If you’re a dog parent, you know how important it is to find the right dog crate that keeps your furry friend safe, comfortable, and secure. Whether you’re dealing with a rambunctious pup or a seasoned adult dog, a crate is an essential tool for training, travel, or simply creating a personal space for your dog. But with so many options on the market, choosing the best dog kennel can feel overwhelming.
Enter the MidWest 42-Inch iCrate Dog Crate for Large Dogs, a versatile and sturdy option that promises to meet the needs of large dogs (and their owners). In this review, we’ll dive into everything you need to know about this crate, from its features and benefits to real-life usage insights and comparisons with similar products. Stick with me, and by the end of this article, you’ll have all the info you need to decide if this is the right dog crate for your pet.
Overview
Product Overview
The MidWest 42-Inch iCrate Dog Crate is designed for large dogs who need plenty of space to move around while remaining safe and secure when left alone. With its foldable design, metal construction, and convenient features like a removable tray and a divider panel, this dog kennel offers a great balance of comfort, durability, and practicality.
Whether you need a crate for home use, travel, or training, the iCrate has been specifically crafted to meet the needs of both your dog and you as a pet parent. With a focus on ease of use and safety, this crate can be a great solution for your large dog’s needs.
Key Features & Benefits
Let’s take a closer look at some of the top features of the MidWest 42-Inch iCrate Dog Crate and the real-world benefits they provide.
1. Durable, Rust-Resistant Metal Construction
The first thing you’ll notice about this crate is its sturdy metal frame. The construction is designed to be strong enough to handle the weight and strength of large dogs. Plus, it’s coated with a rust-resistant finish, which means that this crate can withstand everyday wear and tear and still look great.
Real-World Benefit: If your dog is an enthusiastic chewer or prone to scratching, the strong metal frame ensures the crate will last for years without showing signs of rust or damage. It’s built to handle the tough paws and teeth of large breeds.
2. Foldable Design for Easy Storage and Portability
One of the standout features of this dog crate is its foldable design. When not in use, you can easily fold it flat for convenient storage, which is perfect for people with limited space. Additionally, the foldability makes it portable, so you can take it with you on trips or store it away when your dog is no longer using it.
Real-World Benefit: This foldable design makes it a great choice for pet parents who need a crate that’s easy to store or move around. Whether you’re traveling or need to tuck it away when your dog isn’t in it, this feature adds a level of convenience that’s hard to beat.
3. Included Divider Panel for Growing Puppies
If you’re bringing home a puppy or have a growing dog, the iCrate includes a divider panel to adjust the size of the crate as your dog matures. This allows you to create a smaller space for your puppy, which helps with potty training and ensures they feel comfortable while they grow.
Real-World Benefit: No need to buy multiple crates as your dog grows! The divider panel lets you make the most of the crate by adapting it to your dog’s needs over time. Plus, it helps with potty training by giving your puppy a smaller space that encourages them to hold it until they’re let outside.
4. Removable Plastic Tray for Easy Cleaning
Accidents happen – especially with puppies or dogs in the middle of training. The iCrate comes with a removable plastic tray that can be pulled out for quick and easy cleaning. If your dog has an accident, simply remove the tray, clean it, and slide it back in place.
Real-World Benefit: This is a game-changer for keeping your dog’s crate clean. You don’t have to worry about scrubbing down the entire metal crate every time there’s a mess. The tray makes cleanup fast and hassle-free, so your dog always has a clean space to call their own.
5. Secure Double Door Design
The crate features two doors: one on the front and one on the side. Both doors are designed with sturdy latches to keep your dog secure. The side door can be especially useful in tight spaces where you might not have room to open a front door fully.
Real-World Benefit: The dual-door design gives you flexibility in how you place the crate in your home or vehicle. The secure latches mean your dog won’t be able to escape, and you can confidently leave them in their crate while you’re away.
6. Comfortable for Your Dog
While this is a metal crate, it’s designed to ensure comfort for your dog. The metal bars are spaced just right to offer ventilation while also providing a secure environment. It’s also big enough to allow your dog to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably.
Real-World Benefit: Your dog will feel safe and relaxed in their crate. The spacious design gives them plenty of room to move around, which can help reduce stress and anxiety, especially if you’re using the crate for extended periods or during travel.
Pros and Cons
Like any product, the MidWest 42-Inch iCrate Dog Crate has its advantages and a few minor drawbacks. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons.
- Sturdy Construction: It’s strong enough to handle large dogs.
- Rust-Resistant: The durable metal frame will last through years of use.
- Foldable Design: Easy to store and transport.
- Divider Panel: Helps with training and growing dogs.
- Easy to Clean: Removable tray makes cleanup a breeze.
- Dual Doors: Flexible placement options for different spaces.
- Not Ideal for Very Destructive Dogs: While it’s sturdy, it may not withstand
- constant chewing or aggressive behavior from particularly destructive dogs.
- No Built-in Bedding: While it’s comfortable, you’ll need to buy bedding separately for added comfort.
Real-Life Usage Insights
After using the MidWest 42-Inch iCrate Dog Crate for a few weeks, I can honestly say that it’s a solid choice for any large dog owner. Setting it up was a breeze, and I appreciated how easy it was to fold down and store when not in use. My dog, a 70-pound Labrador, fits comfortably inside, with plenty of space to move around and lie down.
One of the biggest benefits I’ve noticed is how much easier it is to clean up after my dog. The removable tray has made a huge difference, especially during the potty training phase. I don’t have to worry about scrubbing the entire crate every time there’s an accident, which saves me a lot of time and effort.
The divider panel was also a huge help when we first got the crate. My puppy is still growing, so being able to adjust the crate’s size made her feel more secure in the early days. Now that she’s bigger, we’ve removed the divider, and she still has plenty of room.
Comparison with Similar Products
There are a few other dog crates on the market, but the MidWest 42-Inch iCrate stands out for its combination of durability, flexibility, and ease of use. For example, the Frisco Heavy Duty Dog Crate offers similar features but is a bit pricier and bulkier. The AmazonBasics Folding Metal Dog Crate is another option, but it lacks some of the more premium features like the divider panel and the rust-resistant finish that come with the iCrate.
When you compare the iCrate to these options, it’s clear that it offers a great balance of affordability and quality, especially for large dog breeds.
Who Should Buy It?
The MidWest 42-Inch iCrate Dog Crate is ideal for dog parents with large dogs who need a sturdy, spacious, and secure crate for home use, travel, or training. If you’re looking for a flexible, easy-to-store option with a rust-resistant metal frame, this crate might be the perfect choice. It’s also a great option for those who want a crate that can grow with their puppy, thanks to the included divider panel.
If you have a very destructive dog who might chew through a metal crate, you may want to look into more heavy-duty options. But for most large dogs, this crate provides everything you need at an affordable price.
FAQs
Q: Is this crate easy to assemble?
Yes! The iCrate comes with simple instructions and doesn’t require any tools for assembly. You can have it set up in just a few minutes.
Q: Can I use this crate for travel?
Absolutely! The foldable design makes it easy to store and transport, and the metal construction is sturdy enough for travel purposes.
Q: What is the weight limit for this crate?
This crate is suitable for dogs weighing up to 90 pounds, so it’s perfect for large breeds like Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and German Shepherds.
Conclusion
The MidWest 42-Inch iCrate Dog Crate for Large Dogs offers a great combination of comfort, durability, and convenience, making it an excellent choice for large dog owners. With its foldable design, removable tray, and divider panel, it’s a crate that can grow with your dog while providing a secure space for them.
