How Low Cost and Poor Grade Crates Can be Unsafe For Your Pet

By Trevor Price

Cheap dog crates can do more than save you money - they may actually kill or injure your dog. Poorly constructed metal and plastic crates cause over 100 dog deaths every year due to cuts, infections and even strangulation. Before you waste your money and possibly your dog's life on a cheap crate, keep reading.

Not Good Enough for Air Travel

There's a reason most cheap dog crates aren't cleared for air travel - they're unsafe and not suited for air travel conditions. Typically, most air crates need to be easily opened and closed from the outside and provide the animal with enough ventilation and protection. More important, a good carrier needs to be made from heavy-dutyplastic. Last year, over 5 dogs were hurt after cheap plastic dog crates cracked because of pressure changes. The cracked and chipped plastic either cut or hit the animals. Obviously, their injuries were not noticed or treated until well after the plane landed.

Collapsing Crates

Stay away from low-quality, wire crates that are collapsible. Numerous consumers have complained these crates do not hold up and can simply collapse on the animal without warning - ascenario that can be deadly for small puppies. While adult dogs typically won't be severely injured by a collapsed crate, being trapped for possibly hours is stressful and causes anxiety.

Poor Ventilation

Cheap dog crates that are made from plastic or fabric tend to not offer enough ventilation for your animal, making them feel trapped and as though they're not getting enough air. Several years ago, dogs in a California kennel were found dead after being kept in cheap, plastic kennels that were too small. The dogs suffocated.

Another danger associated with poorly ventilated fabric or plastic dog crates is overheating. Without sufficient ventholes, your dog can quickly be overcome by heat on a hot summer day spent inside a plastic crate.

How to Find a Good Crate

Look for a high-quality crate that is easily opened from the outside, provides sufficient ventilation and is large enough for the animal. While high-quality wire crates aren't cleared for air travel, they are great when coupled with a crate mat for the bottom.

Other Crate Safety Rules

It doesn't matter if you're buying a cheap dog crate or the most expensive one in the store. There are some basic safety rules that apply to all:

1. Take off the dog's collar before you put it in the crate since the collar could get caught and choke the dog.
2. Provide your dog with toys and water while crated.
3. Never leave a dog in a crate for more than four or five hours - it's cruel and unhealthy.
   

It is easy to take a beloved canine for granted and assume that since it's an animal, it will be content in confined and uncomfortable settings. However, the choice of a crate goes beyond mere comfort to your pet's safety and (potentially) survival. You should make your selection on a purchase accordingly.

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