The Best Dog Crates: Diggs Dog Crate Comparison Guide

Choosing the right dog crate for your furry companion can be a daunting and overwhelming task. There are so many options available, each with its own set of pros and cons that most pet guardians don’t even know where to begin.

To help you in your journey to finding the perfect crate for your best friend, we’ve created a comparison guide. In this guide, we will be focusing on the Diggs Revol Dog Crate and comparing it to other popular types of dog crates, including wire crates, plastic crates, furniture-style crates, soft crates, and heavy-duty crates.

Choosing the Best Dog Crate

As pet guardians, we want our fur babies to have the best, and their crates are no exception. That said, there are several key factors to consider when purchasing your crate/kennel. These factors include your:

• Dog's size and needs
• Lifestyle
• Aesthetic preferences

Choosing the Best Dog Crate Size

As the American Kennel Club stated, “Size is the most important feature of your dog’s crate.” The crate should be large enough for them to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably.

Take a page from Goldilocks on this one Ala Goldilocks and the 3 Bears - Not too big, not too small - just right. Remember your fur baby wants to be comfortable and feel a sense of security, and choosing a crate that is the right size is a key component of this.

Pro Tip: Measure your dog and use the manufacturer's recommended size guidelines to ensure a proper fit.

It’s also worth noting that if you are starting with a puppy it will likely still be growing. Because of this, you’ll want to consider either using a puppy divider or sizing up your dog crate in the future.

Making Sure Your Dog Crate is Safe

Believe it or not, the dog crate you choose can determine how safe your pet is. Incidents that can occur with the wrong crate include:

• Your dog’s collar, tag, jaw, leg or foot getting caught in the crate or stuck in it’s components
• Weak frame or structural instability
• Your pup escapes the crate completely or injures themselves in an escape attempt
• Sharp corners and and edges can cause injury to you and/or your dog

The safest dog crate will have latches that aren’t easily popped open by clever pups, but also give them the comfortable feel they need to avoid the desire to escape.

Pro Tip: Read reviews on the crates you are considering purchasing. If you see a lot of negative comments like “my pup escaped,” “this crate couldn’t hold my dog” or something similar, you might want to consider a better option.

Related: Check out our post on how to use your dog crate safely.

Selecting the Best Dog Crate Material

There are five main types of materials commonly used in dog crates: plastic, metal, fabric, wood, and hybrid materials (i.e. hard plastic composites and metal alloys).

• Plastic crates are lightweight and easy to clean, making them a great option for travel. It’s important to make sure the plastic meets certain safety standards like being BPA-free–especially if your dog is prone to chewing.

• Metal crates, such as wire dog crates, are often considered durable and secure. They offer good ventilation and visibility for your dog, but may not be as comfortable as other materials. And, it’s important to keep in mind that completely metal crates can pinch paws and nails, especially if your dog tries to squeeze out between the panels.

• Fabric crates, also known as soft crates, are lightweight and easy to transport. However, they are not as durable as other materials, and may not provide as much security for dogs who are prone to escaping.

• Wooden crates, also known as furniture-style crates, are more decorative and can blend in with your home decor. But, they are heavy and may not be easy to move around.

• Hybrid materials such as hard plastic composites and metal alloys are sometimes the happy medium pet parents are looking for. They can often offer stability while still being lightweight materials that can easily be transported. At the same time they usually will also be more secure than something like a fabric crate which could be chewed through by a determined pooch!

When choosing a crate material, consider your dog's size, behavior, and needs. Also, think about how you will be using the crate and where it will be located. And also consider your own preference, budget, and durability.

Considering the Features + Functionality of Your Dog Crate

Whether you’re looking for a travel dog crate or one that will stay at home full time, it's important to consider the features and functionality of the crate.

Some features to consider include whether the crate is:

• Collapsible
• Easy to open, portable
• Has more than one door, and
• The ease of use

A collapsible crate can be a great option if you need to store the crate when not in use, or if you plan to travel with it frequently.

Easy-to-open crates are a must for emergency situations, and also make it more comfortable for you to interact with your dog.

Portability is also an important feature to consider, especially if you plan to use the crate for travel. Look for a crate with handles or wheels for easy movement.

Having multiple doors in a crate can be very helpful, as it allows for easy access to your dog, and also allows for more flexibility in where you can place the crate in your home.

Ensuring Your Dog Crate is Easy to Clean

Keeping your dog's crate clean is important for several reasons, but here are the three most critical ones:

1. A clean crate will help to keep your dog healthy and prevent the spread of germs and bacteria.

2. A dirty crate can also create unpleasant odors which can affect the air quality in your home.

3. A clean crate will help to keep your dog comfortable and provide them with a safe and hygienic place to rest.

Pro Tip: When looking for dog crates for puppies or even fully grown dogs, always choose the crate with a removable tray.

A removable tray is a helpful feature as it allows you to easily clean the bottom of the crate and remove any debris or messes. Multiple doors also make it easy to reach all the corners of the crate for thorough cleaning.

Taking Aesthetics into Consideration

A dog crate that fits your aesthetic or at least doesn't clash with it will make it easier for you to feel good about having it as a part of your home. When a dog crate fits in with the overall aesthetic of your home, it can become less of an eyesore and more of a functional piece of furniture. It can also make it easier to find a spot for the crate in your home, whether it's in the living room, bedroom, or another area of your house.

Additionally, if the crate is pleasing to the eye, you may be more likely to keep it out in the open rather than hiding it away. This can help your dog feel more comfortable and less isolated, as they will be able to see and interact with the rest of the household.

While it can be tempting to get a crate that looks like furniture, the problem most of us have is that they are heavy to move. These types of crates can actually also make our dogs feel claustrophobic! They often have closed off backs or tops which can feel stifling to a pet - especially in a new home.

Your better bet is to choose a crate that comes in multiple colors and that has a more open design. For example, the Diggs Revol Crate comes in several colors, and has the ability to open the top and/or side of the crate so your pet can enjoy the security of their own space without feeling like they are locked in a mini prison.

Diggs Revol Dog Crate vs. Wire Dog Crates

Unlike wire dog crates, the Diggs Revol Dog Crate is made from reinforced impact plastic and a unique diamond shaped steel mesh that prevents pinching. Wire crates are a lot less pet-friendly in the sense that they can pinch little paws and hurt teething pups if they were to chew on them. The goal of our Revol Dog Crate is to prevent the common injuries outdated crates still cause.

Wire crates also have a high incidence of dogs escaping between the panels, or injuring themselves while trying to escape that way. Revol’s design specifically combats this common issue, making it a much more safe and secure option for escape artist pups.

Diggs Revol Dog Crate vs. Plastic Dog Crates

Many plastic dog crates lack durability and don’t provide the desired level of security or protection. To make matters worse, they may even cause harm to larger dogs who struggle to break through when attempting to escape.

While they are easy to clean and lightweight, that doesn’t mean they are the only option! Your dog can enjoy comfort and security while still having a portable dog crate that is easy to put together and take down.

Diggs Revol Dog Crates are made with reinforced impact plastic and lightweight aluminum that make them portable while maintaining durability and safety with the help of our diamond shaped steel mesh. Your pooch will be protected and much less likely to be injured than they would in a traditional plastic crate.

Diggs Revol Dog Crate vs. Furniture-Style Dog Crates

A surprising fact for most dog parents is that these furniture-style dog crates, while often prettier, actually aren’t as safe and comfortable as you might think. They are often made from less-durable materials such as particle board and vinyl instead of heavier-duty metals or plastics. This can make them vulnerable to chewing and clawing, which can lead to dangerous escape attempts or accidents in the home.

Additionally, furniture style dog crates often have poorly reinforced door latches that are easy for dogs to open with their paws or teeth – again leading to potential escapes.

Bottom line, these crates often might look good, but they lack many important features that are needed for a comfortable and safe living space for a canine companion.

The good news is the Diggs Revol Dog Crate comes in multiple colors so pet guardians can choose the best option to blend in with their decor. And, if you really don’t want the crate visible when guests are over, it’s easy to collapse and put under a bed or into a closet.

Diggs Revol Dog Crate vs. Soft Dog Crates

The number one reason we advise against soft dog crates is that they can easily be chewed or clawed open. Another thing most pet guardians don’t take into account is the lack of ventilation that soft dog crates provide.

Soft-sided dog crates are usually designed with just a few mesh windows, which often provide poor air circulation inside the crate. This can make it difficult for your pet to cool down on hot days or keep them warm during colder weather conditions.

Diggs Revol Dog Crates on the other hand provide plenty of circulation and ventilation for your fur babies! And, you can pop the ceiling hatch and garage-style side door to help your pup feel even more comfortable.

Diggs Revol Dog Crate vs. Heavy-Duty Dog Crates

Heavy duty dog crates are a popular choice among pet parents due to their perceived ability to provide a secure and comfortable environment.

However, there are some serious problems with many of these crates that can lead to discomfort for the animal, as well as safety hazards for both the dog and its parent.

These include:

• They are usually too small for bigger dogs
• They are often bulky, heavy, and clunky
• They contain uncomfortable metal bars that can be sharp and painful
• They too lack proper ventilation in most cases

Again, unlike these heavy duty dog crates that give you a false sense of security and comfort, the Diggs Revol Dog Crate actually delivers what your pet needs!

The Best Dog Crate for Your Dog

Which dog crate is best for your furry companion? We hope that this post provided you with some keen insights on the features you should be looking for.

We think the best crate for your dog is the Diggs Revol Crate because it provides your pet with the safety, security, and comfort your pet deserves. And, it’s still travel friendly, durable, and sleek, giving you everything you need in a dog crate.

If you’re in the market for a dog crate we hope you will consider the Diggs Revol Dog Crate. Check out our Diggs Essentials Set - perfect for your new puppy or leveling up your fury baby’s current accommodations!