Best Small Dog Kennel (Jan 2023 Update)

The crate had obviously been used and returned. The metal was rusted in places and the plastic bottom tray was dirty. When I decided to return it, It was a challenge to get it back in the box. When I took it back to the store, I asked about a discount and received 15% off (the tax). I had previously bought one that was marked down by 50% because the box was damaged. I was quite disappointed in the whole experience. Apparently the merchandise was supposed to be checked if the box was damaged and that wasn’t done in this case.Janice

I've owned dogs for the last 40 years. I've used MidWest wire crates for my last 4 dogs. This iCrate didn't disappoint. It's sturdy and and easy to put up and take down. I use them when I travel with my dogs too. My dogs only use their crates for sleeping in at night or napping in during the day. During the day, their crate doors are left open. I close the dogs in at night. I don't have an issue with my dogs trying to escape from their crates, so I can't speak to whether or not this would be sturdy enough for a dog that's determined to get out of their crate. These crates are more than sturdy enough for my miniature Schnauzer, Havanese, and Wirehaired Pointing Griffon. All three of my dogs love their MidWest iCrates, as did my previous dog! They go in them voluntarily and when told to "crate up". My only concern with the current crate I ordered is that that one of the latches isn't lined up quite right so it's a bit tight when closing the crate door. I bent it slightly and it works much better. I haven't had that issue with any of the previous MidWest crates I've used. I'm a MidWest crate fan.Eddie09

We bought this in April 2022 for our Rhodesian Ridgeback mix puppy. He was weeks old when we rescued him. He was a Parvo pup and barely survived, so rest and his own quiet space was highly recommended for recovery. We first used the divider which was great. However, as he grew, so did his strength. It definitely is not strong enough for large dogs. Even for short amounts of time. At the moment he is 6 months and 60 pounds. Thankfully he did not get out nor hurt himself! I wish I could share photos of how bent up this crate is and the cracked floor liner. IWifeMomLove

This kennel looks great in your home. It’s much more decorative than a traditional crate. And for the price of why not? Well that’s easy. It’s not as functional as a traditional kennel. I read reviews before buying this, and a lot of those reviews stated that their dogs tore this kennel apart. But I thought my dog shouldn’t have a problem with that because she is crate trained. As a matter of fact she went into her old kennel willingly without anyone asking all of the time. It was her safe space I think. Never tried to break out. But the thing with this kennel is the material that it is made out of is weak and if you’re a pitbull, very soft. My dog chewed the bars out with ease and the fake wood was like bubblegum to her. I love this kennel because of the way it looks in my room but for how strong it is NOT, it is incredibly over priced.BrianaL02

I love the small "escape proof" crate! Its a gem! The price is great especially with free shipping! my chihuahua figured out how to escape from her other crate and caused a huge ruckus in the apt complex. I cant say just how much this crate means alot to me and the neighbors (elderly). My longhair, chihuahua absolutly LOVES it!! Thank you even more for a quick delivery from Fed Ex. Awesome! 😀 Im getting one for my Sib Husky asap! I love the end table part, too! It's very convient and helpful for many things that lack a space in a 1 bdrm apt like stuffed animals, a place to eat or for your guests to put their coffee cups on or even do college homework on. I love it! No my Sib Husky doesnt escape from his crate but, if my chihuahua feels happier, comfy and more secure in it than the other crate then yes, im definitly getting one for my Sib Husky!furkid mama

I was skeptical tht it would be what I wanted but OMG. I was so excited when I saw the size of it and not only does our biggest dog fit comfortably, but all 3 fit into this spacious kennel. This item did not disappoint and in fact, exceeded my expectations. The demensions are perfect for where we keep it and the side door is super convenient. I got it on sale for half price and honestly, I regret not buying one sooner, sale or not. It is fully worth it to not see a big dog sitting halfway up and hunched over cuz he is too tall. His smile is huge cuz he is a GSD that needs the space. The advertisement pic with the Golden Retriever for a size comparison seemed fake to me but there is no exaggeration on the size. It truly is that big & I feel like a better pet parent for having purchased it.Amie MJ

It's fine as long as you keep the door closed. The one thing I really dislike is the door doesn't swing open all the way so, unless it is closed, it sticks out into the room for us to trip over. It should open 180 degrees so it sits flush with the side of the crate. This was true of our last crate, which also made it very simple and quick to remove and re-attach the door if we wanted it off completely. This crate does neither so we live with it sticking out into our walkway, constantly in the way and, when we bump it, swinging closed so our dog cannot cannot get into her crate. She used to enjoy her crate during the day as well as sleeping in it at night. It's her safe space. So, we want her to have 'in and out' privileges all day but this door makes it tough. Frustrating.HCHM

Had to adjust(bend) the bottom catch so wall would not give my dog the opportunity to find a point of egress. He does not care for it. Hoping he will adjust to it. Usual trading methods not working. Since he was mistreated, I assume a cage was used as a means of punishment. Please don't do that to your dog. If you feel he needs punishment, it's most likely your fault and you shouldn't have a dog. They live to please you but need to know what you want through positive reinforcement!Judy Trudy

I love all the ventilation on this crate and the two door option. It has a handle on top and its not too heavy although a little unwieldy. However its pretty compact and my 5 month old toy Aussie Shepherd weighs 14 lbs sleeps in it overnight.Consumer

I love this crate- it’s double doors make it easy and convenient for my golden retriever to get in and out. Valley Vet has the cheapest prices for this product that I could find and it shipped quickly and without damage.Alyssa F

I have two dogs a 6 year old 50 lb medium dog and a new 6 month old 15 lb small puppy. This could technically fit both of them (not at the same time). The medium dog could Get in and be some what comfortable for a short period of time. The small puppy Would have a ton of room. This was super easy to put together and would be just as simple To take apart and travel with if needed. We got a smaller bed in there now but getting a bigger one to add soon. We use this everyday in our Living room for when our puppy (who is very timid) gets Scared or if someone is coming over we can have her go in there. This will be perfect for travel, hotels, camping etc.. I love the handle on top, many other similar kennels lack the handle. It's a perfect home away from home, safe place for any smaller size puppy or dog!!MissBNH

The kennel is a solid plastic with a handle. It’s capable of handling the size and weight of a small dog, cat or other animal. In my case, it was perfect for transporting two adult guinea pigs. You can put a rubber backed bath rug inside, cut down, to keep the pet from skidding around. It’s important that it be rubber backed so the pad doesn’t slide. The handle can be used to put the seatbelt through. The kennel is easy enough to assemble with screws and plastic nuts. You can keep the top off to use it as a bed, or the door off. Both are a good idea if you want to get your pet used to it on their own terms. The lid can also be used for a cat to hide under. If you do use this for housebreaking, the top not coming off easily is going to be a headache for nasty messes. I’m used to the flip locks that other carriers have for stationary use. I in no way feel this is a flimsy or poorly made kennel. I just don’t feel it’s as good as it can be. There are pieces of raised plastic where I expected it to have: a seatbelt holder, storage for poop bags and a compartment with a double dish that attaches to the inside of the cage door. I also don’t like that I was worried about over or under tightening the bolts. I don’t think you will be disappointed as long as you know what you are buying.HomesteadMom

When my dog was a 8 week old puppy I had this in x-small for him. He out grew that and this one seems to be perfect for him. We just used it to take a road trip to New England and New Brunswick Canada. Hubby and I in the front my 20 yr olds in the second row (2captain chairs)and this kennel in the hatch facing the front so we can open the door and let the dog sit with the kids but usually hangs out in his be with his blanket and few toys luggage around him. This keeps him safe and from jumping around it allows for he’s food and or drink. It allowed him to move around in a secured environment. I forgot to say he is a 14# Shorkiepoo. He doesn’t seem to mind it. I believe you can also use the crate on airplane to have the dog in the pet cargo area. I love it for the SUV tripsLyn

What a pleasant experience. This is such a sturdy crate. I have Serama Chickens that are indoor pets and this was just a great buy for a very reasonable price. Although I do not have a dog, there is no doubt in my mind that this cage would be perfect for a small dog.Lori

I purchased two of these "KennelMaster 24" Folding Black Wire 2 Door Dog Crate" and have had them for several months. What a great buy! Super easy to set up: they come preassembled and all folded up. They unfold and set up in a minute. I have one for each of my dogs: a Maltese/Bichon mix and a Chihuahua mix (who looks just like a small German Shepherd). We use their crates for the night time and when we leave the house. These crates are made of very nice thick metal. Incredibly sturdy. The latches are well made and smart-doggy proof. I like that the bottom is solid and can be easily removed and sanitized. My dogs have scratched and nibbled on the bars daily and the crates have held up like new. There are two doors on each crate: one door on a long side and one door on a short side. There's also a handle on top which makes it really easy to move around when I am relocating it, transporting the dogs, or just moving the crates to vacuum and clean underneath. My crates also came with some additional wire dividers that I don't use. I believe they are for making the crate smaller when you have a puppy and removing it as your dog grows. Crates can be really expensive so I was glad to find these at such a bargain price, especially because they are so well made. I know these crates will last many, many years. I have no negative things to say about these dog crates. I would highly recommend them! Please note: I do not put both dogs in the same crate, though they do both fit. The photo shows both in one crate because they both wanted to be in the photo 🙂vrmvrm

Truly a nice furniture kennel. Bought it without reviews, so took a chance. One of the containers was destroyed in shipment, but it’s packed with styrofoam all around so no damage! The locking mechanism seems sturdy. The bars seem sturdy. The boards are strong. The instructions are pictures, but easy to follow along with. My dogs are well behaved in kennel, so not sure how it will stand up with one who’s not. Overall, I’d recommend it!MML

very sturdy and amazing. My dog loves the kennel and it's a great stand for other things along with the cubbys to hold remote or books.Amber

I like the crate but the condition was very poor. (I'll explain below.) The features I like the best are the two doors and that it is big enough for my cat to stand up in it and move around. It’s big enough to make a comfortable bed and add a water bowl. But if an adult cat wants to stretch out completely, including his tail, he won’t be able to, unless his tail is outside the cage. Someone had asked for the dimensions in the collapsed state. In the shipping box, it measures 25”H x 19”W x 4”D and weighs 14 lbs. It has to be collapsed to get it through the doorway of my medium sized 4-door car. But after it's through, and assembled, it leaves about a foot of seat left. Not only does that disqualify it for my original purpose, but it is too cumbersome to carry my cat(s) in it to the veterinarian’s exam room. There is no handle on top of the cage. I often wondered what the handle shaped wire was doing on the bottom of cages. It turns out its not a handle, but a lever, to keep the tray from sliding out of the crate. The assembly was super easy after I realized that there was a black metal divider holding down the short walls of the crate. I forgot that it had one and the instructions gave no indication that one was included. You have to stand the cage upright, and hold it there, while you remove the divider, and then pull up and lock the short walls into place. And speaking of the divider, I don’t think it is safe to use, unless you attach a permanent rubber sleeve, for each of the eight sharp hooks. The hooks protrude in one of the compartments, and this puts the animal in danger, during a rough ride in a vehicle or wagon. If the animal lands on the hooks during a sudden stop, or the cage falls over with the animal inside, the animal(s) would be bruised or punctured in the skin or eyes. Another option would be to take some pliers and close the ends inward towards itself. But in order to bend them, you’d have to decide whether you want it in there permanently. Once it is in there, you can’t use the side door anymore. If you used a rubber sleeve, then it would not only protect your pet, but those sharp hooks wouldn’t scrape the paint off of the crate, while you’re attaching it. In my opinion it’s better to let one adult cat or similar size animal have the whole crate to themselves. Keeping an animal that size in half the space for longer than 15 minutes would be callous indeed. For quality, I was disappointed in the condition of the crate when it arrived. I noticed that the wire frame was bent between the tray and the door, and there were multiple places on the cage, where the paint had been scraped off, while some spots were unprofessionally, painted over. When I called up the Carlson Pet Products, to get two questions answered, I told them the condition the product was in before I used it. A couple days later, a replacement came, but the whole of one side, was corroded. The box itself didn’t have water damage. And even though I was shocked that a customer would receive a product in this condition, I suspect that the company was unaware of the damage to their inventory.Laurie

This is not just a crate to put your pet into, this is a really nice black coated wire crate. It is 48 inches by 33 inches by 30 inches, and has a back plastic tray in the bottom for easy cleaning. The tray is not a thin plastic but gives good support when the pet is in the crate. When you receive it you will find it folded onto itself. After pulling the top section to the side you pull the unit up and you have the bottom with a tray and the back and front and the roof section all together. Now you pull up the end sections and you are done. Now for the best part, you have two very large doors, one on the end and one on the side and they are big enough to get in and clean up the cage, to change bedding and all that we do for our beloved pets. You will be so pleased with the double lock deadbolt style on each door. Most crates are probably used for dogs, but mine will be used for my cat. I needed an area big enough for my cat, his litter box, and food and water. My cat needs a safe place when I have work done in my house as he is scared of strangers and this will provide him his safe place when needed. I set it up in my living room for him to get familiar with it and it did not take long. I save the cardboard that the crate was shipped in to set it upon, until I can get a rug the correct size, this crate at a guess is between 35-45 pounds and is not that heavy but is big to move from place to place. I would recommend you set it up where it is going to be used. This crate is going to provide many years of safety for my cat at present and will be with for any future pets that come into my life. I appreciate the product as a well put together and can tell it is not a one time use, but is meant to be used through many pets. I will tell my friends and family how please I am with this product so they can consider this as an option for their future purchases.dixies2cats

This huge crate for large dogs provides the dog plenty of quality-size, comfort space. Every dog should be able to lie down and stretch fully out to really be comfortable. It is very hard to find and get an extra large (XL) pet “carrier” shipped because shipping the plastic or resin carriers cost as much as the carrier due to shipping companies’ rules. So, XL are not made very much because of shipping costs. Therefore, the steel crate with bars and pan is the best solution for the extra large dog. Newspaper can be laid on the pan to keep fallen hair, and if the dog digs the paper a little, it can be changed. Hair can be vacuumed right off the paper using the weakest suction tool on a vacuum. Hair does not have to go all over. For the large pet who is very active inside the crate, activity could be controlled by hanging newspaper over two or three sides and the top. The dog will believe it is a solid wall and enjoy extra privacy. Also, possibly keep the very active dog in a carrier first to learn his/her boundaries and feel comfortable, then, the dog can get accustomed to the more open crate. The openness of the metal crate gives the dog more association with its people which helps pets get better socialized. It is less the private den than is the pet carrier, and the metal crate seems just like being out with the people comfortably all the time and makes less babysitting necessary for the people. Two doors are greatly convenient for rooms with different space areas. This crate unfolds well, yet when I lifted up the rear panel, it was held in place completely by only two bent metal tabs on the left and right top to keep it from falling back in, and the same for the front panel. On the sides, except for one metal tab of the twelve, all were open and work to keep the end panels from falling outwards, but not from falling in. Big dogs are strong and can bump things a little and those things can move a lot. Because I do not want my beloved dog to ever have the metal panel inadvertently fall in onto him, I must use strong metal hooks to hold the tops of the end panels, additionally in place, so they cannot ever go in on him. Then, I do not have to check the holding tabs every time I put him inside the crate in case he bumped the crate and popped a tab off. With time, if both end panels were to come off the tabs, the ends will fall in, and then the rest of the collapsible cage would collapse down on a dog. Therefore, with my nice strong hooks added, this is a sturdy, very well built cage, and with my care we both love it for a long, long time. Huge, and very, very happy!Maureen

Terribly aligned crate. The latches are all crooked with a big space where they meet. You have to jiggle the latch to get it i to the hole because it isnt aligned to the hole correctly. The door is crooked so it is hard to open. Overall i do not recommend it and I will be returning it todayTeresa

This kennel is perfect for puppies, easy to set up, and durable. This 24” model is just the right size for a small pet. Anything from French bulldogs to Chihuahuas can find solace in this dog home. A kennel should be the last thing you are worried about if you are raising a puppy, so I recommend this one to ease that stress. It is perfect for puppies! This product comes with a divider making the training process much smoother. As most dog owners will come to find the crate must fit the size of your puppy so there isn’t space for a “toilet corner”. Instead of having to upgrade crates as your puppy grows this kennel allows you to move the divider back until your puppy is full grown. The money you will save buying this product rather than upgrading kennels is sure to add up. This crate is easy to set up. It comes in a large box and is already put together. The set up is as easy as expanding the kennel from its’ folded position and attaching the door. You can then insert the divider to make the kennel the appropriate size for your furry friend. The total set up time was less than five minutes. It is very durable. This product can withstand the training process full of usual headaches. An accident or two may happen but this kennel is easy to clean out. It will also hold its’ ground against any biting or scratching your dog might enforce on it. The one downfall of this product is that it doesn’t come with a mat. It only has a hard bottom that would be quite uncomfortable for a dog to sleep on. However, Wal Mart also sells a mat that fits perfectly in this crate. I give this kennel five stars and would recommend it to any small dog owner.Ty

Our little Yorkie loves her kennel and we couldn't be more happy with this purchase. We needed something that we could help her potty train in and also something to sleep in/rest in, when it's night or we are gone. She has had zero issues with it. I love that she doesn't feel like she is trapped in a kennel with no windows (hard kennel). We put a blanket on it, when it's night time and she sleeps great. I was surprised (in a good way) how light it is, yet durable. We have used this to transport her, to my parents house. It's light! But, it's great quality. You can't beat the price. I absolutely love that we can adjust the kennel to her needs. There is a nice pad, on the bottom, but we still put her blanket in with her, for added security. This is a great kennel. You won't be disappointed.Tristen

This kennel looks great in your home. It’s much more decorative than a traditional crate. And for the price of why not? Well that’s easy. It’s not as functional as a traditional kennel. I read reviews before buying this, and a lot of those reviews stated that their dogs tore this kennel apart. But I thought my dog shouldn’t have a problem with that because she is crate trained. As a matter of fact she went into her old kennel willingly without anyone asking all of the time. It was her safe space I think. Never tried to break out. But the thing with this kennel is the material that it is made out of is weak and if you’re a pitbull, very soft. My dog chewed the bars out with ease and the fake wood was like bubblegum to her. I love this kennel because of the way it looks in my room but for how strong it is NOT, it is incredibly over priced.BrianaL02

This kennel will work for now but I fear over time that the weight of a dog laying against the side of it will make it fall apart. Easy to put together…the screws are literally plastic. When I searched for “wooden dog crate” this came up and I purchased it but it’s not wood lol.PorshaPants

The Vibrant Life Pet Kennel came in a box unassembled. It took 5 minutes to put it together. The top section plastic feels a bit flimsy, but the bottom portion seems to easily hold the weight of 15 pounds. It is roomy for a small dog and provides a safe space and easy transport. The top looks like it has compartments which would be nice to store paperwork and a leash, but these do not open. I believe this is a missed opportunity to add a convenient and needed feature. It is washable and has large airholes for your pet. It can be easily disassembled and stored away. Nice carrier.Sismyn

Vibrant Life Pet Kennel, for Dogs Small/Medium, 26in Length Plastic Pet Kennel I have four Chihuahuas that range from 2 lbs up to my fat baby 6 lbs. the small/ medium 26 in Vibrant Life Pet Kennel works great for them. The kennel is made out of a good quality light plastic and has a easy to open squeeze latches. It has a open design at the top so my fur babies can see out and feel comfortable. I am very happy with this pet kennel and so is my family of four chihuahuas.Sissy

My 14 lb Yorkie loves this. I placed a small dog bed inside for comfort. As you can see by the photo, he has room to sit up. I had thought it would be larger and had planned on using it for a safe place for him to sleep (he recently fell out of bed at night, so can no longer sleep with us). However, this is better suited for travel, as there isn’t a lot of room for him to stretch out. When placed in my car,…..I wrap the seatbelt around it to prevent it from moving. Assembly: It went together extremely easily, with every hole lining up and a couple of extra bolts and nuts (for spares?).PyattiG

It is a thin type of material. The sides and such are put together with plastic screws, not metal. A big minus for me was the bottom for the crate. I am using to created train a puppy, I was hoping it had a pan like the metal crates with sides to catch urine. Instead it is just a flat piece that fits inside, leaving gaps around the edges. I'd give it a higher rating otherwise.shellbi

My dog has only used this cage twice and completely broke through the side bars of the cage while we were only gone for 20 minutes max.Tay82

This crate is great for a dog that enjoys being kenneled. The walls are held together with eight plastic screws and the whole thing can be lifted easily by one adult… couldn't be more than 50lbs. The look and feel really isn't that bad… though its obviously the crate is not made of wood. Visually better than the hard-sided crate we had before. Honestly though, the old crate was ment for airplane rides.MomofScottie

This kennel is a must have especially if you have an energetic puppy like I do. We use it when she gets overstimulated from playing. It’s a nice safe retreat for her. We also use it when she’s a little too enthusiastic with my senior dachshund. It gives him a little break. She loves going into her kennel for a rest.dina.h

The perfect size for our needs. Sets up easily and constructed well. We could not find the same brand of cushion to fit, but another brand fit perfectly. Would fold down to transport easily.3pines

We have a powerfully built 40 pound mutt who can muscle her way out of her old crate by popping the single latched door open. We had to add an extra clip to the door to keep her in the crate, which is a pain getting the clip on and off to let her in and out. She can’t gorse the door on this crate open due to the double latches AND the extra “hook” on the tip that holds the latches in place. My little bulldozer can’t open this crate by force and go counter surfing, much to her dismay.TKettle

Got this for a large dog to recover from surgery. Not as strong as a large welded wire portable kennel. It does allow more room to stretch out than the large portable kennel. If your animal needs room to move around, this may be a good kennel. Not super sturdy. Walls will moved out since they are connected with brackets (two each panel). May not be escape proof. No attached floor. Fitted tarp cover is nice. There are no cheap kennels out there. This one was priced okay and shipped free to my door. It was packaged well.CheapTX Guy

This is an extremely sturdy kennel and of high quality. Very easy to assemble. I assembled it myself and completely finished it took me about an hour and a half. The only downside is this kennel doesn't come with anchors that go in the ground to give it that extra firm support, however it doesn't appear to need it, as the kennel is extremely sturdy without them. Highly recommend!Tyler

I bought the medium sized kennel for my Shih Tzu. The size is perfect with plenty of room for him to play. The kennel is sturdy with an easy to operate door. The total time to assemble this kennel was about (1) hour (my husband put it together by himself). You will need something to cut the excess wire (the screws on the door need to be cut back before you can cap them off and the wires that connect the fence to the structure need to be twisted and trimmed to avoid injury). The sunshade DOES NOT cover the entire kennel. which I knew about from other reviews. I left the 2 inch gap near the door so I can stick my arm into the kennel and pet my dog while I walk by. Overall this is a great product! I highly recommend it!22Mommie22

This was simple to assemble, and sturdy. The only issues were small: two spots in the chain link fence, the wires didn't weave correctly so there were holes; and the locking mechanism on the gate is very cheap. I don't think I will use the gate mechanism because my dog could easily push it up and open the gate. All things considered, I recommend this kennel to someone who wants decent quality, and wants to save some money.Austin

I purchased the 4X6X4 Chain Link Kennel for my Flat Coated Retriever. I received it on the day it was supposed to arrive. It was packaged well. All the pieces parts were there and it is a very easy to assemble product. Myself and a friend actually had it assembled in 1/2 hour with the exception of the ties to secure the fencing. I took my time with those. *I am 67 and my friend is 68 two women* Instructions were clear and it really was a joy to put together.Jean

Doors fall out of hinges ridiculously easy. Takes a good 5 minutes of two handed coordination and concentration to put back- while heaven only knows what puppy is up to. Crate is also very loud. Any movement inside causes ridiculous amount of rattling. Wire is flimsy, and easily bent. Won’t make it more than a year, but time will tell. Would NEVER buy this crate again.5Dogs3Cats

I have bought this same crate 3 times in the past 4-5 years. We ordered this one because the first 2 were so great. We have 3 dogs and the old crates are still strong and sturdy. However, the new design is highly disappointing!!! The latch requires lifting to unlatch which means our kids can’t help. Not particularly because of the lift, but because there was no thought to put anything on the hinges. Every time you lift to unlatch, the bottom 2 hinges pop out. The hinges are cheap peg through loop design with nothing stopping the peg from lifting out when you lift to unlatch. We’re really not very happy with this purchase.devanbrookie4

I got my american bully a playpen before he even arrived. When I finally got him, I realized I underestimated his size and weight (for a 3-month old puppy). So I had to look for a sturdy cage that will work for his strength and size. Good thing I found this on petco. What makes this the best is I got it on sale plus 20 off! He’s now enjoying his stay inside his new crate, plus I would not have to worry about him knocking the door off because it’s perfectly sturdy!Bobanovic

Good quality heavy duty cage for my Doberman puppy. The chewed the wires off the regular cage. Only concern is the tray goes under the metal grate at the bottom of the cage. Not good at all. He got his foot pad/toe caught in it. Also his collar caught in it. I forced the tray to go into the cage on top of the grate. Problem solved. Need to have an option of where to put it. Would recommend with supervision of your dog. No collars on when grate is not covered. Good tough cage. Neighbor bought same fir her bull dog puppy same age as my dobie. She likes it also. If wasn’t for grate at bottom would be a 5FLORIDAMOMOF8

*The price was very reasonable and the size/construction was surprisingly sturdy. *As an added bonus, our cage has a side door that wasn't advertised. We almost didn't purchase this one since it appeared to only have the one door at the end. But our cage has a second door that swings out from the side panel. *We have always taken small (4" size) zip ties and secured the corners of our cages to provide added strength – in case dogs paw at the cage. I would still recommend zip ties although the cage seems to snap in place tightly. Of course, if you frequently fold down the cage, replacing zip ties can become cumbersome. *The plastic pan on the bottom is thinner than our last cage, but our dogs have not chewed or scratched at them previously, so this won't be a problem for us. *The carrying handle appears strong enough to lift the empty cage and will be useful. *Upper and lower slide latches are provided on each door. All latches have a rod bent at the end to help secure the latch. In the past, our dogs learned to shake the door until the latch slid over but this new design prevents the latch from sliding open.KYMom

I bought one of these and liked it so much that I just purchased another one. Both are the 42 inch size.I have 2 older 42 inch similar type kennels but they are a different brand and I paid a lot more for them. I think that the BestPet brand wire pet cage/crate/kennels are just as good as the more expensive ones that I have. In fact I was able to purchase two of the BestPet kennels for what I paid for one of the older kennels I have. I like the latches on the Best Pet kennels. They have a little "crook" on the end that prevents the latch from sliding open accidently. But it is easy for a human to open and close. I am an older woman and the kennels are easy for me to move around to the areas I desire to put them. They are sturdy, but easy to handle,and have the plastic slide out tray at the bottom for easy cleaning, I was unsure about this Brand at first because the price was so GOOD that I figured something had to be flawed with this kennel but I was very wrong. I do think it is a good idea to buy a couple of extra plastic trays or if you are crafty cut a piece of heavy duty plastic to have on hand when you change out a tray for cleaning. Plastic is just plastic so a heavy dog could cause damage to the tray .But the trays I got with my kennels are not flimsy at all. The kennel comes with a plastic handle that can be attached at the top. I live in a rural and at night the coyotes and other undesirable critters come out and I have had problems with Tom cats just mauling my young cats. So now I can put my kittens or young cats and puppies in kennels at night and I don't have to worry and fret about what is happening in the dark to them. Also, this will save me money in Vet bills. The cost of just one of the large kennels is about the cost of an office visit to the vet so I am very pleased to wake up each day and know that all of my "babies" are safe and happy. Included with the kennel is a wire divider that can be put in the kennel so you can keep pets separated from each other. I had one particular cat that had an injury that seemed to outsmart me and escape from any cage I tried to keep her in. She can't get out of this Best Pet kennel. I will buy a couple more of the 42 inch size kennels to have on hand because the price and quality is so great and I plan to buy a couple of the smaller wire ones to transport cats and pups to the vet in. I find the plastic cat carriers to be attractive but not so practical when you have a heavy cat or a "wild" cat or unhappy dog that needs an injection from the vet before it can be removed from the carrier to be tended to. These kennels come with a very fair 3 month Limited Warranty. (Send in the Warranty Card !!) Keep your receipt and KEEP THE BOX it came in if you need to return it for any reason.A customer service ph. number is provided. You can also order parts, etc., if needed.Elizabeth

Dog house was very easy to put together. My daughter I had had it up in 30 minutes. Very sturdy It rained the next day and is very dry.Barbara

This is not as pictured! Poor quality!!! Didn't fit to get properly and my 80 pound Dog would tear this up in less than a week 🙁Dale