Written by Becca Choi, a passionate dog person and proud plant mom living in sunny Los Angeles.
Her first ever pet was a lovable Husky-Shepard mix named Marley, but her favorite breed will always be dachshunds!
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Whether you’ve got a puppy or a small full-grown dog, you need a crate (or two).
When a dog has a home base where they feel safe and happy, they thrive. And smart dog owners and trainers know that having one of the best crates for small dogs is essential for proper crate training and travel.
Luckily, we’ve already done the work for you and rounded up the best dog crates of all time.
Top 3 Best Small Dog Crates
Best soft crate: The Portable Collapsible Crate by Petsfit
This crate is great for dog owners who want a regular crate that doubles as a travel crate. It’s comfortable, cute, and easy to clean.
Best travel crate: The Soft Travel Pet Carrier by MIEMIE
This crate is best for dog owners who travel with their pets often and have calm, well-behaved pups.
Best metal crate: The Life Stages Crate by MidWest Homes for Dogs
This crate is good for people who need a sturdy, stationary crate to keep at home.
The Top 3 Metal Crates for Small Dogs
Metal crates are especially popular among dog owners, thanks to their durability.
The Life Stages Crate by MidWest Homes for Pets
The Life Stages Crate by MidWest Homes for Dogs
The Life Stages Crate is by far the best metal crate out there. It has two doors with extremely low thresholds, making it super easy for small dogs and puppies to get in and out.
Roller feet make this crate easy to slide around and move without compromising stability, and heavy-duty metal means this crate can withstand almost anything. That makes it great for rowdy pets who like to chew.
It also features a removable tray for easy cleaning and options when it comes to sizes and doors.
The Life Stages crate is collapsible and easy to assemble in under a minute.
With all of these remarkable features, it’s easy to see why the Life Stages Crate is our top pick.
The iCrate by MidWest Homes for Pets
The iCrate by MidWest Homes for Dogs
The iCrate is made by the same brand as the Life Stages Crate, and it’s extremely similar to the Life Stages Crate.
The key difference between these two crates is that the iCrate is made of a lighter gauge steel and a looser wire mesh—which means the iCrate is slightly weaker than the LifeStages crate.
Overall, I’d recommend this crate to anyone who wants a solid crate but doesn’t need something as heavy-duty as the Life Stages Crate.
The Folding Metal Dog Crate by New World Pet Products
The Folding Metal Dog Crate by New World Pet Products
This crate by New World Pet Products comes in third on the list of best metal crates. Like the Life Stages and iCrate, it features:
- a removable and washable tray base
- a foldable design
- easy assembly
I like New World’s crate because it has plenty of room for any small dog, and its high-quality design is sturdy and strong (but not as strong as the Life Stages crate).
The Best Soft Crates for Small Dogs
Metal crates are sturdy, but they can also be hard and uncomfortable.
Soft crates are more comfortable for your dog, whose ideal crate is a cozy den.
The Folding Kennel by Veehoo
Veehoo’s Folding Kennel is an awesome soft crate for small dogs!
It’s incredibly comfortable and features breathable mesh windows on every side. Your pet is easily accessible through the mesh windows, which zip back.
A solid steel frame keeps your pet safe inside this sturdy soft kennel, and carrying handles make it easy to take your pet on the go if you need to!
The 3-Door Folding Crate by EliteField
The 3-Door Folding Crate by EliteField
This Folding Crate from EliteField has many similar benefits to Veehoo’s Folding Kennel.
It features three mesh doors that zip open for easy access and breathability. The crate has carrying handles, a solid frame, and it’s collapsible.
However, this soft crate is slightly bulkier than Veehoo’s, so storage will be a bit more difficult.
The Portable Collapsible Crate by Petsfit
The Portable Collapsible Crate by Petsfit
The Petsfit Collapsible Crate is by far the best on this list.
It includes all the features of the other two, plus a washable fabric cover with a leak-proof bottom and rounded corners for lasting durability.
This crate is perfect for dog owners who want a soft crate to use daily at home. And, small dogs can easily travel in this crate as well.
The Top 3 Travel Crates for Small Dogs
For most people, traveling is a part of life. And you can’t always leave your pets behind.
Whether you’re flying across the country or just taking a drive to the vet, a travel crate is an important accessory for any dog owner.
The Revol Dog Crate by Diggs
The Revol Crate is a great option for dog-owners who need an at-home crate that can double as a travel crate.
It has a collapsible handle and an overall collapsible design for easy storage.
Made with hard plastic and durable metal, the Revel crate isn’t as heavy-duty as the metal crates on this list.
However, where it lacks durability, it makes up for with versatility.
The Soft Travel Pet Carrier by MIEMIE
The Soft Travel Pet Carrier by MIEMIE
This soft collapsible crate by MIEMIE is a great option to keep calm dogs comfortable.
It features breathable mesh and fabric and doubles as a carrier for you with compartments for food, water, and other accessories.
The strap on top makes travel easy, and there’s hardly any assembly involved.
This crate is easy to store, convenient and has plenty of room for your pup.
The only downsides are that there are no built-in straps for seatbelts, and it’s not heavy-duty. So don’t put any escape artists in here!
The Heavy-Duty Vari Kennel by Petmate
The Heavy-Duty Vari Kennel by Petmate
If your small dog is unlikely to stay inside the other two travel crates on this list, you need this heavy-duty travel crate.
The Vari Kennel is a classic pet carrier made mostly of plastic with a small metal door in front.
Since it doesn’t have any fabric in it, it’s easy to clean and extremely sturdy.
This crate is best for dogs who feel safe in enclosed spaces.
Where to place the puppy crate at home? Video by McCann Dog Training.
How to crate train your dog? Video by Beckman’s Dog Training.
FAQs About The Best Crates for Small Dogs: What Do I Need to Know About Crates?
When shopping for a dog crate, these common questions might come to mind. Don’t worry. We have the answers.
Do vets recommend crates, and are crates safe for dogs?
When used as a means of control or punishment, crates can be harmful to pets.
Although crating your dog for long periods of time is harmful to their mental and physical health, crate training your dog will benefit them.
Dogs have a natural desire to seek out a den where they can be safe.
So, if you properly crate train your dog, a crate is not inherently bad for them.
Your vet may also recommend a crate if your dog is recovering from surgery or needs to be transported.
Should you cover my dog’s crate at night?
Your dog’s specific needs will determine whether or not they prefer their crate covered at night. Covering your dog’s crate may help them feel a sense of safety and security if they sleep in their crate, but some dogs tend to feel anxious in a confined area.
A good way to test if your dog likes their crate covered is to see if they prefer to sit in their crate with the cover on or off.
What do you do if your puppy is crying in their crate?
Traditional dog training advice will tell you not to let your dog out of the crate until they stop whining, but prolonged crying in dogs is associated with high levels of anxiety.
If you properly crate train your dog and do not lock them inside as punishment or for your own convenience, your dog is less likely to whine inside their crate.
Photo by Ayla Verschueren on Unsplash.