Best MidWest Pet Crates (2026)
The Critter Nation by MidWest Homes for Pets Double Unit Small Animal Cage, Habitat for Rats, Chinchillas, Ferrets, Sugar Gliders, Tool-Free Assembly, is our top pick for MidWest Pet Crates. Double-level interior with removable ramps gives ferrets, rats, and chinchillas vertical climbing space. For budget shoppers, the Midwest Homes for Pets Eilio Folding Outdoor Wood Dog House, No Tools Required for Assembly | Dog House Ideal for Large Dog Breeds, Beige... offers solid value at a lower price.
See Today’s Price →At a Glance
| # | Product | Award | Price | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Critter Nation by MidWest Homes f… MidWest Homes for Pets |
Best Overall | $325 Buy → |
9.2 |
| 2 |  MidWest Homes for Pets Guinea Hab…MidWest Homes for Pets |
Best for Guinea Pigs | $62 Buy → |
8.7 |
| 3 |  MidWest Homes for Pets 24-Inch Ex…MidWest Homes for Pets |
Best Exercise Pen | $34 Buy → |
8.5 |
| 4 |  Midwest Homes for Pets Eilio Fold…MidWest Homes for Pets |
Best Outdoor Dog House | $219 Buy → |
7.9 |
MidWest Pet Crates (2026) Buying Guide
Photo by Impact Dog Crates / PexelsMidWest Homes for Pets dominates the dog crate and small animal habitat market because their products hit the right balance of quality and price for everyday pet owners. Their metal construction handles chewing, climbing, and daily use better than plastic alternatives, and their modular exercise pen system is used by dog trainers, shelters, and foster networks nationwide.
Exercise Pens vs. Crates
Dog crates provide den-like enclosed space for sleeping, travel, and housetraining. Exercise pens provide open-air containment for play and supervised time — no roof, adjustable shape, and easy to expand with add-on panels. MidWest makes both; the exercise pens are the more versatile tool for puppies and active dogs who need space to move without full household freedom. The Gold Finish pen is the same design as the standard pen with an upscale aesthetic finish.
Small Animal Housing
The MidWest Deluxe Critter Nation is one of the few mass-market cages that actually meets space recommendations for rats, chinchillas, and ferrets (2 cubic feet per rat minimum; 4+ square feet per chinchilla). Its full-width double doors open completely for cleaning access — a rare feature in its price class. The Guinea Pig Habitat is the best wire-bottom-optional cage for guinea pigs who need solid flooring.
Our Picks and Why
The MidWest Deluxe Critter Nation earns the top spot for its combination of " genuine size adequacy and full-access doors. The Guinea Pig Habitat is the best MidWest option for guinea pigs — solid floor prevents foot injury from wire. The Foldable Exercise Pen is the best portable containment tool for puppies and dogs in training. The Gold Finish Exercise Pen is the best premium exercise pen option. The Eilio Folding Wood Dog House is the best outdoor shelter in the MidWest lineup — easy assembly without tools.
How We Picked These
We compared MidWest's full lineup against animal welfare housing minimums, durability under heavy use, and verified owner reviews from dog trainers and experienced small animal keepers. Products were selected for genuine size adequacy — not just size appearance.
What to Avoid
Avoid the smallest MidWest exercise pens for large breed puppies — buy one size larger than you think you need; puppies grow fast and jumping over a low panel defeats containment. For the Critter Nation, don't add animals before installing the solid shelf liners — wire ramps cause foot injuries in chinchillas and rats without covers.
Watch Before You Buy
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See Today’s Price →What we like
- Double-level interior with removable ramps gives ferrets, rats, and chinchillas vertical climbing space
- Full-width double doors on both levels make cleaning and access easy without disassembly
- Powder-coated steel construction resists rust in humid rooms or near water bottles
- Critter Nation line is the benchmark multi-level cage recommended by small-animal rescues
Watch out for
- This is a small animal habitat, not a dog crate — wrong product type for crate shoppers
- Large footprint requires dedicated floor space in smaller apartments
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See Today’s Price →What we like
- Long rectangular floor plan gives guinea pigs more running room than square hamster cages
- Leakproof deep base catches bedding and prevents substrate scatter onto floors
- Wire spacing at 1.5 inches is narrow enough to prevent guinea pig escape or head entrapment
- Open-top lid flips up fully for easy daily cleaning and guinea pig handling
Watch out for
- Guinea pig habitat rather than a dog crate — does not belong on a dog crate comparison page
- No second level — single-story only, which limits floor space enrichment
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See Today’s Price →What we like
- Eight interlocking panels create a fully customizable exercise pen that reshapes into rectangles or octagons
- Folds flat in seconds for storage — no tools required to set up or break down
- Works for puppies, adult dogs, chickens, rabbits, and small farm animals
- 24-inch panel height appropriate for small to medium breeds up to about 20 lbs
Watch out for
- Exercise pen, not an enclosed crate — provides no overhead roof for containment
- Determined dogs can push the panels apart at connection points without anchor stakes
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See Today’s Price →What we like
- Folding wood construction assembles without tools and stores flat when not in use
- Pitched roof and raised floor keep dogs dry and insulated in outdoor covered areas
- Natural wood aesthetic blends with backyard decor better than plastic igloo-style houses
- Ventilation gaps allow airflow in warm weather without exposing dogs to direct rain
Watch out for
- Outdoor dog house, not an indoor crate — serves a different containment purpose
- Wood requires annual sealing to prevent moisture damage and splintering over time
Frequently Asked Questions
What animals can live in the MidWest Critter Nation?
Are MidWest exercise pens safe for puppies?
Is the MidWest Guinea Pig Habitat the right size for two guinea pigs?
How long does the MidWest Eilio Dog House take to assemble?
Can MidWest exercise pens be used as indoor room dividers?
How We Analyze Products
We analyze Amazon review data — often thousands of reviews per product — to surface patterns that individual buyers miss. Our process aggregates star ratings, review counts, and buyer sentiment at scale, identifying which strengths and weaknesses appear consistently across the largest review samples available.
Each product earned its placement through data: total review volume, average rating, and the specific praise and complaints that repeat most often across buyers. No manufacturer paid for placement on this page. Products appear here because buyers endorsed them at scale, not because a company asked us to feature them.
We use AI to summarize review sentiment — not to fabricate opinions, but to condense what thousands of buyers actually wrote into a readable format. The pros and cons you see reflect the most common themes found in verified purchaser reviews, paraphrased for clarity. We do not claim to have accessed Reddit, YouTube, or specific publications in generating these summaries.
Prices shown reflect Amazon pricing at the time this page was last generated. Click “See Today’s Price” to get the current live price on Amazon. Read our full methodology →