Soft vs Hard Dog Crates – Find The Right One For You!

Soft-sided crates are generally constructed from fabrics such as nylon or polyester. They are most suited to small or medium sized dogs, especially for travelling. On the other hand there are two types of hard dog crates – wire dog crates and plastic dog crates. Wire dog crates are constructed from thin metal slats more suited to use at home. Plastic crates are generally a snap together design of a top half and a bottom half and can be used at home or while travelling on an airplane. Both of these hard sided crate designs can be used for all dog sizes.

Continue reading for the full list of pros and cons of each dog crate style so you can make an educated choice about the right one for you!

Table of Contents

Pros & Cons Of Soft-Sided Dog Crates

Advantages	Disadvantages
Very portable as they are very lightweight. They are usually made of polyester or nylon	Dogs who like chewing could eat their way out of the crate. The same goes for dogs who like scratching things.
Excellent for car travel, picnics, camping etc. Fantastic temporary shelter for travel to make your dog feel at home!	More difficult to clean in the instance of a potty accident in comparison to plastic based crates where accidents can be simply wiped up
Mesh windows provide adequate ventilation and air flow. Most designs have roll up sections over the mesh to control the temperature of the crate depending on the weather.	The mesh windows are the weakest point on the crate and the most likely to be damaged by sharp claws. Always remember to have your dog’s nail clipped with high quality nail clippers.
Easy to store as they can be folded	Very smart dogs can learn how to unzip the door.
Generally machine washable	Soft sided crates generally come in smaller sizes and are therefore more suited to tiny, small and medium breeds.
Some products have extra mats that can be washed and changed for proper hygiene

The Best Soft Sided Dog Crates

1. Frisco Indoor & Outdoor 3-Door Collapsible Soft-Sided Dog Crate

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2. Pet Life Hounda Accordion Dual-Sided Collapsible Dog Crate, Pink

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Pros & Cons Of Hard-Sided Dog Crates

There are two main types of hard-sided dog crates – wire dog crates and plastic dog crates. The third type are heavy duty metal dog crates however these are quite rare.

Wire Dog Crates – Pros & Cons

Crate Training a Dog | Best Friends Animal Society

A wire dog crate is primarily composed of metal in thin strips or slats. These crates have one or even up to three doors. Some wire crates can be folded and have a removable tray at the base while others are welded into a singular structure. Other wire dog crates are made from a mix of plastic and metal. One said dog crate is the Diggs Revol Dog Crate which is one of the safest crate designs due to it’s unique diagonal wire structure.

Advantages	Disadvantages
Fantastic crate option for dogs living in hot or humid climates as the ventilation is the best out of all crate options. Also good for long fur breeds and snub nosed breeds that overheat easily.	Noisy crate design due to wire construction. Can be resolved by placing a piece of cardboard between the base and your floorboards/tiles/carpet.
Wire crates have removable floor trays which are quite easy to clean.	Wire crates are the heaviest crate option in comparison to fabric based and plastic crates. The larger the size, the harder it is to transport.
Some wire crate models are flat folding. This is good for storage and increases it’s portability.	Wire crates are not the most attractive crate design.
Your dog is very visible through the wire slat design. This is great when your dog it a puppy and you need to keep an eye out for cues that it is potty time.	Some escape artist dogs can figure out the latch system and open the wire door.
Divider panels can be put into wire crates making this design perfect for puppies that are growing. Invest in one larger crate instead of upsizing as your dog grows!	Not all wire crates are collapsible as some are welded into a three dimensional design. Therefore, wire crates are harder to use for travelling, car rides etc.
Metal crates are very durable. Your dog will not be chewing through one of these.	A wired environment can make your dog feel exposed, cold and more likely to whine. A dog crate cover set can fix this problem! It composes of a blanket that fits over the crate and comfortable lining/padding for the inside.

Plastic Dog Crates – Pros & Cons

On the other hand, plastic dogs crates are composed of multiple pieces of plastic that snap together and form a crate shape. They usually only have one entry point at the front and this is usually a wire door. Ventilation in plastic dog crates are achieved through holes in the sides of the crate and also through the wire door. The biggest difference between a wire dog crate and a plastic dog crate is that the majority of plastic dog crates are airline approved. This means it can double up as a travel crate and a kennel at home.

Advantages	Disadvantages
Plastic crates are available in the widest range of colours in comparison to other crate styles.	Limited air circulation in plastic crates unless there are lots of holes on all sides. Your dog can get hot without proper ventilation.
The hardest crate style to escape from due to solid and slippery wall interiors.	Some dogs like to watch what is happening outside their crate and this is not possible (only through the front door) on a plastic crate.
Plastic crates generally come in a top and bottom piece that snap together. The top can be taken off and stacked inside the bottom for more streamline storage. Moreover, assembly is quite easy.	Plastic dog crates are not the most attractive thing to have lying around your house.
Plastic dog crates are the only style that are airline approved. That being said, you still need to check that your crate complies with the rules and regulations of your airline.	Very hard and uncomfortable interiors unless a dog crate pad/cushion is added on the floor.

The Best Hard Sided Dog Crates

Wire Dog Crates

Plastic Dog Crates

1. Aspen Pet Porter

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2. PetMate Sky Kennel Pet Carrier

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