Keep Your Pup In-Line With The Best Dog Gate
When it comes to being a pet owner, safety is a number one priority. There are usually areas in and around the house that can pose safety risks to your dog, or areas where your dog can cause damage or messes. Keeping your pet contained with a dog gate can become essential, but choosing the right kind of dog gate is the tough part. You must take into consideration a variety of factors while evaluating dog gates, such as the build quality, durability, and ease of use. To help you make a solid choice, we have come up with some of our own recommendations for the best dog gates in 2024. These options offer quick assembly and portability, easy-to-open latches, and extension kits to fit any door frame or stairwell, and more.
Detailing our Favorite Dog Gates of 2024 in Detail
Carlson Pet Products Pet Gate
– Best Overall
Keep your dogs safe in the home, whether big or small, with this dog gate. The gate stands 30.5-inches tall and features an additional small pet door on the bottom so you can let the smaller ones come through while keeping the bigger ones safely locked out. It has a pressure mounting system that requires no tools for installation and also does not damage your walls. Also, the finishing on the gate is completely non-toxic, hence this gate is completely safe to use.
- Opening and closing the door is very easy with the convenient push-button mechanism
- Comes with a four-inch-wide extension kit that allows you to install the gate almost anywhere
- Has a sturdy all-metal construction that provides long-lasting durability
- The small pet door on the bottom is still large enough to let medium-sized dogs through
Cumbor Safety Dog Gate
– Runner Up
Never worry about accidentally leaving the dog gate open again with this product. The gate automatically closes when opened at less than 90 degrees, minimizing the risk of you accidentally leaving the gate open. The gate has a solid construction that can reliably keep a dog weighing up to 150lbs on the other side with ease, even though it has a simple pressure mounting system that does not require any tools to install yet provides a strong fix.
- Cumbor dog gate can open in both directions
- The latch is easy to operate with only one hand and is still childproof
- A secondary safety latch is included on the bottom for added security
- The gate extensions might require frequent tightening to ensure a strong fix
MYPET Portable Pet Gate
– Honorable Mention
The 23-inches tall height of this dog gate ensures it keeps most dog breeds on the other side with ease. The gate has a variable width that can be easily adjusted to fit in openings measuring between 26 to 40 inches, making it very easy to fit. Also, the durable plastic construction provides long-lasting utility and is very easy to clean. The gate also features rubber bumpers so it does not damage your walls either during installation or even after regular use.
- Has a cute paw print on the gate that is befitting a home with a pet dog
- It is easy to take down and install, does not require any tools during installation
- The handle is curved for a firm and comfortable grip
- Does not come with instructions for assembly
Regalo Baby Gate
– Also Consider
Enjoy the easy-to-use design of this dog gate, which features a lever handle on top that opens with a one-touch release safety lock that makes it very convenient to use. The gate has an impressive height of 30-inches that provides sufficient block for most dog breeds. Also, it has a very easy mounting mechanism that relies on pressure between two ends and does not require any tools to install, making this gate very easy to set up.
- Gate includes a six-inch-wide extension kit to ensure a good fix
- Also wall-mountable, gate comes with mounting hardware for easy installation
- Has an all-steel durable construction that can withstand the test of time
- Once installed, the gate only swings one way
This dog gate is configurable to fit any type of opening, as it measures 27-inches to 76-inches in width across multiple panels. It features a walk-through door with a safety lock and has an all-steel design, making it very easy to use and providing long-lasting durability. Also, the gate has a height of 31-inches which is more than sufficient to keep most dog breeds on the other side. The gate requires wall mounting, although this way it ensures a secure fix that remains uncompromised against both children and pets.
- Has a neutral and minimalistic appearance that blends in with most settings without looking dated
- Gate is easy to open with one hand and challenging for pets to push open
- Folds completely flat, making it very easy to store
- The gate might have a noticeable wobble when opening and closing
This dog gate comes with three panels and is easy to step over for pet owners. The gate has an expandable design and can be easily set up and stored away in minutes. The all-wooden construction with metal hinges makes this gate phenomenally durable and long-lasting. When fully opened, the gate provides an exceptional width of 60-inches, allowing you to block almost any pathway with this gate within seconds.
- Does not require installation or assembly, can be easily placed wherever needed
- Can be collapsed into a third of its size, requires little space in storage
- Has slip-resistant rubber feet that keep the gate fixed in position and protects the floor from scratches
- Hinges only allow a zig-zag fold instead of a 360-degree one, limiting the gate’s utility
Buying Guide to Finding a Perfect Dog Gate
Dog gates are useful for just about any home. They set boundaries for your pets, and they can keep valuables or kids safe on the other side. If you don’t want your dog running around everywhere, here are some tips on how to choose the best dog gate.
What Is A Dog Gate?
Dog gates function much like regular gates, only that they’re just big enough to keep a dog out (or in). They can be placed all over the house, though they are usually found in small corridors or hallways where they can be most effective. Dog gates can also be used to separate a particular part of a room to designate it as an area for your dog.
Why Do You Need A Dog Gate?
Dog gates offer various benefits for homeowners, ranging from safety to convenience.
It prevents your dog from damaging parts of your house
Dogs are fairly active pets, and sometimes, they can be a bit too active to handle. Dogs are known to damage carpets, pillows, and even appliances if left to their own devices. A dog gate can prevent any of this from happening by keeping them in designated areas where they can do little to no harm.
It keeps dogs safe from themselves
Dog gates are particularly useful if you want to protect them from themselves, too. For example, you may want to have a dog gate installed by your kitchen to keep dogs out, as the area is full of dangerous tools such as knives that could seriously injure your pup.
It can keep other people safe from your dog
If trained well enough, any dog can be friendly to even the most suspicious of strangers. But for some owners, certain dogs can be a little too tough to train, and they may act aggressively towards others, especially if they’re unfamiliar to them. In these cases, a dog gate can help keep any potential visitors safe from your dog. Eventually, you’ll be able to teach them to be kind, but dog gates can help as a temporary solution to this type of problem.
To give yourself some space and time away from your dogs
Dogs love to spend time with their owners, but naturally, there are some parts of the day when you want to spend time away from them. At that time, a dog gate can feel like a huge blessing, as it can safely and effectively confine your dog to a specific part of the house so you can enjoy some peace and quiet.
Things To Consider When Buying A Dog Gate
Dog gates aren’t standardized, and you can find all sorts of dog gates at your local pet store. Here’s a quick rundown of the things you should consider first before buying one.
Material
Dog gates are primarily made using any of these three materials – wood, plastic, and metal. Wood dog gates are sturdy and have that unique look and texture to them that looks great in any home. They’re best suited for homes that can complement the design of wood.
Plastic door gates come in all sorts of shapes and designs due to how easy it is to be creative with the material. Unfortunately, many plastic door gates aren’t exactly sturdy, and with enough force, bigger dogs could just bust right through if they ran fast enough.
That’s where metal dog gates come in. While heavy, they’re incredibly tough and the only way your dog will be able to get through them is by jumping over them if they could. This leads us to our next point – height.
Height
You’ve probably seen it in videos where a dog or a cat just jumps over a gate that is put there to keep them out. This can be a nightmare for owners, especially if they had just bought the dog gate, as it renders the gate useless against the agile pup.
To prevent this blunder from happening, you should first get a good idea of how high your dog can jump. Just because your dog isn’t active, doesn’t mean it can’t jump high – in fact, many dog breeds can jump higher than their own height, even without much exercise. Don’t underestimate the athletic prowess of these wolven descendants.
Ideally, you’ll want a dog cage that’s twice its height. Most dogs aren’t able to jump that high, so no matter how much they run every day, they won’t be able to get to the other side without you opening the gate.
Width
Dog gates don’t fit in every home. Many dog gates are designed to be installed on doorways or halls, and as such, they aren’t very wide. For wider entrances, you may need to find either bigger dog gates or dog gates that have adjustable widths, such as net-based dog fences.
Alternatively, you could also get folding dog gates. These dog gates can be extended quite far for the wider entrances, and because of their foldable construction, any doorway that’s narrower than their maximum width is compatible.
Dog Gate Price Range
Because of the varied nature of dog gate designs, there are dog gates for every budget. The cheapest dog gates are net-based, and they can cost as little as $7. Sturdier dog gates, however, will cost you a pretty penny. Expect to spend around $100 if you’re looking for a durable dog gate that can handle the paws of bigger dog breeds.
How We Choose The Best Dog Gates
The best dog gates are chosen based on their average review scores online, as well as height, design, and material used.
People Also Asked
A: If your dog is a little annoyed with the dog gate, it may try to tamper with it to take it down. There are a few ways to solve this, such as by giving it something else to do. By keeping it busy, it won’t feel the need to tamper with the gate, unless it really wants to get to the other side. Be sure to check the latches and bolts that keep the gate intact every now and then so it doesn’t fall one day.
A: It can take you just a few minutes to install a dog gate, as most dog gates have a no-tool installation process through a pressure mount system that is very easy to complete even for those people who have never used power tools in their life.