Why Low Priced And Poor Caliber Crates Can Be Risky For Your Pet

Your beloved canine has many needs and health issues to address, and most of us love to treat them a bit special as well. However, some care calls for particular attention to detail because of the danger factor, and that includes kennels - or crates.

Did you know that cheap dog crates could kill or injure your dog? Whether it’s poorly crafted metal or cheap plastic, a low-quality crate could cut, strangle or seriously injure your animal. Before you buy a bargain cost crate for your dog, keep reading to learn why it’s a bad idea.

Not Air Certified

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.

They also need to be made from high-quality plastic. Last year, 6 dogs were injured after low-quality plastic dog carriers cracked due to air cabin pressure changes. The cracked plastic cut or sliced the animals, causing pain and injury that could not be treated until the plane landed and the baggage compartment checked.

Too Collapsible

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 - a scenario 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

Plastic or fabric cheap dog crates may not have enough ventilation holes to provide your dog with sufficient oxygen. Lack of air can cause anxiety, claustrophobia, stress and even death. Several dogs in a California kennel suffocated to death after being kept in poorly-ventilated plastic kennels that were too small for the animals.

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

Buying 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. First, take off the dog’s collar before you put it in the crate since the collar could get caught and choke the dog. Second, provide your dog with toys and water while crated. Finally, never leave a dog in a crate for more than four or five hours - it’s cruel and unhealthy.

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