It’s best to choose a special crate for the puppy, not the same as for the adult dog. It must be safe and suitable for training.
In this article, I have written a short buyer’s guide and review of the best dog crates for puppies. It will help you to make the right choice.
Contents
What kind of crate is best for a puppy?
A crate for a puppy should have these features:
- Chew-proof. Puppies are teething, so they chew on everything. So choose materials that can’t be easily chewed on.
- Safe. Puppies who haven’t yet completed their crate training will be more likely to try to escape from the crate. There should be no unprotected areas in the crate that the puppy can get through. The locks should be secure. Otherwise, any attempt to escape could result in accidents.
- Easy to clean. Your puppy can and will get the crate dirty. So think about how easy it’s to clean It’s good if the bottom has a removable tray.
Conclusion: sturdy plastic or heavy-duty metal crates are best for pups.
What kennels are NOT suitable for pups? Soft crates are not ideal because dogs can easily tear them apart. Using a wire dog crate is debatable, as paws, teeth, and claws often get stuck in the bars.
Quick Pick Table
Last update on 2024-04-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Top 6 crates for pups
Based on the parameters listed above, I have chosen some of the best crates for puppy training. Of course, you can also buy similar ones.
Premium choice – Diggs Revol Dog Crate
The Diggs Revol crate is my love. Yes, it’s expensive, but it’s thought out down to the last detail. It meets all the requirements for puppy crates.
The diamond-shaped wire and extra reinforcement with plastic reduce the number of holes a dog could stick his paws or head through. This makes the Revol crate safer.
I also liked that the manufacturers made sure the tray was fixed. Usually they just put a plastic tray in the crate that fidgets around and makes noise. This annoys both me and the dog. The dog can dig in it and chew on it.
The Diggs Revol crate has a great feature – it has a folding door. You can open the door and slide it in to keep the crate open. This is cool because usually the door gets in the way.
Also, puppy owners will be happy to know that there is a divider to separate part of the crate for the puppy. Unlike the dividers for standard wire crates, it’s quite easy to install.
The Diggs Revol is lightweight and folds up quite easily for transport and storage. However, I find that it’s quite bulky when folded and takes up a lot of space.
What else can I tell you? The material of the crate seems to feel high quality. It’s obviously not cheap plastic. All the parts are firmly connected to each other. The crate is stable and it doesn’t make noise like some wire crates.
I think the Diggs Revol is a good choice for those who like premium products and doesn’t want to pay twice. This crate will stay with you for years.
Best value – Pet Gear Dog Crate
It is an inexpensive analog of the Diggs Revol folding crate. They are similar in many ways: the PetGear crate is also collapsible and made of plastic and wire. It has a garage-style door and wheels for transportation.
Yes, the PetGear crate is a bit inferior in quality, it seems a bit flimsy and not as reliable. It also has inconvenient latches, but it’s three times cheaper than the Diggs Revol! I also find that the PetGear is more compact than the Diggs Revol when folded.
I think this crate is more suitable for occasional use or for quiet pups. Large breed puppies will probably clear this cage out quickly.
I found this great review comparing Diggs Revol and PetGear crates, as well as one standard wire crate. It may help you make your choice.
Wire dog crate for puppies – MidWest Homes for Pets
All wire cages are very similar to each other. The only differences are the arrangement of the bars and the quality of the cage assembly. It’s better to have the bars as close together as possible.
I’m not a fan of wire cages, but I picked one that seems reliable. And there are thousands of good reviews about its quality.
If you have a wire crate, I recommend using bumpers. It protects your dog from accidentally getting caught in the bars.
The best crate for large, active pups – Snimoy Heavy Duty Dog Crate
If you have a very active, large puppy or your pet is trying to get out of the crate in every way, then try the Snimoy Heavy Duty Dog Crate.
It’s made of thick metal bars that the dog can’t chew on easily. However, I don’t like that the bottom of this crate is also made of bars, so you definitely need to put something over it to protect your pet’s paws.
It’s not just a crate, it’s also a piece of furniture. You can use it as a table and save space in the house. By the way, furniture style dog crates can also be a decoration for your home.
Learn what you should definitely put in your dog's crate.
Petmate Ultra Vari Kennel
For your puppy, you can use a crate from Petmate that is designed for airplane transportation. It doesn’t have many holes where your puppy can stick his paws or head. This makes this crate safer. There is a mesh on the front door, but it is very shallow. I also like that the doors have a secure latch.
Petmate offers this cage in four sizes, so you can choose the right size for you.
Ferplast Atlas Vehicle SUV Dog Crate
Although this crate is primarily designed for transporting dogs in the car, I think it would work well for keeping a puppy.
What is the right crate size for puppies?
The crate should be big enough for your dog to sit, stand and turn around freely. But don’t choose a very large crate. If there’s too much space, the puppy may be able to make a toilet in one of the corners.
As your puppy will grow, you can buy a larger crate. Some models have a divider that allows you to change the size of the crate. You can cut off the smaller part right away, and when your puppy gets older, you can remove the divider.
It’s important to understand WHY that you need a crate. It’s a tool to get your puppy used to sleeping and resting alone. We don’t use it as a playpen where puppies are usually kept for long periods of time.
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What should I put into my puppy crate?
At night, you don’t need to put anything in the crate because the puppy will be distracted and not asleep. And during the day you should try to make this place as attractive as possible for the puppy.
- Put sturdy chew toys or toys with treats inside. I recommend reading my article on the best crate toys.
- Also, put a bowl of food. When the puppy eats in the crate, he will get positive associations with that place. This should be done during crate training and also later when you have to leave the dog alone for a longer period of time.
- To ensure that the puppy sleeps comfortably in his den, you should place chew-proof crate pads inside. As your puppy gets older and stops chewing on things, you can use a soft bed.
Do I need to put pee pads in my puppy's crate? No, you should not train your puppy to pee in the crate. Instead, put pee pads in a playpen or other place where the puppy stays for a long time. You have to be vigilant because puppies can chew on the pee pads and choke on a piece.
Conclusions
Look for a safe, chew-resistant, and easy-to-clean crate for your puppy, like Diggs Revol Dog Crate or Petmate Navigator Pet Carrier.
One more thing. Some dogs like more open crates. Others like secluded, enclosed shelters. So you’ll probably have to change several crates before you find the perfect one for your pup.
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