Those of us who share our homes with dogs or other animals know that they are an integral part of the family. They’re so important that I often find myself anthropomorphizing my pets — wanting the best for them, but through the lens of what would be best for a human. (I often joke that my cat is one of my favorite people. She is!)
Yet while a dog is as valid a member of the family as a human, in order to care for them best, it’s crucial to be aware of their canine-specific needs — the ways that dogs’ evolutionary instincts mean they may prefer or even require certain accommodations that may feel unusual from a person’s perspective.
Perhaps one of the most misunderstood items within that category are dog crates.
While we may assume our dogs envy our open, roomy mattresses, an enclosed, cave-like space is actually what dogs are instinctually wired to prefer. “From an evolutionary perspective, dogs typically like crates since [they serve] the same purpose as a den, providing a sense of comfort and security,” veterinarian Dr. Carly Fox explained to HuffPost. Fox is a senior veterinarian at Schwarzman Animal Medical Center in New York City.
Crates are especially useful and comforting for dogs when they are spending time alone, such as when their family is gone at work or out to dinner, or during nighttime. ”[Crating your dog] allows them to feel safe when they are alone and prevents them from getting into anything they should not when left unsupervised,” Fox said.
Plus, it’s an investment in your dog’s future well-being. “If your dog ever recovers from a medical problem, crating them might be necessary. It is much easier for a dog who is comfortable in a crate to recover from injury or surgery if they already associate their crate with comfort and security,” Fox emphasized.
Another benefit? “Crates are the best way to housebreak your dog, whether they are a puppy or an untrained adult,” Fox noted. This is because dogs do consider their crates their own dedicated spot: “Dogs generally avoid urinating/defecating in the same area in which they sleep.” Teaching a dog to use a crate, even though it is part of their evolutionary needs, is a process called crate training.
As with any practice, there are best usage guidelines, but as long as you adhere to them, using a crate will benefit you and your dog. “There are few disadvantages to crate training if used appropriately,” Fox told us.
In particular, “You never want to use the crate as punishment,” Fox said. “It should always be thought of as a positive space by your pet and not a place of isolation.” Otherwise, destructive behavior and anxiety may follow.
And, “In order to be successful with any type of training,” Fox noted, “your dog needs consistency.”
To ensure the crate is a positive association for your pup, make it a welcoming space, and make it part of a routine.
“Make it a place they want to go by keeping the crate comfortable and clean,” Fox added. “I place treats and toys in my dog’s crate so that he will go in voluntarily. Throughout the day, I also leave the crate door open so that he can come and go as he pleases.”
You should also take care that your dog doesn’t spend excessive time in their crate; they should also be getting enough exercise, mental stimulation and interaction with you.
The bottom line about crates? “Ultimately it is what is best for your pup!” wrote Fox. “Don’t let your own emotions get in the way of successfully crate training your dog.” (Note that it is up to the individual to decide what’s best for their pet.)
Read on for more information about crate training and some crate recommendations, including the model Fox chose for her own dog.
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Diggs
The Diggs Evolv crate, which our expert source uses
“I recently adopted an untrained dog from a shelter,” Fox said. “I did a bunch of research … and chose the Diggs Evolv crate.
“This company [Diggs] has really thought of everything,” she added. “I love the ease of set up, the accessibility (two different doors!), the accessories you can pair with it and the design. For puppies or small dogs, you can take the top off and use it like a play pen.”
It’s available in four sizes.
Diggs
A travel-friendly Diggs crate that’s full of unique features
“This company [Diggs] makes another crate (Revolv) that is geared more towards portability that is also a great option,” Fox added.
Double-doored with an adjustable inner divider, the Revolv crate has hidden wheels and a handle built into its design, so should you ever need to transport or store it, you can just collapse the piece and roll it away.
Plus, its two window hatches allow you to give your dog some treats or a toy without having to open the crate doors, a handy, thoughtful addition that you’ll be hard-pressed to find in other models, according to our research.
Its locking doors also stand out from the rest, since unlike options with latchkey designs, they’re inaccessible to your dog. For folks with particularly mischievous pups, this’ll help ensure that you won’t be dealing with any surprise escapes.
You can grab it in two colors and four sizes.
Amazon
A highly-rated wire crate with 16,000 5-star ratings
There are a ton of crate styles out there to choose from, but traditional wire crates remain a solid option, per Fox. Like the aforementioned crates, “they allow you to see your pet and provide good airflow,” she noted.
Based on Fox’s recommendation, we chose this popular metal wire crate from Amazon Basics. It’s durable yet well-ventilated, with a flat, removable bottom tray that’ll be comfortable for your pup yet easily cleanable for you.
It folds up flat for easy storage and promises a tool-free assembly. You can grab it in six sizes and with single or double doors.
Promising review: “This kennel is better built than the ones we have that cost more money. The latch is so much better and easy to open and close. We have 5 dogs and each have their own ‘space’ to hang out. We recently got our 5th rescue puppy and needed a crate for him. I took a chance on this one and so glad I did.” — Kimberly D. Green
Amazon
A crate with an adjustable divider for still-growing dogs
When selecting a crate, take care that you choose the right size. “The crate should be large enough where your dog can stand and turn around comfortably,” Fox recommended. Still, it shouldn’t be overly large: “Your crate is too big if your pet can use one side as a bathroom.”
If your dog is still a puppy, a crate with an adjustable divider is a good bet, according to Fox. This way, you won’t need to buy multiple crates as your dog continues to grow; you can just move the divider over to condense the space in the crate until Lassie reaches adulthood.
Based on Fox’s suggestion, we think this crate from Midwest Homes for Pets is a great option. It comes in seven sizes, so it’ll fit toy to large breed dogs, and all sizes include a divider panel (with the exception of the eighth listing).
We think this crate is nicely affordable for all the other features it includes, like double doors, a removable pan for easy cleanup of accidents and rubber feet to protect your flooring. It also conveniently folds flat for travel.
The crate comes in a bestselling single-door version, also with a divider panel, for slightly cheaper.
Amazon
A popular wire crate with color
Based on Fox’s input, we think this colorful BestPet wire crate is a great best-of-all-worlds option.
It features double doors (with two slide-bolt latches per door for security), a divider to accommodate for growing dogs, plus a sturdy metal wire construction to maximize fresh air. You can easily remove its bottom tray for cleaning, fold it up for travel or storage, plus assemble it with no tools.
An especially unique feature is its colored wire, atypical of most wire crates, per our research. You’ll get all the benefits of a wire build along with the personality (and fun) of pink or blue. (You can also grab it in a traditional black.) It comes in five sizes.
Promising review: “Fits perfect for my Dalmatian. Love it, She can turn around, lay down and stand up all the way. Love the color! Came earlier than expected too!” — Kierstin
Amazon
A den-enhancing crate cover
If you want to increase a crate’s haven-like quality, “A crate cover that fits over the outside of the crate [will] further enhance that ‘den-like’ feel,” wrote Fox.
Based on Fox’s recommendation, we chose this two-door crate from Midwest Homes for Pets, which comes with its own matching cover. (The size pictured here is 48 inches.) It also comes with a cushy faux fur bed for you to keep inside the crate, making this a particularly good deal. (Plus, both the bed and the cover are machine-washable.)
If you’re interested in a crate cover by itself, this option from the same brand is a good choice. It’s one of the most highly rated and reviewed on Amazon, with 28,000 5-stars, plus plenty of thoughtful features — five adjustable flaps, three door openings and hook and loop tabs to secure everything. Machine-washable and dryer-safe, it’s available in seven sizes.
Amazon
An opaque-sided crate that you can also take traveling
If your home tends to have a lot of environmental stimuli, like family gatherings or noise, you may want to opt for a plastic crate with opaque sides.
This type of crate is “often used for travel purposes but can make pets feel more secure” at home due to their enclosed design, explained Fox.
Based on Fox’s suggestion, we think this soft-sided, two-door Amazon Basics crate is a great option. Its PVC frame is designed to be lightweight yet strong, and its four sizes accommodate a range of dog breeds, including German shepherds and Great Danes.
While its sides are opaque, its mesh front and mesh windows ensure plenty of ventilation so your dog will stay cool and comfortable.
Plus, you can still take this thing traveling with you: It folds flat for easy portability, and pops back up with no tools needed.
Amazon
Some comfy crate bedding (that you can also throw in the washer)
Fox also recommended you add a bed or some kind of comfortable padding to your lovie’s crate. “The bed you choose should be sized appropriately without excessive gaps between the bed and crate wall,” she wrote. “Ideally, the bed should be washable and water-resistant in case there are accidents.”
For her own dog, “I chose a memory foam bed that is comfortable but not overly bulky,” Fox added.
Based on Fox’s suggestions, we think this orthopedic memory foam bed from Bedsure is a great option. Made with high-density memory foam, it’ll gently contour to your dog’s shape, providing comfy, gentle support to joints and muscles (which senior dogs may especially appreciate). Its soft flannel cover is water-resistant and machine-washable, and its waterproof inner lining helps keep the foam cushioning safe from accidents.
It comes in six sizes, which together are supposed to fit most dog crates, and in seven colors.
Amazon
A cave-like bed to supplement your crate
In addition to crate training your dog, caved or hooded beds can emulate the safe, enclosed quality of dens, according to Fox. They “allow your dog to burrow and feel extra secure,” she wrote.
Based on Fox’s advice, we chose this versatile tented dog bed from Furhaven. Its micro-suede hood can be converted into a cave for burrowing or used as a blanket for soft snuggling, while its base is lined with cozy fleece and cushioned with supportive foam. Both coverings are removable and machine-washable.
You can grab it in three sizes, three varieties of foam and five colors.
Amazon
A soothing donut-style bed
“Donut-shaped beds also serve a similar purpose [to hooded beds], offering a sense of security,” Fox added.
Based on this information, we think this bestselling donut bed from Best Friends By Sheri is a great option. Its round shape will encourage your pup to curl up and nest, promoting calmness, while its plush orthopedic design will be comfy even for dogs with arthritis or joint pain. Plus, the entire thing is machine-washable. (Senior shopping writer Lourdes Avila Uribe even chose it for her beloved late dog.)
With 58,000 5-star ratings, it’s available in six sizes and 17 colors.