Transporting your dog, securing him, or temporarily locking your furry Houdini in a safe place shouldn’t be a problem. Unfortunately, for some dog owners, it can be a challenge to find a pet crate that will contain their dogs that are perfect escape artists. Today, we're looking at some of the best heavy duty dog cages that will contain virtually any pet and fit most sizes of dogs.
We've all seen the videos of dogs escaping their pet crates (check this one out!) And while we find this truly funny, it's actually extremely dangerous to have a dog crate from which your canine can escape. Your dog could seriously injure himself by trying to get out of a locked pet crate, and if you're not there to help him, the end result could be tragic.
The problem with some of those dog cages, crates, and kennels from which pets escape is that they are not made for every type of dog. Many of them are pretty flimsy, so as you can see in the video, a dog can easily break them. This will not be the case when using heavy duty dog cages or indestructible dog crates though.
We'll this, regular metal dog crates as well as cover why a dog may be trying to escape a crate later in the article. Here are the best heavy duty dog cages we'll cover today too:
| Heavy duty dog cages | Price | Quality | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| WOKEEN Heavy-Duty Dog Crate | $$$ | A+ | 4.8/5 |
| Impact Case Collapsible Dog Crate | $$$ | A | 4.7/5 |
| ProSelect Empire Dog Cage | $$ | A | 4.6/5 |
| Diamond Deluxe Aluminum Dog Crate | $$ | B- | 4.2/5 |
| SMONTER Heavy Duty Metal Dog Crate | $$$ | A | 4.6/5 |
* Click on the best heavy duty dog cage brand for more information and prices, or scroll below for more details.
Obviously, you should never allow your dog to escape his crate; there's a reason he's in the crate in the first place. There are many reasons why he may try to get out of the crate.
Here are just a few of them:
- Crate anxiety
- Separation anxiety
- Storm anxiety
- Boredom
- Distraction
The first step to avoid this problem is to teach your pet. After you buy your next heavy duty dog cage (or even a simple soft sided dog crate), you'll need to crate train your dog. Crate training a dog is a process that takes time and patience, but it's doable.
As with any type of dog training, it's a gradual procedure that cannot be rushed. If you simply put your pet in his crate and leave for work, it's likely that Fido will develop anxiety about having to stay in the confined area. Here's our video on how to crate train a dog.
“Crate training is beneficial to a puppy's life in that it provides a safe means to prevent inappropriate elimination in the house, a place where the puppy can go to escape excessive handling by small children, and a way to prevent destructive and potentially dangerous behaviors in the house when you are away.” – OSU College of Veterinary Medicine [source]
After you've gone through the process of crate training your dog, he will come to think of his crate as a safe place and den, rather than a box he doesn't enjoy being in.
However, even if he enjoys staying in a pet crate, separation anxiety or environmental issues (like storm anxiety) could set in and cause him to want to escape his crate at any cost. Sadly, some dogs will require either anxiety medication or use a dog anxiety vest to stay calm.
Having one of the best indestructible dog crates that are specifically designed to be durable and stand up to even the strongest paws, claws and teeth will keep your dog safe. They're made with tough materials like steel and reinforced hardware. Indestructible dog crates aren't for all dogs, but if simple crates can't hold your pup then try one of these.
MORE RANKINGS: Top 50 Best Dog Crates of All Time
TOP 5: Best Heavy Duty Dog Cages & Indestructible Dog Crates
1 WOKEEN Heavy-Duty Dog Crate
THIS PRODUCT IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE
This crate measures 47.5″L x 30.7″W x 36″H and weighs 92 pounds. It is designed to secure powerful dogs that weigh up to 150 pounds. WOKEEN is made of high-grade steel and comes in a deep black finish.
- Heavy duty dog cage reviews: Read opinions of other dog owners
WOKEEN dog crates have four rolling casters that rotate 360 degrees which help you easily move the kennel around your home. You can lock two of the wheels to hold the crate in place.
The dog crate also has an appropriate gap between steel bars. It also has a double-door design and wide doors. These features give convenience for owners when it comes to interacting and feeding the dog.
This crate will arrive flat in a box and will need to be assembled. No special tools are required other than the usual household tools.
Buyers find this to be one of the best heavy duty dog cages for long-term use, well-ventilated, and secure even for the most cunning dog. Its 90-day escape guarantee is reassuring, and long enough to put the WOKEEN dog crate protective lock to the test. It can withstand dog clawing and biting, and it does not chip off like molded plastic or bend like wire crates.
WOKEEN dog crate is the perfect size for easy handling and compact enough for added sturdiness. The non-corrosive material and well-executed construction will hold out to rough and extended use. The price range can be a bit more expensive than a typical wire dog crate. But for long-term use, this crate can last eight times an ordinary wired crate.
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2Impact Case Collapsible Dog Crate
THIS PRODUCT IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE
The exterior dimension of this crate is 41”x25”x29”, and it opens to a door that measures 19.8”x14.8”. It weighs 45 pounds. This USA-made crate from Impact Dog Crates is manufactured from high-grade aluminum material and sturdy welded rivet construction. The resulting product is lightweight and corrosion-resistant.
- Heavy duty dog cage reviews: Read opinions of other pet owners
Marine-grade locking hardware will secure your pet inside. Airline rails come with this IATA-compliant crate. Large holes on all three sides and the parallel vertical bars on the front door provide sufficient ventilation. The tan color deflects heat and adds to the comfort and coolness of the pet.
Buyers finally had peace of mind after buying the Impact Case Collapsible Dog Crate. The sturdiness and security the crate offered were great features that money could not buy. It protected their dog from getting hurt or lost, or damaging property while the owners were away. It is important to take measurements, though, to ensure the dog’s fit and comfort.
Dogs with serious separation anxiety, heavy gnawing issues, or those that are really large or long may need to get stationary crates and not this collapsible type. This is a well-designed and well-constructed crate. The door may need to be made sturdier in future design improvements.
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3ProSelect Empire Dog Cage
The medium size of this crate from ProSelect has these dimensions measured inside: 35.75” x 23.5” x 24.5”. The large one measures 40.75” x 28.125” x 31.75”. The cage is constructed of 20-gauge steel and ½-inch diameter steel tubing. All sides are enclosed in a grid pattern allowing optimal ventilation.
- Heavy duty dog cage reviews: Read opinions of other pet owners
The floor grate is built in and there is a removable steel tray below it. Joints are welded together and the front door has two door latches. The crate has a hammertone finish which is durable and anti-corrosive. It can be moved around conveniently with four casters which can be locked or removed, if so desired.
The ProSelect Empire Dog Cage is a solid, albeit heavy, cage for enclosing dogs. For pet owners who have owned crates of various types, such as wire, plastic, and other metals, steel seemed to be the next best step. It was also a step up in terms of cost, but they felt that the expense was well worth their pet’s well-being and the safety of their home and belongings.
This cage worked for countless hyperactive and anxious dogs, great escapists, and for most chewers. Since it’s mostly made of steel bars and steel tubing, its weight could be a drawback for some. Overall, buying this is a practical investment in the long term.
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4 Diamond Deluxe Aluminum Dog Crate
THIS PRODUCT IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE
For those looking for a handy dog crate or carrier, this one from Diamond Deluxe could be it. It is a compact crate that is made of welded diamond tread aluminum. This is one of the best heavy duty dog cages because it has a handle for easy carrying and a T-handle and turn latch with a key for locking. It only weighs 25 pounds, which is much lighter than many of the other products on this list. It's also made in the USA.
- Heavy duty dog cage reviews: Read opinions of other pet owners
This dog crate measures 17.25”x30”x20”, and will house a small to medium dog securely. This is ideal for transporting dogs, crate training, and even comfortably housing small pets. There are vents on the walls with slide covers for protection when it rains or snows.
Dogs find the Diamond Deluxe Aluminum Dog Crate cozy and don’t seem to mind getting into the crate. Buyers with dogs weighing 20-40 pounds were happy about their purchase. Bigger dogs will not be as comfortable and may feel cramped inside this cage. It is very well-made and extremely durable. Buyers didn’t have issues with their dogs chewing on this crate.
This is a sturdily made crate that’s great for transporting and carrying dogs for the reasons that it’s compact, light, and not so large. The aluminum material, smooth flooring and adequate vents afford a cool and cozy interior. Hence, dogs settle well and anxiety or chewing issues are lessened. It is vital though to measure your dog carefully as you compare it with the description. An uncomfortable dog will find every means there is to escape his or her restrictive situation.
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5SMONTER Heavy Duty Metal Dog Crate
This heavy-duty crate from SMONTER comes with dimensions of 38″L x 32″H x 25.5″W. Alloy steel was used for the bars and plastic material for the removable tray. Unlike some of the other best heavy duty dog cages, the grate can be removed when it needs to be cleaned.
- Heavy duty dog cage reviews: Read opinions of other pet owners
It is clasped in place with an iron hasp. Two latches are used for locking the dog in. There are four casters with two that can be locked in place. Buyers trust this solid cage for their dog. After several escaping episodes, their dogs finally met their match.
This is not only a reliable crate it is also roomy and comfortable, not to mention that it is easy to clean with the removable floor grate and tray. The SMONTER Heavy Duty Dog Crate may take some work to assemble correctly and align everything. Incorrectly aligned, the assembly could result in latches that don’t work as designed. Some buyers also complained that the store is unresponsive towards issues and complaints.
Regardless, this is the ideal dog cage for confining your dog at home. It is stable and durable, provides ample room for the dog, is easy to move around the house, and is a breeze to clean. It may not be the best option for transporting or carrying dogs, as it is huge and heavy. The access door on the top is a winning idea, especially for those who have bending or back issues. The latches may need to be upgraded though in future product revisions.
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