No matter how much you believe that your dog is part of the family, sometimes it's better for our furry friends to stay out of the way. For example, when you're cooking in the kitchen with a hot stove, coming down the stairs with heavy items or working outdoors in the garden with sharp tools. Having a piece of equipment like a dog gate that can cordon off spaces either indoors or outside the house can therefore keep both you and them safe.
So, how do you know which dog gate will be suitable for your needs? We've put together a nifty little buying guide that will walk you through the various factors to consider and the different options available to buy online, including extra tall metal gates, wide wooden designs and even expandable ones with a dual-lock system. From there, we’ll go on to show you some of our favourites that you can pick up from Amazon, eBay, John Lewis and Argos today.
In this section, we’ll be looking at the various materials used for this type of product as well as the best height and width for your pooch. Plus, we'll cover how a dog gate opens and how they’re fitted to the walls of your home.
The first factor to think about when shopping for a dog gate is the material that it's made from. Generally, there are two main options: wood or metal. Both are sturdy, so it’s not a matter of which will be more robust, but more how the material may be affected by where you want to fit it.
For example, if you plan on setting up the gate somewhere outdoors then you should make sure the material is rustproof — after all, you can always expect a downpour here in the UK! Thankfully, even if a gate is not already protected against the elements, it’s a relatively easy fix with a few licks of waterproofing spray or paint.
There are also mesh gates available. These have become more popular recently but they're not as sturdy as the traditional solid bar design, so they're not great if you have a boisterous pup. That said, they do work well as room dividers and should be sufficient if you have a well-behaved dog who won't run into the gate at full speed!
Next up, you'll want to consider how to attach the gate so that it stays upright. Now, it’s worth mentioning that not all gates need to be fixed in place, as some have a free-standing design. That said, we know many owners may not trust their pet not to run full-speed ahead at the gate and attempt to knock it over, in which case they may require something more secure.
For those who want to connect their gate to the wall, there are two options: pressure-mounted or hardware-mounted fixtures. The names are pretty self-explanatory — pressure-mounted gates are pushed into place using force, and usually feature rubber mounts to protect your walls and floor. These are generally a secure option, although particularly boisterous dogs may still manage to barge their way through.
If you need something super-secure, opt for a gate fitted with hardware. These are definitely robust but since they're a permanent fixure, they’re not as flexible as pressure-mounted gates. Plus, you'll need to consult your landlord before buying one if you rent your property.
When it comes to finding a dog gate that's the perfect height, you’ll be glad to know that most of the options available on the market hit the nail on the head. A gate that's approximately 80cm in height should be enough to deter the majority of breeds from attempting to leap over the top.
We should mention that we’ve included only the maximum dimensions in the specification table below each product review. Some of the designs are extendable, meaning they can stretch or shrink to fit your doorway, so it's worth checking the retracted size too before making your final decision.
Lastly, you might want to consider how the gate door opens, which basically means whether it swings, slides or folds. The latter options are non-intrusive as they don't come into contact with anything when opening. However, swinging doors require space so you'll need to take the dimensions into account for this type of gate.
Another advantage of sliding and folding doors is that they can be packed up easily, making them ideal for use in a variety of rooms around the home, and of course you can simply store them away when not needed. Therefore, if you don't think you'll require a dog gate 24/7, opting for one of these styles might be better.
Now that you’re all clued up on the various attachment styles, closing mechanisms and other features that can be found on a dog gate, let’s take a look at our recommendations. Here, in ranking order, are 10 of our favourite products that are available for purchase right now!
£22.99
Material | Wood (not protected) |
---|---|
Attachment Option | Hardware-mounted |
Dimensions | 109 x 81 cm |
Opening Mechanism | Folding |
£88.99
Material | Metal (protected) |
---|---|
Attachment Option | Hardware-mounted, free-standing |
Dimensions | 300 x 74.5 cm |
Opening Mechanism | Swing |
£99.27
Material | Wood (not protected) |
---|---|
Attachment Option | Free-standing |
Dimensions | 1.8 x 152.4 x 60.96 cm |
Opening Mechanism | Folding |
£33.00
Material | Metal (protected) |
---|---|
Attachment Option | Free-standing |
Dimensions | 121 x 100 cm |
Opening Mechanism | Folding |
£44.99
Material | Metal (not protected) |
---|---|
Attachment Option | Pressure-mounted |
Dimensions | 82 x 110 cm |
Opening Mechanism | Swing |
£17.99
Material | Mesh |
---|---|
Attachment Option | Pressure-mounted |
Dimensions | 100 x 75 cm |
Opening Mechanism | N/A |
£47.99
Material | Wood (not protected) |
---|---|
Attachment Option | Hardware-mounted |
Dimensions | H74 x W69-106.5 x D5 cm |
Opening Mechanism | Swing |
£54.99
Material | Wood (not protected) |
---|---|
Attachment Option | Hardware-mounted |
Dimensions | 89 x 74 cm |
Opening Mechanism | Folding |
£15.55
Material | Mesh |
---|---|
Attachment Option | Pressure-mounted |
Dimensions | 180 x 71 cm |
Opening Mechanism | N/A |
£41.90
Material | Metal (not protected) |
---|---|
Attachment Option | Pressure-mounted |
Dimensions | 75 x 75.5 cm |
Opening Mechanism | Swing |
Image | 1 ![]() Bettacare | 2 ![]() Cherioll | 3 ![]() Argos Home | 4 ![]() BabyDan | 5 ![]() Futureyun | 6 ![]() Argos Home | 7 ![]() Flexipanel | 8 ![]() unipaws | 9 ![]() PawHut | 10 ![]() Litthing |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Close Pet Gate | Pet Safety Gate | Scandinavian Pet Design Guard Me Gate | Wooden Super Flexi Fit Baby Safety Gate | Magic Gate for Dogs | Extra Tall Pressure Fit Pet Gate | The Portable Dog Fence | Freestanding Dog Gate | Pet Safety Gate 5-Panel Playpen | Pet Isolation Door |
Features | A Sturdy Swing Gate That Will Fit Any Space | Probably the Most Popular Mesh Gate on the Internet | Incredibly Practical as Well as Aesthetically Pleasing | Made for Babies, Works for Small Dogs Too | An Affordable Option That's Easy to Set Up | Extra Tall and Extendable | Portable Enough to Take On Your Travels | Folds Down Small for Easy Storage | Versatile but Best for Outside Use | A Classic, Space-Saving Design |
Price | £41.90 | £15.55 | £54.99 | £47.99 | £17.99 | £44.99 | £33.00 | £99.27 | £88.99 | £22.99 |
Material | Metal (not protected) | Mesh | Wood (not protected) | Wood (not protected) | Mesh | Metal (not protected) | Metal (protected) | Wood (not protected) | Metal (protected) | Wood (not protected) |
Attachment Option | Pressure-mounted | Pressure-mounted | Hardware-mounted | Hardware-mounted | Pressure-mounted | Pressure-mounted | Free-standing | Free-standing | Hardware-mounted, free-standing | Hardware-mounted |
Dimensions | 75 x 75.5 cm | 180 x 71 cm | 89 x 74 cm | H74 x W69-106.5 x D5 cm | 100 x 75 cm | 82 x 110 cm | 121 x 100 cm | 1.8 x 152.4 x 60.96 cm | 300 x 74.5 cm | 109 x 81 cm |
Opening Mechanism | Swing | N/A | Folding | Swing | N/A | Swing | Folding | Folding | Swing | Folding |
Link |
Sometimes a gate won't quite be big or tall enough to keep your pet safely out of the way, so you might need to invest in something a little sturdier. A crate or pen can provide a larger space for your dog to rest or roam around in, and we've already prepared a selection of our favourites for you to browse!
Whether you're looking to secure a dachshund or a dalmatian, we hope that you've found our buying guide and product recommendations helpful. We truly believe that if you follow our advice, you'll be able to make an informed decision and pick out the very best dog gate that money can buy!
Author: Lewis Clark
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