We humans love to have a place to call our own, and so do dogs. They need somewhere to sleep, rest after a long walk, or simply relax. A dog crate is one option for this, and it can also be a place to lock them in, so they are safe and secure when you go out.
However, many dog crates are all too easy to escape from, so to solve that issue we are going to review 5 of the best escape proof dog crates and help you choose the right one for your dog.
Quick Navigation
Comparison Chart
Best Escape Proof Dog Crate Reviews
ProSelect Guardian Gear Empire Dog Cage
If you have been looking for an escape proof dog crate that is strong enough to hold a medium or large sized dog, then this ProSelect dog crate may be the answer. This is a crate that is built to last and is certainly not one that your dog can get out of easily.
Product Highlights
Above, we said that this dog crate is strong but that might not be doing it justice. This crate is ultra-strong, and any medium or large dog which is locked inside has literally no chance of escaping.
The steel used for the frame of the crate is further reinforced by 0.5-inch tubes, so it is certainly built to last; its strength is such that even the biggest and meanest of dogs are no match for it, regardless of how desperate they are to escape.
Not only does your dog have little chance of escaping through the bars, when the door is closed and locked, escape is a forlorn hope as well. The reason for this is the two sliding latch bolts, which are also made from toughened steel. Once you slide these across, even if your dog tries to force open the door, the bolts will stand up to that force.
The floor of the crate has a metal grill, and underneath there is a removable tray. This helps you to keep the area underneath and around the crate clean, as any fur which your dog has shed will fall through the slats and into the tray, rather than onto your carpet or flooring.
If you ever need to move or transport the crate, with your dog inside it or not, there is no need to hire a forklift truck to lift the weight. Instead simply push it as you would a tea trolley, thanks to the casters on the base. Once in position, you can remove the casters so that the crate sits securely on the floor.
Sale
ProSelect Empire Cages - Medium
- 20-Gauge Steel Cage - This ProSelect Empire dog cage is extremely strong with reinforced 0.5-inch diameter steel tubes and 20-gauge steel
- Medium-Sized Cage - This cage features interior dimensions of 35.75 inches x 23.5 inches with 24.5 inches of height; a large sized cage is available too
- Floor Grate With Tray - Cleanup is easy with this ProSelect dog cage because of its grated floor with tray
- Removable Casters - You can attach casters to the bottom of the cage to allow for easily rolling the cage to other locations or leave the casters off for added stability
- Durable Dog Cage - The Empire cage will stand up to the toughest abuse from the largest dogs with strong latches and thick steel construction
The Good
The strength this crate offers is awesome, thanks to the materials used to construct it. This is no flimsy dog crate by any means and should certainly be escape proof.
The Bad
The bars on the floor look, and probably are, uncomfortable for your dog to lie on. Many owners may choose to use a blanket or bedding inside to resolve this.
PROS
CONS
CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON.COM
Zinger Winger Aluminum Dog Crate
The Zinger Winger dog crate is made with high-grade aluminum, which gives it two very desirable qualities. The first is that it is strong, which you'd expect of an escape-proof dog crate, and the second is its lightweight, which enables it to be moved easily.
Product Highlights
We mentioned it can be moved easily, and this will be most useful, whenever you need to take your dog on long journeys. This dog crate has been approved for use on airlines, so being escape proof, and light enough to carry, helps whenever you wish to fly with your dog.
Although it is lightweight, the Zinger Winger dog crate certainly does not lack any strength. The aluminum used is such that any dog who tries to use their teeth to chew through it, has little chance of succeeding. The strong attributes of the dog cage also include the door latch which is flush mounted and locked using a key, making it extremely secure.
Making sure your dog is comfortable inside is effective in keeping them relaxed and therefore less prone to wanting to escape. The crate has excellent ventilation, including holes in the top and sides, so there is plenty of air circulating. This should prevent any chance of them getting hot and restless.
The entire surface of the crate has a special coating which resists corrosion, therefore prolonging the life of the product. This coating also makes it very easy to wipe both the inside and outside of the crate clean, and in turn makes it a fresher and more appealing place for your dog to sleep or relax in.
The Good
The construction of the crate is modular, which means multiple crates can be placed together. This allows those who have more than one dog to buy a crate for each one, and place them next to, or on top of, each other.
The Bad
The current shipping cost is $100 which is very high in comparison to other dog crates of a similar size.
PROS
CONS
CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON.COM
Diamond Deluxe Aluminum Dog Crate
This very distinctive dog crate is ideal if you have a dog which you often need to carry somewhere. It has a handle, plus it is made from high-quality lightweight aluminum, so the weight of the crate should not hinder you from carrying it.
Product Highlights
The manufacturers of this crate have ensured that it has the strength needed to make it fit for its purpose, while also light enough to be carried whenever that might be required. The main material used is aluminum which has the properties to provide the strength and lightweight qualities we've just mentioned. Another benefit of using aluminum is that it will resist corrosion, especially if you plan to use it outside, where there is likely to be more moisture.
The lightweight nature of the crate helps it to be carried as we've already said, but what makes it especially so, is the handle located on top. Admittedly with your dog inside it will take a bit of effort to lift the crate, but it is certainly made a lot easier with the handle being there.
One understandable worry many dog owners have about placing their dog in a crate is safety and comfort. One of the primary concerns is the danger of them overheating. Thankfully, most crates address this with ample ventilation holes, and with this crate from Diamond Deluxe that is the case. There is a large ventilation grill on each side of the crate so plenty of air can circulate to keep the temperature at a comfortable level.
In terms of ensuring that once your dog is in the crate it stays there, rather than escaping, the strong construction will see to that. Even if they try to get out via the closed door, it's highly unlikely they will. This is due to the T-handles which not only keep the door firmly closed, but are lockable as well, preventing them from opening inadvertently.
Diamond Deluxe~Aluminum Single Hole Dog Box, Dog Crate, Dog Carrier, Dog House - medium
- Made with welded diamond tread aluminum, carrying handle
- Sturdy door, with locking T-handle, covers on the vent
- Corrugated Plastic insulation on exterior walls, roof and floor
- 17" Wide X 30" Length X 20" Tall
- Made in the USA ~ will ship residential
The Good
Lightweight with a handle on top makes this dog crate easily transportable for those owners who like to take their dog with them when travelling.
The Bad
Despite its size and portability, this crate is not airline approved which you would expect of a product of this nature.
PROS
CONS
CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON.COM
Choco Nose H315 Pet Travel Crate
For those with small dogs and puppies that need a means to carry or transport them, this Chico Nose travel crate is a great solution. It has thick padding to make your pet comfortable and is also very durable.
Product Highlights
One of the features which a lot of consumers look for in any sort of product they are buying is its simplicity. Well if that sounds like something you look for yourself, then you are in luck with this dog crate. It requires no assembly whatsoever, so you can have your dog inside, and getting accustomed to their new crate within seconds of receiving it.
If that sounds simple, then actually using and maintaining the dog crate is also very easy. The interior has a plastic insert, which is padded and acts as a comfortable floor for your dog to sit or lie on. Anytime you want to clean this insert or freshen the crate up for your dog, all you need to do is remove the insert, and give it a quick wipe.
Another feature which makes staying in the crate more comfortable for your dog is the amount of ventilation that it gets. All four sides, plus the top of the crate have grills or slats to allow air to circulate through.
This ensures your dog stays nice and cool whilst they are in there. These also allow you to see your dog, but more importantly allows them to see you which helps keep them calm. Obviously, there are some dogs that are not keen on staying inside a crate, even if it is to allow them to travel with their owner.
Thankfully, this crate has a push button lock on the main door, which virtually eliminates any chance of your dog escaping from it. In addition to this, the clips and fasteners for the top opening are hidden, so your dog cannot target them for chewing in order to create themselves a means of escape.
Sale
Choco Nose Pet Travel Set. Durable Top Load Pet Travel Kennel, Carrier, Crate for Pets Under 12 Lb, Small to Mini Sized Dog, Cat, Rabbit, Chinchilla. Portable Water Bottle & Pet Bowl (Blue)
- Measurement: 19.8 inch(L) x13.2 inch(W)x11.8 inch(H)
- No tool assembly pet carrier. Clips and hidden fasteners on the side perfectly secure the carrier
- Top load design provides ventilation and visibility for pets. It also allows for easy loading of your pet
- Plastic padded insert makes it easy to clean. Push turn button lock improves safety by minimizing risk of escape
- Ready to go Pet Travel Set: Choco Nose H258 Small Pet Portable Water Bottle and Non Skid Pet Bowl 7oz
The Good
Despite its diminutive size, this crate is very sturdy and will stand up to the odd bash and bump as it is carried around.
The Bad
We were surprised by how heavy this crate is, compared to others of its size and type. Not so heavy as to make it impossible to lift, by any means, but bear this in mind if your dog is heavy.
PROS
CONS
CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON.COM
Luckup Heavy Duty Dog Cage
Time to bring out the big guns, and by that, we mean a dog crate strong enough to hold larger dogs, and crucially prevent them from escaping. That is exactly what the Luckup Heavy Duty Dog Cage can do, and it won't cost you a fortune either.
Product Highlights
Despite its size and strength, the Luckup dog crate should not take you long to assemble when it arrives; although, we do have to point out that the assembly instructions leave a lot to be desired.
Nevertheless, as there are basically only 8 screws to tighten and the lock is already attached to the frame, we had it up and ready for use in less than 10 minutes which is pretty good compared to some we've tried to assemble.
The construction of this dog crate is designed to resist the efforts of any dog chewing or forcing their way out. The frame is made from heavy-duty steel, which is covered in a protective coating to help it resist rust and corrosion. This coating also makes it possible to give the frame a wipe with a cloth anytime it gets a bit grubby.
As it has large slats between the steel bars, there is plenty of ventilation for your dog, plus they can see out on all four sides. The top of the crate also has these large slats, and it can open if you ever need access to the crate from above. An example of when this might be useful would be when you are changing your dog's bedding.
A heavy crate with a heavy dog inside will be difficult to move around; at least it would be if it didn't have casters on each of the four feet. These are ideal if you want to move the crate outside, or to another room, without releasing your dog.
LUCKUP 38 Inch Heavy Duty Dog Cage Strong Metal Kennel and Crate for Large Dogs,Easy to Assemble Pet Playpen with Four Wheels,Black
- Easy to assemble, Just need to fit with four wheels then fix with eight screws, other locks have been pre-loaded,Just 3-5 minutes to complete
- Heavy duty steel frame, strong and durable, suitable for many large dogs
- Overall Dimensions: 37.5"L X 25.5"W X 32"H; Internal height of the dog cage (excluding wheels): 27"H; Metal pipe spacing:2"; Metal"slat-like" floor spacing:1"
- Double door design: The big door in front is suitable for pet in and out,aslo can open the door of the top
- Rust and corrosion-resistant steel frame and plastic tray,handiness,easy to take out and cleaning
The Good
This is certainly a product that is built to last. The strong steel construction means this crate should be able to house your dog for years to come.
The Bad
The latches on the side door have a tendency to misalign which can be annoying when you are trying to close the door.
PROS
CONS
CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON.COM
Buyer's Guide
If this is the first time you have considered buying a dog crate, or you have had one before, but your dog was able to escape, you may be somewhat confused about what features you should be looking at. Even if you know what these features are, the question as to what standards they need to meet in order to be a product worth having, are also prevalent.
You must remember that there is no single dog crate that will have the best of everything. If only it were that easy, we'd simply point you to that one, and this article would be two lines long.
Instead, there are going to be some features of each dog crate which are exactly what you want, whilst there may be others that don't quite meet your criteria. This is where you have to decide what the most important features to you are.
Recommended Reading: Best Escape Proof Dog Harnesses
It could be that you need it to be easy to carry; in which case, you are not going to choose a dog crate made from thick steel and weighing over 70 lbs. before your dog sets so much as paw inside it.
However, if you need a very strong steel-framed dog crate, then do not expect it to be something you can pick up with one hand and carry out to the car. To help you here are five primary features of escape proof dog crates and some explanations of how they can differ from product to product.
Size
This means more than deciding whether you have a small, medium, or large dog, particularly since what a manufacturer may consider large, may not match what your definition of large is. For this reason, we say ignore those labels and look at the actual dimensions of any dog crate you are considering buying.
Once you have those dimensions, measure your dog, and compare it to the dimensions of the crates. You do not want to get a crate that is about the same size as your dog, for the simple reason that they need to be able to move about in it. It is bordering on cruelty to place a dog in any crate or dog house, where they are cramped and unable to maneuver or stand up.
Ideally, you want to get a crate whose height is roughly 2 to 4 inches more than the height of your dog, with a length which is 4 inches longer than your dog from the base of their tail to the tip of their nose.
It is important that you don't go too far the other way and buy a crate which is much too large for your dog. This can make your dog feel insecure when they are inside, and if we are trying to stop a dog from escaping their cage, making them feel uncomfortable is hardly going to encourage them to want to stay in there.
Materials
Although, in theory, a dog crate could be made from any hard material, in practice there are three main ones which are used. Two are metals which are used for the heavier and larger crates, and plastic is used for smaller crates and those which are used for transporting pets.
Larger crates are normally made from steel or aluminum. The stronger of these two tends to be steel, and crates made from it are heavier and stronger. Steel is recommended if you have a large, powerful, or persistent dog who tries to escape their crate. Heavy gauge steel is not going to come second best to even the most determined of dogs, no matter how hard they try to chew through it.
Aluminum is also very strong, but it is lighter than steel, so crates from it are easier to move around. Aluminum is also very resistant to corrosion and doesn't rust. That's not to say steel crates will, they are often coated to protect them.
The third material is plastic, which is used for smaller crates and normally designed for those smaller dogs, although there are some plastic crates for medium dogs too. Plastic is easier to clean than metal and obviously doesn't need any protection from corrosion.
Longevity
Whilst most dog crate manufacturers will provide a warranty or return period, they are unlikely to state exactly how long any dog crate they produce will last, and how could they? With the best will in the world, it would be impossible for them to give a figure. They have no idea how big or how strong any dog is that might be using the crate.
In other words, a calm, placid dog might live out its life with its crate intact until the end. On the other hand, a dog with a fixation on chewing its way through the plastic grill on the roof of its crate will probably need a new one a lot quicker.
As a rule, all the crates we have looked at are designed to be escape proof, therefore they are expected to withstand a reasonable amount of abuse from potential escapees.
If you want a dog crate that is expected to last the longest amount of time, then we'd certainly recommend purchasing a steel one rather than a plastic one. The simple fact is that steel is stronger than plastic and less likely to be damaged by a dog 's teeth or its body if it tries to force its way out.
Types of Dog Crate
Notwithstanding the different materials used which can be used to differentiate dog crates that we've discussed in key feature #1, this feature refers to the specific purposes of dog crates.
There are basically three types that we refer to: travel dog crates, escape proof dog crates, and dog pens. We've covered the first two throughout this article so let's start with that third one as we haven't really mentioned it so far.
A dog pen is a cage-like crate, which can be used as a bed, or place to go when a dog wants to rest or be alone. They tend to be box shaped like the escape proof ones, and their frame is made from steel or aluminum. Where the difference lies is in the thickness and strength of those materials.
Unlike the heavy-gauge steel and thick aluminum frames that escape proof dog crates have, pen crates use thin, and very light metals. These can be no match for any dog who is determined to escape as they'd force open the door, or bite through the frame in no time.
If you are reading this because you have a dog who is prone to escaping their crate, dog pens are not suitable.
Weight
This is probably more applicable to dog crates which are designed to be carried and suitable for transporting dogs in vehicles or in aircraft. There are some very light ones made from fabric which can weigh as little as 3 lbs. although these are not in any way escape proof.
Plastic dog crates, which are used to carry pets, can weigh between 5lbs. and 12 lbs. Not especially heavy, although you must account for the weight of your dog too, especially if you are the one that has to carry it.
Metal dog crates are the heaviest of all and generally not designed to be carried around, although some of the smaller ones can be. The most durable and strongest metal dog crates weigh over 70 lbs. and with a large dog inside you could be looking at a total weight of 110 - 130 lbs. This is where those crates with casters are more desirable than those without.
Best Escape Proof Dog Crate FAQs
Question 1: How do you secure a dog crate door?
This very much depends on what latch or bolt the manufacturer has designed for the dog crate's door. Bolts tend to be stronger, and there are some latches which are lockable.
Question 2: Is a dog crate suitable for a puppy?
There's no reason why it shouldn't be, if it is not too big. All dogs, and especially puppies, like to feel snug and secure, which is not going to be the case if the puppy feels they are rattling around in a huge empty room.
Question 3: Is a dog crate the same as a dog house?
No. Dog houses are more like traditional dog kennels and tend to be made from plastic or wood. They are certainly not designed to be escape proof and often do not have a door which closes, so the dog can come and go as they please.
Question 4: Are all small dog crates suitable for taking dogs on aircraft?
Unfortunately, no. If a manufacturer has had their dog crate approved for use on an airline it will normally say so on the product page as this is a great selling point. Whatever you do, never try to take your dog on aircraft in a carrier or crate that hasn't been approved.
Question 5: Are dog crates easy to assemble?
Most of them are, and there are even some which require no assembly whatsoever. Those that do tend to need the four sides, the top, and the floor bolted together, but beyond that, there's not a lot of assembly needed. Most crates will have instructions to help you.
Conclusion
As dog lovers, we almost felt guilty reviewing products which are designed to stop dogs from escaping and running free. But we appreciate that for some dog owners, finding an escape proof dog crate might be the last resort in trying to stop their dog from being destructive and escaping.
With that in mind, we thought carefully about which of the products we reviewed was going to be our top recommendation. It came down to which one we thought offered the most opportunity for dog owners to have a product their dog could not escape from, so our best escape proof dog crate is the ProSelect Guardian Gear Empire Dog Cage.
Once you get over the fact that it looks like an old-fashioned prison cell, you soon appreciate that this is a dog crate that means business, in terms of keeping your dog inside. Its heavy gauge reinforced steel frame looks and feels like it is indestructible, and whilst we know nothing is, it will certainly take more than a dog's strong jaw to chew through any of the bars.
The latches are thick bolts, so even if your dog thinks it can force open the door, they are in for a disappointment. It's easy to keep clean thanks to the coating on the frame which allows you to wipe it, and the plastic tray underneath can collect any fur or dirt which has fallen through the floor grill.
Despite its weight and size, the crate can be moved easily, with removable casters that let you push it to wherever it needs to go. There were plenty of strong candidates for best escape proof dog crate, but none are stronger than the ProSelect Guardian Gear Empire Dog Cage.
