To help a dog suffering from separation anxiety, you can try using a crate. In it, your pet will feel more comfortable and calm. Besides, he won’t be able to destroy objects in the house or hurt himself.
However, regular crates aren’t suitable for anxious dogs, as the animal can get out and even hurt himself. You need to choose a sturdy crate with good locks. It wasn’t easy to find one, but I finally wrote this review about the 6 best dog crates for separation anxiety. I hope one of them will help you!
Contents
- Quick Pick Table with the best dog crates for anxiety dogs
- What criteria should I use to choose a crate for dogs with separation anxiety?
- #1 – IMPACT High Anxiety Crate
- #2 – ZINGER HEAVY DUTY CRATE
- #3 – ProSelect Empire Dog Cage
- #4 – Snimoy Heavy Duty Dog Crate
- #5 – AGESISI Heavy Duty Dog Crate
- Lovupet Wooden Portable Crate
- FAQ
- Conclusions
Quick Pick Table with the best dog crates for anxiety dogs
Last update on 2024-03-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
What criteria should I use to choose a crate for dogs with separation anxiety?
When choosing the best crate for dogs with separation anxiety, I focused on such characteristics:
- reliable construction and lock (anxious dogs will try to get out of the crate, and if it is unreliable, the animal could end up getting hurt, especially if we are talking about a large dog);
- sturdy, chew proof material (metal or wood are best, but plastic, soft or wire mesh crates are not suitable);
- easy to use (for example, I like when crate can be easily washed and having an extra entrance is an added plus);
- Size (for dogs with separation anxiety, it’s especially important that the crate has enough space, but at the same time isn’t too big. Measure your dog and choose the right size).
Also, give preference to more enclosed models. Your pet will feel calm in them. It is also better to buy a crate cover.
Important: If you buy a new dog crate, try to use it in front of you. Make sure that your pet can't open the lock.
Below you can find a list of 6 crates for dogs with separation anxiety.
#1 – IMPACT High Anxiety Crate
If you have already tried many crates and your dog has managed to get out of all of them, it’s time to move on to more radical solutions. The military grade crate from IMPACT is made of aluminum that no dog can bend. And the four additional butterfly latches definitely inspire confidence. The dog definitely can’t open them.
This model can be used for both housing and transporting dogs. IMPACT offers different sizes for dogs of all breeds. The price of this wonderful thing is very high, but it’s worth the money. Plus, you get a 10-year warranty!
#2 – ZINGER HEAVY DUTY CRATE
This crate is made to withstand the harshest conditions. Every detail of this product has been designed to ensure reliability and durability. I’m talking about the wide square bars, reinforced door and incredibly secure lock. The aluminum construction is strong yet lightweight.
No dog will be able to break such a kennel. It can even be safely transported in the car, because the ZINGER crate can withstand even an accident.
#3 – ProSelect Empire Dog Cage
Price: $590.13
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ProSelect Empire Dog Cage is popular as a one-of-a-kind heavy-duty crate for medium and large dogs. It’s made of heavy-duty 20-gage steel and reinforced with ½” diameter steel tubing.
This not only prevents your dog from breaking out, but also ensures durability as it’s rust-proof. A heavy-duty door with double latches ensures escape resistance.
I think the ProSelect Empire Dog Cage is worth the money, so I put it on my list. I’ve read reviews of cheaper models and found that you can’t skimp. Even a metal crate that looks sturdy can be a dud that your dog will quickly ruin.
#4 – Snimoy Heavy Duty Dog Crate
Price: $219.99
Rating: Value "strongstar_rating/strong" is not supported.
I don’t think a dog can break out of this crate (although a Hercules can do anything)! It has strong locks and is made of sturdy steel. I like this model because it’s more enclosed than the classic metal crates. It’s just the thing for a fearful dog.
But what I liked even more is that it’s the only heavy duty crate with a nice design. Because the others look like some kind of animal kennel. It’s not embarrassing to put such a crate in the house, and you can also use it as a table.
The idea of rounded corners will appreciate all who, like me, once kicked the corners of furniture.
#5 – AGESISI Heavy Duty Dog Crate
Price: Price not available
Rating: Value "strongstar_rating/strong" is not supported.
This model isn’t so pretty and can’t be used as a table, but they have a cheap model for small dogs. Also, this crate has a different type of lock.
If you don’t particularly like its design you can buy a crate cover right away. As I said before, a more enclosed space is better for anxious dogs.
The AGESISI Heavy Duty dog crate is made of durable stainless steel, so unlike a wooden crate, it’ll last for many years. And you can safely put it outside.
Lovupet Wooden Portable Crate
Price: $169.99
Rating: Value "strongstar_rating/strong" is not supported.
The crate is quite sturdy, made of spruce wood and the metal bars. It is lightweight (11kg) and can simply be folded up to move it to another room or take it with you on a trip. I have not found similar models at this price.
The Lovupet crate is available in 3 sizes for small, medium and large breeds. It would look very nice in the house, plus it could be used as a table. On their website they say it can be used both indoors and outdoors, but I think the wood needs to be varnished for outdoor use.
Important: Large, furniture chewing dogs can ruin a wooden cage. In this case, you'd better consider the previous model.
If your dog has separation anxiety, I recommend getting a pet camera to keep an eye on your pet while you are away. I like the cameras from Petcube because they have a 2-way audio feature and a treat dispenser.
 Petcube Bites 2 Lite – $124.95 Smart HD pet camera with treat dispenser, 160 lens, and 2-way audio |
FAQ
Is a crate good for a dog with separation anxiety?
A crate can be a place that helps an anxious dog get some privacy and calm. But you should do crate training gradually and get your dog used to the crate before using it.
Conclusions
If your dog is very anxious and escapes from all the cages you’ve bought, try the IMPACT Dog Crate.
But remember, the crate is just a way to calm dogs with separation anxiety. To solve the problem, you also need to find out the cause and help your dog change his behavior. Read about it in my article about Best tips to help a dog with separation anxiety at night.
You need to create a suitable environment for the dog in the crate. For this you’ll need a crate bed and toys (read the article about the best crate toys for dogs).
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