Are you looking for the best dog crate? With a dog crate, you are on the safe side when it comes to safely accommodating your furry friend during the journey. This way, he has enough space in the trunk. At the same time, he lies very comfortably and cannot injure himself on the metal bars. We have tested crates for this review and also incorporated the opinion of experts. We promise you, this article will really help you 🙂

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Buying Guide

If you want to take your pet on a trip for the first time, you have several options for transporting him:

For example, you can transport him on the back seat of your car. To do this, you must use a dog harness and a sturdy frame.

You can also use a car seat cover. However, it is easier and safer to transport your dog in the trunk.

If your little friend has ever tried to dismantle another transport container? Or chewed out of boredom?

Then a dog crate is best for him. Here, your loyal friend has absolutely no chance to gnaw on its bars. Instead, it is incredibly robust, making it a stable and secure place.

In the following 11 points, you will get a comprehensive insight into the dog crate:

1. Pros and cons overview

2. Pros and cons in detail

The overview above clearly shows that the advantages clearly outweigh the disadvantages. Thus, a dog crate is the best way to transport your furry friend in the car.

If you have a very small furry friend, you can, of course, transport him in a dog seat. However, for a medium-sized or large animal, this is a bit different.

Please note that it represents a load in the vehicle. According to traffic regulations, you must always secure a load. Therefore, you cannot simply lay him on a blanket on the rear seat.

Imagine what could happen if you brake hard. In this case, he can be thrown through the entire car and not only injure you but also other passengers. Furthermore, you could cause an accident.

Likewise, enormous damage can occur if your dog suddenly gets scared.

He could distract you while driving, which can also lead to an accident. You should never underestimate these facts.

Rather, prevent possible dangers and risks. Transport your pet safely in a dog crate.

3. How to Customize the Dog Crate

When searching for a dog crate, you will encounter an incredibly large selection in stores. These transport containers are now available in many sizes and designs.

Size is important. Your dog should be able to lie down comfortably in the dog crate, even when fully grown. Similarly, he should be able to turn around easily.

Regarding the material, there are only minor differences. Usually, the bottom is made of plastic. This can be cleaned easily and is also not heavy.

For the most part, the top is made of metal. It is usually galvanized aluminum. In addition, the frames are often made of steel. This ensures the necessary stability. Finally, the materials should be rust-resistant.

4. Pay Attention to Easy-Care Materials

Easy-care materials are also necessary for a dog crate. This is especially useful if the pet has a little “accident” suddenly. This way, you can clean it up quickly.

Likewise, it may be that your beloved pet has to stay in the dog crate for a longer period. Because he has to go to the vet or has an illness or injury. In this case, cleaning and disinfection are required.

Dog crates are equipped with a door that you can lock. There are also models with two doors.

Another crucial point is the available space in the house or in the car. There are fixed and collapsible dog crates.

You can quickly fold up the collapsible crates to save space when not in use.

5. Overview of Purchase Criteria

Make sure it has the right size. This applies not only to the crate but also to the cushion and blanket. After all, you want to ensure that your pet is comfortable in the transport container.

You also need to ensure that it provides high safety. Then there should be no more problems taking your dog on a well-deserved vacation.

Below, you will find the most important purchase criteria and their descriptions. Take a look at these factors carefully. Then you will have a much better understanding of the dog crate.

6. Detailed Purchase Criteria

Size:

The most important factor in a dog crate is the appropriate size. Otherwise, your dog will not feel comfortable. He can become restless quickly and may cause an accident.

Fortunately, there are dog crates available in all sizes. Depending on the model, there is something for your beloved pet. However, you should be aware that the size specifications may vary slightly from manufacturer to manufacturer.

Furthermore, you should ensure that your dog not only fits in but can also lie down and stand comfortably. At least he should be able to turn around and change his position at any time.

Also, make sure that the crate fits in the trunk. Therefore, choosing the right size requires a bit of intuition.

Measure your dog correctly before purchasing. To do this, take a tape measure and place it from his nose to the end of his tail. Then add a few inches and compare the size obtained with your selected item.

Doors:

We mentioned earlier that a dog crate comes with one or two doors. So you can decide whether your dog gets only one exit or two. With two doors, he can enter and exit from the rear and front as desired.

For use in the car, one door is sufficient. But if you also want to use it at home, then you should opt for a model with two doors. However, make sure that you have enough space for a model with both doors open.

Safety:

Anyone who needs a crate for their pet wants to ensure that it remains inside until the journey or transport is over. It also doesn’t matter if the animal starts trying to get through the bars.

It is important that the crate has the appropriate mechanisms to ensure the safety of the animal.

Nothing would be worse than a crate that suddenly opens while driving on the road.

In essence, a sturdy metal construction ensures increased safety. Bolt locks, which are additionally attached to the doors, are also highly recommended.

Weight:

A dog crate is mostly made of metal. For this reason, it is correspondingly heavy.

As long as the crate is always on the ground, this will not bother you. But if you want to use it for driving, then the weight will play a big role.

Whether the total weight of the crate is 22 or 44 pounds (10 or 20 kg), it doesn’t matter to a fit person. However, if you are not used to lifting heavier weights, these pounds can make a significant difference.

In general, you should always expect a dog crate to be heavier than normal transport containers.

For this reason, a lightweight model is not really considered good. After all, high-quality and good models are made of bite-resistant metal bars.

The dog crate will, of course, become heavier if you have to transport a very large and heavy four-legged friend.

Color:

Most dog crates are offered in silver. However, some models are also painted black or white. If you use it at home, a conspicuous color is not so important. You also won’t really need a conspicuous color for car travel.

Storage Options:

Depending on how large or small your dog is, the dog crate can take up enormous dimensions. You won’t always have the space to store it in a space-saving way when not in use.

For this reason, it is important that you buy a model that you can easily fold up. Of course, you can’t fold up a dog crate as quickly as a collapsible dog crate, but it’s still quick enough.

Miscellaneous:

In many cases, you will find many additional extras in the scope of delivery that could be useful for you.

For example, some dog crates come with a partition that you can easily remove. Cleaning the partition is very practical in this case.

Furthermore, a carrying handle can also help make transport more pleasant for you, especially since larger variants have a decent weight.

Another plus point is wheels. This way, you can easily push the transport container in front of you without having to carry it.

If you don’t need the wheels, you can engage the locking brake. This will securely hold the box on the ground. If desired, you can also remove the wheels.

7. Size of a Dog Crate

To buy a comfortable dog crate, it is not enough to estimate the size.

Rather, you need to determine the exact size of your dog before deciding on the right size for the dog crate.

Therefore, you need the following measurements:

Also, please measure the dimensions of your trunk if you intend to use the crate for transportation in the car.

8. Overview of Applications

The dog crate is often used as a transport box. This way, you can even take longer trips with your furry friend.

The following list shows you where else you can use the dog crate:

9. House Training

Once your dog has become accustomed to the crate, you can also use it to train for house training.

Especially in the first few weeks after moving in, the little one should learn to sleep inside the crate. You should close the door. When your pet wakes up, it will make itself known by whining and barking.

It wants to relieve itself. Basically, dogs avoid using their own sleeping area for this purpose. So, you can react and take your sweetheart outside.

If you do this regularly, your puppy will quickly become house trained. This method is particularly suitable at night when you can’t constantly watch him.

10. Retreat for Energetic Animals

The dog crate is also a good place for particularly energetic furry friends to rest.

There are animals that have so much energy that they don’t have a quiet moment. They are constantly distracted and can become restless even over small things.

If your dog belongs to this “type,” you can provide him with well-deserved rest with a dog crate.

You can put blankets and pillows in it to turn the crate into a cozy retreat. Furthermore, your most faithful friend will learn to associate the new location with sleep and rest.

A crate is also very practical when there are craftsmen in the house and your dog might get injured. In addition, the craftsmen can work undisturbed.

11. Safety During Car Rides

It is necessary to secure your dog in the car. Under no circumstances should he “happily” look out the window, even if it’s fun for him and looks cute.

This is strictly forbidden and will be punished with a fine. It is important that you keep your dog in the trunk, i.e., in a dog crate, or safely transport him on the back seat.

It is unthinkable what could happen to an unsecured animal in case of an emergency brake.

Detailed Product Reviews

Premium Recommendation

This is a particularly high-quality wire cage with rounded corners. The crate is equipped with 2 doors and 2 double locks. It also has a carrying handle for easy lifting and transport. The doors are very large, so your dog can easily get in. Furthermore, you can quickly fold the dog crate, making it space-saving. There is a waterproof tray that is removable.

Price-Performance Recommendation

This dog crate is equipped with a removable bottom tray. Furthermore, it can be folded up to save space. It is available in two different sizes and offers the animal optimal air circulation. After delivery, the box can be assembled quickly. The large door in the front area allows the dog to enter and exit comfortably.

Soft

This dog crate is a particularly comfortable place for your beloved pet. The soft side panels ensure that he feels comfortable. Furthermore, the crate has a window and a front door made of mesh fabric. This allows good ventilation from all four sides to be ensured.

Secure zippers, fastening straps, and a PVC frame with polyester cover harmoniously round off this high-quality product. The dog crate can be set up in seconds and folded flat. It is available in five different sizes and looks visually appealing.

For Puppies

This dog crate is particularly suitable for puppies due to the easy-to-clean and removable bottom tray. Whether for home as a resting place or for travel, the crate is portable and therefore versatile.

The dog crate comes in various sizes. It is a metal crate with two doors and latches and is suitable for dogs of various sizes. Finally, you can fold it up quickly and store it compactly in the car.

Conclusion

For us dog owners, our four-legged friend is not just a pet but a full-fledged family member. That’s why we want to take our beloved pet with us on trips and provide him with the greatest possible comfort and safety.

This is where the dog crate comes into play. With this practical utensil, we can not only take our dog on long car rides but also provide him with a cozy and safe home on four paws.

Whether as a transport box, resting place, or training aid, the dog crate is a versatile accessory that makes life easier and more enjoyable for both us and our dog. With a dog crate, we are always on the safe side.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which dog crate manufacturers are there?

Here is a list of manufacturers and brands:

Has Consumer Reports already conducted a test on dog crates?

Unfortunately, Consumer Reports has not yet conducted tests on dog crates.

Where can I buy dog crates?

We have examined and compared numerous shops during our research.

We paid attention to the criteria of best price, shipping conditions, and reliability. The following stores performed best:

At least one of the mentioned shops is linked above with the recommendations. In today’s time, we recommend an online shop like Amazon or eBay.

We were able to find the best price during our research here. Additionally, you have the convenience of having the items shipped to your home free of charge. You can be sure to receive your goods.

At the specialty retailer, the selection is smaller, the bestsellers are often sold out, and you even save on travel costs and valuable time. A clear advantage for us.

How do I acclimate a puppy to the new crate?

Ideally, the puppy is already accustomed to its new resting place. This works best through the principle of reward.

Simply place the animal box in a planned location with the door left open. To ensure your dog feels comfortable inside the box later on, you should put a blanket and his favorite toy inside.

At first, toss a treat towards the new object. Your dog will most likely retrieve it. Of course, you must reward him for it.

After reaching a certain level, throw the treat very close to the box. If your dog retrieves this treat as well, praise him even more.

Continue this process…

You continue this process until he voluntarily enters the crate and hopefully lies down there to rest.

First, your pet must enjoy being in the dog crate. Lie down there to take a break.

Then you can close the door for the first time. Your dog also needs to slowly get used to the new location.

It is important that you remain patient during the acclimatization process. Never scold. If it doesn’t work out as you imagined at first, please don’t push, shove, or pull him in.

Your dog would then associate the crate with negative emotions. He will no longer feel safe inside, even though it is actually intended for that purpose.