When you’re traveling with a smaller dog, a soft sided dog crate can be your best friend. Easy to use and easy to store, they’re great for taking your dog on short trips. Some owners also love them for a den at home. Read on to find the best crate for your and your dog.
Are Soft Dog Crates Any Good?
Soft dog crates can be great for smaller dog breeds. They’re best when you’re looking for something to carry your dog in while you’re traveling, such as when you’re taking your dog with you on vacation or to the vet. Soft dog crates aren’t meant to contain a dog for hours, or keep a dog from escaping while you’re away. There are other types of crates that would serve those needs better. If you’re looking for a crate that holds your pet while you’re on the go together and can be stored easily, soft crates are for you.
What Should You Look For When Buying a Soft Dog Crate?
Like all other types of crates, there are considerations to keep in mind when you’re picking a crate. The first is size. Your crate should be big enough to hold your dog while they stand and allow them to turn around and lay down. It should be a few inches taller than the top of your dog’s head and five inches longer and wider than them minimum.
Petnation Port-A-Crate Indoor and Outdoor Home for Pets
The Petnation Port-A-Crate is a great travel crate for crate trained dogs. It has a steel frame with fabric walls. The whole cover can be taken off the frame to be washed if needed. It comes in five sizes. If you’re looking for a good crate that can be used away from home or in the car, this is for you. It has plenty of ventilation, and both a front and top door. Most reviewers love this for traveling in the car or a place for the dog to sleep while they’re away from home.
Things to Keep in Mind
As this is just fabric and mesh, it won’t keep in a dog that really wants out. It also won’t stand up to chewing or scratching. Owners have reported that even minor scratching destroys the mesh easily. Once again, this is only for crate trained dogs, and mainly a crate used occasionally. It won’t stand up to wear and tear like a plastic or wire crate would.
It also doesn’t have a handle in most sizes. This means that it isn’t the best for carrying dogs around in unless your dog is under ten pounds. Many owners reported that their dogs were able to unzip the crate and get out. Once again, this isn’t a crate for keeping a dog secure. If your dog wants out, they’ll get out.
Who is This Crate Best For?
Pros
- Soft canvas crate can be put up and taken down quickly making it great for travel.
- Fabric can be taken off of the frame and washed easily.
- Mesh means there is plenty of ventilation for your dog.
- Sturdy steel frame can handle a lot of abuse without breaking.
Cons
- It won’t be able to keep in a dog who wants out.
- The zipper has been known to break.
- As it is fabric, any chewing will destroy it quickly.
- The frame can pinch you if you aren’t careful while setting it up.
Conclusion
EliteField 3-Door Folding Soft Dog Crate
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The EliteField 3-Door Folding Soft Dog Crate is another crate option. It comes in five sizes and fourteen colors. This crate is a much better option if you’re looking for a carrier. All sizes have a handle and pouches that you can store supplies like treats or collapsible bowls in. It has three mesh door for ventilation and ease of access to your pet. The frame is made of tube steel covered with 600D fabric. It comes with a pouch that the collapsed crate can be carried in and a fleece bed for your dog’s comfort. It also has a 2 year warranty.
Things to Keep in Mind
Like all cloth crates, this one won’t keep your dog in if it doesn’t want to be there. This is not a crate appropriate for crate training. Even a young puppy could break out easily. Soft crates like this are great for keeping your dog in when at a hotel or traveling by car. The light weight makes it easier to move and deal with than a hard crate. If you need doggy Alcatraz this isn’t the crate for you. While some dogs might relax and enjoy it, there’s no guarantee they will.
What is This Crate Best For?
This crate comes highly recommended as a place for your dog to sleep while you’re in a hotel. It packs down into a nice travel pouch and most of your dog’s accessories can be packed into the attached bags. A few owners loved it as a second crate for the car or at work. It can be a bit dark inside despite all the mesh, so it’s best for dogs that like sleeping in dens.
Watch Out For…
Some owners noted that the seam near the zipper ripped easily, even with an older dog that doesn’t typically chew or break things. Be sure to check the zippers and seams closely for any defects. Some owners noted construction issues that would make the crate less sturdy over time, mainly where the mesh and fabric are sewn together. There have been reports of the clips that attach the accessory pouches snapping after just a day of use. The same owner noted that the plastic that secures the supports for the crate is made of the same plastic so it might snap as well. The crate also collapsed on multiple occasions, which would be dangerous if it happened while a dog was in it.
Pros
- Sturdy fabric crate with mesh on all sides for good ventilation.
- Multiple doors give you more options to access your pet.
- Included pouch makes it easy to transport.
- Accessory pouches let you keep things like leashes and bowls in one spot.
Cons
- Construction issues like weak zippers and ripped seams.
- Plastic that secures the frame might snap over time.
Conclusion
Pet Gear 3 Door Portable Soft Crate
The Pet Gear 3 Door Portable Soft Crate is very similar to the Elitefield option on this list. It comes in five sizes and is offered in multiple colors. The crate is supported by steel and the cover is made of nylon. The cover can be removed and washed. It comes with a waterproof pad and a fleece mat. It has accessory pouches that can be used to keep things like treats and toys close. This one isn’t meant to be carried with an animal inside, so it can’t replace a portable pet carrier.
Things to Keep in Mind
What is This Crate Best For?
Most owners liked this crate for using in the car. They noted that it was very easy to set up and fit well in the back of their car. It also worked well for hotel stays. One owner noted it was perfect for keeping pets contained on a multiple day move by setting it up in the back seat. If you’re moving with small dogs or cats, this can give them space to move around while keeping them from having run of the car. Remember, driving with a loose animal is dangerous for both of you.
Watch Out For..
Owners have reported that their pet can open the zipper. Be sure to have some way to keep the zippers closed if your pet is smart. Make sure you check early that you received the right product, you don’t want to miss the return window if you for the wrong size or color. Some owners reported that they couldn’t collapse the crate again after they set it up.
Pros
- Lightweight nylon crate is easy to move and set up
- Steel tubes keep crate sturdy
- Free waterproof mat and fleece pad
- Pouches for storing supplies
Cons
- Zippers can be forced open from the inside easily.
- Includes mats are cheap and easily destroyed. They won’t be as comfortable as a proper bed.
- Top can sag.
- Owners have received the wrong color.
Conclusion
Noz2Noz Soft-Krater Indoor and Outdoor Crate for Pets
The Noz2Noz Soft-Krater Indoor and Outdoor Crate is another soft crate option. It comes in five sizes to fit a variety of dogs. While it likely wouldn’t be large enough for breeds like Great Danes, it should fit most dogs. The crate is made of heavy duty mesh and sturdy fabric over a steel frame that sets up easily. The whole cover can be removed for washing, making accidents easy to handle. It has three doors, two on the sides and one on the top.
Things to Keep in Mind
What is This Crate Best For?
Most owners used this crate in the back of their car to keep their dog contained. It can fit easily in your car and collapse when it isn’t in use. Others liked it for keeping their dog in at a hotel or in an RV. This is also good for using as an indoor den or in warm climates during the spring and summer. It can be used outdoors as well, so it would work well for camping.
Watch Out For…
One owner purchased new but received a ripped, used crate. Make sure you check immediately once you receive it so you don’t end up passing the return window. The canvas that can cover the door is secured with velcro attached to the mesh. This can tear over time. The zipper is noted as being fragile. Customers have noted it falling apart.
Pros
- Washable fabric cover.
- Mesh makes it well ventilated and great for summer.
- Collapses easily and stays sturdy once put up.
- Three doors makes it easy to access your dog.
Cons
- Heavy plastic smell at first.
- Velcro to hold cover over door is attached to the mesh, which will tear over time.
- Zipper is weak.
Conclusion
Arf Pets Dog Soft Crate Kennel
The Arf Pets Dog Soft Crate Kennel is another great option for your dog. It comes in two sizes, with handles on both. It’s made of cloth and mesh over a collapsible steel frame. It has three doors, with mesh on all sides. It would work well as an alternative to pet carriers, particularly in the smaller size. The cover can be removed and machine washed if needed.
Things to Keep in Mind
What is This Crate Best For?
This crate is a good car carrier and great to replace portable pet carriers for smaller dogs. Most owners liked it for vet trips, car rides, and hotel stays. It’s good for keeping your pet from roaming the car or containing them while you’re outside. Since it is so light and portable, it’s a great option to take with you to serve as a playpen for your dog.
Watch Out For…
Besides the issues with the zippers, an owner reported that the stitching on the inside was very shoddy. The same owner noted that the velcro that holds up the door came unstitched very quickly. An owner also had the bottom of the crate rip on the first use. Some owners also report that the listed measurements are wrong. If you’re measuring to ensure it will fit in your car, make sure you have a few inches of wiggle room.
Pros
- Collapses easily.
- Washable cover.
- Handles to make it easy to carry.
- Well ventilated.
Cons
- Zipper is low quality.
- Cheap stitching.
- Fabric is thin.
- Won’t fit all dogs.
Conclusion
2PET Foldable Dog Crate
The 2PET Foldable Dog Crate is another great option for anyone looking for a soft crate. It comes in five sizes, with the largest fitting dogs up to 70 pounds. It comes in gray, red, blue, and beige, to fit with most tastes. It has a steel frame and a removable, washable fabric cover. The windows are made of mesh, giving it plenty of ventilation. Unlike many other similar crates, the zipper is designed to be inaccessible to your dog. There are also pockets for food and water containers on the back of the crate. It also includes both a waterproof pad and a fleece mat for additional comfort.
Things to Keep in Mind
What is This Crate Best For?
Most owners liked this as a replacement for a pet carrier. It works well for traveling like most soft crates. One owner noted this crate was great for bringing your dog on public transport since it can be put up easily and carried on. It was a little harder to carry for a larger dog, but it can help you if you mainly use public transport to get around.
Watch Out For…
The mesh is weak. One owner left their dog in the crate and found the poor pup had ripped through the mesh and got their head stuck. The dog was unharmed, but it was very distressed by the experience. One owner had the weld on the frame break during their first use. Customer service was not helpful at all. The zipper is plastic, so it is prone to failure.
Pros
- Foldable design with handles.
- Plenty of ventilation.
- Zippers are harder for dogs to access
Cons
- Mesh is weak.
- Poor customer service.
- Shoulder strap only works when folded.
