When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission. Here’s how it works.
Is your dog getting into rooms he’s not supposed to? Maybe your pup is stealing socks from the laundry room or destroying the downstairs area after you’ve cleaned it up. You’re not alone! Lucky for you, dog gates can help. Dogs can be sneaky, and it’s nearly impossible to keep your eyes on them at all times. That’s why pet gates are a great idea for your home. A stairway gate for dogs also helps dogs with arthritis issues from going up and down stairs.
Table of Contents
| Indoor Walk Through | With Small Door | Extra Tall | Outdoor |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |
| Regalo | Carlson | Regalo Extra Tall | Cardinal Gates |
4 Factors To Consider In A Dog Gate
Which game is suitable for you depends on your situation. There are many things to consider while deciding which gate to purchase, including your:
- Dog’s Size – If you have a large dog, you need an extra-tall gate.
- Home – How big is your home and door frame, and where do you plan to put the gate? If you wish to bar stair access, be sure to measure the opening. Also, consider whether it is a hardware-mounted gate or a pressure-mounted one like a baby gate.
- Other Animals – If you also have a cat, you may want a pet gate with a smaller door so the cat can wander as it pleases.
- Family Members – If you have children, is the mounted gate gate kid-friendly?
What Are The Best Dog Gates?
Read below to see which of these best dog gates suits your home.
Best Indoor Dog Gate: Regalo Easy Step Walk Thru Gate Review
This gate is constructed of steel and keeps children away from stairways or other rooms. However, many pet parents use them for their kids as well as for dogs indoors.
It’s one of the best gates available, and people love it.
If you decide to purchase it, please promise you’ll read the instructions. Promise? 😉 This gate is a pressure-mount gate that uses spring tension from the bottom rail to help it stay in place (the instructions explain this more thoroughly).
When you receive the gate, you’ll notice it looks a bit warped, and the latch does not reach all the way. The shape is intentional, so you should not send it back. Read the instructions carefully to install it properly. Most people who have problems with this gate didn’t read the instructions correctly.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy to install | No small pet door |
| Walk-through door | |
| Excellent reviews | |
| Sturdy | |
| One hand open and close |
Pricing & Tech Specs
- Price: $34.99
- Height: 31″ tall
- Width: 29-39″ wide (45″ wide with extension)
- Extension: 6″ extension included
Best Pet Gate With Door: Carlson Extra Wide Walk-Through Gate With Pet Door Review
This expandable dog gate with a door is perfect for all breeds and ages. It also has a little door so that smaller animals can pass through. The pet door is ideal for homes with cats that you want to have full access to your home. It’s also a great small dog gate.
Suppose you’ve got a large cat and are worried about him making it through the small door. No worries. Your cat can most likely jump over the top of this gate. The gate is made of metal and is very sturdy. It is easy for humans to open the latch and step through. And if you have multiple levels, this is probably the best dog gate for stairs.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Sturdy and durable | The gate opening is narrow |
| Works great for the top or bottom of stairs | |
| Comfortable to step over | |
| Easy to install | |
| Nice latch |
Pricing & Tech Specs
- Price: $34.99
- Height: 30″ tall
- Width: 29-44″ wide
- Pet Door: 10″ tall x 7″ wide
Best Extra Tall Pet Gate: Regalo Easy Step Extra Tall Walk-Thru Gate Review
Are you looking for the best dog gates for large dogs? This steel dog gate is made for taller pups. It also has a swinging door for you to walk through instead of having to step over. The latch for the swinging door is easy to use but difficult for dogs to unlatch unless they are escape artists.
Our pick for the best big dog gate expands from 29″ to 34″ but has a 6″ extension panel that allows it to reach 40″ wide.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Great for smaller and larger pets | No small pet door |
| The one-touch release handle allows you to walk through instead of stepping over | |
| Durable | |
| Child-proof safety handle | |
| Great for the top of stairs | |
| Easy to install |
Pricing & Tech Specs
- Price: $39.99
- Height: 41″ tall
- Width: 29-40″ wide
- Extension: 6″ extension included
Best Outdoor Dog Gate: Cardinal Gates Stairway Special Outdoor Gate Review
My pick for the best outdoor pet gates is this Cardinal one. Made of aluminum, it’s lighter than steel and also weatherproof. The Cardinal gate is meant to be used outdoors but can also work indoors. It comes in brown, making it perfect for decks and patios since it blends well with wood.
There are two optional width extensions available for an additional cost.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Specially designed for the top of stairs | Complaints of the gate rusting over time |
| Mount at up to 30-degree angles | |
| Weatherproof | |
| Durable | |
| Easy to install |
Pricing & Tech Specs
- Price: $99.95
- Width: 27-42.5″
- Height: 29.5″ tall
- Extensions: 10.5″ and 21.75″ (not included)
Best Freestanding Dog Gates: PETMAKER Pet Gate Review
If you’re looking for an installation-free solution and don’t have a big, aggressive dog, a fold-able freestanding dog gate like the PETMAKER might be a good fit for you. Its flexible design allows you more versatility. You can use it in any door opening or stairway entrance of any size. And you can easily move from room to room, then fold up and tuck away when not in use. This high-quality wooden dog gate is lightweight and works with swinging doors.
The only downside with this dog gate is that if your dog is a jumper or can easily push it over to get through, it’s probably not a good product for your home.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Stylish, modern design | Not weatherproof |
| Flexible for any room or door type | Not great for big dogs that need a sturdier option. |
| No installation required | |
| Durable | |
| Easy to install |
Pricing & Tech Specs
- Price: $42.95
- Width: 54″ (opened) 18″ (folded)
- Height: 24″
Our Personal Experience With PETMAKER Dog Gate
We have the PETMAKER gate for our Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. We got it when he was a puppy and needed to potty train, but we found ourselves using it all the time in various places around the house. If we have a contractor over working we can use it at the top (or bottom) of the stairs. Or sometimes, we’ll have the front or backdoor open and can use it to block off the door so he can still see us outside. I love that it folds up, and we can store it when not in use. Its stylish and modern design doesn’t look like a traditional baby gate. It’s pretty sturdy/high quality, and even our strong dog can’t knock it over.
– Sadie Cornelius, Dog Mom & Creative For Canine Journal
Always Lock Your Gates (Video)
This owner had the gate latched but not locked, and their pup could open it. It’s kind of funny to watch. Heads up, though, turn your volume down some before playing this video.
Other Uses For Dog Gates & Containment Mechanisms
You can also use a baby gate as a pet gate to keep your kids out of dangerous rooms like bathrooms or kitchens. Some parents use gates to allow their smaller pets to pass through the small doors but keep their children in more confined areas like the living room.
If you need to confine your pet to your yard, a wireless dog fence is an excellent option to consider. However, this won’t keep your kids in the yard. Just be careful. No matter how you use these gates, I suggest you never leave your children or pets unaccompanied.
Our Personal Experience Using Dog Gates
I’ve spoken with other dog owners on the Canine Journal team to learn more about how they use dog gates and what styles they have good experiences with.
I use the EveryYay In The Zone Steel Walk-Through Pet Gate in my house to restrict access for my dog and give my cats some necessary personal space. My dog, Rio, is relatively new to our home, and I wanted to ensure my two senior kitties have an area to relax and play where they don’t have to worry about a giant dog intervening. I installed this expandable dog gate in the doorway to our basement, so the cats have that floor all to themselves. The cats can easily pass through the small steel door while Rio looks on from above. Bonus: It’s also been a great way to keep Rio away from the litter box.
The gate is incredibly easy to install, sturdy, and doesn’t damage the walls. It’s wide enough that I can pass through with a laundry basket and other large objects. Overall, purchasing this dog gate has been a massive win for our family. I can’t recommend it enough.
– Tara Maurer, Golden Retriever Parent, Writer & Visual Content Creator for Canine Journal
Another team member shared why a dog gate is necessary for her dog with a serious medical condition.
My dog Bear, a black Labrador Retriever, had epilepsy. He had very large, uncontrollable seizures, even with medication. Keeping him in a contained space was an absolute must for his safety. Using a gate similar to the Regalo Easy Step Walk Thru gate, I created a safe, secure space for him. I took the door off a bedroom and put the gate up in its place. This gave him a view of the house but kept him and my other animals safe in case he had a seizure. I highly recommend these kinds of gates. They make accessing your home and keeping your pets in their space very simple, and they don’t damage the doors.
– Danielle DeGroot, Labrador Retriever Parent, Canine Journal Writing & Research
Frequently Asked Questions
Below, I tackle some of the top questions I’ve seen about dog gates. If I didn’t get to yours, let me know in the comments.
What’s The Difference Between A Baby Gate And A Dog Gate?
While quite similar in both design and function, dog gates and baby gates are not the same. Both are intended to keep small paws and feet out of certain areas. The main difference is that dog gates tend to be heavier than baby gates. Baby gates are also generally shorter than dog gates. Besides being lighter, baby gates are also not made to stand up to chewing and clawing from canine teeth and claws. Because they are lighter, baby gates are more likely to fall down unless they are secured to the wall. Puppies like to run and jump, and a baby gate may not hold up as well.
Some dog gates have the option for a smaller pet door that cats and other pets can use, which is not a feature of baby gates. Additionally, hardware-mounted gates make them less likely to fall over or move, even when under physical strain.
How Tall Of A Gate Should I Get For My Dog?
This all depends on how tall your dog is. Dogs range in height (at the shoulder) from six to over 40 inches. To give some perspective, a record-breaking Great Dane named Zeus from Michigan stood 44 inches tall at the shoulder.
Dog gates range in height from about 20 inches to 40 or more inches (baby gates tend to range from 30 to 36 inches in height). Some gates get much taller. I’ve seen options for gates over 50 inches tall, which are needed for bigger breeds like the Great Dane, Irish Wolfhound, or Bullmastiff breed. This one, for example, can reach 57 inches tall and 62.2 inches wide.
You need to measure to find the right size dog gate for your pup.
- You will need to measure your pup’s height. To do this, measure your pup from the bottom of their belly to the top of the shoulder. Then, add two inches.
- Next, measure the width of the hips and chest. Add one or two inches to this as well. Then, get your pet’s weight.
- You also want to measure your door frame, both height and width. Also, measure the bottom of the door frame (called the door still). Look at the step-through area and measure if the sill or frame extends into the middle. If you choose a step-through gate, this will reduce the space your pup has to move.
Keeping Your Home Safe And Cozy For You And Your Dog
Along with a top-quality dog gate, a few other things can help keep your home clean, cozy, and safe for human and canine family members. Couch covers can save your furniture and hair from scratches, and a robot vacuum can be a huge help, too. And if you want to keep an eye on your pup when you are gone, a pet camera like the Furbo can be a real game changer.
Why Trust Canine Journal?
Kimberly has written about various dog-related topics, such as pet insurance, health conditions, treats, training, and more. She looked at hundreds of products to find the dog gates with the best performance and the lowest price. She consulted with other Canine Journal members to glean their personal experiences using dog gates with their dogs. Kimberly spent over 16 hours researching and writing this article.
