5 Best Dog Crates For Puppies And Dogs

This resource for the 5 best dog crates for puppies is going to come in handy when deciding on the right crate for your dog. A dog crate is essential if you have a puppy – it’s for their safety and for your peace of mind.

Puppies are not only cute, but they’re also active and curious – all day and night with some downtime in between for sleeping, so this is where a crate comes in handy.

Dogs are den animals and love having a place to call their own- think of it as their bedroom. A bedroom is a great place for some downtime.

Don’t you agree?

I’ve learned a lot about puppy crates over the years and probably could have avoided wasting money if I didn’t buy so many different sized crates.

If I would have taken some time to research first back then I would have known better but we all live and learn.

I want to help you NOT make the same mistake, so THIS WAY you can use your money elsewhere instead.

Over the years, I have found that these 5 pet crates I’m going to talk about are the only indoor dog cages you’ll need, and you won’t have to waste your money by buying all different sizes as I did.

5 Best Dog Crates for Puppies

1.) MidWest Homes for Pets Icrate Dog Crate

The Midwest Homes Icrate Dog Crate is a top choice when it comes to puppy crates.

This cage comes with a divider so that you can divide off a section of the crate into just enough space that the pups need to be comfortable.

Your puppy doesn’t need a big area in a crate in the beginning; otherwise, they will tend to use some of the space to use as a potty area.

It’s a known fact that puppies don’t like to go to the bathroom where they sleep, so using the divider helps with potty training. Just remember puppies can only hold it for a couple of hours so sometimes accidents do happen.

Puppies should only have enough room to turn around and lie down in a crate while still being comfortable until they are older and out of the potty training phase.

The divider than can be removed as your dog grows.

This crate is made of durable wire with rounded edges for safety; it also comes with an easy to clean tray, double doors and sliding bolt locks.

The double doors are an excellent feature for the ease of accessing your puppy when needed.

The crate also has roller feet to protect your floors (one of my favorite features) and folds flat easily for your convenience.

2.) MidWest Life Stages Double Door Folding Metal Dog Crate

This Midwest Life Stages crate and the Midwest Icrate dog crate are made by the same manufacturer. The only difference is that it is made of heavier gauge steel and tighter wire.

The Midwest Crates have very high four-star and up reviews that show these are definitely worth looking at.

The Midwest Crates are honestly my favorite crates out of all of them.

3.) New World Folding Metal Dog Crate; Single Door & Double Door Dog Crates

The New world dog cage is another great choice. It’s durable with sturdy locks and comes either in single or double doors.

This too folds flat easily, which again makes it super simple when you need to travel with the crate.

The reviews are great for this crate as well ( you can read them here), and the price is reasonable.

4.) Paws & Pals Dog Crate Double-Door Folding Metal – Wire Pet Cage

The Paws & Pals Dog Crate also makes my list for the 5 best dog crates for its durability and easy features.

The only negative for me is that the door opening is smaller. If you have a smaller dog that won’t matter so much.

It’s another option to consider when looking for a crate.

5.) Carlson Pet Products Secure and Foldable Single Door Metal Dog Crate

The last choice on this list comes from Carlson Pet Products.

This company has many great dog products, and their crates are among them.

This particular crate has only a single door and, unfortunately, doesn’t come with a divider, which to me, is a downfall.

I still recommend this crate because this company knows how to do dog products.

If you aren’t too concerned about the convenience of a double door, this product will work for you.

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Related Post: A Daily Puppy Routine { Why You Need One To Stay Sane}

Buyers Guide For The Best Dog Crates For Puppies

When choosing the best dog crate for your puppy, consider all the features of what makes a good crate and works best for you and your dog.

You don’t want to end up with a crate that your dog doesn’t want to be in.

Choosing The Right Size Puppy Crate

When it comes to choosing the right size crate for your dog, first think about how big your dog will be when fully grown (it’s weight and height).

You can make your decision on the size of the crate you will need after knowing that information.

Manufacturers usually have charts with size measurements – be sure to look at their chart before buying a crate.

So you see, when buying a crate with a divider, you will be allowing your puppy to grow into the crate.

This way, you only need to buy it once for the lifetime of your pup.

A big mistake I made years ago was that I would buy a crate for the size my dog was at that moment.

If I would have bought a crate that my dog could have grown into instead. I would have saved myself a lot of money back then.

Hopefully, from reading this, you can save some money by knowing it’s better to get one crate with a divider then all different sizes.

Are Wire or Plastic Crates Better?

In my opinion, wire crates are better, and here’s why.

Dogs love to see what is going on around them.

A wire crate allows them to do so – in return, it makes them less stressed and comfortable in their crate.

A wire crate doesn’t restrict any airflow like a plastic crate could because of it not being completely open.

I also find that wire cages are really easy to clean and resist odors.

What are Wire Crates Made Of?

Most wire crates are made from 100% steel with a non-toxic coating over it.

There are different gauges of steel that can be used depending on the manufacturer. This is one reason why I recommend the cages above for their quality.

You need to beware that the thinner the wire is that it won’t be as sturdy for your puppy.

Are Wire Crates Safe For Puppies?

Yes, wire crates are safe but just with any crate make should you don’t leave your dog’s collar, harness or leash on while inside the crate.

Another thing is to keep your pup’s nails trimmed, so their nails don’t get caught in between the wires.

The crates mentioned above come with sliding locking bolts, but if your dog is one of those escape artists that somehow gets the lock open ( I had one of those), consider adding an extra security measure for their safety. You can use zip ties or carabiner clips to reinforce the locks.

Most of the time, dogs are trying to escape because they’re nervous about being in the crate – so make sure not to ignore that sign.

As dog owners, the last thing we want to do is cause any kind of mental stress to our pets – so in this case, you will want to work on crate training to help your dog understand that their crate is a safe space.

Every dog acts differently to crates.

I will link to a great video on crate training below that I have found very helpful in the past.

Should you Cover Top of Crate With a Blanket?

I recommend covering the top of the pet crate with a blanket. It will give your pup a cozier warm feeling and help them feel more relaxed.

You could also purchase a crate cover for your crate if you preferred to use instead of a blanket. A crate cover with sides that roll up would be best for airflow like this crate cover from amazon.

Where Should You Place The Crate in Your Home?

This question has mixed feelings among people. Some people think your dog needs to be near where you sleep in your bedroom, and some people don’t.

I personally suggest you place the crate in the family room. Your dog will be very comfortable knowing this is a space where the whole family comes together.

Remember, dogs love routines.

Your dog will learn that you’ll routinely return to the family room over and over again. And since they’ll see you in the family room more than your bedroom it will build trust with them that they will see you again real soon even if you walk out of the room and because of that routine, they’ll realize they don’t need to worry and can sleep peacefully day and night.

What Should I Put in my Dogs Crate?

The only thing you need in your dog’s crate is a comfortable dog crate pad or bed.

Unless you have a young puppy, in that case, I find that blankets work well.

It’s really easy to wash some blankets as opposed to a dog bed if the puppy pees in the crate.

You’ll also want to add a sleep aid snuggly stuffed animal. It’s meant to mimic having a littermate near them and is used to make your puppy feel more comfortable.

It’s also a good idea to only give this sleep aid stuffed animal to your puppy at night when it’s time for bed.

You can find it in this post here: FREE PRINTABLE NEW PUPPY SHOPPING CHECKLIST (+ Extra Tips)

Your Choice for the Best Dog Crate

I hope this post of the 5 Best Dog Crates has helped you with your discussion making and is making your dog one happy pup.

Until next time,

Have a pawsome day!

P.S Let me know in the comments your favorite choice for a crate. I would love to know…:)