For the foundational guidance behind these picks, see the complete dog gear and equipment guide.
The best dog crates for small dogs solve a problem big-dog crates create: a cavernous wire box makes a little dog feel exposed, not secure. The right size is one your dog can stand up, turn around, and lie down in, with no extra space for pacing. With my own small dog, a snug, den-like crate settled her far faster than a roomy one. The MidWest iCrate fits most small dogs and budgets. For travel, a tight space, or a crate that looks like furniture, the picks below fit better.
Quick verdict: The MidWest iCrate is the crate most small-dog owners should start with, a folding wire crate with a divider and a washable pan. For safety and good looks, the Diggs Revol is worth the splurge, while the EliteField soft crate suits calm dogs and trips. Air travel calls for the airline-style Petmate Sky Kennel, a wooden Casual Home crate doubles as an end table, and the AmazonBasics folding crate covers the basics for less.
| Your situation | Best pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Most small dogs | MidWest iCrate | Folding wire, divider, washable pan |
| Safety and style | Diggs Revol | Rounded corners, collapsible, sturdy |
| Calm dog, travel | EliteField Soft Crate | Light, packable, cozy |
| Air travel | Petmate Sky Kennel | Airline-style hard shell |
| Living-room setup | Casual Home Wooden Crate | Looks like an end table |
| Spend the least | AmazonBasics Folding Crate | Simple, sturdy, cheap |
How We Picked the Best Dog Crates for Small Dogs
Right-sizing led the ranking, because a crate works as a den only when it is snug, and the American Kennel Club advises a crate just large enough for a dog to stand, turn, and lie down.1 Too much room invites a small dog to soil one corner and sleep in another. Safety came next: rounded edges, secure latches, and no gaps a tiny dog can wedge a leg into. We weighed how easily each crate folds or breaks down, since small-dog owners move crates between rooms, cars, and trips more than big-dog owners do. Cleaning sealed the rankings, because a slide-out, washable pan saves real grief. A snug crate pairs naturally with a soft insert from our guide to the best calming beds for anxious dogs. The picks span home, travel, and furniture-style setups.
MidWest iCrate Folding Wire Crate
The MidWest iCrate is the crate most small-dog owners should start with. It is a folding wire crate with a divider panel, so you can wall off part of it for a very small dog and keep the proportions snug. A slide-out plastic pan pops out for cleaning, and the whole thing collapses flat to move or store.
Why It Stands Out
The divider lets one crate fit a small dog now and grow with a young one later. It folds flat in seconds and costs little for what it does.
Worth Knowing
Bare wire feels exposed to some dogs, so add a bed and a cover for a den-like feel. A strong escape artist can rattle the latches, so check them before leaving.
Check Price on AmazonDiggs Revol Collapsible Crate
The Diggs Revol is the upgrade pick for owners who want safety and looks in one crate. Rounded corners and a tight diamond mesh remove the gaps and sharp edges that worry owners of tiny dogs, and it collapses like a stroller rather than pinching your fingers. A side door and a top hatch make it easy to lift a small dog in and out.
Why It Stands Out
The thoughtful safety details, rounded corners and snag-free mesh, suit small dogs better than standard wire. It folds and rolls without the pinch points older crates have.
Worth Knowing
It costs well above a basic wire crate. The premium build is heavier to carry than a soft crate, even folded.
Check Price on AmazonEliteField 3-Door Soft Crate
The EliteField soft crate is the pick for a calm small dog and an owner on the move. A fabric shell over a light frame folds down small and weighs almost nothing, so it travels to a friend’s house or a hotel without a fight. Three zip doors and mesh windows keep it airy and easy to load.
Why It Stands Out
It is light and packable in a way no wire or plastic crate can match. The soft, enclosed walls feel cozy to a settled small dog.
Worth Knowing
A chewer or a panicked dog can claw or unzip a soft crate, so it suits calm dogs only. The fabric is harder to fully sanitize than a wipe-clean shell.
Check Price on AmazonPetmate Sky Kennel
The Petmate Sky Kennel is the pick when air travel is on the calendar. Its hard plastic shell, metal door, and ventilation slots follow the airline-style format many carriers require for cargo, and it doubles as a sturdy den at home. For a small dog that flies, it is the safe default.
Why It Stands Out
The rigid shell and secure door meet the airline-style requirements soft and wire crates cannot. It is durable enough to serve as a permanent home crate too.
Worth Knowing
Always confirm the exact rules with your airline, since requirements change. The hard shell does not fold, so it takes up space when not in use.
Check Price on AmazonCasual Home Wooden Pet Crate
The Casual Home Wooden Crate is the pick for owners who do not want a wire box in the living room. It is a furniture-style crate with a slatted wood frame and a flat top that works as an end table, so a small dog’s den blends into the room. The size suits little dogs that do not test their boundaries.
Why It Stands Out
It hides a crate inside a piece of furniture, which suits small dogs in shared living spaces. The flat top earns back the floor space with a usable surface.
Worth Knowing
Wood and slats suit calm dogs, not chewers or escape artists. It does not fold flat, so it is a fixture rather than a travel crate.
Check Price on AmazonAmazonBasics Folding Metal Crate
The AmazonBasics Folding Crate is the budget pick that copies the wire-crate formula at a lower price. It folds flat, includes a divider and a slide-out tray in most sizes, and comes in small dimensions that suit little dogs. For a straightforward home crate, it does the job without extras.
Why It Stands Out
It delivers the core folding-wire features for the least money. A divider and washable tray come standard on most sizes.
Worth Knowing
The latches and finish feel a step below premium crates. As with any wire crate, add a bed and cover so a small dog feels enclosed.
Check Price on AmazonRecommended read: Sizing up or comparing setups? See our broader best dog crates roundup and the best crates for large breeds.
How to Choose a Crate for a Small Dog
The right crate comes down to size, where it lives, and how your dog behaves inside one. A few details decide whether it becomes a den or a battle.
Size
Pick a crate your dog can stand up, turn around, and lie down in, and no bigger. Extra room tempts a small dog to use one end as a bathroom, which a divider can prevent.
Material
Wire folds flat and breathes, plastic suits travel, and soft crates pack light for calm dogs. Match the build to whether the crate stays home or hits the road.
Safety
Look for secure latches, smooth edges, and mesh or bars too narrow for a tiny leg to slip through. Rounded-corner designs suit small dogs better than sharp wire.
Comfort
Add a snug bed and a cover so the crate feels like a den, not a cage. Pairing it with leash and training routines, like those in our small-dog leash training guide, helps a dog accept it.
Wire vs Soft-Sided Crates
Most small-dog crates are wire or soft-sided, and the right one follows your dog’s temperament and how much you travel.
When Wire Wins
A wire crate is sturdy, breathable, and easy to clean, which suits everyday home use and chewers. It folds flat and handles a dog that tests its boundaries.
When Soft-Sided Wins
A soft crate is light, packable, and cozy, which suits a calm dog and frequent travel. It is the easier crate to carry, as long as your dog will not claw or chew its way out.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best crate for a small dog?
The MidWest iCrate suits most small dogs. It is a folding wire crate with a divider to keep the space snug, a washable slide-out pan, and a low price. Travelers and design-conscious owners may prefer the Petmate Sky Kennel or a furniture-style wooden crate.
What size crate does a small dog need?
Choose a crate your dog can stand up, turn around, and lie down in, with no large extra space. For a very small dog, a divider lets you wall off a wire crate to the right proportions and prevent it from using one end as a bathroom.
Is a soft or wire crate better for a small dog?
It depends on temperament. Wire crates are sturdy, breathable, and easy to clean, which suits chewers and home use. Soft crates are light and packable for travel, but only for calm dogs that will not claw or unzip them.
How do I make a crate feel cozy for a small dog?
Add a snug, washable bed and drape a cover over part of a wire crate to create a den-like space. Keeping the crate the right size, rather than too large, also helps a small dog feel secure rather than exposed.
Can I use a small-dog crate for air travel?
For cargo air travel you usually need an airline-style hard crate like the Petmate Sky Kennel, not a wire or soft crate. Always confirm the exact size and door requirements with your airline before you fly, since rules vary.
Sources
- American Kennel Club, guidance on crate sizing, safety, and choosing a crate. akc.org
