The Best Dog Gates in 2024
Pet proofing your home should be considered before you adopt or buy your new dog. Even if your dog has full rights to every room, it’s always nice to have a dog gate at certain times. For instance, when the new refrigerator came in or when the plumber made his usual guest appearance after the holidays, you’ll want to keep pets away from strangers.
Baby gates work well as dog gates, too. There are several types of gates with different features that can be considered. Some require tools to secure to the door, others are pressure-mounted and still other models are free-standing.
Let’s take a look at six gates we believe stand out above the rest.
Our Top 6 List
Last update on 2024-11-14 at 12:51 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
1. Regalo Super Wide Adjustable Gate
We found this Regalo dog gate to be surprisingly light for a gate made out of a durable metal. This is a great advantage if you need a large, portable gate. It weighs in at just 20 pounds.
This gate ships with eight 24 inch panels. The width can expand out to a maximum of 192 inches. It can be mounted to a wall or used as a a full enclosure which is ideal for use as a puppy playpen. We like the idea of using it as an outdoor pen. It’s sold as a baby gate so you know your pup is safe from toxic materials.
Takeaways
- A safety locking mechanism that’s easy to use.
- Eight wall-mounting screws are included if you need to set it up at the top of a set of stairs.
- Portable. This gate can be as permanent or portable as you need it to be.
Pros
- Metal enclosure is very light.
- Weighs only 20 pounds.
- Can be used as a gate or an enclosure.
- Can be set up as a pressure-mounted or attached to a door frame.
Cons
- The sections are designed to be moved two at a time. If you need to remove a single section, you’ll need to order an adapter.
2. Carlson Gate with Small Pet Door
Sometimes gates make life inconvenient for the rest of your fur babies. This is where it’s nice to have a smaller walk-through door. Many owners find these types of smaller doors great for keeping a dog out of a room in order to protect their cat’s food.
The gate stands 30.5 inches high. This is great for small jumping dogs and medium sized dogs. The width starts at 29 inches. It can be expanded all the way up to 36.5 inches with the included 4 inch extender kit.
Takeaways
- The smaller door measures 8 inches by 8 inches and swings freely in both directions.
- This is a pressure-mounted gate. You won’t need any extra tools to secure this dog gate.
- Hardware is included to mount it permanently to the wall.
- Weighing in at just 10 pounds, this dog gate is worth considering if you need your gate to be portable.
Pros
- Smaller pass-through gate for smaller animals.
- The one touch lever-style handle is easy to use.
- Very light weight.
- Four inch extender kit included.
Cons
- The smaller gate can be a little large for some dogs (check out a reviewer’s surprising video on Amazon,) but this door can be locked.
3. Multi-Use Tall Walk-Through Gate
The construction of this gate is solid and we like the three foot height. It’s width, without any extensions, is 28.5 inches to 48 inches wide. It comes in white and bronze.
You can install a stopper to prevent the gate from opening in both directions. This prevents the gate from swinging outward towards the stairs. If the gate is used between two rooms, simply omit installing the stopper.
Takeaways
- Two options available for mounting: pressure-mounted and hardware-mounted.
- Easy to open: The gate can be opened with one hand.
- Auto-close: The gate has a spring-loaded closing mechanism so you don’t have to consciously close the gate behind you.
Pros
- At 36 inches high, this will work for larger breeds.
- Two mounting options.
- Auto-closing gate.
- Stopper can be installed on gate for stair safety.
Cons
- The pass-through itself is mounted tightly and will spring closed quickly. If you don’t loosen this latch, watch your hands!
4. North States Deluxe Décor Gate
This dog gate lives up to the Deluxe in its name. The minimum width for this gate is at little large at 38.3 inches. It expands to 6 feet. If you need a longer gate, you can buy a six bar expansion kit to extend the gate another 7 feet, creating an impressive 159 inch wide barrier.
Takeaways
- Multi-use Gate. The possibilities created with this kit separate the home into livable sections instead of just single rooms. Many people buy it just to create a barrier around a fireplace.
- Pivoting panels. The panels have pivot points so you can create angles as necessary.
- The center gate is 25.5 inches across. The latch has a stay-open feature which we found came in handy on more than one occasion.
Pros
- Versatile partitions.
- Stay-open latch.
- Expansion kit is available.
- Great for partitioning open living areas.
Cons
- Securing this gate to the wall is the only option for setting it up.
5. Carlson Pet Products – Lil’ Tuffy Gate with Door
The Lil Tuffy has a 10 inch x 7 inch door for cats to pass through while keeping their food safe. It stands 18 inches tall and stretches from 26 inches to 38 inches wide. It’s only available in white.
Takeaways
- Low height. We found it easier to step over the gate than to reach down to open it.
- Rubber feet included. These are great to avoid marking up the floors.
- Pressure-mounted. You won’t need any extra tools to install it.
- Affordable. This is a great gate for those on a tight budget.
Pros
- Smaller gate also locks.
- No extra tools needed for installation.
- Steel construction has a solid feel.
- Will work with narrow door openings.
Cons
- With steel gates, it would have been nice if the screw system were made of a more durable material. Plastics tend to crack and warp under pressure.
6. Primetime Petz Configurable Pet Gate
This is a free-standing gate made up of four panels. It stands 30 inches tall and expands to 72 inches wide. The hinges swing a full 360 degrees, enabling you to adjust the panels to your needs. It weighs over 17 pounds so it would take a lot of effort for a smaller dog to knock it over. Extension kits, matching support feet and wall-mount kits are all available separately.
Takeaways
- Solid wood construction. This is a gorgeous piece of furniture.
- Available in white or walnut. It will look good in any home.
- Rubber pads. Rubber pads on the bottoms of the panels protect your floor.
- Ships pre-assembled. You won’t need tools to set it up.
Pros
- No special tools needed to set up.
- Free-standing gate means you won’t damage door frames or walls.
- 360 degree hinges allow for partition sections of rooms.
- One-handed access with the spring-bolt latch.
Cons
- We’d like it better if the support feet came with the package instead of being sold as an accessory.
Final Verdict & Review
Regalo Super Wide Dog Gate
Pros
- Lightweight
- Gate or enclosure
- Pressure mounted or attached to a door frame
- Permanent or portable
- For small kids & pets
Cons
- Only 2 sections can be moved together
We love the Regalo gate! It’s versatile enough to be used as any type of enclosure from yard playpen to a room with odd angles. We also like that it ships with hardware so you can mount it to the wall if necessary.
Buying Guide
We all have different reasons for buying dog gates so manufacturers create a variety of gates to meet the differing needs of pet owners. Let’s cut through the confusion. Here are things to consider when you’re in the market for a dog gate.
Height. I don’t know of a single dog owner that hasn’t had an escape artist moment with their dog.
Look for a gate that’s practical for your pup. Standard heights run from 22 inches to 42 inches high. If you are stuck deciding between two gates, go with the taller one.
Width. Not all door frames and rooms are created equal. Measure the width of the door or entrance you’d like to partition off. Even the gate you love is too small, many manufacturers sell extensions to their gates.
Bar Width. Besides ensuring the gate fits in your doorway, you want to make sure the width between each bar is narrow enough that your dog can’t get its head stuck or simply be able to fit through the bars.
Materials. Dog gates are usually built from solid wood or metal. These should always be chew-proof. Never purchase a gate made from manufactured woods like MDF. These are not chew-proof and the chemicals released when they are destroyed can injure or poison your pup.
Installation Style
There are three basic types of gates.
- Free-standing: These gates require no tools or mounting to door frames or walls. They can get pushed over by an ambitious dog. They’re suitable for trained dogs that understand boundaries.
- Pressure-mounted: These come with rubber wall mounts and use a tension system to remain in the door. These are good for rentals but can still cause damage if too much tension is used against the wall.
- Hardware-mounted: These are an absolute necessity if you’re trying to create a barrier at the top of a flight of stairs. The gate needs to be secured against any possibility of falling over. You should also get a gate that allows for swinging in one direction so it can’t accidentally swing out over the stairs.
Make sure you have a drill, screwdriver, tape measure and pencil before you attempt to mount a gate to a wall.
Other Considerations
- Portability: Some gates are easier to set up and take down. If this is something important to you, check the weight and how convenient it is to pack.
- Super-wide Pet Gate: These pet gates usually consist of hinged panels that can be manipulated to cover wide spaces. They’re ideal for partitioning off parts of homes with an open space design.
- Pass-through Convenience: Many gates have walk-through sections which are useful for higher traffic areas. Some gates slide to one side. Make sure you get a gate that suits your lifestyle.
- Indoor or Outdoor Gate: It’s always good to set boundaries for your dog. This goes for the time it spends outside, too. Avoid wood when choosing an outdoor dog gate. Even if it says it’s an all-weather material, we all know what happens to wood in the rain.
We are the Pet Dog Pals, a group of avid pet owners, bloggers, product testers, and writers for all your canine needs! We own a collective 16 dogs and 21 cats to help us test and review pet products. Our top lists and tips come from experience to help you be the best dog owner you can be!