pet cages will rust over time.
• This is a heavy type of crate, so while they do fold up, they can be hard to move just because of their weight.
• The dog’s nails on the plastic tray tend to make a lot of noise.
• Some metal dog crates can be easy to escape from because of the door closures.

4. Wooden or Decorative Dog Crates

Just as the title implies, majority of dog crates that are made out of wood prioritize fashion and style. They often fit well with your home decor and look the best out of all pet crates listed in this article.

Many pet owners who know that these crates will not be moved often or that use them as “stationary” pet crates while also having alternatives for travel will often pick a wooden dog crate and keep it in one place at home for their dogs to rest in.

While wooden dens for dogs definitely look best, and may even sometimes add to the style decor of your house by serving as a nightstand or a table, they are very heavy, hard to clean and not all dogs respond well to them. Even though all the functionalities of other types of crates are still kept with wooden decorative pet crates, they lack the simplicity, portability and the ease of use of plastic, metal or soft sided pet crates.

There’s not a lot to choose from among good looking decorative dog crates made out of wood. One of the most popular wooden dog crates is the unipaws End Table Crate. Its best feature, which is unlike any other wooden pet crate I’ve seen before, is that it can look fantastic as part of your home decor and serve as an end table.

Pros:

• They can easily fit into the look of a home. For example, they can double as a shelf or end table which provides a usable surface.
• There are a lot of different styles to choose from.

Cons:

• They are not good for dogs that like to destroy furniture. Chewing and scratching can ruin these crates.
• It is hard to clean and remove odors because they are made of wood.
• These crates tend to be on the expensive side when compared to other types of crates.

5. Combination Crates for Dogs

Combination pet crates (shown above) is exactly what it says – a combo between several types of above mentioned crates. Just like 2-in-1 shampoo, they’re for owners who are trying to accomplish a few things at once for a cheaper price. The combo dog crate you see above is Revol crate which Samantha reviewed before.

Combination crates can actually be the best type of crate for dogs but only in very few instances. Mainly, the problem with combination dog crates is that they will be one of two things: (1) they’re usually the worst in the category at what they’re supposed to do because too many compromises have to be made, or (2) when they’re very good they’re going to be an expensive dog crate due to added materials needed to manufacture them.

The most popular combo crate right now is Revol by Diggs.

Pros:

• They are a combination of the metal and plastic crates.
• There are wheels on the bottom to make transport easier.
• They have easy entry and exit doors.

Cons:

• They are very heavy.
• These cages are really hard to put together and will probably need multiple people to build.

How to Choose the Best Crate Types for Dogs in Your Home

Now that you have an idea of what type of crate to get, you have to make sure that the cage is the right size for your dog. First and most importantly, you should measure your pet – here’s as guide on how to do that. Measure from the base of the tail to the tip of the nose and then add 2 to 4 inches. This is the perfect length for the cage.

Then measure from the ground to the tallest point of the head and add 2 to 4 inches. This is the perfect height for the cage. Below is a size chart that can also help when 0choosing the size of your pet crate.

• 18”-22” Extra Small Dogs
• 24” Small Dog Breeds
• 30” Medium Dog Breeds
• 36” Large Dog Breeds
• 42” Extra Large Dog Breeds
• 46” -72” XXL Giant Dog Breeds

A helpful tip to saving money is to buy an adult sized cage and then adjust it to fit your puppy. That way the crate can adapt to your puppy’s growth. Most wire or metal pet crate models will come with a divider that allows the crate to grow with your puppy.

READ NEXT: 5 Best Dog Cage Covers for Crates

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