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crates/ wire or plastic I have begun shopping for furbaby things,almost like putting a nursery together. I would like to know what kind of crate everyone uses and why,plastic or wire? If wire,what size? With my last puppy I used plastic,there were several things that I did and did not like about that style of crate. I am open to using a wire crate, but would like to hear what people think of them. Thank you for your help! |
Plastic: a crate is intended to be a den lower light privacy easy to clean completely bed I use a Large (airline type box) kennel with a medium Visco foam pad bed in it so plenty of room yet it's used for nothing more than their den/private bed here...they have various other beds and a play pen for when needed, ...I love the Best Pet Play Yard, it's a soft sided carrier (medium) because of it's portability and functionality for taking a kennel while traveling etc. A wire crate would be fine too (just not my choice) if you provided a: bed that was a little extra thick in it covering it for privacy so it's not a cage but a den...with a blanket or one of the covers they make for them and put in a lot of effort scrubbing each wire area...each corner, crack, etc... |
Max has a strong aversion to plastic, so he much prefers the wire crate. It's open and airier. I fold a blanket or soft towel to put on the top, and I keep doggy beds inside the crate. We never really used the crates for the boys other than as a den. I don't have any difficulty keeping ours clean. Size: we have smaller ones with an adjustable/removable divider. |
Originally we tried using a plastic crate for it's more "den-like" feel, but Sophie didn't seem to love it. She also chewed parts of it off and then started laying ON TOP of it rather than inside it. This was dangerous because it was in her x-pen making it almost possible for her to escape! So, we got rid of that and just got her a dog bed in her x-pen. We still use the plastic crate in the car when traveling. Now we have a tiny wire crate. It's an "i crate" made for toy sized dogs. I have a little dog bed in there and when it's time to sleep we put a blanket over it (just the sides not the front). However, when we bring her to friends' houses we leave the blanket off and put her in there when we're eating, etc. This way she can see what's going on and we don't have to worry about her. She goes in there on her own and lays quietly just watching us :) So, long story short, my girl prefers the wire one but it's a lot of trial and error. We have three crates, two beds, and an x-pen and she's only 5 months old! |
When Armani was a baby, I used a wire crate- he prefered the open area and being able to see out. If he was noisy at night, I would just throw a blanket over it and he would quiet down. Once he stopped using the crate, I got rid of it because there were NOT going to be any more puppies in my house EVER. So when Chloe wiggled her way into my home less than two years later, I just used an expen. Now, they hardly go into the crate, so I just have a soft sided crate that folds up and stores easily for the few instances where I may need one. I think it is all personal preference really. |
I used a wire crate when Callie was a puppy and put and blanket over all but one of the sides. |
We have both but I only use the wire crate at home and the plastic travel one for taking them to the vet if they are all going (and I can't use the more fashionable carriers) or for hurricane evacuation. At home we use the wire crates and they do like going into them for naps when I'm busy. If I sit down, they prefer to sleep on me! I have bought nice comfy crate pads and have no trouble keeping them clean. They really don't get dirty. I dust over them when I do the furniture but they don't get any buildup. Mine do not eat in their crates and just use them for napping. Right now I see my Jack Russell is napping in one of them. I have occasionally put a blanket around them for a "den-like" feel, but they seem to like them just as well without. I think they like to see. I had thought about buying the custom-sized covers but since they did not seem to show a preference for covering the crates, I haven't bought them yet. |
I have both and she prefers the wire crate. I bought a cover for the crate and matching cushion. I didn't crate train though, so I don't know which would be best for that. I just have them so she can have a spot of privacy to nap if she wants it. |
Me and my girls much prefer the wire crate. It also fold flat when not in use or to travel with. For puppies, I just hook up the wire expen to the front of the crate, put a blanket over the crate to make it den like and attach a dog water bottle to the fence. Perfect! |
no crates used here well not really, we use ours so that Charlie can get up to the bed, it sits high but he is never put in one |
We have the plastic crates but I was thinking about getting wire ones because I've seen the way so many here on YT have decorated covers for them (beautifully). Plus if I got 4 (all the same size) I could line them up side by side. Be handy - instead of 2 in the bedroom and 2 in the living room (as it is now) I think though if I came home with 4 wire crates my DH would scream!!! lol I do have a large wire crate that holds the whelping box and an area for being outside the whelping box (potty pad/food/water, etc) thought about setting that up for the two youngest to sleep in together. |
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I prefer the wire crate. Easy to clean. Open & airy. Made a cover that coordinates with my furnishings to keep the drafts out (actually have made a few covers, one to go with living room, one for my bedroom & one for the car/travel...yeah...more than a little anal about my home decor..lol) |
Thank you all for your great suggestions. My very sweet husband cleaned the attic today and found 3 of our plastic crates,,,guess I dont have to decide. I have only used crates for potty training and bedtime at an early age. I will keep everything that ya'll said in mind incase the plastic crate isnt right. |
Tibbe had a wire crate when I was potty training him but when that was done, I put it away and occasionally he uses his Car Carrier as a den now but otherwise, he stays with me. |
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