10 Best Dog Crates For Separation Anxiety in 2022 – Reviews & Guide

There is nothing more heart-wrenching than looking at those sad puppy eyes as you walk out the door without a leash in hand. The situation is even worse when howling and crying accompany your walk to the car. Separation anxiety is a real issue for many pooches and their owners.

As your pooch can’t take a relaxing bubble bath while you are gone, the top priority is to keep them (and your home) as safe as possible. Anxiety can make Fido do damage to the home that they otherwise would not do. That’s where a great dog crate comes in, serving as your pup’s haven.

As you can probably guess, there are an intimidating number of options available. You can have anxiety yourself trying to figure out which one is best. To help keep everyone calm, we have reviewed the ten best dog crates for separation anxiety. We will provide the stats on size, construction, durability, and all the extra features that matter. Take a browse of the list below, and also check out the buyer’s guide at the end!

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A Glance at our Favorite Choices in 2022:

The 10 Best Dog Crates For Separation Anxiety:

1. LUCKUP Heavy Duty Dog Crate – Best Overall

The number one spot on your list goes to this durable metal crate that comes in two sizes and either silver or black. This option has a top door so you can easily interact with your pup, and a wide front door making it easy for your dog to enter and exit.

The strong bottom grates are narrow so you don’t have to worry about paws catching or getting stuck. It also has a sliding bottom tray for catching food and other “debris” that could fall through. That said, this model has two solid steel locks that are very durable.

You can use this crate indoors or outdoors as the spray-painted exterior is rust-resistant. The entire set-up is non-toxic, folds down easily for storage, and can be assembled in three to five minutes. Plus, it comes with four detachable locking wheels that rotate 360 degrees. Overall, this is our number one pick for the best dog food for Shar-Pei’s!

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2. Frisco Indoor & Outdoor 3-Door Soft Dog Crate — Best Value

The problem with using many of the top-selling crates to treat separation anxiety is that the manufacturers place a premium on sturdiness rather than making it seem like an inviting place to sleep.

That’s not an issue with the Frisco 3-Door Collapsible, though.

This crate is soft-sided, making it warm and inviting. Better yet, since it’s covered by fabric, you can make the inside incredibly dark. That makes it feel like a cave, which is wonderfully soothing for stressed dogs.

That doesn’t mean that it’s flimsy, though. The fabric covers up a sturdy steel frame, ensuring that your dog won’t crush it if they accidentally move the wrong way.

It’s lightweight and collapsible too, making it a great choice for travel. If your dog doesn’t like new places — and you don’t like leaving your dog behind — this can provide a welcome reminder of home.

You can also zip your pet inside for extra security for both you and the dog. The zippers have locking clips to keep them closed, so your pooch won’t escape at an inopportune moment.

Best of all, it’s reasonably priced. In fact, it’s our pick for the best dog crate for separation anxiety for the money.

The Frisco 3-Door Collapsible is not quite perfect, though. A heavy chewer can destroy the fabric in a few hours, and while the fabric is washable, it also traps odors.

All in all, though, you can’t ask for much more out of a crate in this price range.

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3. Sliverylake Dog Cage Crate – Best Premium

To have a diverse selection that will suit everyone’s needs, our second choice is a more affordable option. This model also comes with a top and front door for easy access all around. It comes in three sizes and you can choose between brown or silver-tone color.

This sturdy little option has a steel frame that is resistant to deformation. The collapsible frame is also equipped with locking wheels, though they do not have a 360-degree radius. The Sliverylake can be assembled quickly and easily, and the bottom grate and tray slide out for easy cleaning.

The bottom grate also features narrow spaced slates to keep all furry toes intact. The 61.2-pound weight is average, as well. The one aspect of this crate that keeps it from the top spot is the lock. It is not as secure as the best choice, although the slide pin is not the worst. Beyond that, this is the best dog crate for separation anxiety available.

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4. unipaws Pet Crate End Table With Cushion

You don’t have to sacrifice the elegance of your décor just to keep your dog happy, thanks to the unipaws End Table. This crate blends right in with the rest of your furniture, while also providing your pooch with a comfy space to hide out.

There’s a built-in cushion at its base, giving your dog a safe space to rest, and the bars on the outside are chew-proof. It combines security and luxury without feeling intimidating to your pooch.

It’s also well-ventilated with plenty of sightlines, so your dog will have a clear view of everything that’s happening around them. That makes it ideal for having company over, as you can put your pet in the cage while still allowing them to feel like part of the conversation.

The rear of the unit isn’t nearly as secure as the rest of it, though. It’s made with just a cheap particle board cutout, so you’ll have to place it up against something secure, like a wall.

It’s only available in one color, so we hope it matches your existing furniture. Assembly is a pain as well.

Overall, though, the unipaws End Table is an attractive, unorthodox option that both your dog and your company should appreciate.

• You might also consider a distraction for your pup with: Best Dog Toys for Mental Stimulation 

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5. ProSelect 37 Empire Dog Crate

Moving onto the flip side of the option above, this next pick is our premium choice. This dog crate features 20-gauge steel construction with reinforced 0.5-inch diameter steel tubes for extra durability. The black frame comes in either medium or large sizes, so it is not recommended for smaller pups.

Keeping this more costly unit out of the top spot is the fact that it only has front door access. On the other hand, it does have removable locking wheels, a sliding bottom tray, and dual push-locking latches that are impossible to open even with your pooch’s full force.

Beyond that, the crate is a little heavier than the option above, but it is still not bad at approximately 75 pounds. The only other drawback that we can detect is the bottom grate slates are slightly wider, but if you line the bottom, there should not be a paw problem.

Another useful product: Calming dog treats

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6. MidWest iCrate Fold & Carry Collapsible

The MidWest iCrate is one of the easiest crates to set up, so you can use it anywhere — even when you’re on the road.

It has two doors, making entry and exit a breeze, even with a scared or stubborn pup. This also makes it easy for you to get the dog in and out of a car, allowing you to transport nervous animals without issue.

The plastic pan at the bottom is a cinch to clean if your dog has an accident. It also has raised edges to keep liquids from spilling out onto your carpet.

It’s made to roll around on the ground, but the casters didn’t seem to get the memo, as it’s a beast to move (especially on carpet). It runs small too, so it’s not the best choice for larger breeds.

The worst thing about it, though, is the fact that the latches have no give to them. While that may seem like a good thing, it means it only takes a little bit of force for your dog to bust free. As long as your pup never realizes that, you should be okay — but you’ll need a new crate if they figure it out.

It’s also prone to rusting, but given how inexpensive it is, you shouldn’t expect it to last forever, anyway.

The MidWest iCrate is a good, cheap option that can get the job done, but don’t expect it to perform nearly as well as its pricier counterparts.

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7. ITORI Heavy Duty

The ITORI is the next crate up for review. It is an eco-friendly rust-resistant option with two anti-escape locks on the front door. This model does have a top door as well, but the lock is not nearly as durable as the two on the front door.

The frame, other the other hand, is steel with reinforced tubes. You can choose from either a back or silver finish and either a 42 or 48-inch size. Keep in mind, this model is recommended for medium/large breeds. To keep things clean, there is a sliding tray, although it is a heavy metal. The four wheels lock on two sides. Keep in mind, the wheels do not turn easily so moving the 83-pound cage can be tough.

Other than that, the assembly can be a bit harder than other options and you will need to line the coss bottom grate with something to keep your pup’s paws safe. All in all, though, this is a good non-toxic option.

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8. Precision Pet Products 4-Door Collapsible

While it’s designed for traveling, this model from Precision Pet Products can also come in handy for stopping separation anxiety. However, it’s not quite durable enough for long-term use.

It’s easy to collapse when you’re not using it, and it becomes quite small when folded, making it simple to store. The footprint also makes it possible to keep it in your car without sacrificing too much space.

It’s water-resistant, ensuring that any accidents won’t damage the fabric. There are also storage pockets in the back that can come in handy.

The zippers are poor quality, though, and won’t last long at all. You could say the same for the fabric, especially if you have a heavy chewer on your hands (or even a dog that needs a nail trim).

It’s small too, even the larger sizes. Your dog won’t be able to stand up in it, so older pups or those suffering from arthritis may struggle to enter and exit.

It can get fairly warm inside as well, so it’s probably not best for users without air conditioning.

This option from Precision Pets certainly has its charms, but it also has too many flaws for us to consider ranking it any higher on this list.

• Read about: our favorite soft crates here!

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9. JY QAQA Pet Heavy Duty Dog Crate

The JY QAQA dog crate is made of durable steel and comes with four detachable wheels and two locking mechanisms to keep the cage in place. There are two doors at the top and front, though the locks are both are not that secure. Also, the top door is very narrow. You will not be able to get your pup into the unit from that angle.

You do have a variety of sizes that will accommodate most size dogs. They range from 36 to 48 inches. Keep in mind, this is not recommended for larger pups. Also, be aware that this model will require two people to assemble it, and although it is advertised to be rust-resistant, you should not use this option outside.

Besides those issues, this is another model that will require a bottom lining to keep your pet from getting their paws stuck. Also, though you can fold the crate down, it is not as easy as some others. Finally, you will need a strong back for the 90-pound weight.

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10. PARPET Heavy Duty Empire Dog Crate

The last option on our list is the PARPET dog crate. The 20-gage steel is not as durable as you would like it to be for a heavy-duty crate and the sliding locks are easy to open from the inside. If your pup is good at escaping, they will figure out these locks quickly.

The option has four wheels that rotate 360 degrees and all four lock to keep the unit in place. Unfortunately, this model only has one narrow front door and is difficult to put together. Again, you will need two people, plus the bolts tend to fall out easily with average movement from the dog.

Also, you only have two options as far as size, and it has a wide gap bottom grate almost to the point your pooch will be standing on the sliding tray. To add more bad news, the tray is steel so it is very heavy. Overall, this is our least favorite option, and you will have better luck with any one of the previous models.

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Buyer’s Guide

There are several things to consider when purchasing a dog crate for a pooch with high anxiety. The first thing to note is that separation anxiety for dogs can be very stressful and have physical side effects. A dog will do their best to get out of their crate and chew on anything available to relieve the stress. To keep your pal safe, you want to make sure they are well maintained in a comfortable and secure crate.

Size

The first thing you want to do is determine the size of your dog. The best way to do this is to measure your dog from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail and then from the top of the nose down to the floor. Once you have those measurements, you want to add three to four inches to the measurement to get the correct crate size. You want your pup to be able to comfortably turn around in the space, and stretch out.

Durability

Other factors you want to consider are the durability of the frame, the availability of the doors, and cleaning. Steel construction is the best type of material for these cages. They are very durable and your pet will not be able to escape easily. If you have a smaller or older dog, you can go for an aluminum model, or another type of material, as well.

Doors

Doors are another factor. Most models offer a top door and a front door. A top door is great for interacting with your pet without them trying to escape. When it comes to the front door, however, you want to make sure that your pooch can easily walk in without hitting their back or crouching down. If they have to do so, it can make your dog feel like it is in an enclosed space. It will also make stress worse.

Cleaning

Another thing you want to consider is the cleanup. As we all know, your furry friend may have an accident from time to time. Also, if you are going to be away from home for an extended time, you may want to leave food and water in the crate, as well. Most models come with a sliding tray that is easy to clean. Metal and steel trays can be heavy, though, so if you have a more difficult time bending you want to avoid this option.

Grate Design

Finally, you want to inspect the bottom grate of the cage. The bottom slats that have more space between them will allow your pup to get their toes or paws stuck in the grate. This can cause a lot of harm and stress for your animal. Make sure that the slats are slim, or you can use a mat and a bed to ensure that no damage is done.

Final Verdict:

We hope that you have enjoyed these reviews. There are several other things to consider when it comes to a dog crate that will depend on your pup. Factors such as ventilation, assembly, locking wheels, and secure latches are always going to be issues you want to consider.

If you are still not sure about which option is best for you, go with our number one choice which is the LUCKUP Heavy Duty Dog Crate. If you are looking for a more affordable option, try the Frisco 3-Door Collapsible Soft-Sided Dog Crate.

We truly hope that this article will help you choose the best dog crate that will help with your dog’s separation anxiety.

Did you know that your dog sleeping close to you could be a sign of separation anxiety? See our article for more!

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Featured Image Credit By: Parilov, Shutterstock