Know More About Dog Crates

Dog crates are used to transport dogs while travelling or for security reasons to prevent them from running away or getting lost. Crates are specifically designed to replicate dogs' natural living spaces and provide them a safe place to be in; they are also used extensively to transport pets to a new home or location usually by air transport. Within the home, it is akin to a child's playpen, a safe area where it can be left unattended and secure.

There are in place several rules and regulations for transportation of dogs in crates - size, structure, ventilation and easy access are keys to designing or choosing the right kind of crate for the right dog.

Dog crates come in varying types and many variations within these types and can be sorted according to cost, style, portability and durability. Some of the commonly used types of dog crates are:

• Solid plastic ones are the ones commonly used for travel and transportation purposes, such as by automobile or by air. However, since they are solid they occupy a lot of space and cannot be folded when not in use.

• Aluminum crates come in two types:

1. Fixed 

2. Folding

These are very advantageous as they are solid and strong yet light in weight, provide good airflow especially the ones with bars and do not rust. They are extremely useful as 'dens' for home dogs, in veterinary clinics and hospitals, for travel and in breeding environments such as kennels. Some of the aluminum crates have solid walls while some are fitted with bars; these are chosen depending on the kind of dog, those that feel more secure when able to look out and those that prefer the solid wall 'den' feel to be more secure.

• Wire crates have a wide variety to choose from but can be very heavy too. They can be folded for storage and are usually used in kennels and vet hospitals. They provide all-round ventilation and better outside vision as compared to the solid aluminum or plastic crates. These are especially popular at dog shows where the dogs are displayed for spectators.

• Soft crates are at a disadvantage for dogs that chew fabric although they can easily folded and stored and are extremely lightweight. However they are unsuitable to transport dogs in vehicles as lack of solid shape makes them keel over causing great discomfort to pets.

• Crash-tested steel crates are specifically designed for transporting dogs in SUVs; their crumple zones are aligned with the vehicle crumple zones and can withstand the impact of a crash or an accident. They are unsuitable for transporting pets outside vehicles because of their sizes and are not good for usage in aircraft as well.

• In addition to these, there are dog tents which are seen as an alternative to soft crates. They provide the same advantages as soft crates but can be compressed or folded down and packed compactly as required when going camping or hiking with dogs or for other sports involving dogs.