6 Best Dog Crates for Small Apartments (October 2026) Reviews & Picks

The MidWest 24-inch single-door iCrate is the best overall pick for small apartments: it is a folding wire crate sized for small breeds of roughly 12 to 20 pounds, it comes with a divider panel so a puppy can grow into it, and it folds flat when you need the floor space back. In this context, “small apartment” means a layout where every square foot is contested, so the footprint, how the crate folds and whether it can double as furniture matter as much as the wire. The six crates below range from compact 24-inch wire models to a furniture-style kennel.

Quick List

• MidWest 24-inch iCrate – best overall for small breeds and growing puppies
• FDW 24-inch Foldable Crate (Double Door) – best for tight rooms where a door has to open from two directions
• Hzuaneri 31.5-inch Furniture Crate – best for owners who want the crate to look like a piece of furniture
• DUMOS 24-inch Foldable Crate – best for puppies and small dogs on a simple single-door layout
• MidWest 30-inch iCrate – best for medium breeds if you have the floor space
• Carlson Compact Single Door Crate (Small) – best for a small, simple crate with a compact footprint

Which One Is Right for You?

The wire crates fold flat, so they suit renters who will store them in a closet during the day. The furniture-style crate trades that portability for looks. Whichever style you choose, size to your dog’s adult body, not its current size, and use a divider if you are crate training a puppy.

All 6 Picks in Detail

1. MidWest 24-Inch iCrate – Best Overall for Small Breeds

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#1 Pick

Midwest 24-Inch Single Door iCrate, for Small Breeds, 12-20 lbs | Folding Dog Crate with Divider Panel, Leak-Proof Tray & Secure Latch, Port

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This crate is listed as a single-door folding dog crate for small breeds of 12 to 20 pounds, with a divider panel, a leak-proof tray and a secure latch. Retailer specification fields round the footprint to approximately 24 inches long, 18 inches wide and 19 inches high. It is portable and folds flat for storage, which matters if you share a studio with your dog.

It suits owners of small adult dogs and puppies of larger breeds in training, since the divider lets you shrink the interior and expand it as the dog grows. Housebreaking works best when the crate is just big enough to stand, turn and lie down in.

In a small apartment, one practical benefit is that the wire sides let your dog see the room and let air move through, so the crate does not feel like a closed box. Rubber feet or protective floor features, as the listing family describes, help keep hard floors from scratching.

Placement tips matter in a small space. A 24-inch crate fits beside a nightstand, under a standing desk or in the gap between a sofa and a wall, and the wire sides keep sight lines open so the room does not feel smaller. If you plan to move it often, use the carry handle and lift from the base, not the door, so the latch is not strained.

• Size class: 24 inches, for dogs 12 to 20 pounds (listing name)
• Door: single door
• Included: divider panel, leak-proof tray, secure latch (listing name)
• Portability: folds flat with a carry handle, per listing family
• Exact external dimensions and folded thickness, confirm on listing

Pros:

• Divider panel supports puppy training
• Folds flat for tight spaces

Cons:

• Single door gives only one access point
• Wire crates can rattle if a dog is active

It is the plainest and best documented of the 24-inch crates, with the FDW model as its nearest alternative.

2. FDW 24-Inch Foldable Crate – Best for Double-Door Flexibility

#2 Pick

FDW | 24" Foldable Metal Dog Crate | Black | Cage for Small Dogs | Heavy Duty, Portable Wire Kennel with Double Door, Divider & Leak-Proof T

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The FDW crate is described as a 24-inch foldable metal crate in black for small dogs, with a heavy-duty, portable wire design, a double door, a divider and a leak-proof tray. Two doors are the key difference: you can open whichever side faces open floor and keep the other against a wall, which is helpful in a narrow apartment where one side of the crate is blocked by furniture.

It suits owners who need flexible placement, such as next to a bed in a bedroom corner with only one clear approach.

With two doors, you can park the crate against a wall with the side door facing a walkway and still use the front door for meals and training. Check that both doors close flush and that neither latch can be flipped open by a determined paw. A second door also helps if you want to slide a bed or blanket in without reaching across the whole crate.

• Size: 24 inches (listing name)
• Doors: double door (listing name)
• Included: divider and leak-proof tray (listing name)
• Finish: black metal wire
• Weight rating and exact dimensions, confirm on listing

Pros:

• Front and side access gives layout choices
• Divider included for growing dogs

Cons:

• More latches means more points to check for a secure close
• Brand specifications are less detailed than in the MidWest title

Compared with the MidWest 24-inch crate, it adds a door at the cost of extra latches to verify.

3. Hzuaneri 31.5-Inch Furniture Crate – Best for Blending In

#3 Pick

Hzuaneri 31.5 in Dog Crate Furniture,Dog Kennel Indoor for Small/Medium Dog | Dog Kennel Furniture Wooden Dog Cage Heavy Duty Dog Crate Deco

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This listing is a 31.5-inch wooden dog crate designed as furniture, intended for small and medium dogs and described as heavy duty and decorative. In a small apartment it can serve as a side table or media console, with a flat top for a lamp or plant, so you don’t need a separate piece of furniture next to the sofa.

It suits owners who find wire crates unattractive and who have the floor space for a larger, fixed piece. It does not fold flat, so you commit to the footprint.

The most useful way to think about a furniture crate is as a table that happens to have a dog inside. Measure the spot where it will live, including space to open the door, and think about ventilation: solid panels can hold heat and odor, so look for slatted or open sides. Put a washable pad inside and keep a waterproof liner under it in case of accidents.

• Size: 31.5 inches (listing name)
• Material: wood-style furniture crate (listing name)
• Dog size: small to medium (listing name)
• Door style, tray and top surface material: confirm on listing
• Assembly effort and weight rating: confirm on listing

Pros:

• Looks like furniture and doubles as a surface
• Sturdier feel than wire for many owners

Cons:

• Larger and less portable than wire crates
• Chewers can damage wood or laminate edges

It trades the fold-flat convenience of the MidWest crates for a finish that suits a living room.

4. DUMOS 24-Inch Foldable Crate – Best for a Simple Puppy Setup

#4 Pick

DUMOS 24 Inch Dog Crate, Foldable Puppy Small Dog Cage Pet Kennel | Single Door Metal Wire, Plastic Leak-Proof Pan Tray, Portable Indoor Out

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The DUMOS listing describes a 24-inch foldable puppy and small dog cage with a single-door metal wire frame and a plastic leak-proof pan tray, suitable for indoor or outdoor use. The title doesn’t mention a divider, so check the page if you plan to crate train a growing puppy.

It suits owners who just need a straightforward 24-inch folding crate for a small dog and who don’t need extras.

Because it is listed for both indoor and outdoor use, this crate is a reasonable choice if the dog travels, but in an apartment its main appeal is simplicity. If a divider is not included, a sturdy box or a purchased divider can limit the space, though a loose, improvised partition should never leave sharp edges or gaps.

• Size: 24 inches (listing name)
• Door: single door (listing name)
• Frame: metal wire
• Tray: plastic leak-proof pan (listing name)
• Divider and latch type: confirm on listing

Pros:

• Foldable and portable
• Straightforward design

Cons:

• Divider not stated in the title
• Less specific weight guidance

It lines up closely with the MidWest 24-inch crate but gives less information in its name.

5. MidWest 30-Inch iCrate – Best for Medium Breeds with Room to Spare

#5 Pick

Midwest 30-Inch Single Door iCrate, for Medium Breeds, 21-40 lbs | Folding Dog Crate with Divider Panel, Leak-Proof Tray & Secure Latch, Por

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The 30-inch version of the iCrate is listed for medium breeds of 21 to 40 pounds, with the same single door, divider panel, leak-proof tray and latch as the smaller model. It occupies more floor area, so in a very small apartment you must decide whether the space is worth it.

It suits owners of beagle- or cocker-sized dogs and puppies of breeds that will end up in that range.

Thirty inches is a common size for a beagle, cocker spaniel or a young retriever mix, and it leaves little spare room in a one-bedroom unit, so confirm where it will live before you order. The divider lets a puppy use only the front portion until housebreaking is reliable, after which you can remove it to open the full interior.

• Size class: 30 inches, for dogs 21 to 40 pounds (listing name)
• Door: single door
• Included: divider panel, leak-proof tray, secure latch (listing name)
• Portability: folds flat, per listing family
• Exact dimensions, confirm on listing

Pros:

• Fits medium dogs with a divider for puppies
• Folds flat when not in use

Cons:

• Takes more floor space than the 24-inch models
• Overkill for a small dog

It is the step up from the 24-inch MidWest crate if your dog is heavier than 20 pounds.

6. Carlson Compact Single Door Crate – Best for a Small, Basic Crate

#6 Pick

Carlson Pink Secure and Compact Single Door Metal Dog Crate, Small

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The Carlson listing is a pink, secure and compact single-door metal dog crate in a small size. The title gives no dimensions or weight range, so confirm both on the page. It is aimed at small dogs and suits a household that wants a no-frills option in a color other than black.

Look at the latch, the tray and the folded size on the product page before choosing it for a very small space.

For households where several people share crate duty, a simple single-door crate is easy to understand. The compact format suits toy and small breeds, and a color that differs from the typical black wire can help it sit more happily beside colorful furniture. Because the title is short, make a note of the interior height and the latch design before you decide.

• Size: small (listing name); exact dimensions, confirm on listing
• Door: single door (listing name)
• Material: metal
• Color: pink (listing name)
• Divider, tray and folded size: confirm on listing

Pros:

• Compact design and a distinctive color
• Single-door simplicity

Cons:

• Minimal detail in the listing name
• Color may not suit every room

Compared with the MidWest 24-inch crate, you have to do more checking on the product page to learn what comes with it.

Specs Compared

How We Chose These

We reviewed each crate’s listing title and specification fields, and checked manufacturer-style descriptions where the brand publishes them. The criteria were stated size and weight guidance, number of doors, presence of a divider and a leak-proof tray, whether the crate folds flat, and whether it is a wire or furniture design. Because the topic is small apartments, we gave extra attention to footprint and storage. Values the listings leave out are shown as “confirm on listing” rather than guessed. This is a research-based comparison of published information, not a physical evaluation of the crates, so check the product page for current details.

What to Look For

Getting the Size Right

A crate should be large enough for the dog to stand without ducking, turn around and lie in a natural position. A common method is to measure from the nose to the base of the tail and add 2 to 4 inches for length, and to measure shoulder or head height standing and add 2 to 4 inches for height. As a worked example, a 14-pound terrier measuring 18 inches nose to tail base needs a crate roughly 20 to 22 inches long, so a 24-inch crate fits with a divider to keep the interior from being too large. Brand weight ranges, such as 12 to 20 pounds for a 24-inch model and 21 to 40 pounds for a 30-inch model, give a quick cross-check.

Footprint, Doors and Folding

In a small apartment, measure the spot twice and include the door swing. A 24-inch wire crate occupies roughly two feet by a foot and a half of floor, but the open door needs space to clear. Double-door models let you place the crate in a corner and open the door that faces the room. Folding crates collapse to a few inches thick and can slide behind a door or under a bed; look for a carry handle and a latch that holds the folded panels together. Furniture crates don’t fold, so only choose them if the spot is permanent.

Safety, Trays and Materials

Check that the latch can’t be nudged open by a dog’s nose and that welds and wire ends are smooth. A leak-proof tray makes cleanup easier and protects the floor. Remove collars with hanging tags and avoid dangling toys inside the crate when the dog is unsupervised, because they can snag. Wood or laminate furniture crates are not ideal for dogs that chew edges, and plastic trays can be chewed by some dogs. Put the crate away from radiators, direct sun and drafts.

Crate Training Basics for Small Spaces

A crate should feel like a den, not a punishment. Feed meals inside, toss in treats and keep sessions short at first. A common guideline for puppies is that they can hold their bladder for roughly one hour per month of age, plus one, up to about eight hours, so an eight-week-old puppy should not stay in a crate for more than two to three hours without a break. Cover part of a wire crate with a breathable cloth to create a den effect and cut visual stimulation, but leave ventilation. In an apartment, place the crate where the dog can see you, since isolation increases barking.

Noise, Cleaning and Placement in Shared Walls

Apartment neighbors hear barking and crate rattling more than you might expect. Put a rubber mat or thick rug under a wire crate, line the interior with a soft pad and keep the crate away from shared walls if possible. Clean trays after accidents with an enzyme-based cleaner so the smell does not encourage repeat marking, and wipe the wire monthly. A crate in the bedroom often helps a puppy settle at night, because the dog hears and smells you nearby, and you can respond quickly to nighttime whines.

Choosing Between Wire and Furniture Styles

Wire crates win on ventilation, weight and price-to-size, and they fold away when guests visit. Furniture crates win on looks and surface area. If you rent and may move often, a folding wire crate is easier to transport; if you plan to stay put and want the crate to anchor a corner of the room, furniture style is worth a look. Either way, check that the interior has no sharp edges and that the dog cannot push through the door or panels.

Questions

What size crate does a small apartment dog need?

Choose a crate where your adult dog can stand, turn and lie comfortably, usually 2 to 4 inches longer than nose-to-tail length. Avoid oversizing, because too much space makes housebreaking harder.

Is a furniture crate better than a wire crate?

It looks better in a living room, but it takes up fixed space and doesn’t fold. Wire crates are lighter, more ventilated and can be stored when not in use.

Do I need a divider panel?

A divider is helpful for puppies because you can adjust the interior as they grow. For a fully grown small dog it is optional.

Can a crate stay in a studio apartment all day?

Yes, but think about placement. A foldable crate can be moved or folded away, and a furniture crate can serve as a table. Keep it out of direct sun and away from heaters.

How do I keep a wire crate from rattling?

Place a rubber mat under it, check that the panels are fully latched and add a thick pad inside. A snug fit between panels also reduces noise.

How long can a dog stay in a crate?

Adult dogs can usually manage several hours, but puppies need much shorter stretches. If your schedule requires long absences, ask a veterinarian or trainer about alternatives such as a playpen or a visit from a dog walker.

Can a crate fit under a desk or table?

Often yes, if the crate height is under the desk clearance and you leave a few inches of ventilation around it. Measure the opening, including any drawers or crossbars, and allow for the door swing.

Is it cruel to crate a dog in an apartment?

Not when it is introduced gradually, used for reasonable periods and combined with exercise and attention. A crate can give a dog a safe, quiet den, but it is not a substitute for walks and company.

Update History

• October 20, 2026 – Initial publication; product set drawn from current catalog listings.
• Check the product page for current specifications and availability before buying.

Sources

• Manufacturer-style product descriptions and retailer specification fields for the MidWest iCrate
• Retailer listing titles and specification fields for each other product named above
• General crate-sizing and crate-training guidance