Small dog crate buying guide
Best small dog crates UK
Compare small dog crates by usable interior space, door opening, bed clearance and the floor space they require in a UK home.
Our recommendations
Small dog crates to compare
These are different formats and footprints, not a size ladder that will fit every small dog. External dimensions are useful for room planning but do not substitute for internal measurements.
MidWest iCrate 18-inch puppy crate
Best for: A very small puppy when the measured fit is appropriate
An 18-inch wire crate with a divider, removable tray and fold-flat frame. It is genuinely compact, so it should only be chosen after measuring the puppy and planning for rapid growth.
What stands out
- Divider included
- Compact footprint
- Folds flat
Keep in mind
- Outgrown quickly by many puppies
- Weight is not enough to establish fit
- Single small format has limited flexibility
- 47 × 31.75 × 36.8cm
- Divider
- Removable tray
- Fold-flat wire frame
Amazon Basics 24-inch single-door wire crate
Best for: A measured small dog needing a fold-flat 61cm home crate
A 61 × 45.7 × 50.8cm wire crate with a single front door, top handle and removable plastic tray.
What stands out
- Compact published footprint
- Fold-flat frame
- Removable tray
Keep in mind
- One entrance limits placement
- Internal size not stated
- Small footprint is not universally suitable
- 61 × 45.7 × 50.8cm
- One door
- Removable tray
Feandrea PPD30H 77cm double-door wire crate
Best for: A small dog needing more length and two access positions
A 77 × 48 × 56cm folding wire crate with front and side doors, L-shaped locks, two handles and a pull-out tray.
What stands out
- Two doors
- Published 77cm length
- Foldable with two handles
Keep in mind
- Larger footprint than 24-inch
- Internal measurements not published
- Door swing needs room
- 77 × 48 × 56cm
- Two doors
- Pull-out tray
Ferplast Atlas 30 plastic carrier
Best for: A small dog that fits a short, rigid, easy-clean carrier
A 60 × 40 × 38cm recycled-plastic shell with side ventilation, a roof handle and a four-point metal door. It separates for cleaning.
What stands out
- Published outside size
- Rigid wipe-clean shell
- Roof handle and ventilated sides
Keep in mind
- Short internal floor
- Less all-round view than wire
- Transport form differs from a home crate
- 60 × 40 × 38cm external
- Recycled plastic
- Four-point door
Scroll horizontally to see all columns →
| Model | Listed outside size | Doors | Best reason to compare | Check first |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MidWest iCrate 18-inch | 47 × 31.75 × 36.8cm | One | Very compact wire footprint | Interior and sleeping length |
| Amazon Basics 24-inch | 61 × 45.7 × 50.8cm | One | Longer compact wire option | Door opening and swing |
| Feandrea PPD30H | 77 × 48 × 56cm | Two | Extra floor length and access | Room footprint |
| Ferplast Atlas 30 | 60 × 40 × 38cm | One | Rigid easy-clean shell | Usable height and ventilation |
Measure the dog before comparing compact footprints
Small dogs are not uniformly proportioned. A long-backed dachshund needs different floor length from a square-bodied terrier, while erect ears can change sitting clearance. Record the nose-to-tail-base length, natural sitting height and longest relaxed lying posture. Our step-by-step measuring guide shows what to record.
The listed sizes below are external. Wall thickness, wire frames, trays and door hardware reduce usable space. Ask the seller for the interior if it is not published. A small crate that fits on the floor plan but presses a dog into a curled resting position is too small.
The options in detail
MidWest iCrate 18-inch: smallest footprint
This folding wire format is easiest to consider for a genuinely tiny adult dog or as a short-lived puppy stage. Its compact floor is also its limitation: check the full sleeping length with a bed installed, and do not choose it solely because a breed chart calls the dog “toy”. A crate that lasts into adulthood may be more practical.
Amazon Basics 24-inch: a longer compact wire choice
The 61cm published external length gives more room to investigate than an 18-inch model. One front door simplifies placement against a wall, but the swing still needs clear floor space. The removable tray makes everyday cleaning easier; confirm that its lip and any bedding do not compromise the dog's usable posture.
Feandrea PPD30H: more floor length and two access points
The 77cm listed outer length can suit a longer small dog if internal dimensions confirm the fit. Its front and side doors give placement flexibility, useful when a sofa or hallway route limits one opening. The extra length means it may no longer feel “small” in a flat: mark its footprint and both door swings first.
Ferplast Atlas 30: rigid plastic alternative
The Atlas 30 has a moulded shell, ventilation slots and a metal front door. It is worth comparing when a wipe-clean, more enclosed format suits the dog's routine. The 38cm listed outside height is especially important: check inside headroom with any pad in place. Its roof handle does not make an occupied carrier suitable for every type of journey.
Plan the whole space, not just the crate
Tape the outer footprint onto the floor and open an imaginary door to its full extent. Leave a comfortable approach for the dog and a route for people. Avoid radiators, direct sun, draughts and corners where ventilation is blocked. For a layout walkthrough, read where to put a dog crate.
Add the actual mat or bed, then reassess standing height and turning space. A thick bolster can make a technically large enough crate functionally cramped. Allowing room for bedding and bowls covers the final fit check.
Check the dog, not only the measurements
Once the dog is willing to enter, watch an unhurried stand, sit, turn and lie-down. The dog should not need to duck continuously or press against the door to stretch. If the dog resists entering, use a gradual positive introduction; buying a different size is not a substitute for helping a dog feel safe in the space.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Is an 18-inch crate suitable for all small dogs?
No. Eighteen inches describes an external length class, not a dog's fit. Check that your dog can stand and sit without touching the roof, turn and lie fully extended inside the actual model.
Can a dachshund use a compact crate?
Only if the interior length supports its full natural sleeping posture. Long-backed dogs may need a longer crate than their weight or shoulder height suggests.
Should I choose wire or plastic for a small dog?
Wire offers broad visibility and often folds flat. Plastic can offer a more enclosed feel and wipe-clean shell. Either can work when ventilation, usable size, access and the dog's response are right.
Is a puppy crate the same as a small dog crate?
Not necessarily. A puppy may outgrow a small crate quickly. Plan for adult dimensions or an appropriate divider, and revisit the fit during growth.
Do two doors make a small crate safer?
Two doors can improve room placement and access, but only if both close securely and neither opens into a blocked route. Door count does not replace fit or careful introduction.
Sources
- PDSA — crate training and fit
- RSPCA — dog crates and puppy playpens
- Amazon UK model listings linked from the product cards