Is your dog an escape artist? If you come home to find your furry friend has gotten out of their crate and most likely destroyed the crate and several things around your house in the process, you may need to re-think your dog’s crate. The good news is there are a lot of really great, durable dog crates to choose from that will keep your pup safely inside.
Compare the 6 Best Heavy Duty Dog Crates
| PRODUCT | PRICE | SIZES | MATERIALS | BEST FOR |
| MidWest Homes for Pets Dog Crate | $19 | 18″, 22″, 24″, 30″, 36″, 42″, 48″ Single Door Double Door | Steel Wire | Slide Bolt Latches |
| SMONTER Heavy Duty Dog Crate | $210 | 38”, 42″, 46”, 48″ Single Door | Reinforced Welded Steel | Welded Steel Frame |
| KELIXU Heavy Duty Dog Crate | $190 | 38”, 42″, 46” Single Door | Steel Frame | Indoor/Outdoor Use |
| SMONTER Heavy Duty Y Crate | $200 | 38”, 42″ Double Door | Welded Steel | Bite Proof Y-Pattern |
| Haige Pet Heavy Duty Dog Crate | $270 | 41”, 42” Single Door | Steel Frame | Safety Buckle Locks |
| ProSelect Empire Dog Crate | $370 | Medium, Large Single Door | Steel Frame | Grated Floor |
About the 6 Best Heavy Duty Dog Crates
MidWest Homes for Pets Dog Crate
About the MidWest Homes for Pets Dog Crate:
The MidWest Homes for Pets Dog Crate comes in single door and double door models. This crate is made from strong metal and is foldable for convenient transport and storage. There are two heavy-duty slide-bolt latches that are designed to stay put.
Features:
- Divider Panel
- Removable Tray
- Carrying Handle
- 4 Roller Feet
- One Year Warranty
Tips:
This crate is easy to assemble with no tools.
About the SMONTER Heavy Duty Dog Crate:
The SMONTER Heavy Duty Dog Crate is made with a non-toxic re-enforce steel frame that is treated with a multi-tone hammer-tone coating to help the crate resist corrosion, scratches, and rust so you can use this crate indoors and outdoors. All the parts of the frame are welded together to keep your pup safely inside. Comes in two colors; black or silver
Features:
- Two locks with safety buckles
- Re-enforced, welded steel frame
- Non-toxic coating
- 4 Wheels
- Removable (slide-out) plastic tray
Tips:
The crate ships semi-assembled. When you get it, you’ll just have to secure the screws and add the wheels.
About the KELIXU Heavy Duty Dog Crate:
The KELIXU Heavy Duty Dog Crate is designed for indoor and outdoor use. This crate has double doors and lockable wheels. The KELIXU Heavy Duty Dog Crate is made with rust-resistant and corrosion-resistant steel.
Features:
- 360-degree rotating, locking caste wheels
- Removable (slide-out) plastic tray
- Steel Frame
- 4 Caster Wheels
Tips:
This crate is easy to clean because it comes with a removable plastic tray that you can slide out to quickly clean out any spilled food or excrement. This crate comes with assembly instructions and a hardware pack.
About the SMONTER Heavy Duty Y Crate:
The SMONTER Heavy Duty Y Crate is made with a unique, escape-and-bite-proof Y-pattern design. There is a double lock with safety buckles for additional security.
Features:
- Double Doors
- Metal Frame (Welded Steel Bar)
- Non-toxic finish
- Removable (slide-out) plastic tray
- 360-degree rotating, locking caster wheels
Tips:
This crate is shipped partially assembled. You will need to screw it together.
Haige Pet Heavy Duty Dog Crate
About the Haige Pet Heavy Duty Dog Crate:
The Haige Pet Heavy Duty Dog Crate is made with rust and corrosion-resistant steel and a non-toxic finish. There are two locks with safety buckles to prevent your pup from opening the door.
Features:
- 2 Locks with Safety Buckles
- 360-degree rotating, locking caster wheels
- Single Door
- Removable (slide-out) Plastic Tray
Tips:
All of the hardware needed to assemble this crate is included. You will just need to attach the wheels and screws.
About the ProSelect Empire Dog Crate:
The ProSelect Empire Dog Crate is made with strong, re-enforced 0.5-inch steel tubes and 20-gauge steel. This crate is designed with a grated floor and removable tray.
Features:
- Removable caster wheels
- Removable tray
- Reinforced steel
- Grated floor
Tips:
The grated floor and removable tray make it easy to keep clean.
How Do Dogs Escape from Their Crate?
It may be a mystery how your dog keeps getting out of their crate. To figure out what kind of crate will work best for your pup, you’ll need to solve the mystery of how they are escaping from the current crate.
There are a lot of ways your dog can escape from a poorly constructed crate, but the following are some of the most common:
Dogs Like to Chew on Connectors and Wires
If you have a standard wire crate with metal connectors that hold the sides in place, your dog may be getting out from a door that is not mounted onto the crate completely. Dogs can jiggle these loose pieces free and jump through the opening created by the missing connectors.
Dogs Learn How to Open the Latch
Dogs can learn how to manipulate and open the latch after a while. If you see your pup chewing on the lock, you may want to try another type of crate.
Dogs Use Force to Push Through
You may think only large dogs can bend bars apart on their crate. Surprisingly enough, even small pups can use their weight to push bars on flimsy crates apart. Some dogs will use their teeth to work on the bars, while others will push their head between the bars until they can push all the way through. This is dangerous because they might get out, but it’s also scary that they might get stuck with their head in the bars.
Shopping Guide for the Best Heavy Duty Dog Crates
If you are a pet parent of an escape artist, you will likely need to upgrade to a heavy-duty crate at some point for your dog’s safety and your sanity. Heavy-duty dog crates are designed to stand up to the best escape artists, from chewers to bodyweight champions, to those stubborn enough to get the door open. That being said, not all heavy-duty crates are well-crafted or completely effective. There are, however, some things to look for to make sure you are getting a quality crate.
What is Your Dog’s Crate Made of?
The materials your dog crate is made from will have a significant impact on how well the crate stands up to your dog. Look for heavy-duty crates that are made from metal. Crates with plastic panels may be more than enough for a docile pup but won’t hold against a rambunctious escape artist.
There are a lot of strong crates that are made from steel wire that will hold up to most dogs but may not withstand a stubborn pup determined to get out. For the heaviest of heavy-duty, look for crates that have solid walls with small ventilation holes throughout instead of the conventional wire crates.
Make Sure Your Dog’s Crate Has Good Ventilation!
It is important to note that proper ventilation should be a priority over your dog’s security. Your pup must be getting enough airflow to keep them comfortable and healthy. Crates that don’t have proper ventilation can get damp and wet, causing bacteria to grow. If you live in a hot, dry climate, poor ventilation can cause your pup to get overheated in their crate.
Look for Crates with Good Locks
Look for crates that have door latches your pup cannot reach. A lot of dogs learn how to manipulate the standard barrel locks. For this reason, you may want to get a heavy-duty dog crate that has more intricate locking mechanisms that your dog won’t be able to open.
Final Thoughts on the Best Heavy Duty Dog Crates
If your pup is an escape artist, you will benefit from a heavy-duty dog crate. With all of the dog crate options on the market, you now know some key things to look for when you go shopping for one. Look for sturdy, durable materials, complex or two-step locking mechanisms out of your dog’s reach, and well-constructed frames that allow for proper ventilation while keeping your pup safely contained. Hopefully, these guidelines will help you find the crate that is right for you and your dog!
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