Dog crates are great tools for home, travel, and training. If you have a small dog and are looking for a good crate that will fit you and your dog’s needs, read on for some helpful tips on how to find the right dog crate for your small dog, and for examples of the some of the best small dog crates on the market.
Comparing the 6 Best Dog Crates for Small Dogs












Carlson Pet Products Foldable Metal Dog Crate
Carlson Pet Products Foldable Metal Dog Crate
- Durable all steel construction Single door design with secure locking system for your pets safety
- Includes a blue removable and washable pan Fold and go system for portability, storage and car travel
- For smaller breeds and puppies, up to 25 pounds
About the Carlson Pet Products Foldable Metal Dog Crate:
The Carlson Pet Products Secure and Foldable Single Door Metal Dog Crate is made from durable steel and comes with a secure multi-point locking system. This crate is designed to fold nearly flat for travel and storage.
Features:
- Multi-point locking system
- Removable tray
- Folds to nearly flat
- Single door at the front
- Quick setup
Tips: This crate comes in several different sizes. Make sure to measure your dog, weigh your dog, and choose the size that fits best. The small size is recommended for small breeds that weigh up to 25 pounds.
AmazonBasics Folding Metal Dog Crate
AmazonBasics Folding Metal Dog Crate
- Dog crate with single-door design for front entry Two slide-bolt door latches for increased safety and security
- Sturdy metal construction; folds flat for easy storage/portability Optional divider panel and removable composite plastic pan included
- Measures approximately 36x23x25 inches (LxWxH) Recommended for medium sized breeds such as Blue Heelers
About the AmazonBasics Folding Metal Dog Crate:
The AmazonBasics Folding Metal Dog Crate comes in a single door version and a double door version. This crate is equipped with two slide-bolt latches on each door and a durable, metal frame. There are mini dividers on the bottom of the crate so your pup’s paws won’t slip through. This wire crate folds nearly flat for travel and storage.
Features:
- Optional divider panel included
- Multiple sizes available
- Dual slide bolt-latches
- Removable plastic tray
- Single door & double door models
Tips: This crate will grow with your dog. The optional dividers make this crate a good option for training your puppy. Choose a crate that will comfortably fit your adult dog or the size of your puppy once fully grown.
MidWest Dog Crate
MidWest Dog Crate
- Includes Free divider panel, durable dog tray, carrying handle, 4 ‘roller’ feet to protect floors & midwest quality guarantee 1 year warranty
- Secure Home: Heavy duty slide bolt latch firmly locks dog crate door in place keeping your dog safely inside their dog crate
- Sets up in seconds w/ no tools required for assembly & folds flat for convenient storage or travel.
About the MidWest Dog Crate:
The MidWest Dog Crate includes the crate, a crate cover, two bows, and a dog bed. The MidWest crate is equipped with double doors, an optional divider panel, four roller feet, a carrying handle, and a leak-proof removable tray. This crate is great for small dogs or puppies.
Features:
- Divider Panel
- Heavy Duty Bolt Latch
- Folds Flat
- One Year Warranty
- Removable Tray
Tips: The optional divider panel allows this crate to grow with your dog.
Zampa Portable Foldable Pet Pen Kennel + Carrying Case
SLEEKO Luxury Pet Carrier
- Designed for travel, this under seat carrier for cats and dogs is 17.5” x 10” x 11.9” for in-cabin airplane storage
- Enhanced Breathability and Comfort – Each soft pet carrier features mesh windows for added ventilation
- Crafted with a tear-resistant mesh and heavy-duty polyester fabric, these collapsible cat and dog carriers support small pets up to 11 lbs.
About the Zampa Portable Foldable Pet Pen Kennel + Carrying Case:
The Zampa Portable Foldable Pet Pen is designed for traveling with your small dog. This portable travel crate is made with tear-resistant mesh and heavy-duty polyester fabric for your most rambunctious puppies or small dogs. This crate is designed to be an under the seat carrier for pets on an airplane and meets all of the standard FAA requirements for in-cabin air travel.
Features:
- Mesh Windows
- Reflective Strips
- Reinforced Safety Zippers
- Seat Belt Buckles for Car Travel
- 2 Color Options
- 2 removable ultra-plush fleece sleeping pads
- 3 Quick Access Openings
Tips: This crate is made to support small dogs and puppies that weigh up to 11 pounds and are up to 17.5” long, 11” tall, and 10” wide.
Petmate Two Door Top Load
Petmate Two Door Top Load
- This pet carrier meets most airline cargo specifications. The air travel kennel for dogs & cats also has a durable.
- we at Petmate are passionate about our dogs, cats & furry friends in general.
- Petmate makes a variety of pet products for dogs, cats, chickens & other small furry friends!
About the Petmate Two Door Top Load:
The Petmate Two Door Top Load crate has a top entry door for you to easily reach in and pick up your pup. This crate is equipped with an ergonomic comfort-grip handle and ventilated sides to keep you pup comfortable.
Features:
- Comfort-Grip Handle
- Ventilated Sides
- 4 Color Options
- Top Entry Door
Tips: This crate meets most airline specifications so you can take your small dog on the plane.
2PET Foldable Dog Crate
2PET Foldable Dog Crate
- All-in-One dog crate for indoor, outdoor, training & travel purposes
- The steel frame is covered with a water resistant, soft Oxford 600D fabric cover (a nylon variant) that is fully removable
- Thanks to the well-designed bone-shaped windows & mesh panels, this foldable dog crate maintains perfect natural ventilation
About the 2PET Foldable Dog Crate:
The 2PET Foldable Dog Crate is soft, durable, and easy to fold and carry with you. This crate is designed for both indoor and outdoor use. This dog crate is equipped with a steel frame that is covered with a water-resistant Oxford 600D fabric cover. This crate also has a full front zipper that dogs cannot easily unzip or chew on.
Features:
- Top Handle for carrying
- Bone-shaped windows
- Mesh Panels
- Waterproof floor mat
- One Year Warranty
- Steel Tube Frame
- Washable Fabric Cover
Tips: The soft, fabric cover is removable and machine washable.
What Size Crate is Best for a Small Dog?
Extra Small Dog Crates
Extra Small Dog Crates
- Includes FREE divider panel, durable dog tray, carrying handle, 4 “roller” feet to protect floors
- DOG CRATE ideal for “TOY” dog breeds w/ adult weight up to 6 pounds | Convenient divider panel allows crate to expand as your dog grows
- Heavy duty slide-bolt latch firmly locks dog crate door in place keeping your dog safely inside their dog crate
If you have an extra small dog, you may want to get an extra small dog crate. These dog crates are made for extra small dog breeds including the Pug, Jack Russel Terrier, Chihuahua, Maltese, Shih Tzu, Pomeranian, Boston Terrier, and the Yorkshire Terrier. If your dog weighs between one and ten pounds, an extra small crate is most likely the right size. Extra small dog crate example dimensions: 22L x 18W x 19H
Small Dog Crates
If your dog weighs between 11 and 25 pounds, a small dog crate will most likely be the best fit for your pup. Small dog crates are made for small dog breeds including the Maltese, Border Terrier, Tibetan Spaniel, Miniature Dachshund, and the Miniature Poodle. Dimensions for a small dog crate example: 24L x 18W x 21H. As you can see, the dimensions of a small crate and those of an extra small crate are similar. The big difference is the weight limits for an extra small crate are ten pounds or less, while small dog crates can usually accommodate a dog weighing up to 25 pounds.
What to Look for in a Small Dog Crate
The first thing to consider when shopping for a dog crate for a small dog is whether your dog is a puppy that will grow into a much larger dog, or if your small dog is already fully grown. If you are getting a dog crate for a puppy, you’ll want to consider how large your pup will likely become once full grown, get a crate to accommodate your dog when fully grown, and make sure the crate comes with a divider panel. Divider panels are great because they make it so the crate will grow with your dog. You can close off part of the dog crate so your pup still gets the benefits of a small crate, but you won’t have to buy a new crate every time your dog has a growth spurt.
What Kind of Dog Crate is Best for Your Dog?
2PET Foldable Dog Crate Small Biscuit Beige
- dog crate for indoor, outdoor, training & travel purposes.
- The steel frame is covered with a water resistant, soft Oxford 600D fabric cover
- Being absolute pet lovers, we donate a portion of sales to various pet shelters & charities – With a 1-year warranty against manufacturing faults in place.
There are a lot of different kinds of small dog crates available. If you are uncertain what kind to get, you may want to think about your dog’s behavior and temperament. For instance, if your dog is an aggressive escape artist, you’ll need a strong, chew-proof dog crate. On the other hand, if your dog is docile and friendly you may want to choose an airy wire crate.
There are a ton of different types of dog crates for small dogs to choose from. No matter what kind of dog crate you choose, the most important thing is that your dog is comfortable and secure in their new dog crate.
Wire Dog Crates
Wire dog crates are some of the most popular types of dog crates for small dogs. These types of crates are good for breathability, visibility, and many of them fold flat when not in use. An added bonus to wire crates if you are looking to get one for a puppy, is that many have divider panels so you can buy one crate to grow with your puppy.
Soft-Sided Foldable Dog Crates
Soft-Sided Foldable Dog Crates
- includes free divider panel, durable dog tray, carrying handle, 4 ‘roller’ feet to protect floors & midwest quality guarantee 1 year warranty.
- Medium double door folding dog crate ideal for dog breeds w/ adult weight of 26 to 40 pounds.
- Durable design creates a safe place for your pet while you’re away & caters to your dog’s natural “den” instincts
If you are looking for a great dog crate for traveling with your small dog, you may want to consider a soft-sided foldable dog crate. These types of dog crates are typically made with a metal or PVC tube frame and fabric or mesh walls. The perks of soft-sided crates include being lightweight, portable, easy to take on the go, and they don’t take up much room in storage.
Plastic Dog Crates
Plastic Dog Crates
- All-in-One dog crate for indoor, outdoor, training & travel purposes.
- The steel frame is covered with a water resistant, soft Oxford 600D fabric cover (a nylon variant) that is fully removable & machine washable.
- Being absolute pet lovers, we donate a portion of sales to various pet shelters & charities – With a 1-year warranty against manufacturing faults in place.
Plastic dog crates are usually more lightweight than wire dog crates, but are not as light as soft-sided dog crates. Plastic dog crates are often designed for air travel. If you are planning to take your dog on an airplane, you may want to consider and airplane friendly plastic dog crate.
Final Thoughts on the Best Dog Crates for Small Dogs
Petmate Two Door Top Load
- This small dog kennel has a top entry door so you can access your cat or dog. Suitable for small dog breeds between 10-20 lbs. Measures: 19″.
- kennel training is vital for dog safety & comfort. We provide traditional travel carriers, wire training & exercise kennels, play pens, barn-style dog houses & more
- we at Petmate are passionate about our dogs, cats & furry friends in general. Starting with the very first dog kennel.
With all of the options for dog crates available, it may be hard to choose the right one for your small dog. Just remember to keep your dog’s comfort, behavior, and needs in mind to help you stay focused and make shopping for your next dog crate a little easier.
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