Dog Crates Buyer’s Guide
Now that you know the best dog crates in the market, you probably want to know how you can choose the best among them.
Understand that it takes time for your dog to get used to a dog crate. Shower them with lots of treats (and dog food) as a form of positive reinforcement. Always encourage them for good behavior so that they will associate being in a crate with a positive experience.
Here’s your guide when it comes to buying the best dog crates.
Size Is Important
Your beloved dog deserves a place where it’s comfortable to relax. The crate should also provide a sense of security. Therefore, size is an important consideration when looking for the best dog crate to buy. It should be spacious enough for your dog to move around, but it must not be too large that your puppy feels intimidated or scared.
Below are the guidelines to follow when deciding on the size of the dog’s crate:
Length
At the very least, the length of the cage should be the size of your pup from nose to the tip of its tail plus four inches. If your pooch is 18 inches long, plus four inches, then the length of the cage should ideally be 22 inches minimum.
Height
As for the height, it should be based on the height of your pooch from the floor up to its head while standing plus four inches. So if your dog has a height of 14 inches, then you need a crate with 18 inches in height. You also need to consider the fact that you might be adding beddings and some other canine accessories such as dog food.
Width
As for the width, it should be measured based on the crate’s length and height. So after you’ve figured out the suitable length and height of the crate for your pooch, then the width is not necessary. But generally, the width should ideally be around three-quarters of the overall length of the crate.
Accessories
Keep a lookout for accessories such as a removable crate plastic tray. Having a removable tray will make cleaning of the dog crate so much easier. Simply chuck the plastic tray into the washing machine and you are good to go.
Consider The Dog Crate’s Durability
You don’t want your beloved pooch to be kept in a flimsy crate. Therefore, the sturdiness or durability must be taken into consideration when shopping for a dog crate.
You also need to consider the strength of the crate and see if it’s strong enough to accommodate the weight of your dog. In most cases, the durability of the puppy crate will mainly depend on the materials that they are made of.
Here are some of the most popular materials used for dog crates:
Fabric
Fabric dog crates are soft-sided crates. They are durable and lightweight, and they offer the utmost comfort to your dog. It’s especially useful for traveling. These soft-sided crates cushion impacts against the walls during bumpy rides to make the trip more enjoyable for your pooch.
Plastic
Plastic crates are great for those that live in cold climates. It keeps the interior portion warmer while still offering enough ventilation through the crate’s doors and windows. Generally, plastic crates are known to be quite sturdy and durable. However, exposing these crates to extreme heat could cause the material to be brittle and eventually lose its structural integrity.
Metal
Crates made of metal are usually made from aluminum or steel and are perfect for pet owners that live in hot or warm climates. These are also known as “wire crates”.
These crates that are made from metal are guaranteed to be durable and sturdy so you can be sure that the product is going to last for longer, despite the regular wear and tear. The only downside of owning wire crates is that there’s a risk that your puppy could get stuck in between the cage, which can be very dangerous.
Safety, Safety, Safety
Safety is absolutely essential when buying any accessory for your dog, most especially for dog crates. Regardless of the material that the crate is made of, it should be something that’s comfortable for your dog.
There should be enough ventilation for the air to circulate and the spacing of the rods must be something that will not cause your puppy to get stuck. It is best to choose a crate where the rods are spaced tightly in order to avoid any injuries.