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Best Dog Gates 2024
Written by Ellie Roddy
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 06/14/2024, edited: 06/14/2024
The Wag! team conducts independent research and consults pet experts to curate our recommendations. This content is supported by our affiliate pet partners and we may receive a commission on the links provided.
Are you wondering whether you need a dog gate for your furry friend? Well, they can be useful for a number of reasons.
When choosing the best dog gates for your pup you need to consider two main things: it’s wide enough to block off your chosen space and it’s tall enough that they won’t be able to jump over it. To help you choose one, we have selected some of the best gates for dogs.
This could be for their own safety — perhaps they have a health issue or are pregnant, or just given birth — and need some space to themselves. Maybe you’ve just got a puppy and you need to encourage them to spend some quiet time on their own, while avoiding them developing separation anxiety as they get older. It could be that you have young children and they both need some space or you have visitors you want to keep them away from.
The benefit of using a dog gate over closing the door, is that you can section off a space you’re happy for your pup to be in, while still being able to see what they’re doing. Likewise, they can still see you, so don’t feel like you have shut them away on their own.
Overview
Primetime Petz 360 Configurable Gate with Door
Some dog gates are easy to climb over and pet parents are happy to do this. But, if you’re looking for a dog gate with a door this is the perfect option for you.
The walk-through door opens inwards and outwards so it’s easy for you to pass through it. It can also be left open when you don’t need your pet to be restricted to one area, so you don’t need to pack it away each time.
However, it does also fold down when you need it to, making it easy to move and store.
You have a choice of heights, depending on the size of your dog including 24, 30 and 36 inches. You can also choose between walnut and white to suit the decor of your home.
This is another gate that’s suitable for wider openings as it can be used in spaces up to 80 inches wide. It has rubber pads so you don’t need to worry about your floor being scratched either.
Most pet gates are effectively baby gates for dogs, so can be used if you have a furry friend and a young child. However, this gate should not be used as a baby or toddler gate.
Primetime Petz 360 Configurable Gate
Why Wag! loves it
- There are three sizes to choose from
- It has a door that moves inwards and outwards
- Furniture-grade wood makes this a stylish addition to your home
Considerations & concerns
- One of the more expensive options
- Large dogs may be able to knock it over
- Feet would need to be bought separately to improve sturdiness
What pet parents say about Primetime Petz 360 Configurable Gate with Door
“The stand-alone fence looks nice and is sturdy. It will not scratch flooring since it has pads on the bottom side. The gate is a nice feature so you don’t have to move the fence out of the way each time you pass through. The latch for the gate is located on the top only. This allows for some give at the bottom of the gate. Overall, it is a nice quality product. I would buy it again.”
“I bought the 360 dark wood gate with the door to keep my dogs out of the living room. It matches my furniture so it doesn't look out-of-place. I love it! It was the perfect solution for me.”
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Image sourced from Chewy.
Cardinal Gates White Retractable Dog Gate
If you’re looking for a retractable dog gate with a minimal design, this is the perfect option for you. It’s made of see-through mesh so it’s both soft and durable while not completely restricting the view through it.
Easy to store it out of the way when not in use — and when retracted, there’s no obstruction as there is with other pet gates.
It has an adjustable width of up to 55 inches and can be installed at any angle which makes it incredibly versatile.
This can be used for both children and pets as well as being suitable for use on the stairs.
Cardinal Gates Retractable Dog Gate
Why Wag! loves it
- It can be installed at any angle
- No obstruction when gate is retracted
- Can be used on the stairs
Considerations & concerns
- It’s made of mesh which may not be sturdy enough for all dogs
- Small dogs may be able to get underneath it
- Some pet parents say it got stuck when trying to retract it
What pet parents say about Cardinal Gates White Retractable Dog Gate
“We looked for gates to keep our standard poodle on the deck with us. One rusted and the other was too weak. This is perfect and looks great! It has already withstood an Ohio winter and looks like new. Easy to open and close. Highly recommend!”
“This gate is wider than most and enabled me to close a strange corner-to-corner space where the hallway, entry way and living room meet. Huge plus for that! The problem with this gate is what another reviewer stated: my dog can slip underneath it.
For reference, my pup is a 3 month old mini golden doodle and is maybe 10 lbs. It looks like she is too big to squeeze under it, but her puffy fur collapses as she wriggles her way under it. So, until she is too big to do that, I put an adjustable handle that wedges into a corner on one side and has a loop that slips around the mount on the other. Problem solved. Gate works great and it’s just short enough to step over it if I don’t want to open it up.”
Read more reviews on Petco.
Image sourced from Petco.
MyPet Paws Portable Pet Gate
This light gray gate is an affordable option and has a cute design with lattice and paw prints. It can be used for breeds of all sizes but it’s 23 inches tall so it may be better suited to smaller breeds.
This durable plastic gate comes fully assembled and expands so it will fit in different doorways and openings.
Plus, it’s portable so you can easily move it around the house to where you need it without having to buy multiple gates.
MyPet Paws Portable Pet Gate
Why Wag! loves it
- Lightweight and easy to remove or move around the house
- Expands from 26 to 40 inches to fit various doorways
- Rubber bumpers to protect walls
Considerations & concerns
- Some dogs may be able to climb or jump over it
- Not suitable for large or high-energy dogs
- It’s affordable but some pet parents say it feels cheap
What pet parents say about MyPet Paws Portable Pet Gate
“I have both large and small breed dogs and recently saw this gate [at] a friend’s house. When I had a retiring working dog that was having surgery and would need to be kept quiet and away from the rest of the active dogs in the household, this gate came to mind. Sturdy construction and easy adjustability were [key] choosing points. Worked exactly as needed.”
“So easy to move around. Sturdy enough to keep my dog in but not so heavy that I have to disassemble every time I need to move it. Great price point. I will order more.”
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Image sourced from Chewy.
Carlson Freestanding Pet Gate, Large
This gate won’t only ensure your dog stays in a specific area of the house, it’s also made of premium wood — making it a stylish addition to your home.
This is a freestanding gate that expands up to 70 inches, making it ideal for sectioning off wider openings.
It couldn’t be simpler to set up and it’s portable so you can quickly and easily move it to exactly where you need it, when you need it.
The frame is 28 inches tall and made of metal so, although it doesn’t require any holes in your walls, it’s also incredibly sturdy.
Carlson Freestanding Pet Gate
Why Wag! loves it
- Stylish wood finish
- Expands from 40 to 70 inches
- It can easily be moved around your home to where you need it
Considerations & concerns
- Doesn’t have a built-in door
- Some pet parents say the latches aren’t that easy to close
- It’s not the most affordable option
What pet parents say about Carlson Freestanding Pet Gate
“Perfect! We needed some kind of barrier for our front porch so we could relax while our two cattle dogs were out there with us. Our opening is really wide (66”), and we didn’t want anything permanent, but something we could move easily.
This is exactly what we were looking for. It’s sturdy, and there’s a hard plastic tab on each foot that sits against the posts and keeps the dogs from pushing it through the opening. Our dogs are older and well-behaved so this was perfect. When we go inside we just slide it to the side behind the existing railing. It looks really nice too!”
“I bought this gate for my Pomsky puppy, Blue. I was amazed how easy the installation was. [The] product is sturdy and made well. [The] wood stain color goes well with my furniture. The gate is tall enough for my [hyperactive] Blue who has light feet and loves to jump!”
Read more reviews on Petco.
Image sourced from Petco.
Regalo Pet Products Top of Stairs Dog Gate
If you don’t want your pup to go upstairs or want to prevent them coming downstairs, then you need a gate that is specifically designed for this purpose. You definitely don’t want your furry friend jumping over or pushing on a gate that is at the top of the stairs.
This dog gate for stairs is designed to be used at the top or bottom with an all-steel construction and a height of 30.5 inches that ensures its stability and therefore your pets safety.
On top of that, it can fit openings up to 43 inches and comes with a universal banister-mount kit, so you can attach it to both a banister and the wall.
A walk-through door that opens both inwards and outwards with a latch handle, enables you to easily pass through it but your pet can’t.
Regalo Pet Products Top of Stairs Dog Gate
Why Wag! loves it
- Designed to be used on your stairs
- Walk-through door that swings inwards and outwards
- 30.5 inches in height to keep pets safe
Considerations & concerns
- It only has one banister mount kit
- The banister must be two to four inches in diameter to work properly
- Some pet parents found it difficult to install
What pet parents say about Regalo Pet Products Top of Stairs Dog Gate
“This gate is awesome. We purchased the gate for the top of the stairs so our puppy wouldn't fall down the stairs. It fit perfectly, was easy to install and looks really, really good. I highly recommend this gate!!!!”
“We needed the gate for our dog. He is an escape artist and can open anything, but we finally found something that works. Plus, it is attached directly to the banister allowing it to stay in place. The ability for it to swivel leaves the entire area open. Other gates left a narrower opening making it difficult to carry laundry baskets, etc.”
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Image sourced from Chewy.
FAQ
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