If your dog is trained to stay in a crate, a plastic dog crate will provide him with a hygienic, portable, and snug den-like place while at home or outdoors. Plastic dog crates are not only affordable but also lightweight which makes them ideal for travel purposes.
Furthermore, they are the best when it comes to house training and the most popular option for air travel. Before looking at our top 5 plastic dog crates for travel and everyday use, let’s look at the benefits of dog crates.
Benefits of Dog Crates
Pet parenting has its share of obligations and pet supplies come to the aid of paw parents. Like other dog supplies, dog crates are specially designed with your pup in mind. Dog crates have numerous benefits to both pets and pet owners.
Whether it’s planning a trip with your pet or just a visit to the vet, dog crates help you achieve a lot of things. With a plastic dog crate, you get to enjoy the following benefits:
- Smooth Travel–what makes plastic dog crates stand out among other dog crates is the ease of travel. Most of the plastic dog crates meet airlines’ cargo specifications making them ideal for air travel. Gone are the days when you had to leave your companion friend behind when traveling to a far and exotic place. With plastic dog crates, both you and your pooch get to experience blissful adventures.
- Den-Like Enclosures–Dogs inherently fancy den-like spaces. Unlike wire crates, plastic crates are more enclosed which provides less visibility. The limited vision creates a comfy and secure space that helps dogs calm their anxiety. Most plastic dog crates have one entry point and so are escape-proof. This helps contain nervous dogs.
- Portability–Plastic dog crates feature a lightweight construction that is easy to move around. Some have wheels attached for easy towing from one place to another. Seamless portability greatly helps when traveling with your pet.
- Safe Containment–Plastic dog crates help pet owners in dog management. Your pup may be the jumpy kind that always wants the user in guests by jumping upon them. To help check the behavior, you can put the pup in a crate when you have visitors. A trip to the vet doesn’t always go down well with some dogs. A plastic dog crate will help contain the pup to and from the vet.
- Post-Surgery Care–After a surgery, your vet will recommend an extended period of calm containment as it helps enhance recovery. What better to do this than with a plastic dog crate? Only let your dog out of the crate to munch and for nature calls. When your pup is recovering, consider using a recovery e-cone to prevent nibbling of the wounds.
5 Best Plastic Dog Crates For Small & Large Dogs
With multiple plastic dog crates present on the market today, choosing the best crate can be challenging especially if you are a first-time pet owner. To make it easier for you, below is a review of the best plastic dog crates for travel and everyday use available.
Lets’ take a look.
#1) Petmate Ultra Vari Kennel
Petmate Ultra Vari Kennel is one of the plastic dog crates for travel and everyday use. The plastic dog crate is specially designed to provide your dog with a safe and snug resting place at an affordable price tag. It ranks among the top and few plastic crates models that meet most airline requirements.
With wire ventilation openings your dog gets ample airflow and maximum visibility, and the door features a secure metal wire mesh that ensures tight security that no dog can break. The locking system is a squeeze latch that the dog can’t open from inside but you can easily open it from the outside.
Furthermore, its lightweight construction makes it a desirable pick for traveling, particularly in the car. With rounded corners, you are assured that your floor or car interior won’t get damaged. It’s also a simple and straightforward crate. No hassle assembling it and no fuss keeping it clean and hygienic.
Moreover, its sturdy plastic shell, metal screws, and covered door posts enhance its durability and security. You can, therefore, rest assured that you won’t get back home and find that your dog broke out of his crate and messed up your kitchen utensils.
Features
- Raised interior to keep the dog safe and snug.
- Heavy-duty plastic construction.
- Sturdy and very durable.
- Easy assembling with no tools required.
- Very convenient for traveling.
- Easy to clean.
- Air travel approved.
- 360 degrees of ventilation and visibility.
- Easy to open front latch door.
#2) SportPet Designs Plastic Kennels Rolling Plastic Wire Door Travel Dog Crate
For its decent quality, innovative design, and convenient mobility, the Plastic Kennels Rolling Plastic Wire Door Travel Dog Crate ranks among the top best plastic dog crates for travel and everyday use. It features a spacious, sturdy, and heavy-duty plastic construction with a steel wire door and metal screws.
It also features removable caster wheels for easy transportation from one point to the other and foldable plastic handles (except small). The crate comes with built-in tie-down points that keep it intact during travel.
Built-in plastic vents provide ample fresh air circulation and better visibility. This crate also comes with an interior moat at the bottom which helps in keeping the spills away from the pet in case of an accident. Its assembly process is quick and straightforward, and the locking snaps hold the two halves of the crate together.
Furthermore, the clean-up process of this crate is very simple. Its versatile construction makes it suitable for everyday household usage and airline or car travel. Lastly, this dog crate fulfills the IATA air travel requirements for cargo hold carriers.
Features
- A premium quality portable dog crate.
- Heavy-duty plastic construction ensures many years of use.
- Single-sided steel door with a spring-loaded latch for easy opening.
- The bottom interior moat collects all spills.
- Convenient removable wheels make mobility easy.
- Easy to clean.
- Built-in tie-down point for secure travel.
- Better ventilation and visibility with openings on all sides.
- Extremely easy to assemble and disassemble with no tools needed.
- Fulfills IATA air travel requirements.
#3) AmazonBasics 23” Two Door Top Load Pet Kennel
This is a stylish dog crate made to provide your pet with the ultimate comfort and convenience while at home or outdoors. Its simple and straightforward assembly process ensures that it sets up in seconds creating a snug and secure environment for the dog. This makes it a convenient option if you are planning an overnight out-of-town visit. With zippered closures, you are assured of safe and reliable dog containment.
The crate features rounded corners to protect floors and car interiors from accidental scratches and it is crafted from heavy-duty plastic with a steel-wire front door for reliable durability and security respectively. For optimum fresh air circulation and great visibility especially during travel, it features ventilation opening on the sides, top, and back.
The smart 2 door design gives you and your dog easy access to the crate. Furthermore, the top and bottom of this kennel are securely attached with 4 latches and the included screws can be used to further strengthen the crate for simple, single hand carrying.
Features
- Leakproof plastic lining to prevent accidental damage to floors and car interiors.
- Spring-loaded latch offers a smooth door opening.
- Simple and straightforward assembly.
- Multi-point latches for added security.
- Multiple ventilation spaces provide ample fresh air and better visibility.
- 2 door design offers easy access and great convenience. Heavy-duty plastic construction guarantees many years of durability.
- Steel wire front door for reliable dog containment.
- Comfortably accommodates small and medium-sized dogs.
#4) Midwest Spree Travel Pet Carrier
You’ll find pet owners who don’t like the idea of putting dogs in a crate but with the Midwest spree travel pet carrier, you can rest assured that your pet will have a safe and snug resting place. As one of the best plastic dog crates for travel and everyday use, the kennel is ideal for both home and travel use.
This crate will make your dog feel like he’s in a den. The crate has a simple and straightforward assembling process and each spree pet carrier comes with a secure and easy-to-use door that opens in both directions for convenient accessibility.
An included built-in handle makes it easy to carry the crate from one point to the other and when it comes to ample ventilation and visibility, this dog crate features multiple vents on all sides.
Furthermore, it is crafted from heavy-duty but lightweight plastic that makes it durable and portable. The pet carrier is also easy to clean and comes in different bright and fashionable colors suitable for various outdoor environments.
Features
- Quick and straightforward assemble.
- A built-in carrying handle makes portability from one point to another.
- Easy to use the door.
- Ideal for indoor and short trip use.
- Heavy-duty plastic construction.
- Easy to clean plastic.
- Vents on all sides provide ample ventilation and visibility.
- Available in bright and fashionable colors.
#5) Aspen Pet Porter Heavy-Duty Pet Kennel
The Aspen Pet kennel is one of the best plastic dog crates for travel and everyday use. Crafted from heavy-duty plastic material, this kennel will enable you to travel far and wide without leaving your dog behind. It’s made to keep dogs safe and snug and its durable performance is everything any dog owner would love to have.
The heavy-duty plastic withstands any wear and tear, and if the dog happens to be an anxious chewer, you can rest assured that he won’t damage this kennel. The ventilation openings in this kennel provide ample fresh air and great visibility for the dog. Its plastic shell is put together with metal screws.
No hassle setting up this kennel because it is quite straightforward and you don’t even require any assembly tools, so it’s a convenient option if you are planning an overnight out-of-town visit. Its construction is not only sturdy but also lightweight allowing secure and convenient travel from one point to another respectively.
With a carrying handle, the portability of this dog crate is also enhanced and you get to easily open its door single-handedly. Furthermore, its plastic material is easy to clean and wipe down and a squeeze latch on a plated steel door makes access into the crate convenient. Lastly, you can trust it to provide the dog with natural den instincts.
Features
- Easy to clean and wipe down.
- Extremely simple and straightforward assembly.
- Ventilation opens to provide ample fresh air circulation and visibility as well.
- Minimized sharp corners ensure the dog’s safety.
- Heavy-duty plastic construction with metal screws ensures many years of use.
- Lightweight design that makes travel easy.
- Accommodates dogs weighing up to 70lbs.
- Easy open latch access door.
Related Posts
- Best Dog Crate Covers
- Furniture-Style Dog Crates
- Best Dog Crates with Dividers
- Best Washable Dog Beds
- Best Dog Beds for Chewers
Best Plastic Dog Crates Buying Guide
Factors to Consider when Choosing the Best Plastic Dog Crates for Travel and Everyday Use
Here are some of the important factors you need to consider when buying a plastic dog crate for travel and everyday use.
-
Dog safety and convenience
The first item that any dog owner should buy before taking on the responsibility of owning a dog is a dog crate. The best plastic dog crate should be one that sets up easily even without the need to use any special tools. It should have easy to open the door while feeding the puppy and allow him convenient access in and out of the crate.
Furthermore, a dog crate that folds and stores away easily ensures convenient storage and transport. It is also important that you get a crate that is easy to clean. Most plastic dog crates are known to be easy to clean up.
This ensures that you get to keep your little companion in a clean and hygienic place. For safety, it should be made of strong materials that a clever and strong dog can’t break and escape.
The edges of the crate should be rounded to prevent the dog from getting injured while moving around the crate. Lastly, if your dog has a problem chewing everything around it, consider getting him a crate with metal slats to mitigate the chewing problem.
-
Size
Once you have settled on a specific dog crate, check whether it’s spacious enough to fit your dog. Dog crates are available in different sizes, therefore ensure that you get an appropriate size that’s spacious and snug enough.
The best crate should allow your dog to walk around without crouching down and be able to comfortably move around when inside it. It should also have plenty of room to stand. Go for the dog crate that is large enough to allow comfortable movements and refrain from getting a crate that’s too big because you will be giving your dog the chance to urinate and defecate due to anxiety.
-
Ventilation and Visibility
The best plastic dog crate for travel and everyday use is supposed to have as many ventilation openings as possible. This ensures that the dog gets ample fresh air circulation especially if you reside in warmer climatic conditions. Inadequate fresh air circulation is known to make the dog over sweat especially in such weather conditions.
It is recommended that you choose a crate with ventilation on at least 3 sides. The crate should also offer adequate visibility to help calm down the dog and enhance visibility especially when traveling.
-
Cleaning and Maintenance
The last thing you would wish for is a dirty dog crate that not only causes a build-up of odor but is also unhygienic for the dog. To prevent any soiling and odor build-up which is both uncomfortable for you and your dog, you will be required to clean up the crate from time to time.
When it comes to thorough crate cleaning, you will need a crate that disassembles quickly. So, pick a crate that is straightforward and quick when it comes to assembling, disassembling, and cleaning up.
-
Dog Crates Additional Accessories
After you have finally decided to settle on a specific dog crate, it is important to add in a few accessories just to provide your dog with extra comfort. Such accessories include dog crate covers to enhance that den feels and offer a serene and private environment, crate trays which are useful when housetraining your pet, and crate casters for moving the crate around with ease.
Read about: Best Collapsible Dog Crates for Travel
Plastic Crates vs Wire Crates
The most common dog crates are either constructed with plastic or metal wires. Each material has its share of benefits as well as drawbacks.
Plastic dog crates have a plastic casing, have metal-wire doors, and have holes on the sidewalls for adequate airflow. One distinguishing feature of plastic dog crates is their lightweight construction. This makes them the most effective travel solution.
The other attribute that swings things in favor of plastic crates is limited visibility. The crates provide a dark enclosure that mimics a den. This helps anxious pups deal with anxiety. Moreover, plastic dog crates are easy to clean. Durability is another vote in favor of plastic dog crates.
On the flip side, plastic dog crates don’t collapse making it hard when it comes to storage. Besides, the plastic material may absorb pet odor which may cause odor accumulation. On the bright side proper cleaning, you will be able to mitigate the problem of pet odor building up.
Another drawback of the plastic dog crates is the construction that doesn’t support the use of crate dividers and litter trays. This makes plastic dog crates poor options for forever homes for your pup as you can only get a crate that is suitable for your dog’s size. Excluding the use of litter, pans make the crates messy if there is an accident.
Metal wire crates are another popular option among pet owners. These crates look like cages and are made of heavy-gauge metal wire. Metal wire crates are ideal for escape artists as they are escape-proof. One of the selling points for metal wire crates is accessories such as litter trays, divider panels, and collapsible construction that facilitates flexible storage and enhanced portability.
The metal wire crates allow 360-degree visibility for your pet. While this may be good for some dogs, it doesn’t auger well for anxious pups. It denies the dog’s privacy which exacerbates anxiety. Fortunately, there is a way to overcome this problem; the use of a crate cover helps a great deal.
Plastic Dog Crates for Travel and Everyday Use FAQs
Q: Which Crates Do Dogs Prefer, Wire or Plastic Crates?
A: Both plastic crates and wire kennels provide a secure and snug resting place for dogs. However, both have their pros and cons and the material you choose for your dog crate is greatly a matter of personal preference.
Q: Are Plastic Dog Crates Good and Safe?
Yes. Heavy-duty plastic crates are not only durable and secure but also convenient and easy to clean. They occupy small spaces inside your home and their lightweight construction makes them highly portable. Plastic dog crate construction is also known to deter chewing behavior common in many dogs.
Conclusion
The versatility of plastic dog crates makes them great for pet owners who frequently travel with their dogs. To help you purchase the best plastic dog crates for travel and everyday use, we have reviewed the best crates available on the market and we hope that you get to love them too.