Find The Best Dog Crate
For Your Needs, And Your Dog's Of Course!
Before selecting the best dog crate for your dog, think about the main purpose your want it to serve because crates are designed to suit a variety of needs. For example, a crate can be used for a dog's bed or refuge around the house or his outdoor shelter. This may be different to one you would choose for house training, travel, or camping trips.
Air travel is a very specific need, whether you are shipping your dog due to a move, or flying with him on vacation. Airlines have certain crate features and requirements to be aware of that must be met for air travel.
Other important factors are the age and size of your dog. If you get your dog when he is a fully grown adult - possibly a rescue - his needs and your purpose could be considerably different to that of a new puppy.
The material strength of a crate may also influence your choice depending on whether you have a great escape artist or a mellow muffin who would be secure in a soft dog crate.
Popular options for pet parents after their dog is past the puppy stage and well-trained, are attractive furniture crates that will fit in with the decor of the living room.
Once you find the best dog crate for your needs you'll wonder how you ever got along without one. Aside from the explicit safety aspects of traveling by car or on an airline, a dog crate can serve many other purposes.
Take for instance transporting your dog to the vet, which can be very traumatic for a pet - especially one that is experiencing some level of distress.
But once your pet is used to popping in and out of around the house, he will be less fearful when traveling in one to the vet, the groomer, on a road trip, on a plane etc.
On this page you will find dog travel crates and carriers including ones that are airline approved as well as a selection of multi purpose pet carriers to consider for your dog's hangout, or for the more specific purpose of crate training a puppy.
Best Dog Crate - For Airline Travel
At time of writing, the following dog travel crates were listed as airline approved. That being said, it
is always wise to double check with the airlines when your
dog is flying with you just to make
sure the regulations haven't been changed.
For your convenience we have included a video further down the page that tells how to prepare crates to meet airline regulations.
When sizing for your dog, measure him standing upright to the top of his head. You want to make sure that he can stand up without touching the top of the crate and also lie down comfortably.
This travel pet carrier is one of the best dog crates for all modes of transportation or as an in-home den.
Made from durable plastic with interior "stay dry" moat and secure metal bolts including wingnuts. Very quick assembly.
Ideally suited for for small dogs or cats up to 14 inches tall or weighing up to 15 pounds, the crate has lots of ventilation including both rear and side vents to keep your pet comfortable and calm.
Petmate indicates the crate will meet cargo requirements for most major airlines.
Measures 21L x 16W x 15H inches.
Other color and sizing options available.
Giant dog crate - best dog crate for very large dogs such as St. Bernards, Newfoundlands, Bullmastiffs, Doberman Pinschers, and Irish setters.
Heavy-duty airline approved plastic crate with plastic wingnuts that won’t corrode. Plenty of cool ventilation.
Made in the USA. 1-yr warranty.
Measures 48L x 32W x 35H inches.
Best Dog Crate Travel Kit Necessities
Here are all the necessities for setting up your pet's crate for travel. Don't overlook these items and risk leaving home without something you may need for the airline check-in.
This extra large dog crate made in the USA is one of the best
crates for very large dogs up to 29 inches tall and weighing between
70-90 lbs., such as Great Danes, Greyhounds, Newfoundlands,
St. Bernards, and Bull Mastiffs.
Durable construction, with
ventilation on three sides and secure steel door. Approved by most
airlines for air cargo travel, but check to be sure as requirements
sometimes change..
Crate measures 39L x 26W x 30H inches.
Plastic dog crates, such as this one, are popular for keeping large pets safe and comfortable. Designed to house dogs between 90-125 lbs, the X-large, Petmate Ultra Vari kennel is vented on three sides plus the door and approved by most airlines for international cargo shipping.
The crate is made from heavy duty eco-friendly plastic with strong wire doors and vents, and is secured with non-corrosive wing nuts. It's Easy to assemble and clean and comes with a five-year warranty protecting Rover's headquarters!
Crate measures 48L x 32W x 35H inches.
Attractive large two-tone portable travel crate with slide on removable wheels to make travel to, from and through busy airports a breeze. Store the wheels when not needed, but keep them handy easy access.
The is another plastic crate with ventilation on all sides for your dog's safety and comfort. It is built with durable plastic and has a secure steel front door.
Meets USDA and IATA requirements for shipping live animals. Suitable for pets weighing up to 70 pounds.
Measures: 36L x 24W x 26H inches
Ruff Maxx Portable Dog Kennel with a range of sizes to suit medium to large breed dogs, weighing from 60 to 90 pounds.
Overall this crate has high ratings for quality, price and for providing a comfortable, secure space for pets.
Approved for domestic and international air travel. Durable reinforced plastic with secure door lock, well-ventilated and comfortable. Easy assembly.
Petmate airline approved Sky Kennel made in the USA. Several sizes available.
Meets requirements of most airlines, but best to double check with your chosen carrier.
Crate is made of high strength plastic with a metal gate and is easily assembled. Comes with "Live Animal" labels, identification stickers, an absorbent pad and food and water cups.
Sizes (inches):
21Lx16Wx15H, 28Lx20.5Wx21.5H, 32Lx22.5Wx24H
36Lx25Wx27H, 40Lx27Wx30H, 48Lx32Wx35H
Petmate Ultra Vari Kennel Intermediate Size. Suggested for pets 30-50 lbs.
Most up-to-date design methods used in construction. Meets most airline's requirements for dog travel crates, but always double check with your chosen carrier. Vents on sides and rear as required.
This crate has over 7k above average reviews for price, quality and pet comfort.
Very stylish, no tool assembly, completely secure with tie-down strap holes for additional security during air travel. Made in the USA.
Measures 32L x 22.55W x 24H (inches) More sizes available for larger or smaller pets.
Also Available in this Sharp Blue ComboPink and Black Fashion Crate - Two sizes, for dogs up to 10 pounds and dogs 10-20 pounds.
Versatile design with a front door that can be opened from either side.
Made from sturdy high-impact hard plastic, yet light in weight for good
all around transport, plus it's airline approved to meet USDA and IATA
regs. Secure door latches and excellent ventilation for your pet's
comfort and visibility.
Very easy to clean and assemble.
Other color combinations available.
Small Dog Crate. Travel by road or fly the skies with your pet in this crate that meets IATA and USDA standards. Easy to spot in pearl white and black.
A slide and snap design for no tools easy assembly. It's lightweight yet sturdy and has plenty of ventilation on all sides.
This attractive 2-tone crate measures 24.6 x 16.9 x 15 inches and suits
pets pets up to 11 inches in height and 19 inches in length
Also available in five larger sizes
Best Dog Crate - Measuring
When selecting a travel crate for airline travel, accurately measuring your dog for the crate is very important. Here are a few basic guidelines:
- The crate must allow sufficient room for the dog to stand completely upright without touching the top of the crate, turn around easily and lie down in the normal manner with no restrictions.
- The container must be strong enough to protect the pet during transport, be secure enough to contain it and have sufficient ventilation on all four sides, to ensure the air quality in the container will not deteriorate.
- The door must be secured in such a manner that it will not open accidentally or the pet cannot open it during handling and transport.
- The pet's nose and paws should not be able to fit through any ventilation opening or door mesh. The container must have food and water dishes accessible from the outside.
The image below is a guide from the IATA website to assist you in measuring your pet for a crate. Note: If your dog has erect ears, measure to the top of his ears to calculate "D".
Best Dog Crate - Preparing For The Flight
Once you have selected your dog's travel crate, the video below provides step-by-step instructions on what you'll need to do to prepare it for the flight.
Multi-purpose Crates
A selection of crates suitable for car travel, around town trips, easily portable for vet visits, in-the-home decorative, as Fido's private den, or for crate training purposes. There are also some attractive crate cover sets.
Life Stages Dog Crate is our choice for best metal dog crate and one of the most popular dog crates available. This foldable wire crate made by Midwest comes with a divider and is one of the top choices for crate training a puppy. The divider lets you adjust the size as your puppy grows while ensuring that there is too much excess room for him to soil his space.
Double doors allow access from two sides. Completely portable for moving around the home or for travel - folds up neatly when you're ready to go. Removable pan makes cleaning a breeze.
While wire dog crates are not the prettiest to look at, you can easily transform them with a stylish dog crate cover which will also create a more cozy environment for your pet. (see covers at bottom of page)
Sizes:
22Lx13Wx16H, 24Lx18Wx21H, 30Lx21Wx24H,
36Lx24Wx27H, 42Lx28Wx31H, 48Lx30Wx33H
Great Dog Carrier/Den - 36" size with double door convenience. Heavy
duty yet lightweight wire crate for home or travel. Easy set up and
collapses for storage. Leak-proof pan. Suitable for dogs up to 70 lbs.
Measures 36"L x 23"W x 26"H (Six sizes available)
To make this crate more cozy and private, check out some of the attractive crate covers at the bottom of this page.
This Midwest starter set includes the 24" crate, interior fleece pet
bed, bowls and cover. Suitable for small dogs and a really great buy.
This is the perfect den for a small dog with a cover for privacy, a water bowl for when he's thirsty and a cozy bed to take a nap. What's not to love.!
Best Dog Crate Furniture
A stylish solid wood veneer pet crate, smart enough to be placed
alongside a couch as an end table. The innovative design features a
hinged front door that can be closed and latched, or slid inside and
completely out of sight as desired.
Metal rod construction provides durability to the crate and the top surface has a weight capacity of 300 pounds.
Available with a black or white finish as shown below.
Size: 35.43D x 21.65W x 23.5H
An innovative 2 in 1 pet crate comprised of four panels and a top that
can be transformed into various gate configurations as needed around the
home.
The attractively styled crate will complement your home decor and is
constructed of solid wood veneer with metal support and an interior
removable plastic tray for easy maintenance.
The top surface is sturdy and is ideal for decorative accessories such as lamps and vases.
No tools are required for the easy assembly.
Sizes:
Medium - 32.5L x 23.5W x 22.5H in.
Large - 40L x 28W x 31.5H in.
This decorative dog crate with an espresso finish will blend in well with almost any decor. Can be used as a side table, end table or night stand if your dog will allow.
Made with strong MDF along with metal wire side panels providing durability. There are two entry and exit points (double side door & end door) for easy accessibility. An interior padded, dog bed is included.
Also available with a white finish.
Suitable for small sized dogs.
External Dimensions: 23” Width x 32” Depth x 26” Height
Internal Dimensions: 20.5” Width x 30” Depth x 22” Height
Soft Sided Crates With Quick and Easy Set-up
Soft crate for indoor/outdoor use. Ideal for road trips and sets up in a minute, plus your pet will enjoy exceptional comfort on the ride.
Constructed with a rugged steel frame and long-lasting durable canvas shell.
Includes a supportive removable and washable mat, plus roll-up window and door covers for ventilation control.
Available in Five Sizes
Stylish Portable Tent Dog Crate. Very quick assembly - useful for indoors or out.
Durable and easy to clean. Weather resistant material.
Comfy faux sheepskin interior pad. Zip mesh door. Great for road trips - assembles in minutes.
Overall dimensions: 36L x 25.5W x 28H inches (More sizes available)
Best Folding dog crate for use both in the home and outdoor road travel use.
The Port-A-Crate while being a soft sided dog crate, still has an extra
strong steel frame which supports its tightly woven fabric cover.
Mesh windows on all sides provide flow-through air circulation. Sets up
and folds away for storage in a matter of minutes. No tools needed.
Made by Petnation, this crate gets high marks from dog parents.
Product shown measures: 24 x 16 x 16 inches (other sizes available)
Find Your Best Dog Crate Cover Set
Very often a pet will be appreciative of a dog crate cover or a set for
added warmth, more privacy and the added feeling of security. This could
make the difference in a puppy settling down in your bedroom at night,
or a dog feeling more secure on a car trip.
Sweet Safari 2-piece crate cover set is made of machine-washable polyester and includes cover and interior bed.
Size: For crates up to 24" long
Large 3-piece Crate Cover Set made from washable cozy Plush material.
Includes Cover, mattress, and interior bumpers. More colors and sizes
available.
Size: For crates up to 36" long; fits most large dog crates
A unique insulated heavy duty dog crate cover for extra pet warmth - just like a jacket for his crate.
Storage compartments on the side and tie down rings come in handy for
travel and the window coverings can be detached during summer months.
This strong and durable cover comes in four sizes.
This chic and modern dog crate cover provides stylish privacy. Designed to fit most standard 36 inches long dog crates.
The poly/cotton blended fabric is protected with Teflon and will repel stains and oils.
Crate cover is compatible with rear & side door dog entered crates.
Size: 36"L x 23"W x 25"H
As a rule, dogs adapt to crates quite easily because they provide a feeling of security. While no one really knows if dogs have a denning instinct left over from way back when their mothers built dens for birthing, we do know that dogs seem to be drawn to small dark and quiet areas of their homes.
Nowadays, crates often become such a place when things get hectic, as well as just a cozy place to take a nap.
We hope this page has been helpful to you in finding the Best Dog Crate for your pet's needs.
To your dog's happy life!
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