Your Cart

shipping hereFree 3 Day Shipping on All U.S. Orders Over $45

How to choose the best kennel for your dog

"The terms kennel and crate are often times interchanged or used in similar ways."

How to choose the best kennel for your dog?

There has been a lot of arguments among pet parents on whether or not kennels are good for dogs. Some say locking up a dog is cruel and some say it's helpful especially when preventing destructive behavior, during traveling, house training, keeping the dog (and your house) safe while you're away for some hours, and many other reasons.

Whatever reasons you may have, it's best that you know what a kennel is and how to choose the best kennel for your dog.

What is a kennel?

The terms kennel and crate are often times interchanged or used in similar ways. Basically, a dog crate is a confinement area for dog that is portable and is mostly used especially when traveling. Respectively, it can be a hard crate, a soft crate or a wire crate.

  • Hard crate
  • Soft crate
  • Wire crate

On the other hand, a dog kennel is referred as the non-portable run type structure/enclosure.

It can also mean a larger type of dog kennel where many dogs are kept, trained, housed, boarded, and bred. If you have space and many dogs, this might be great for you.

Finding the best kennel

Measure your dog. Above anything else, it must fit your dog. It can't be too small that your dog won't be able to move around comfortably. It can't also be too large that your dog may feel unsafe. Measure your dog while standing, while sitting, while lying down to make sure he'll be able to do anything he wants inside with a little more space for playing and goofing around.

Find your kennel's purpose. Pet parents have different plans for their pets. Identify first the purpose.

  • Play place - if the sole purpose of your kennel is a play place for your dog, get the size where you think your dog can freely run around. Indoor ones are great especially when you limit him to a certain area of your house. Outdoor kennels are great, too (if you have a spacious yard) and a kennel will prevent your dog from running off while playing.
  • Boarding place - this kennel serves as the basic shelter of your dog. If you don't intend to have your dog roaming freely inside your house or when you're scared he might wander somewhere if you just let him loose in your yard, this is the kennel for you. You can also have this kennel if you are away and nobody is unable to look after your dog.

Choose the kennel material that fits your dog's personality. Is your dog staying indoors or outdoors? There are a lot of choices. For outdoor kennels, you can choose the wooden ones that are weatherproof. Plastic kennels can also be one of your choices if you want to go cheaper. If your dog is a heavy biter, steel dog kennels that are chew-safe are also available.

Increase comfort level. Once you've finally decided where to put your dog and what kennel material is the most fitting for your furry friend, you can increase the comfiness by adding some of his basic necessities. You can add a hanging water dispenser and hanging dog feeders in case your furry friend gets thirsty or hungry. You can also put in some of his toys, in case he gets bored. And don't forget his bed!

txtAimg_right txtAimg_right

Be on top of your dog's hygiene. Hygiene should be one of the most important things. You don't want your dog to be bathing on his own mess and the kennel stinking with poop and pee. Dog diapers, belly bands and pee pads gives your dog the freedom to pee and poop and still keep the kennel clean.

Among everyone else, you know your dog better. A kennel is great for your dog especially if you choose the best one for him and everything else will just depend on how you carry it out. As a pet parent, you know what is best!

"Dog diapers, belly bands and pee pads gives your dog the freedom to pee and poop and still keep the kennel clean."

The author

MICKA V.

Author Bio

Micka Virtudazo is a full-time content creator at Pet Parents® who lives with thirteen adorable American Bullies and a Shih Tzu-Maltese mix named Gretel. She especially enjoys writing how-to articles as she feels through this she can connect to other pet parents on a more personal level.

badge

The Veterinarian Reviewed Badge indicates that an article has been reviewed and approved by a licensed vet in the United States. Vet reviewed articles will include this badge at the top of the page. To meet our vets and learn more about our approval process, click here.