5 Reasons Why Your Furry Friend Deserves the Best Crate on the Market
Posted by STEPHANIE PATERSON
More than Just a Pet Crate
It often starts as a practical choice …
Your new pup soils a rug while you’re off at work.
“Man’s best friend” chews through a pair of expensive shoes.
Your anxious dog digs his way out of the backyard and ends up at the neighbors.
Whatever the case may be, animals often end up in cages (or “crated”) in order to curb undesirable behavior and keep them calm. In short, we do it because we need to set boundaries with our pets. However, you’re also setting the kind of boundaries that they need as well.
After all, dogs are driven by their instincts. Remember; even the cutest of terriers, poodles and other mini breeds are still descended from domesticated wolves. Wolves that historically like to sleep in caves, crevices, and other enclosed areas that provide the same basic comfort and security as a solid pet crate will.
So, while the average human might see a crate as a restricting environment, your dog probably sees the opposite - a luxurious safe room all their own. However, you need the right crate to ensure your pet’s mental well-being.
But what kind of crate is best?
What features will ultimately help your animal to feel more at home … and help you make the most out of your investment?
Today, we’re going to look at a few of the important benefits of a good dog crate for your animals, along with a few key features you should always be looking for to get the most out of your dollar.
Reason #1: Security Makes Them Happy
Dogs are always on high alert and constantly mindful of threats - it’s part of their survival instinct that never quite turned off. Even when they’re shuffling the sheets in your bed to get comfy before falling asleep. This stems from that same basic instinct that drives their wolf ancestors to sleep in caves. Ever noticed your dog turning in circles before going to sleep? That’s because of the natural instinct to tramp down a small circle of grass, or clear a small pad of dirt before tucking in for the night.
Remember, they’re dogs and don’t understand your expensive home security system or the low crime statistics in your neighborhood. But what a dog can appreciate is a well-built crate or cage. Heavy-duty steel construction can be a serious upgrade from the plastic room dividers or baby gates that some pet owners use to section off an animal’s space.
The more secure the enclosure, the more secure the animal will feel inside of it.
Reason #2: Open-Door Policy
While a good high-quality crate is one of the most secure environments for your animal, it can provide other benefits as well.
Remember, this is essentially your animal’s “safe space,” and it’s the kind of place they might want to spend some quality time with their favorite toy. They should be free to come and go as they please, with flexible options depending on the size of your animal.
Classic front-loading crates tend to have the one massive front entrance. This works well for larger breeds, but smaller breeds and puppies can be a little intimidated by such a wide-open space. More and more often, new cages are transitioning to a more flexible multiple-door situation that works well for any size of dog.
Additionally, the size of the cage can affect the overall comfort of the animal. So, a smaller 36" L X 24" W X 29" H cage might be great for miniature breeds, while a 48" L X 33" W X 37" H cage is perfect for bigger pups. Remember that the size of the cage will determine the size of the opening.
That might be the kind of feature you dog doesn’t pay any attention to at all. But it also might be something your animal hyper focuses on. It’s hard to know until you try.
Reason #3: Keep Things Fun and Flexible
If there’s one thing that both dogs and cats can agree on, it’s laying out in the sunshine for hours at a time. The sheer luxury of soaking in the outside world can really make your furry friend’s day.
As the seasons change, so too do their favorite spots, so it’s important to have a cage that can keep up with the sights, sounds and smells of a crisp new day. Maybe they like to spend the Spring underneath an open window, or have their home moved over to the living room to catch a lovely Fall sunset. It certainly sounds romantic; until you try to drag a heavyweight cage from one room to the next.
That’s why it’s best to think about mobility beforehand. Also, make sure to find a solution that has locking wheels, so it can be moved with ease but trusted to withstand the shifting of a heavyweight tenant.
This is a universal must-have feature, because new sights and sounds keep things fresh, leading to less boredom and more security for your pup.
Reason #4: Because Keeping It Clean Makes Everyone Happy
We love our animals, which mean we don’t mind cleaning up after the occasional mess.
But if there’s any way to avoid that and make things easier, and perhaps even more comfortable for our pets, then it’s a must-have. That’s why you’ll want to make sure you get a crate with a removable tray for waste. Ideally, you’ll want something that’s stain- and rust-resistant to ensure longer-lasting durability.
These may seem like minor details at first, but if your pet falls in love with their cage they may relax in that space for long hours over the course of years. Which leads us to…
Reason #5: Built to Last
Few things are more reliable than our favorite pets ripping up their favorite toys.
Whether you’re talking about chew toys, dog beds, or their crate, it’s important to buy products that’re built to last rather than skimping on quality to save a few dollars. Pay close attention to the details when you’re buying a new home for them. Especially when it comes to special coatings or finishes.
A good tip for judging build quality is to see whether the crate is rated for indoor/outdoor use, or just indoor only. Much like heavy-duty patio furniture, indoor/outdoor cages are built to withstand the elements, and practically anything else your animal can throw at them. They may cost a little extra, but you won’t have to replace them nearly as often (if ever) even with frequent use.
After all; this isn’t just about getting the best possible value. It’s also about avoiding that day where you have to scramble to replace your pet’s favorite spot overnight.
Where to Buy a Pet Cage
As you can see, it’s pretty important to drive a hard bargain when it comes to your favorite pet’s miniature “condo.” The benefits of a good pet cage are pretty impressive.
But altogether it’s not too much to ask for the best dog cage in the market. Your pet deserves durable construction, with corrosion-resistant finishes, a practical way to handle pet waste and a flexible entry system. So where can you find something that meets all these criteria? Mix Wholesale, that’s where. It’s important to shop around and consider the reviews, but we promise you won’t find a better crate on the market.