Quick Picks: Best Wooden Dog Crates
Wooden dog crates are a stylish way to give your pet a space of her own in your house. They are more visually appealing – eliminating that “prison” feel of the typical wire frame crate. You can even buy them to match your furniture and, indeed, many double as tables.
But wooden dog crates aren’t just a lovely addition to your room’s decor. Some new companies are even using the sound-reducing properties of wood to create crates to help pups with anxiety problems.
Whatever your reason for buying a wooden crate, we are here to help you make a well-informed decision. In this article, we will consider whether or not a wooden crate is a good match for you and your dog and features to look out for in a wooden crate. Then, we’ll suggest a few of our favorites!
Is My Dog Well-Suited to a Wooden Crate?
These attractive yet functional crates are a temptation for almost any dog owner. Yet, they are not a great match for every dog. Consider these factors before dropping the money on a wooden dog crate:
- Does your dog chew? One of the main reasons people buy wooden dog crates is to look better in their home. However, the dog crate will not look good or be effective if your pup is chewing through the bars.
- Is your dog high-energy? Some wooden dog crates can handle a high-energy dog, but not all. They tend not to be quite as a strong as their metal counterparts. If your dog is energetic, make sure that owners with dogs of a similar disposition give it the okay.
- Do you have a large or giant pooch? Unfortunately, most wooden dog crates are designed for smaller dogs. If your dog is over 90 pounds, you probably won’t be able to find a wooden crate that will fit him.
- Is your pup finished growing? We have found one wooden dog crate that takes your dog’s growth into account. However, in general, you might want to steer clear until your pup is fully grown. A teething puppy and an expensive wooden crate he may soon outgrow might not be a good combination.
- Is your dog anxious? Wooden crates vary considerably in how effective they are for a nervous dog. Models that can be deconstructed easily will likely be a poor fit. On the other hand, there are wooden dog crates that take advantage of the sound-dampening property of wood to address your pet’s anxiety head on.
What to Look for in a Wooden Crate
Buying a wooden crate is a little different than buying your typical wire-frame crate. You will want to take the following into account:
Style. Is this a piece that will match your regular furniture and be functional in your living space? While mostly cosmetic, this is important to consider since it is the reason most people decide to go for a wooden crate.
Design. Does the shape of the crate fit your pet’s needs? For example, some pups like to be able to see the things around them while they are in their crate, while this makes other animals nervous. Some pets like to move around in their crate, while others like the security of a smaller space. You can also choose between open top and closed top designs, depending on how much of a jumper your pup is.
Wood material. Is the product made with solid wood or is it made of fibreboard with wood veneer? Solid wood will last longer and is of generally better quality, but it runs at a steeper price.
Sturdiness. Since many wooden crates double as tables, you will want to think about whether or not it can stand up to your dog’s energy and while also providing a surface for your books and magazines.
Best 5 Wooden Dog Crates
We’ve detailed below our five top picks for best wooden dog crates – have others in mind? Let us know in the comments your own favorites.
1. Merry Pet 2-in-1 Configurable Pet Crate
About: Merry Products specializes in wooden furniture with a special emphasis on indoor and outdoor pet products. The affordably-priced 2-in-1 Configurable Pet Crate is designed to be an attractive piece of living room furniture that happens to house your dog!
The crate is also functional: not only does it double as an end table, but it can also be deconstructed and used as an indoor dog gate.
Product
Details
- Wooden pet crate is convertible into a gate
- Removable plastic tray
- Easy to assemble
- Dimensions: 22. 48" D x 32. 48" W x 23. 35" H
Sizes: This gate comes in two sizes: medium (interior dimensions of 29 inches by 19 inches by 22.8 inches) and large (interior dimensions of 36.4 inches by 24.5 inches by 31.1 inches). The large is good for a dog of about 65 pounds.
Features: This crate has a wood veneer frame with metal bars spaced about 1.5 inches apart to keep your pet from getting out. It’s very easy to construct and deconstruct without using any tools.
Specifically, there is a hinge pin that helps keep the walls in place after you adjust them and the heavy tabletop uses its weight to stay in place. This means that, while the tabletop is not screwed in place, it is easy for the owner to take on and off.
There is also an easy-to-clean plastic tray that sits on the floor as protection from your pup’s accidents.
PROS
Reviewers were very satisfied with the look and functionality of the crate; not only did it make a room look better, it helped eliminate clutter by acting as a table and a space for the family pet simultaneously. Many reviewers also emphasized how easy it was to put the crate together. Because it’s so easy to take apart and stores flat, one reviewer also pointed out it is a great crate to travel with. Most importantly, most dogs, and especially smaller dogs, enjoyed the crate.
CONS
The biggest complaint about this crate was that it was easy to escape from, especially for larger, high-energy dogs. However, the crate seems to work very well with smaller dogs. One reviewer also pointed out that, for a dog bigger, more excitable dog, the crate is likely intended to complement — not replace — the heavy-duty kennel crate that you keep your pup in while you go to work for the day. The crate might not be a great choice for puppies since the wood veneer can be ruined with chewing.
2. Zoovilla Medium Slide Aside Crate and End Table
About: Zoovilla is a brand popular for their cute pet furniture, and their Medium Slide Aside Crate is no exception.
Like the Merry Products crate, this crate does double-duty as an end table. While it cannot be deconstructed easily, the Zoovilla crate stands out for its aesthetically-pleasing, sturdy design.
Product
Details
- For Indoor use, use in your living area as a side table with door, as indoor dog cage or dog kennel
- Stylish Pet Crate - fitted with a wide table top perfect for magazines, potted plants, lamps and...
- Doubles as a pet crate and side table, solid bottom for added strength
- Door can either hinge or slide into the side to become ‘invisible’ - the dog cage is designed to...
Size: This crate can only be purchased in one size, roughly equivalent to a medium in other crates. Its full dimensions are 35.4 inches deep, 21.6 inches wide, and 23.5 inches high. The interior sleeping space is about 32 inches by 17.75 inches.
Features: This crate comes in both black and white. The sides of the crate consist of a frame made with medium-density fibreboard covered by a wood veneer, a wood horizontal support, and sturdy metal bars.
The door of the crate is retractable, so you don’t have to worry about a door clumsily swinging open and shut in your living room. This crate also features a wood floor and a tabletop that can hold up to 300 pounds. Assembly requires tightening a few screws, but the end result is a strong, attractive crate for your living space.
PROS
Most owners were happy with the appearance of the crate in their house. This crate also seems to stand up to chewing better than some other similar products because of the heavy metal bars and horizontal support in the walls. A couple of owners also mentioned that the retractable door was very convenient. The crate also seemed to provide security and comfort for pups.
CONS
This crate only comes in one size that is really meant for a small or medium-sized dog. Consequently, you should measure your pup carefully before purchasing this crate. Several reviewers also mentioned the directions on how to assemble the crate were lacking in detail; nevertheless, many owners felt that putting it together was somewhat intuitive. Even with the poor instructions, assembly only took about 30 minutes.
3. Richell Expandable Pet Crate
About: Richell is a well-established Japanese pet product and housewares company which aims to provide customers with high-quality, practical, and stylish products, like the Richell Expandable Pet Crate.
It’s unique for its ability to adjust in length from 37 inches to 62 inches, making this moderately-priced crate a particularly good choice for a growing pup.
Product
Details
- Crate expands from 35.4" to 60.6" wide (adjustable to 11 different widths)
- Recommended for dogs 8.8 to 44 lbs. (4-20kg)
- Includes Expandable Floor Tray. Medium: front door is 12.2 x 22.3 H inches
- Sliding wire door provides easy pet access
Sizes: This crate comes in two sizes: small (24.6 inches wide and 24 inches tall) and medium (32.1 inches wide and 28 inches tall). Both crates expand from 37 to 62 inches.
The small is recommended for pups less than 26.4 pounds while the medium is for dogs up to 44 pounds.
Features: The Richell has a more solid wooden frame than other products as it is made from rubberwood — an environmentally-friendly hardwood — rather than fibreboard and wood veneer.
Like other products, it has wire bars that are spaced about 1.4 inches apart.
The crate comes with a plastic floor tray that expands with the crate and can be cleaned easily. You also have the option of purchasing a wire top for the crate or divider to separate the bathroom area from the rest of your pet’s crate space (both sold separately).
The crate features two wire doors. One slides open and is your pet’s entrance and exit. The other folds down and is meant to give you easy access to your pet’s food, water, and doggy pads.
PROS
Many owners commented that this is a good-looking, well-crafted crate that gives your pup her own tiny apartment in your house. A few owners purchased it to address bathroom issues with their pup — whether their dog was a puppy that still needed training or an older dog that could no longer hold it through the night — and were satisfied. Some owners also liked the open-top design; it allowed them to easily pick their dog up from the crate. For owners that didn’t like the open-top design, the company provides the option of purchasing a wire top.
CONS
The most common complaint about this crate was the difficulty of initially putting it together. Other commenters noted that it is also not easy to expand the crate since it requires tools. This is unlikely to be a major problem, however, since most owners will not need to change the size of the crate often. A couple of owners also had issues with the floor of the crate, one noting that it was uneven and another saying that it leaked fluids. To prevent this, a puppy pad can be used to line the floor.
4. Archie & Oscar Mendosa Pet Crate
About: The Mendosa Pet Crate is an elegant and modern-looking crate that doubles as a handsome piece of furniture. It is also built from premium materials and comes with most of the features pet owners would want in a crate.
Sizes: The Mendosa Crate is available in two sizes. The large option measures 29.25 inches high, by 24 inches wide, by 36.5 inches deep and is appropriate for dogs between 25 and 50 pounds. The small size measures 24 inches high, by 20 inches wide, by 27.5 inches deep and is appropriate for pooches weighing between 10 and 25 pounds.
Features: A lot of crates designed to double as furniture are made from laminated MDF or a similar material, but the Mendosa Crate is made from 100% genuine rubberwood. This not only means this crate looks great, but it is strong and sturdy too.
Instead of including mesh or wire ventilation windows, the entire upper section of the Mendosa Crate features vertical slats, which provide tons of ventilation, while still keeping your pooch secured.
This design choice also gives your pup the chance to look around and see what’s going on much easier than would be possible in a traditional, plastic-sided crate.
The Mendosa Crate features stainless steel hardware, and a latch is included to keep the door securely closed.
PROS
The Mendosa Crate received glowing reviews from most owners who tried it. It’s combination of attractive styling, solid construction, and a reasonable price tag elicited a lot of praise, and most dogs seemed to find it quite cozy.
CONS
The Mendosa Crate is described as being rot-resistant and leak-proof, but it will likely suffer damage over the long term if allowed to become wet very often. So, you probably don’t want to use this crate if you have an accident-prone pooch.
5. ZenCrate Smart Anxiety Relief Pet Crate
About: The Smart Anxiety Relief ZenCrate is made by ZenCrate — a new company with a mission to help owners with anxious pups. One of the founders has a dog was a severe fear of thunderstorms and fireworks that was solved after he started using this crate designed specifically for him.
This crate features top-of-the-line materials and technology, and that is certainly reflected in the price. However, if your dog suffers from anxiety, this crate is a way to address that issue without canine anxiety medications.
Sizes: This crate comes in only one size, designed for dogs up to 90 pounds. It measures 26.25 inches tall and wide and 38.75 inches deep.
Features: This crate is composed of solid wood that dampens sounds so that your pet can escape scary noises like thunder and fireworks. There is a fan on the interior which provides ventilation and white noise.
To further help de-stress your dog, you can even download a free anti-anxiety playlist to play for your pup inside his crate. In case that thunderstorm takes out the power, there is also a backup battery to ensure that everything keeps running.
There are also a number of products that can be purchased alongside the crate, including a waterproof memory foam mattress, an HD wifi camera to monitor your pet when you’re not around, and a door insert to keep your pup in the crate (all sold separately). The crate comes in either a natural or espresso finish.
PROS
Customers who purchased this crate were impressed by the quality. It is not only of solid construction, but it also contains a lot of high-end gadgets that can help ease your pup’s anxiety as well as your parental nerves. Most importantly, this crate seems to be very effective at calming dogs. All owners who have reviewed the product thus far are satisfied in this regard.
CONS
This is a new product with few customer reviews, although the people who have reviewed it have been satisfied and report that it genuinely helps pooches with anxiety issues. This crate is also very expensive, by far the priciest reviewed here, and the accessories don’t come cheap either. While the cost may be prohibitive to some pup parents, for those with a little extra to spend, it could be a good investment, especially if you live in an area with frequent thunderstorms. It should also be noted that the cost of anxiety medications adds up over time, and the crate does not come with any unwanted side effects.
6. Archie & Oscar Ginny Pet Crate
About: The Archie & Oscar Ginny Pet Crate is somewhat similar to their Mendoza Crate, as it is a furniture-quality crate that’ll look great in your living room and give your pooch a comfy place to sleep.
It does, however, exhibit a few key differences from the Mendoza Crate discussed above, which may make it a better choice for some owners.
Sizes: The Ginny Crate is available in four sizes, ranging from small to extra-large.
The small crate measures 22.2 inches high, by 18.2 inches wide, by 23.8 inches long and is suitable for dogs up to 20 pounds. The medium measures 25.2 inches high, by 21.1 inches wide, by 29.8 inches long and is appropriate for dogs weighing up to 50 pounds.
The large crate is roomy enough for dogs weighing up to 80 pounds, and it measures 28 inches high, by 24.1 inches wide, by 36.1 inches long. The extra-large version is suitable for dogs weighing up to 100 pounds and measures 28 inches high, by 24.1 inches wide, by 36.1 inches long.
Features: Although we’re listing the Ginny Crate as a wooden dog crate, it is actually constructed from Ecoflex — a polymer made from recycled plastic and wood. This means that it won’t absorb liquids like some other wooden crates will, yet it still looks like regular wood.
The Ginny Crate features long, stainless steel bars on three of the four sides, rather than solid walls or wooden slats. These bars give your dog plenty of ventilation, as well as the ability to look around more easily. They are more durable than the wooden slats used in some other crates.
A single door latch is included with the small and medium versions of the Ginny Crate, while the large and extra-large crates come with two door latches for additional security.
PROS
Most owners who tried the Ginny Crate thought that it looked great, was easy to assemble, and seemed sturdy. We love the inclusion of the metal bars, and the polymer material used in the construction is helpful for dogs who may have the occasional accident. It’s also very affordable, given it’s quality.
CONS
A few owners reported that their dog was able to chew through the materials and escape the crate, so it isn’t a good choice for Houdini-like hounds or those who have destructive chewing tendencies. A few owners also mentioned that the latches weren’t terribly secure.
7. Archie & Oscar Hugh Cushion Durable Pet Crate
About: The Archie & Oscar Hugh Cushion Durable Pet Crate is a great crate for owners looking for something that’ll look great in their home as well as a crate that gives their dog a largely unobstructed view of his surroundings.
Sizes: The Hugh Cushion Pet Crate only comes in one size: medium. It is appropriate for dogs between 25 and 50 pounds, and measures 25.7 inches high, by 32 inches wide, by 23 inches deep.
Features: The Hugh Cushion Pet Crate is made from a combination of laminated, manufactured wood and iron bars. By using bars on all four of the crate’s sides, the crate gives your dog the chance to see what’s going on in the room around him, and it ensures that he has plenty of ventilation too.
This crate features double doors on the front and a single door on the side, giving you great access to your pooch. This also provides additional flexibility with regard to placement of the crate.
This crate also comes with an included cushion that features bolsters on all four sides for extra comfort.
PROS
By and large, owners loved the Hugh Cushion Pet Crate. The metal bars appear durable enough to withstand canine chompers, the double doors are very convenient, and most owners found the crate easy to assemble.
CONS
A few owners were disappointed that this crate was made of manufactured wood and questioned it’s long-term durability. Additionally, a few owners found the door latches to be inadequate for keeping rowdy dogs contained.
Have you ever bought a wooden dog crate? Why did you buy it? Which crate did you buy? Let us know in the comments below!
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