Quick Answer
Critter Nation by MidWest Homes for Pets Double Unit Small A

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 →
Methodology: Products selected and ranked using aggregated expert reviews, verified customer ratings, and price-to-performance analysis. Learn about our research process | Last updated: April 2026

At a Glance

#ProductAwardPriceScore
1 Best Overall $325
Buy →
9.2
2 Best for Guinea Pigs $62
Buy →
8.7
3 Best Exercise Pen $34
Buy →
8.5
4 Best Outdoor Dog House $219
Buy →
7.9

MidWest Pet Crates (2026) Buying Guide

Best MidWest Pet Crates (2026)Photo by Impact Dog Crates / Pexels

MidWest 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.

Critter Nation by MidWest Homes for Pets Double Unit Small A
Critter Nation by MidWest Homes for Pets Double Un...
$325.99
See Full Review →

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.

Top 5 Best Dog Crates of 2026 🐶 | Safe, Heavy-Duty & Wire Cr
Top 5 Best Dog Crates of 2026 🐶 | Safe, Heavy-Duty & Wire Crates for S

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.

See detailed reviews below ↓

Our Top Pick
Critter Nation by MidWest Homes for Pets Double Unit Small Animal Cage, Habitat for Rats, Chinchillas, Ferrets, Sugar Gliders, Tool-Free Assembly,
Best for: Value-focused buyers: Pet owners who want reliable quality products to keep their animals comfortable safe and well cared for

“”

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
Skip if: Pets with specific medical conditions that require veterinarian-prescribed specialized products
See Today’s Price →
Also Excellent
MidWest Homes for Pets Guinea Habitat Cage, Washable PVC Canvas Bottom, Secure Sides, Tool-Free Setup, Expandable Small Animal Cage for Guinea Pigs,
Best for: Value-focused buyers: Pet owners who want reliable quality products to keep their animals comfortable safe and well cared for

“”

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
Skip if: Pets with specific medical conditions that require veterinarian-prescribed specialized products
See Today’s Price →
Worth Considering
MidWest Homes for Pets 24-Inch Exercise Pen, for Indoor and Outdoor Use, 16 Sq Feet of Play, Single Door Folding Dog Pen, with Large Door Opening &
Best for: Value-focused buyers: Pet owners who want reliable quality products to keep their animals comfortable safe and well cared for

“”

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
Skip if: Pets with specific medical conditions that require veterinarian-prescribed specialized products
See Today’s Price →
Worth Considering
Midwest Homes for Pets Eilio Folding Outdoor Wood Dog House, No Tools Required for Assembly | Dog House Ideal for Large Dog Breeds, Beige...
Best for: Value-focused buyers: Pet owners who want reliable quality products to keep their animals comfortable safe and well cared for

“”

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
Skip if: Pets with specific medical conditions that require veterinarian-prescribed specialized products
See Today’s Price →

Frequently Asked Questions

What animals can live in the MidWest Critter Nation?
The MidWest Deluxe Critter Nation is designed for rats, chinchillas, ferrets, and sugar gliders — active, climbing animals that need vertical space. It's not suitable for rabbits (wrong flooring design) or guinea pigs (bar spacing too wide at the bottom). The modular design allows stacking with a second Critter Nation unit for more space.
Are MidWest exercise pens safe for puppies?
Yes — MidWest exercise pens are widely used by trainers and breeders for puppy management. Choose a panel height of at least 24" for puppies under 6 months and 36"+ for breeds over 40 lbs. Puppies learn to jump the pens as they grow, so monitor and upgrade height accordingly. The base is not weighted — place on carpet or secure to prevent sliding.
Is the MidWest Guinea Pig Habitat the right size for two guinea pigs?
The MidWest Guinea Pig Habitat provides approximately 8 square feet of floor space, which meets the minimum for a pair of guinea pigs (7.5 sq ft minimum). For three or more guinea pigs, a larger enclosure is needed. Always use a solid floor panel rather than wire bottom — guinea pig feet are not adapted for wire surfaces.
How long does the MidWest Eilio Dog House take to assemble?
The MidWest Eilio Folding Wood Dog House assembles in approximately 15-20 minutes using the included hardware — no power tools required. The design uses interlocking wood panels secured with screws. It folds flat for storage when not in use, which is a significant advantage over molded plastic dog houses.
Can MidWest exercise pens be used as indoor room dividers?
Yes — MidWest exercise pens are frequently used as indoor room dividers for puppy zones, cat separation, and small pet containment areas. The panels can be configured into any shape: square, rectangular, or irregular. For a room divider that spans a wide doorway, connect two pens with the included latches.

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 →

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. When you buy through our links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps us keep the reviews free and the data updated. Our recommendations are based on data, not who pays us. Learn more →
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time of the most recent site update and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of the product. Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time.