Whether you are getting a puppy or an adult dog, you should consider buying a dog crate to give your furry friend a place to sleep or chill out when stressed. Dog owners also use crates for potty training. They are also essential for safely transporting your dog in your vehicle or on a plane.
Here’s our comprehensive research on companies that make dog crates in the USA, how to do your own research on additional dog crates made here, and which brands to avoid.
Complete List of Dog Crate Brands Made in the USA
Front Range Gun Dog makes crates and kennels specifically for hunting dogs. They are designed with durability and safety in mind. This brand also produces some crate accessories, such as top trays and handle replacements.
This family-owned company hand-makes custom-built crates to meet the specific needs of your dog while fitting perfectly into your vehicle. They also look great! The lead time to build a crate is six to 10 weeks. TNC Crates offers free shipping to anywhere in the US except for Alaska and Hawaii.
RCC’s medium stationary crate is the first and only aluminum dog crate to receive a 5-star certification from the CPS crash test. It received a five-star crash test rating – the highest possible – the first time it was tested. The company also makes collapsible crates. Rock Creek Crates are trusted by the New York Police Department, Guiding Eyes for the Blind, and other organizations. Accessories include comfort pads and chew guards.
How to Find American Made Dog Crates
Like so many products, many dog crates are made in China today. However, if you are committed to supporting US workers, it is still possible to find dog crates made right here in the USA.
What Does “Made in the USA” Mean?
First, let’s talk about what it takes for a product to be “made in the USA.” The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) says this phrase only applies to goods “all or virtually all” made within the US. Therefore, brands can only use “made in the USA” for products if the entire manufacturing process, from (most) material sourcing to assembly, happens within our borders.
For more information on this topic, read our complete how to find “made in the USA” products guide. Let’s dive into details for dog crates specifically and what to look for.
Materials
When shopping for domestic products, the first step is to check where the raw materials come from. Since the most common materials used to make dog crates are plastic, metal, wood, and fabric, let’s look at the leading countries of origin for each to help you along your research journey.
Plastic
Plastic dog crates are easy to clean and work well for travel. But can you find ones made in the United States?
The answer is yes! Even though China and Europe are way ahead in market share, the US still produces around one-fifth of the world’s plastic. However, make sure the plastic in the dog crate you purchase is BPA-free to keep your fur baby safe.
Metal
Some dog owners prefer metal crates because they are chew-proof. They are also more durable than plastic crates. However, they are much heavier and more suitable for in-home use than transport.
You’re more likely to find a steel crate made in the USA than an aluminum one. Even though China dominates the steel market, the United States is by no means a minor player. Best of all, domestic steel is stronger than Chinese steel.
China also leads the world in aluminum production, while the US only ranks ninth.
Fabric
Fabric crates only work for smaller dogs and are hard to clean but are budget- and travel-friendly.
The most common materials used for fabric crates are polyester, nylon, and mesh. Unfortunately, the United States lags far behind China and other nations in the production of these fabrics.
Wood
If you want a dog crate that will look nice in your home and are willing to spend the extra cash, you might want to consider a wooden one. The United States ranks second behind China in hardwood production, so it should be easy to find a solid wood dog crate that’s made here. A crate made from composite wood (also known as fiberboard, engineered wood, or MDF wood) is less expensive, but not as durable. This type of wood is also harder to find domestically than solid wood.
Labeling
Next, let’s consider product labeling. Title 19 Chapter 4 Section 1304 of the US Code says all imported products must have their country of origin on the label. Since the FTC protects the “made in the USA label, this should make it easy for consumers to find American-made products – at least in theory. But reality can be more complicated.
For one thing, the FTC doesn’t have a pre-approval process for brands to receive permission to use the “made in the USA” label. In other words, companies are allowed to police themselves. The good news is the FTC will take action if consumers report misuse of the label.
Shoppers also should be aware that brands sometimes use misleading labels to trick consumers into believing an item was made in the United States when it wasn’t. Here are some examples:
- Made in America: Canada and Mexico are also part of North America.
- Assembled in the USA: This label is a red flag that only some of the manufacturing process took place here.
- Designed in the USA: Brands use this phrase when non-design aspects of production happened abroad.
Sadly, you can’t even trust the Stars and Stripes image on a label because the use of the American flag is not regulated. If you see Old Glory without the phrase “made in the USA,” the item probably wasn’t made in the United States.
Other Tips
Here are some additional ways to find dog crates made in the USA.
Go Online
Companies aren’t required to indicate where their products come from on websites or promotional materials. However, brands know some shoppers prioritize buying domestic products, so those that make their goods in the USA tend to make it a selling point. This means that info will be featured prominently on the company’s website, either on the “About Us” page or the product description page. If you can’t find anything indicating where a brand’s products are from, it’s safe to assume they weren’t made in the USA.
A company’s social media pages also can be a good source of information on how and where their goods are manufactured. Even if you don’t find what you are looking for there, you can always send them a direct message asking them about the country of origin of a specific item.
Check Amazon Listings
Amazon and other online shopping platforms, such as the pet product website Chewy.com, may include info on where a company makes a particular item in the product description. Check the FAQ section if you don’t find what you’re looking for.
Call the Company
Still not sure where a product was made? In that case, simply give the company a call. A customer service rep should be able to help you.
Dog Crate Brands Not Made in the USA
Below is a list of well-known pet product brands that don’t make dog crates here. If you find more imported dog crates during your own research, let us know so we can add them.
- MidWest – Made in China
- Frisco – Made in China
- Petmate – Made in China
- Paws & Pals – Made in China
- Sport Pet – Designed in the USA, but manufactured in China.
