Last updated on May 24th, 2021 at 12:44 am
If you’re reading a review for indestructible dog crates, chances are you have a Houdini on your hands. There are dogs who, no matter how secure you think their crate is, still manage to destroy it and escape and you end up having to search for the best dog crate for escape artist for your buddy. Many pet parents purchase multiple crates trying to find one that will keep their dog securely enclosed.
That becomes expensive and frustrating! The dog’s safety is also concerning because bent wires and jagged plastic can cause injury to her teeth, gums, and paws. Once she escapes the safety of confinement, more worries about her security come up. What will she get into? Will she escape the area? What’s a responsible dog person to do?
For those of you with these very real concerns, we have assembled a comprehensive list of five of the best heavy duty dog crates available. Through trial and error, these companies have perfected their products to ensure pet guardians worry-free performance. These are also popularly called as chew proof dog crates or chew resistant dog crates. Keep reading for our review of the top five indestructible dog crates.
Table of Contents
What To Look For In A Gorilla Tough Dog Crate
As you begin researching your crate purchase, be sure to keep in mind a few things to get the right crate for your needs. If you plan to travel by air with your medium or large dog, she will fly in the cargo area of the plane. The crate you choose will need to be airline approved. Most steel and aluminum dog crates are. If you are buying a crate to use inside your vehicle, a collapsible model is a great option. It can be stowed easily and takes up much less room. You also want to be aware of the size of crate you need.
You need to choose a crate in which your dog can only stand up, turn around, and sit down in comfortably. Any extra room is not recommended, especially if you are using the crate for potty training. Dogs can easily use the extra space in a large crate for soiling, defeating your training regimen. Another point is you will want your crate to have smooth surfaces inside easy for cleaning.
As for the construction of the crate, look for firmly welded bars and connections. Soft welds on bars can be pulled apart and break a dog’s teeth or injure the soft tissue in her mouth. Reinforced steel wire or steel tubes should be used on the crate. These materials will be strong enough to withstand the psi (pounds per square inch) of a dog’s mouth. You’ll want your crate to be constructed with steel screws, nuts, bolts, hinges, and locks. The stronger the material of the crate and its parts, the more indestructible it will be.
Best Heavy Duty Dog Crates
1. ProSelect Empire Dog Cages
The ProSelect Empire Dog Cage is designed to give your pet a comfortable and secure den. Available in various sizes, it comes with a durable powder coating to resist rust. It is made using premium quality stainless steel and has iron [easyazon_infoblock align=”right” identifier=”B000Y905XE” key=”image” locale=”US” tag=”atzpc-20″]hardware. This crate is sturdy and durable in its construction, being designed especially for aggressive or powerful dogs who chew or claw their way out of other crates. The three-quarter inch frame is forged from 20-gauge steel and reinforced by one-half inch diameter steel tubes for the strongest, sturdiest, most durable cage on the market.
The ProSelect Empire has an easy-entry side door that can be securely closed by the strong two latch system. The crate comes with a black heavy-duty plastic slide out tray for easy cleaning. The entire crate can be wiped clean with a damp cloth. Assembly is easy with simple home tools.
- Designed for powerful dogs who claw and chew out of other crates
- Heavy-duty welding at stress points, dual door latches…virtually indestructible
- Available in various sizes
- Replacement tray available separately
- Finished in a high-grade hammer tone for rust resistance and durability
Click here to buy it on Amazon
2. Impact Case Collapsible Dog Crate
The American made Impact Case Collapsible Dog Crate uses high-quality aluminum for its innovative product. When folded it is less than eight inches tall and is set up or taken down in just seconds. The .063 aluminum makes the crate very light…20% lighter than comparable crates. Aluminum also prevents corrosion. The crate is available in two colors, tan or gray powder coat.[easyazon_infoblock align=”right” identifier=”B00B7SJPN2″ key=”image” locale=”US” tag=”atzpc-20″]
The marine grade slam latch and hardware provides safety and security for your dog. The latch automatically locks into place for a no-hassle close. The crate features welded rivet construction and three-eighths inch round bars welded with cross bar for stability. Composite corners offer impact protection. It is possible to stack multiple crates.
- Large vent holes for increased air flow.
- Handle for carrying ease when crate is collapsed. Note that there are few models which offer this feature. So check it befor ordering.
- Durable powder coating inside and outside.
PROS: This is one of the best indestructible dog crates and would be my number one recommendation. People have been very pleased with the quality of the crate and of the customer service of the company.
CONS: The crate looks a little “cagey” but it is due to the extra reinforcement that makes this crate invincible to damage or escape by your dog.
3. Zinger Winger DX5000 Aluminum Dog Crate
Zinger aluminum dog crates are strong and lightweight. They offer incredible strength at just one-third the weight of steel and can be easily handled by one person with little effort. The aircraft grade aluminum is known for its [easyazon_infoblock align=”right” identifier=”B009R7SZWM” locale=”US” tag=”atzpc-20″]durability and strength. The stainless steel lock and mounting hardware eliminates rusting and corrosion. The doors are made with solid steel bars and welded for extra strength to keep your Houdini dog safely inside. A full length piano hinge and striker plate is standard and the door can be easily reversed to allow left or right hand opening. Each door is equipped with a flush mounted slam latch which is keyed for added security.
The Zinger Winger DX5000 is fully vented down each side and along the back wall. The open design allows air to pass freely through the door and rows of vent holes surrounding the crate. Aluminum dissipates heat by its nature making it a great dog crate material, provided enough vent holes are present. This crate is airline approved for travel by installing the optional “airline rails”. Also, the Zinger crate can be stacked or coupled side-to-side.
- Powder coated inside and outside to protect dogs coat from discoloration.
- 90 day “No Escape” money back warranty.
- Multiple sizes available.
PROS: The durability of this crate is excellent. People who bought this report finding their dogs trying every way to get out of it, but have been unsuccessful. The quality of materials is given high praise.
CONS: Winger Zinger dog crate is expensive when compared to others. I would recommend this if budget is not an issue as it does it job very well.
4. Diamond Deluxe Aluminum Dog Crate
Diamond Deluxe has made a great, lightweight dog crate with your dog’s safety in mind. This sturdy and safe aluminum crate weighs only 25 pounds and can easily be moved by one person. The crate has many uses. It can be a [easyazon_infoblock align=”right” identifier=”B004GBB4Q8″ key=”image” locale=”US” tag=”atzpc-20″]housetraining aid, safe housing for your dog while you are away, or used for transportation in your vehicle. It is made with welded diamond tread aluminum and features corrugated plastic insulation on all inside exterior walls. It has a carrying handle, locking T-handle on the dog door, and slide covers on the large vents. The locking, domed storage lid adds to the appearance of the box and increases the strength of the box’s lid. It is made in the U.S.A.
- Dual gas struts on storage compartment lid.
- All locks keyed alike.
- Options include flush mount latches, rear vents, 12-volt fan, and top storage divider.
PROS: Customers report that the Diamond Deluxe Aluminum crate is very sturdy and well built. Dogs are comfortable in the crate and choose to be in it when not required to be. The company is great to work with on returns and with customer questions. It is very light and can easily be carried along with you.
CONS: It has a slightly unconventional look as it is made of aluminium. However, it grows on you pretty quick.
Click here to buy on Amazon
5. Merax Heavy Duty Dog Crate
Heavy duty steel tubing and skilled craftsmanship make the Merax crate super strong and secure for your dog. It’s made with two doors, one on the front and the other on top, making it easy to access your pet. The front door is equipped with double stainless steel latches to keep your strong puppy inside. The steel grate on the floor of the kennel and the tray beneath the floor grate slide out for easy cleaning. However, the floor grate comes with a hasp lock to prevent it from sliding out while the dog is in the crate.
- Available in various sizes
- Top and front door to easily access your dog
- 4 wheels (2 that lock) for convenience
PROS: The strength of the materials is good which is one of the most important things to look for in a chew proof dog crate. Your dogs will have a hard time trying to escape or damage the crate. The wheels are attached to the crate which makes it really easy to move, especially at cleaning time.
CONS:The instructions that come with Merax Heavy Duty Dog Crate are a little difficult to understand.
Click here to buy it on Amazon
So, armed with information on 5 tough chew proof dog crates, you can check them out on amazon and buy the one which suits your preference. If your dog is also chewing up the bed, read our guide to pick an indestructible dog bed here.
Getting to the root of the destructive behavior
Once you have settled on an unbreakable dog crate to buy, it’s worth pondering why was your dog destroying the crate, to begin with. A sturdy dog crate will prevent your dog from breaking out. Yet, it is important to identify and attempt to solve the destructive behavior of your dog. So, here are few reasons why your dog might be breaking out of the dog crate and some possible solutions for them.
- Separation Anxiety
One of the most common causes for destructive behavior of dogs is separation anxiety . In a study published in the Journal of American Veterinary Medical Association, a single owner dog was very likely to have separation anxiety issues. Make sure you spend enough time with your dog and he gets his daily exercise in along with a healthy diet to prevent separation anxiety. A trip to the vet can be helpful as well as socializing your dog.
2. Not enough play time
If you are not giving your dog enough time, it is likely to resort to destructive behavior. Make sure, you give your buddy daily time so that he doesn’t feel left out. It is a good idea to exercise your dog and do a physical activity with him before you leave for the day. He/She will be tired and rest through the day rather than engaging in destructive behavior.
3. Health issues
A trip to the vet will rule out any health issues that might be causing destructive behavior.
4. Behavior issues
If your dog’s behavior isn’t getting any better, it might be worthwhile to take help from a positive behavior consultant to help your dog.
Some points to note
- Stray and mixed breed dogs are more likely to engage in destructive behavior than purebred dogs
- A single owned dog is likely to have issues with destructive behavior.
- Do not use the crate as a punishment mechanism. It can make your dog hate the crate. Lead him gently to the crate and don’t force him in there. Incorrect utilization of the crate can lead to destructive behavior.
- A dog with no or poor stimulation especially in high energy dogs can cause destructive behavior.
- If you catch your dog engaging in destructive behavior, redirect his attention to a toy instead of scolding him
- If your dog destoys the crate, check him to see if he has damaged his teeth and/or has some injuries on the body.
Conclusion
Having an escape artist for a dog is a difficult proposition indeed. It can be a burden on your pocket if your dog is consistently destroying every crate you get him. You can consider getting one of the heavy duty crates that we have reviewed in the article which solves one part of the problem. The other part is getting to root of the problem and addressing it so that you have a dog that is not only destroying and escaping the crate but is happy and content to be in the crate.
References
Risk factors and behaviors associated with separation anxiety in dogs
Evaluation of treatments for separation anxiety in dogs
Handbook of Applied Dog Behavior and Training, Adaptation and Learning