Dog Crates

The best crate for a small apartment bedroom is large enough for your dog to stand, turn, and lie down comfortably, but compact, quiet, and easy to place. Compare wire, plastic, and furniture-style crates before buying.

A two-door dog crate is usually the most flexible choice for kitchen placement because it can open toward the room or a nearby walkway. Learn how to choose the right size, door layout, tray, divider, and clearance before buying.

A furniture-style dog crate can blend into a living room, but appearance should come after fit, ventilation, durability, and safe access for your dog.

The best large-breed dog crate is one that gives your dog enough room to stand, turn, lie down, and stretch without leaving excessive unused space. Use your dog’s adult measurements, then choose a sturdy crate with a secure door, good ventilation, and a floor that is easy to clean.

The best dog crate for a puppy is usually one sized for the dog’s expected adult dimensions, with a secure door, good ventilation, and a divider that lets you adjust the living area as your puppy grows.

The best dog crate for crate training is secure, correctly sized, easy to clean, and comfortable without giving a puppy too much extra space. Use this guide to choose between wire, plastic, and furniture-style crates and avoid common sizing mistakes.

The best furniture crate for a living room should look at home without compromising your dog’s safety or comfort. Use this guide to compare crate styles, sizing, materials, and practical features before buying.

The best crate for a German Shepherd is large enough for comfortable movement, secure enough for the individual dog, and suited to how the crate will be used at home, in the car, or during training.

A 42-inch wire crate can be a practical long-term choice for a growing puppy, but the listed length is only a starting point. Measure your puppy, check the manufacturer’s interior dimensions, and use a secure divider to create a sleeping area that is large enough to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably—but not so large that house training becomes harder.

A double-door crate can make a hallway setup more flexible, but only if both doors can open safely without blocking traffic. Use your dog’s measurements, the crate’s exterior dimensions, and the hallway layout to choose the right model.

A strong chewer needs more than thick-looking bars. Compare crate construction, door security, spacing, sizing, ventilation, and escape risks before you buy.

A failing crate latch is a safety issue, especially for dogs that push, paw, or chew at the door. Check the latch alignment, door frame, hardware, and crate setup before deciding whether a replacement latch or a new crate is needed.

A crate tray usually slides out because it is the wrong size, not seated in its rails, blocked by debris, or being pushed by the dog. Check the tray and crate in that order before replacing parts.

A crate divider usually slips because it is installed backward, does not match the crate, or is bent or missing its retaining hardware. Check fit and attachment before replacing the panel or crate.

A dog crate is too small if your dog cannot stand, turn around, lie down naturally, or change position without crowding. Use your dog's measurements and behavior—not weight alone—to choose the next size.

A dog escaping a wire crate usually needs more than a stronger latch. Check the crate’s openings, door hardware, fit, setup, and your dog’s stress level in that order—and avoid leaving the dog confined until the escape problem is safe.

If a double-door dog crate will not fit through your hallway, measure the assembled crate at its widest points, account for door swing and corner clearance, and avoid forcing it through. The safest fix may be a different orientation, a narrower crate, or a crate that folds for moving.

A replacement tray can refresh a wire crate, but crate pans are not universally interchangeable. Measure the old tray, verify the crate brand and dimensions, and check the lip, corners, handle, and material before buying.

Bolt-on casters can make a large dog crate easier to move, but the right setup depends on the crate frame, total weight, mounting points, and how securely the wheels lock. Use this guide to check compatibility before drilling or buying.

A matching cover and pad can make a crate look finished and feel more comfortable, but the set still needs to fit the crate correctly and suit how your dog uses it.

A crate cover can make a wire crate feel calmer and more den-like, but the wrong cover can restrict airflow, trap heat, or fit poorly. Here is what to look for before buying one.

The best crate cover balances privacy and airflow. Look for breathable fabric, adjustable coverage, secure fasteners, and a fit that leaves vents and doors usable.

A pad labeled for a 36-inch crate is not automatically the right fit. Measure the crate’s usable floor area, compare it with the pad’s actual dimensions, and account for dividers, tray clearance, chewing, and washing before buying.

A senior dog needs more than a soft cushion in the crate. Look for a supportive, low-profile orthopedic pad that fits the crate floor without bunching, stays comfortable at the right temperature, and has a removable washable cover.

An adult-size crate with a divider can save money and give a growing dog room to mature into the space—but only if the crate can be adjusted to stay appropriately sized during house training.

A crate that is too large can give a puppy enough room to sleep in one area and eliminate in another. Here is how to correct the setup and know when you need a divider or smaller crate.

An airline-style plastic crate can keep a dog contained and comfortable in the car, but the right choice depends on fit, ventilation, door security, and whether the crate has any verified crash-protection claims.

The best collapsible crate for travel depends on your dog’s size, behavior, transportation method, and where the crate will be used. Use this guide to choose between soft-sided, folding wire, and other portable designs.

The best crash-tested crate for car rides is one with documented independent testing, a secure vehicle installation method, and enough interior space for your dog to stand, turn, and lie down without excessive movement.

The best crate for hotel travel depends on your dog’s behavior, your transportation, and how much portability you need. Learn which crate style fits hotel stays and what features matter most.

An SUV cargo-area crate must fit the vehicle securely while giving your dog enough room to stand, turn, and lie down naturally. Measure the cargo space, compare crate dimensions, and prioritize a crate designed for vehicle travel when appropriate.

The best crate for an RV fits your dog correctly, allows adequate ventilation, and can be secured without blocking walkways or exits. Here is how to choose the right style and set it up safely.

A good folding crate for a weekend cabin should be easy to carry, quick to set up, correctly sized, and suitable for your dog's behavior and the cabin environment.

A cracked plastic dog crate should be treated as damaged equipment, not repaired for continued car travel. Check the cause, inspect every panel and fastener, and replace the crate if the crack affects its structure, door, floor, or tie-down points.

A soft-sided crate can work well for a calm, crate-trained adult dog at a cafe—if you choose the right size, confirm the cafe allows it, and prioritize ventilation, stability, and easy cleaning.

A reactive dog often benefits from a quiet, predictable retreat, but the crate must be selected and introduced carefully. Here is how to choose the right den-like setup without using confinement as a substitute for behavior support.

The right crate for a senior dog with arthritis should make resting easier, not force painful movement. Look for a low entry, stable floor, enough room to reposition, and supportive padding that does not overheat or become difficult to clean.

The best crate for an apartment fits your dog correctly while limiting noise, protecting your floors, and working with the way you use your space. Here is what to consider before buying.