Does your dog have separation anxiety and you’re looking for a crate to create a safe space?
Separation anxiety is a chronic canine condition that affects dogs irrespective of age, breed, size or mix.
It usually occurs when pet owners leave their dogs at home alone and can result in a dog resorting to destructive behaviours.
I’ve got firsthand experience with separation anxiety as my two Alaskan Klee Kai dogs (14lbs) struggle to varying degrees when left at home alone.
My mini huskies prefer being crated in their safe zone rather than being left free to roam the home without human company.
In this article, we’re going to take a look at the best small dog crates for separation anxiety.
We’ll looking at some of the leading providers of dog crates that could provide a secure space for our four-legged friends who hate to be left at home alone.
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What Is Separation Anxiety?
Corgi in collapsible dog crate (Photo: Adobe Stock)
Separation anxiety is a chronic canine condition where dogs will panic or become distressed when their owner leaves the home. It can have a number of different symptoms.
Most dog owners will be aware of the more common symptoms, such as incessant barking, howling or whining. Some dogs might resort to destructive chewing clothes or furniture, or destructively digging or scratching the door or floorboards. In extreme cases, dogs may defecate or urinate due to separation anxiety.
In these situations, you may find that crating your dog could provide a solution. There are a number of crates that have been designed to create a safe space for your dog and can withstand even the most destructive canines.
Not all symptoms of separation anxiety are easily visible to the naked eye. Some dogs may subtly tremble or suffer in virtual silence which could go undetected unless their behaviour is closely monitored with help from a pet camera.
Alternatively, excessive salivation, self-injury such as excessive paw licking, repetitive behaviour such a circling pacing, and not eating could be all subtle signs.
Separation anxiety is a disorder that is thought to affect between 15 and 20 per cent of dogs.
As I mentioned at the start of the article, my dogs suffer with separation anxiety. While my male dog outwardly displays signs of distress through barking and whining, my female dog is much quieter but trembles.
I’ve found that using a comfortable dog crate lowers the degree of separation anxiety. When they were left out of their crate, they would scratch at the door and howl under the door. In their crate, they were much calmer.
Having said that, every dog is different and crating some dogs will exacerbate the situation rather than helping.
Best Small Dog Crates For Separation Anxiety 2023
Now that we have a better understanding of separation anxiety, let’s examine in more detail the best dog crates for small dogs with separation anxiety available to purchase right now.
1) Impact Dog’s High Anxiety Crate
Where To Buy: impactdogcrates.com
Impact High Anxiety Dog Crates (Photo: Impact)
Impact Dog Crates have designed a crate specifically for our canine friends who struggle with separation anxiety. Aptly named the High Anxiety Crate, it’s described on their website as an escape-proof dog crate. But it’s not simply a dog crate that can withstand the efforts of the best escape artists. Impact Dog Crates have been thoughtful in their design to both protect and outsmart pets who suffer from severe separation anxiety. It has a welded structure, a zinc steel paddle latch and four butterfly latches to provide ultimate security and strength. They’ve constructed the crate with 62% thicker aluminum alloy to increase the structural integrity of the crate. Seeing as we’re discussing crates for small dogs, you may be more interested in the comfort factor rather than strength of the crate. The High Anxiety Crate has small circle ventilation holes specifically designed to prevent dogs from getting their canine teeth in and hurting themselves as well as providing air flow. These holes have been reduced in size in comparison to their other crates to factor in chewers. The military grade handles make it portable should you need to take the High Anxiety Crate on the road. The High Anxiety Crate has a five-star rating based upon nearly 2,000 reviews. You can opt for their 30″ length crate that should be suitable for most small breeds. The price starts at $1,099 – it’s a premium product with a premium price. If you’ve got dogs who struggle with separation anxiety, this may be a reasonable price to ensure their safety and prevent damage.
You can get 15% off your Impact Dog Crates order when you use our exclusive discount HELLOBARK at the checkout. To get this 15% discount on your Impact Dog Crate, click here.
2) Diggs Revol Dog Crate
Where To Buy: diggs.pet
Diggs Revol Collapsible Dog Crate (Photo: Diggs)
Diggs Revol is a great option for dog owners who want a crate for their family pet. While the Revol crate hasn’t been specifically designed for dogs who suffer from separation anxiety, it can provide a comfortable and safe place for small dogs. They’ve used durable but non-toxic materials to create their stylish crate. Diggs have used a diamond-shaped mesh and a single-piece frame that helps to keep your dog safe and prevent potential injury to jaws and paws. While some dog owners may be skeptical whether it’ll hold up when faced with destructive chewers, a quick read through reviews online suggests the Revol holds its own. The Revol is easy to collapse and transport thanks to the wheels. While reviewers do warn it’s very heavy due to the sturdy design, it has an average score of 4.6 stars based upon nearly 4,000 reviews on their website. I did a quick search of the word “anxiety” and the Revol was described as a “lifesaver” by one owner who appeared to summarise the overall opinion on the crate. Finally, Diggs have a Groov Training Aid that can encourage, provide enrichment and hopefully calm your dog. It’s a nice addition (costs $34 extra). The small Diggs Revol crate is 25″L x 17″W x 19″H and is available in three colours. The price starts at $375 which is significantly cheaper than our top pick.
We can offer helloBARK! readers 11% off their first Diggs order when you click this link.
3) SMONTER Heavy Duty Dog Crates
Where To Buy: amazon.com
SMONTER Heavy Duty Dog Crate (Photo: Amazon)
We’ve got an Amazon option to complete our list of the best small dog crates for separation anxiety. The SMONTER Heavy Duty Dog Crate is constructed from welded steel bar to provide security. They write on their Amazon page that the steel frame should be able to withstand any escape attempts by clever dogs. With a non-toxic finish, there’s plenty of ventilation thanks to the crate’s design. They opted for a Y-shape design to prevent dogs from poking their snouts through the bar and attempting to bite a handler. The price of the crate is $239 so it comes in significantly cheaper than the High Anxiety Crate and Revol crate.
How We Choose The Best Small Dog Crates
It can be a confusing and overwhelming experience trying to find a dog crate for your small dog, especially if they suffer with separation anxiety which is already a stressful situation.
There are no shortage of potential options online that purport to help and soothe dogs who are suffering from this chronic canine condition.
When we started our search for the best small dog crates for separation anxiety, we considered a number of key factors such as the construction, durability and integrity of each crate.
We kept in mind the importance of ventilation and safety to ensure your dog’s comfort, as well as security to keep even the best escape artists secure inside their den.
Once we put together an initial shortlist of potential options, we dedicated time to scouring reviews and customer reviews to get an understanding of how the crates are performing.
We researched the latest advice and guidance from experts on dog crates.
The list above represents what we believe to be the best large dog crates for separation anxiety, and it’s updated often for accuracy and integrity. It was last updated February 2023.
Can Crates Help Dogs With Separation Anxiety?
Whether a crate will help a dog’s separation anxiety is dependent on each individual dog.
For instance, my Alaskan Klee Kai are much calmer insider their crate that they consider their safe haven rather than roaming my house.
But you’ll notice some dogs are visibly more agitated at being confined in a restricted area so a crate won’t help.
Julie Burgess, a Certified Dog Trainer at Senior Tail Waggers, offers the following explanation:
Often dogs with separation anxiety are worried about themselves, their owners, and the space around them. Some dogs benefit from reducing the size of their area and thus reducing their stress. Other dogs might feel trapped or closed in, and crates may heighten their anxiety. Experiment with your dog and determine if using a crate is helpful.
You can read our article entitled “Does Crate Training Help Dogs With Separation Anxiety?” to learn more about crates and whether they help with separation anxiety.
Anything Else To Consider?
While Impact Dog Crates are a premium option, they offer a 10-year Dog Damage Warranty.
If your dog damages a part of the crate causing a malfunction or compromising the safety of your dog and the crate, those parts will be replaced for free. Free replacement parts, or even crate replacement, is provided within this 10 year timespan.
It’s the only dog crate within their range that is protected by the Dog Damage Warranty.
Wrapping Up – Our Final Thoughts
Impact Dog Crates (Photo: Impact)
We’ve reached the end of our article on the best small dogs crates for separation anxiety.
Our top pick is the High Anxiety Crate. It has been created and tailored to meet the needs of small dogs who suffer with separation anxiety.
Impact have thoughtfully designed a crate for dogs with separation anxiety to withstand destructive behaviours but protect your dog’s wellbeing.
With stellar five-star reviews, the High Anxiety Crate is the market leader when it comes to dog crates designed to help dogs with separation anxiety.
It’s got a premium price but you can save 15% when you use HELLOBARK at the checkout. To get this 15% discount on your Impact Dog Crate, click here.
Alternatively, if you want a slightly cheaper option that’s practical and stylish, you won’t go wrong with Diggs’ Revol crate.
You can make an 11% saving on your first Diggs order if you decide the Revol is the best fit for you and your dog. To get this 11% discount, click here.
