Dog Crates And How To Choose The Right One
Responsible pet owners always do their research before they look into buying anything for their pets, and dog crates are no different. Dog crates are meant to give both owner and pet security – dogs feel safe in their new “dens” and owners can rest assured their dog is safe and out of trouble while they’re in the crate. But before you buy one, there are some things you need to know about dog crates, like which size you need and what make you want.
Before you do anything else, make sure you know exactly how big your dog is – how tall they are, how long they are, and how much they weigh. A good dog owner will buy their dog a crate that’s large enough for them to stand up all the way, turn around, and lay flat in, and the dog should be able to do all these things comfortably, especially if they are going to spend a lot of time in their crate.
For the smaller dogs, ones between 1 and 12 pounds, look for crates that around 18” to 22” long. Dogs that weigh between 11 and 25 pounds need a crate that is around 24” long. 26-pound to 40 pound-dogs need a crate that is 30” long. “Intermediate” size dogs – ones that weight anywhere between 41 and 70 pounds – need 36” crates, while dogs 70-90 pounds need a whopping 42”. And the biggest dogs, ones between 91 and 110 pounds, need 48”! The bigger the dog, the larger the crate they need. Common crates typically cost around $150 but the price can go up depending on the make of crate and the size of the dog. Remember, your dog wants to be comfortable no matter where they are, so if you’re in doubt, go a size larger – you can never have too much room to move around, after all.
Now it’s time to decide what actual type of crate you want for your dog. To decide that, you have to decide what you’re going to be using the crate for. If you’re planning on using the crate exclusively at home, then get a wire crate. They’re the most common types and are meant to be left in one place. Soft-sided crates, meanwhile, are crates that are meant to be used if you take your dog places such as running errands, etc. They’re light and break down easily if you’re not using them. Travel crates are a bit different – they’re more in the middle, made of strong plastic to keep your pet safe on long trips like airline flights and things like that.
It also wouldn’t hurt to add a few homey touches to your dog’s crate. Hard wire cages should definitely have some padding on the bottom of them – you don’t want your dog sleeping on wire. Throw in some bedding if your home gets very cold at night or the crate is on cold tile; your dog can snuggle and stay warm that way.
Despite what people may think, dog crates are not cruel – as long as they’re used correctly. Don’t keep your dog locked up for an entire day, but a few hours when you’re away at work won’t hurt them! Just make sure to pick out the right one.