Soft-sided dog crates are a great choice for many dog owners especially for travel. Read on to learn all the benefits of buying a soft-sided dog crate for your pup and what to look for when buying a soft-sided dog crate.
What Should You Pay Attention to in a Soft Dog Crate?
If you are only used to looking at regular dog crates, what do you need to look for in these newer options?
Before you commit, research the following and you’ll be in good hands:
Size
You need to get your crate the right size for your dog before doing anything else. Too small and it will be too limited and you can certainly get too big if you have a smaller dog, which will also make your animal uncomfortable.
Material
The material usually comes in two forms. The body of the crate is usually made of a washable material, while the windows are made of mesh. Both need to be strong to withstand dog paws, scratches and other things that can happen along the way. You also need to make sure the stitching is good between them because a crate that a dog can just take the mesh out of is about as useful as no crate at all.
Framing
Soft-sided dog crates need to be both lightweight and indestructible. Some of you laugh at the idea that there’s something indestructible to your dog, so the best you can shoot at is strong. Avoid soft crates with plastic frames for all dogs but the smallest, and really any dog that weighs more than 25 pounds should have a steel frame.
Washability
You want to be able to wash the crate as easily as possible to save yourself some time and drama.
Portability
The ability to transport the crate easily comes down to a number of factors. The first is how quickly, easily and completely the crate can break down. Ideally, you can get the whole thing flat pretty easily. For smaller dogs, you’ll also want handles so that you can carry them in their cosy den while transporting them.
Zippers
Lockable zippers are pretty much a must for any smart dog as most will figure out how to undo them quite easily. They also need to be of high quality and smooth to enhance the opening and closing.
Flaps
Flaps that go over the side windows are ideal for dogs who prefer a darker environment. On the other hand, you want to be able to open the sides on hot days for extra ventilation.
Warranty
Warranties are tricky, but here’s the problem: what they really mean is that the company in question is behind their product. The longer the warranty, the more confidence the company has in them and it is important to know that you can replace things if something is wrong in the construction.
Pricing
The price will always drive your purchase, but keep in mind that if you’re going super cheap … you get what you pay for. For the most part, the luxury pet goods brands haven’t really touched on this one, so you generally get what you pay for rather than just a brand name, but you can find something that fits almost any budget and works well.
How To Buy The Best Soft Sided Dog Crate
Now that you have a basic idea of what to look for, how do you find the ideal product for you? Ch eck out this list of the best soft dog crates for your dog.
