Best puppy crates in Australia: how to choose
Updated 2026-10-16. General information, not veterinary advice.
Ask your vet or a qualified trainer. This guide is general information, not veterinary advice.
A crate gives a puppy a safe resting place and helps with toilet training, travel and vet visits. Buying the right one once is cheaper than replacing it. Here is what to compare.
What to check before you buy
- Size. Work from your dog’s expected adult size, not today’s size. A divider lets you reduce the space while they grow. Too much room can undermine toilet training, since most dogs avoid soiling where they sleep.
- Type. Wire crates are common for home use. Plastic crates are enclosed and often used for travel. Soft crates are lightweight but suit calm dogs.
- Doors. Two doors give more placement options. Check the latches are secure and a clever puppy cannot open them.
- Ventilation and heat. Australian summers are hot. Keep any crate out of direct sun and out of parked cars. See tick, heat and snake safety.
- Tray and cleaning. A removable tray makes accidents easier to clean.
- Footprint and storage. Folding crates are easier to store and carry.
- Warranty and returns. Check the retailer’s policy before buying a large item.
In our listings
We list the Contour Dog Training Crate and the Snooza Ortho Dream mattress with who each suits. See all crates and beds. Listings are for convenience and are not endorsements.
Buying for an adult or large dog? See choosing a crate for an adult or large dog.
After you buy
Introduce the crate slowly with treats and short sessions. Our crate training guide has the steps, and the toilet training guide shows how they work together. Struggling when left alone? Read about separation anxiety.
How we pick
We have not tested these products. Listings are based on public specifications and retailer or manufacturer pages, and prices are indicative bands that can change. See our editorial policy and disclosure. Commission, if we ever earn it, does not change what we say.
Related reading: Also compare a playpen and choose a dog bed for inside it.
Product types worth comparing
Disclosure: these are plain-text suggestions. We do not currently earn commission from anything on this page. If that changes we will say so here. See our disclosure.
- Wire folding crate with divider: A common home choice. Look for a divider, two doors and a removable tray. Size to the adult dog.
- Contour training crate: Per our listing, has a divider panel, front and side access and a removable pan.
- Plastic travel crate: Enclosed, often used for car travel. Keep out of the sun and parked cars.
- Washable crate mat: Add once your puppy is not chewing bedding. A cheap one first.
Check current price, size guides and availability with Australian pet retailers such as Petbarn, Pet Circle or Petstock.
FAQs
What size crate does a puppy need?
Your dog should be able to stand, turn around and lie down comfortably as an adult. For a growing puppy, many owners buy a crate sized for the adult dog with a divider to shrink the space. Check the manufacturer's size guide against your breed's adult weight.
Wire, plastic or fabric?
Wire crates generally offer airflow and visibility and often fold flat. Plastic travel crates are enclosed and suit car and air travel. Soft crates are light but a determined chewer can damage them. Choose by how you will use it.
Should I put a bed in the crate?
Many owners add a washable bed once their puppy is reliably clean and not chewing it. Remove anything that gets chewed and swallowed.
Is a crate cruel?
Used gently, with short sessions and never as punishment, a crate can be a comfortable resting place. See our crate training guide.