Best Small Dog Crate Picks for Toy and Small Breeds: Right-Sized, Not Cramped

A small dog crate has to let your dog stand without ducking its head, turn around, and lie down. For dogs up to 25 lbs, the maker weight ratings on the crates in this guide fall in the 18 to 24 inch class. Bigger is not kinder: an oversized crate can turn one end into a toilet.

So choose a small dog crate by your dog's weight and body, not by the word "small" on the box. We compared six crates, listed from $28.99 to $142.80 on Chewy when we checked in October 2026, using the makers' specifications, the Chewy listings, and published veterinary and welfare guidance.

Why small dogs need a right-sized crate, not just a small one

The American Kennel Club puts the rule in one line: choose a well-ventilated crate large enough for your dog to stand up, lie down, and turn around. For a toy breed or small breed dog up to 25 lbs, the maker ratings point to an 18-inch crate or a 24 inch crate, chosen by weight.

Too much room causes its own problem. Cornell University's Riney Canine Health Center warns that in a kennel that is too large, a dog can use one side as a bed and the other as a toilet. A tiny dog in a big crate has plenty of space to do exactly that.

Vetstreet makes the same point for puppies: the crate should be just big enough to turn around in comfortably, and not much larger, because accidents are more likely in a bigger one.

Do dogs prefer a smaller crate?

Veterinary guidance frames this as fit rather than preference. Vetstreet says a puppy's crate should be just large enough to turn around in comfortably and not much larger, and Cornell explains why: extra room lets a dog sleep at one end and toilet at the other. Snug, not cramped, is the goal. Your dog still needs room to stand, turn, and lie down.

The weight rule before you shop

Start with your dog's weight, then confirm the fit in person with three checks: stand, turn, and stretch out. We call that last step the stretch test: your dog lies down fully without pressing against the ends of the crate.

No veterinary body publishes a crate length for each weight band. The lengths above come from the makers' own weight ratings, so the stand, turn, and stretch test on your own dog has the final word. A dog with a long back or long legs for its weight may need the next size up even inside its band.

Our picks: the best small dog crates

These six picks cover the main ways people house a small breed dog indoors: folding wire crates in the two common small lengths, a wire crate with three doors, a two-door crate also sold for cats, and two end-table crates that sit in a living room as furniture. Across the six, Chewy listings ran from $28.99 to $142.80 in October 2026.

How we chose:

• A published size class or weight rating. Both MidWest iCrates and the Richell carry a maker weight rating; the others are named by size and need measuring.
• Features the guidance cares about. A divider panel for a growing puppy, a removable crate pan or tray for cleanup, and enough doors to place the crate where you need it.
• A spread of styles. Wire for folding and visibility, wood for furniture, and one crate also sold for cats.

Two small dogs need two right-sized crates, because every weight rating on these listings describes one dog. For crates for every size of dog, including medium and large breeds, see our best dog crates guide.

MidWest iCrate Single Door Fold & Carry Dog Crate, 18-in, 1 to 12-lbs: best for the tiniest toy breeds

From ChewyIn stock

MidWest iCrate Single Door Fold & Carry Dog Crate, 18-in, 1 to 12-lbs

An 18-inch folding wire crate rated for dogs from 1 to 12 lbs, with a divider panel and leak-proof pan.

$28.99

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This is the smallest crate in the group and the lowest priced, listed at $28.99 on Chewy when we checked in October 2026. MidWest rates the 18-inch size for dogs from 1 to 12 lbs, so it is the natural first crate to try for a toy breed dog inside that range.

From the Chewy listing:

• Coated, precision-welded metal wire that the maker says resists rust and wear
• Paw Block and locking tips on the slide-bolt latch
• An included divider panel so the crate can start as a puppy kennel
• A leak-proof pan, rubber feet to protect floors, and a carrying handle
• Folds flat without tools, with a large opening and low threshold for getting in and out

Who it suits: the lightest dogs, and owners who want a crate that folds away between uses or rides along in the car. The tradeoff is the single door and the 12-lb ceiling. MidWest's size data puts it at 17.68 inches long, 11.7 inches wide, and 14.22 inches high, so compare that height with your dog's standing height to the top of the head, then check inside that it can stand without ducking.

MidWest iCrate Double Door Fold & Carry Dog Crate, 24-in, 11 to 25-lbs: best overall small dog crate

From ChewyIn stock

MidWest iCrate Double Door Fold & Carry Dog Crate, 24-in, 11 to 25-lbs

A 24-inch folding wire crate rated for 11 to 25 lbs, with front and side doors, a divider panel, and a leak-proof pan.

$44.99

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The 24-inch iCrate is our best overall pick because it covers the heaviest dogs of any pick with a published weight rating, 11 to 25 lbs, and adds a second door at a modest price. Chewy listed it at $44.99 in October 2026.

From the Chewy listing:

• Front and side doors, so the crate can sit against a wall, in a corner, or wherever suits the room
• An included divider panel that lets the crate work as a puppy kennel or a full-size crate
• A durable leak-proof pan, rubber feet, and a carrying handle
• Paw Block and locking tips on the slide-bolt latch
• Folds flat without tools, with large openings and low thresholds

Who it suits: small adult dogs from 11 lbs up to the 25-lb rating, and small breed puppies whose adult weight will land in that range. The tradeoff is space for a very light dog. A 6-lb dog in a 24-inch crate has room to toilet at one end, so use the divider panel until the fit is snug.

MidWest lists this model at 23.6 inches long, 16.7 inches wide, and 19.1 inches high. Both iCrates carry MidWest's one-year warranty against manufacturing defects, which does not cover damage caused by the dog.

EliteField 3-Door Collapsible Wire Dog Crate with Divider, 24 inch: best three-door small wire crate

From ChewyIn stock

EliteField 3-Door Collapsible Wire Dog Crate with Divider, 24 inch

A collapsible 24-inch steel wire crate with three doors and a divider for growing puppies.

$82.35

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Three doors are the reason to choose this crate. EliteField's listing says they give your dog several ways in and out and give you more ways to interact with your dog. It was listed at $82.35 on Chewy when we checked in October 2026.

From the Chewy listing:

• Solid steel that the maker describes as easy to clean
• Three doors for entry and access
• An added divider so a puppy can grow into the crate
• Suggested uses that include weaning puppies from their mother and housetraining

Who it suits: rooms where the crate has to open from more than one side, and owners raising a puppy who want a divider included. The tradeoff is information and price. EliteField publishes the size, 24 x 18 x 20 inches, but no weight rating, and the crate is listed at almost twice the 24-inch iCrate's price.

EliteField says the three doors sit at the front, side, and back, each with two self-locking bolt latches, and that the crate has a slide-out ABS pan, rubber feet, and wire spacing of 1-1/3 inches.

Win World Dog & Cat Crate, Small: best small crate with front and side doors

From ChewyIn stock

Win World Dog & Cat Crate, Small, Black

A small two-door crate with a training divider and removable pan, sold for a cat, a new puppy, or a small adult dog.

$69.99

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Win World sells this crate for a cat, a new puppy, or a small adult dog, which makes it useful in a home with a small dog and a cat. Chewy listed the black Small at $69.99 in October 2026, below the EliteField and both end-table crates.

From the Chewy listing:

• Side and front access doors
• Quick setup, described as suited to home or on the go
• A training divider to manage the space as a young animal grows
• A removable pan for cleaning

Who it suits: households that want one crate style for a small dog and a cat. The tradeoff is the missing detail. The listing description does not state the crate's material, dimensions, or a weight rating, so measure your dog and compare before you buy. Both MidWest iCrates were listed for less.

Casual Home End Table Dog Crate, Small: best end-table crate for small dogs

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Casual Home End Table Dog Crate, Small, White

A solid wood end-table crate with a sturdy latch that sits in a living room as furniture.

$104

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This crate doubles as an end table, so the crate becomes part of the room rather than a wire box in the corner. The white Small was listed at $104.00 on Chewy when we checked in October 2026.

From the Chewy listing:

• Solid wood construction that the maker calls durable and long-lasting
• A sturdy latch to keep your dog safely inside
• A universal design offered in several colors

Who it suits: owners who want a small indoor dog crate that reads as furniture in a living room or bedroom. The tradeoff is information and flexibility. The listing description gives no dimensions, weight rating, divider, or tray, so it suits a grown dog you can measure, not a puppy still filling out.

Richell Wooden End Table Dog Crate, Small: best wooden end-table pick

From ChewyIn stock

Richell Wooden End Table Dog Crate, Dark Brown, Small

A wooden end-table crate for dogs up to 17.6 lbs, 24 inches long, with a removable sliding tray.

$142.80

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The Richell is the most fully specified crate here. Richell rates the Small for dogs up to 17.6 lbs and lists it at 24 x 18.1 x 20.9 inches (length, width, height). The Dark Brown Small was listed at $142.80 on Chewy when we checked in October 2026, the highest price of the six.

From the maker and the Chewy listing:

• A removable sliding tray for cleaning, 19.7 x 13.8 x 1 inches
• 1.26 inches between the wood slats, and a door opening of 14.2 x 15.5 inches
• Multiple vents for a 360-degree view and ventilation
• A door that can stay fully open, held in place by a side stopper
• A top you can use as an end table for personal items

Who it suits: small adult dogs under 17.6 lbs in homes that want a wooden end-table crate. The tradeoff is weight and price. At 24.9 lbs by the maker's figure, it is furniture you place once rather than a crate you fold and carry. Richell's standard manufacturer warranty runs 90 days.

The table below gathers the size and feature figures from the makers' published specifications, with the Chewy listings filling in where a maker publishes none.

Sizing a crate for a toy or small breed

Small dog crate sizes are sold by length. Here that means two classes: the 18-inch crate and the 24-inch crate. Crate size for a small dog follows weight first, then the dog in front of you.

What the makers publish for small dog crate dimensions and weight:

• MidWest iCrate Single Door Fold & Carry Dog Crate, 18-in, 1 to 12-lbs: 18-inch class, rated 1 to 12 lbs
• MidWest iCrate Double Door Fold & Carry Dog Crate, 24-in, 11 to 25-lbs: 24-inch class, rated 11 to 25 lbs
• Richell Small end-table crate: 24 x 18.1 x 20.9 inches, rated up to 17.6 lbs
• EliteField: 24 x 18 x 20 inches, with no published weight rating
• Win World and Casual Home: sold as Small, with no measurements in the listing description

What size is a small dog crate?

For dogs up to 25 lbs, the answer on these listings is 18 or 24 inches long. The 18-inch dog crate is the extra small size, for the lightest dogs. The 24 inch size takes small to medium size dogs up to 25 lbs on the iCrate's rating. Both MidWest listings open with the same advice: measure for the perfect fit.

Measure the two things the fit test checks. First, your dog's standing height to the top of the head, because Cornell says your dog needs enough space to stand up without ducking. Second, body length, so there is room to turn around and lie down.

Humane World for Animals gives the same baseline: the crate should be large enough for your dog to stand up and turn around in. The measurements on the box are a starting point, but your dog's own fit decides.

Buying for a puppy that will grow

Cornell notes that a divider can make a larger crate fit a growing puppy. That means you can buy for your small breed puppy's expected adult size and close the space down for now. A 24 inch dog crate with divider, such as the 24-inch iCrate or the EliteField, works this way.

For dogs above the 25-lb rating, or to compare breeds side by side, our dog crate size chart covers the full range, and our best XL dog crates guide covers the other end of the scale.

How to tell when a crate is too small or too big

A dog crate is too small when your dog cannot do the three things the guidance asks: stand up without ducking its head, turn around, and lie down. It is too big when the extra room lets your dog sleep in one part and toilet in another.

Signs your dog crate is too small

Watch your dog inside the crate, standing and lying down, before you decide. These are the signs that the crate is too small:

• Your dog lowers its head to stand, which fails Cornell's no-ducking rule
• Your dog cannot turn around in one smooth movement
• Your dog cannot lie down without pressing against the ends, which fails the stretch test
• Your dog's weight sits above the maker's rating for that crate

What happens if a dog crate is too small? The welfare and veterinary guidance defines a crate by what the dog must be able to do inside it. A crate that blocks standing, turning, or lying down does not meet that basic standard, whatever its label says.

Signs the crate is too big

The opposite problem shows up as accidents. Vetstreet says a crate should be not much larger than turn-around size, or accidents are more likely. Cornell describes the pattern: one side becomes a bed and the other a toilet.

• Your dog toilets at one end and sleeps at the other
• Your dog can walk several steps inside rather than just turn
• A very light dog is in a large crate with no divider in place

What is the 2:1 crate rule?

Cornell, the AKC, Vetstreet, and Humane World for Animals do not publish a 2:1 ratio for crates. Their rule is a fit test instead: your dog should be able to stand up, turn around, and lie down, in a crate not much larger than that. Use the stand, turn, and stretch test on your own dog rather than a ratio.

Can you put a small dog in a large crate?

Yes, if you shrink the space. The AKC advises using a divider to make the crate smaller for the time being, and Cornell says a divider can fit a larger crate to a growing puppy. Without a divider, a large crate for a small dog leaves room to toilet away from the bed.

Wire vs plastic vs end-table crates for small dogs

Each crate style trades something. Wire folds and lets air through, plastic encloses, and wood sits in a room as furniture. Here is what the sources say about each, and which picks fit.

Small wire and metal dog crates

Cornell says wire crates are durable and fold relatively easily for storage. Vetstreet adds that wire crates are the type most likely to include a divider, which makes them a good one-stop purchase for puppy owners. A small wire dog crate is also the usual choice if you want a folding, collapsible small dog crate.

The wire picks all include a divider:

• MidWest iCrate Double Door Fold & Carry Dog Crate, 24-in, 11 to 25-lbs: coated metal wire, front and side doors, folds flat without tools
• EliteField 3-Door Collapsible Wire Dog Crate with Divider, 24 inch: steel, three doors, collapsible
• The 18-in iCrate: the same folding design with one door, for dogs up to 12 lbs

If your small dog needs a sturdier build than a standard folding crate, our heavy duty dog crates guide covers that category.

Small plastic dog crates

Cornell says plastic crates are durable and often have solid walls, so no covering is needed. That enclosed shape suits a dog that settles better with fewer views of the room. None of our six picks is described as plastic in its listing, and the Win World listing description does not state its material at all.

Small wooden and end-table dog crates

A small wooden dog crate or end-table crate doubles as furniture. Richell describes its end-table crate as having a beautiful wood finish and multiple vents, and Casual Home describes its crate as solid wood with a sturdy latch.

• Casual Home End Table Dog Crate, Small, White: solid wood, sold in several colors
• Richell Wooden End Table Dog Crate, Dark Brown, Small: 24 x 18.1 x 20.9 inches, rated up to 17.6 lbs, removable sliding tray

The tradeoff is that wood does not fold, and the two end-table listings do not mention a divider. For larger furniture-style crates and more designs, see our dog crate furniture guide.

Soft-sided crates

Vetstreet says a soft-sided kennel is not the best choice for a new puppy. Cornell says fabric or mesh crates are better suited to travel, so soft crates fit the road more than the first weeks of housetraining.

What type of crate is best for small dogs?

For most small dogs at home, a folding wire crate with a divider is the practical default. Cornell calls wire durable and easy to fold, and Vetstreet says wire crates are the most likely to include a divider. Choose a plastic crate if you want solid walls, or a wooden end-table crate for a grown dog in a living room.

Dividers, bedding, and making a small crate feel safe

A small crate feels safe when it fits, has soft bedding, and is set up so your dog can settle. The sources agree on the basics.

Dividers

The AKC says many crates sold at pet-supply stores include dividers, and advises using one to make the crate smaller for the time being. Vetstreet suggests looking for a built-in divider that can be moved further back as your puppy grows.

Picks with a divider included:

• MidWest iCrate Single Door Fold & Carry Dog Crate, 18-in, 1 to 12-lbs, with a divider panel
• The 24-inch iCrate, with a divider panel
• The EliteField 3-door crate, with an added divider
• Win World Dog & Cat Crate, Small, Black, with a training divider

The two end-table listings do not mention a divider. For puppy setup, our how to crate train a puppy guide walks through introducing the crate, and our best puppy crates guide compares crates for growing dogs.

Beds, mats, and pads

The AKC suggests lining the crate with blankets and adding a few toys to make it cozy. Humane World for Animals says a comfortable bed or blanket belongs in the crate to make it inviting. A small dog bed for the crate, a crate mat, or a crate pad all do that job.

Size the bedding to the floor of the crate, not to the dog alone. The Richell is the one pick with a published tray size, 19.7 x 13.8 x 1 inches. For the others, measure the crate pan before you buy a bed so the bedding lies flat.

• The iCrates come with a leak-proof pan
• The Win World has a removable pan
• The Richell has a removable sliding tray

Covers

Cornell suggests covering a wire crate with a sheet or a custom crate cover that still leaves one or two sides open. The AKC says a lightweight blanket over the crate can mimic a den, as long as the crate stays ventilated and not too hot. Plastic crates with solid walls need no cover, per Cornell.

Should I cover my dog's crate at night?

You can, if your dog settles better that way. Follow the two rules from the sources: Cornell says leave one or two sides open, and the AKC says keep the crate ventilated and not too hot. A lightweight blanket or crate cover works; a heavy one that seals the crate does not. If a puppy cries at night, see our puppy crying in crate guide.

Travelling with a small dog in a crate

Vetstreet says car travel is safer with a crate. For a small dog, the question is which crate is portable enough to take along and still fits the space in your car.

What the listings say about travel:

• MidWest iCrate Single Door Fold & Carry Dog Crate, 18-in, 1 to 12-lbs: folds flat without tools, has a carrying handle, and MidWest says its latch features keep your dog safe at home and in the car
• The 24-inch iCrate: the same fold-flat design and carrying handle, with a second door
• EliteField: described as a traveling home for your dog
• Win World: quick setup, described as suited to home or on the go
• Richell: 24.9 lbs by the maker's figure, a fixed piece of furniture rather than a folding crate

Cornell says fabric or mesh crates are better suited for travelling. If you want a lighter carrier for the road, our best soft dog crates guide covers that style.

Small dog crates for the car

Measure the space before you buy a small dog car crate. A 24-inch crate that fits your living room may not fit a back seat or a car boot. The fold-flat iCrates pack down for the trip and set up at the other end without tools.

Breaks on longer trips

Humane World for Animals gives a general guideline that adult dogs should not stay crated for more than 4 to 5 hours during the day, and that puppies under 6 months should not stay crated for more than three or four hours at a time. Plan stops on a long drive around those limits.

Small dog airline crates

None of the six listings describes its crate as airline-approved. If your small dog will fly, check your airline's own crate or carrier rules before you buy, because the airline decides what it accepts.

Small dog crate questions