If you have a cat or a dog (or both!) and an area of your house that you want to keep them out of, you’re obviously in the market for a pet gate. There are so many reasons that people need pet gates: separating the animals from each other, keeping them out of a room, or even just keeping them in one specific room for a time.
There are tons of choices out there, so you’ve definitely come to the right place. We’ve created reviews of the 10 best pet gates to make your life easier, so read on to find the right gate for your needs.
The best overall gate for cats and dogs is the MidWest Wire Mesh Pet Safety Gate. This gate is well priced and tall, which will work well for cat owners. It can fit openings 29 to 50 inches wide and uses pressure and bumpers to stay attached. It has a notched locking bar to help keep it locked in place for extra security. It’s made with a wood frame and metal mesh, is non-toxic, and won’t damage your walls.
The disadvantages include that it won’t be able to fit well in every space because the bumpers themselves won’t adjust. Plus, you need to remove the whole thing when you want to enter the area (although it’s not difficult to do so, just inconvenient).
The best pet gate for cats and dogs for the money is the MyPet North States Mesh Gate. This one is 37 inches tall and made with hardwood and vinyl-coated wire. It is also pressure mounted with bumpers and locks into place with a notched bar. It can also accommodate molding up to 4 inches.
The downsides include that the notched locking bar makes it difficult to adjust when trying to set it up in a specific space. For homes with large dogs and cats, this gate might be a bit too flimsy.
The best premium choice pet gate for cats and dogs is the Dreambaby Chelsea Safety Gate. This gate is metal and comes in four sizes in either black or white. All sizes are the same height but accommodate different widths. There are additional extensions that can be purchased separately if the gate isn’t wide enough for your space (this can give you up to 88”). This gate is also pressure mounted, but it can be opened with one hand. It will automatically lock behind you, or it can be made to stay open for convenience.
However, this gate is expensive, and sometimes, it doesn’t always automatically lock after you’ve walked through.
Pros
Comes in four different widths (all the same height)
Available in black or white (depending on size)
Extensions can be bought separately
Can be opened with one hand and automatically closes behind
The Midwest Steel Pet Gate is made with steel and comes in white and black and two different heights: 29 and 39 inches high. It’s chew-proof and can expand from 29.5 to 38 inches to fit a space, and you can just use one hand to open the gate and walk through. It has a spring-loaded latch that keeps the gate closed, and the door opens in either direction.
Unfortunately, it is a little pricey, and you need to lift it to open it, which might prove difficult for some people. Also, the spacing between the bars is 2.25 inches, and some small cats might still be able to get through.
The MyPet Petgate Passage Gate is a steel gate with a matte bronze finish that is 42 inches high. It has a control lever that allows the gate to swing in either direction, and a large handle that makes it easier to open and close. It also has a smaller pet door at the bottom, so you don’t have to remove the entire gate to let your animals back into a room.
The disadvantages are that it can be a challenge to assemble, and the bar spacing can enable smaller cats to get through.
Carlson’s Extra Wide Pet Gate has a non-toxic finish in white and can be pressure mounted so there’s no damage to the walls. It has a smaller pet door (8 x 8 inches) that opens both ways, and it comes with an extension kit that can add an extra 4 inches. It has a safety lock that works when you close the gate behind you (it doesn’t automatically latch closed, though, you need to pull it closed).
Unfortunately, it’s only 30 inches tall, so it might work best for households with dogs or cats that can’t jump that high. Also, if you leave the pet door open, it can block the gate from opening properly by getting in the way.
Pros
Non-toxic finish
Pet door included
Comes with a 4” extension kit
Has a safety-lock
Cons
Might not be tall enough for agile cats
The open pet door gets in the way of opening the gate
The Regalo East Step Baby Gate is made of steel in white and is 36 inches tall. Customer service is based out of the U.S. This gate is pressure mounted, includes a 4-inch extension kit, and is quite sturdy. It can be easily taken down and stores flat.
However, you can’t open it one handed because you need to slide and hold the safety latch over before lifting the handle to open it. Like many other gates of this style, a small dog or cat can probably get through the slats.
The Carlson Home Design Pet Gate is a black steel gate with an added pet door that is 10 x 7 inches. It also includes a 5-inch extension, and it can be opened with one hand by pressing a button to release the lock. It’s an attractive design because it’s in matte black and includes the decorative feature of faux wood inserts.
Some of the gaps in this gate make it not the best choice for a home with small dogs or cats, and it’s relatively expensive.
Pros
Pet door is 10 x 7”
Includes a 4” extension
Can be opened with one hand
Attractive design
Cons
Won’t work for small dogs or cats
Expensive
9. Safety 1st Eco-Friendly Nature Next Bamboo Gate
The Safety 1st Eco-Friendly Nature Next Bamboo Gate has a bamboo frame with black mesh panels made from recycled plastic. It’s made with 100% recycled materials, is pressure mounted, and is easy to install and remove when necessary. It has a locking mechanism for safety.
This is a short gate and would work best for small dogs and cats that won’t be able to jump over it. Additionally, the locking mechanism is difficult to lock and unlock.
Pros
Bamboo frame with black panels made with recycled plastic
Easy to remove and install
Made with 100% recycled material
Locking mechanism for safety
Cons
Not that tall, so not suitable for large dogs or agile cats
Perma Child Safety’s Retractable Gate comes in two sizes (33 or 41 inches tall) and four colors (gray, white, black, and brown). This gate requires drilling, which makes it a permanent fixture in the location that you want it in your home, and it’s suitable for both indoors and outdoors. It’s installed on one side and can be locked and retracted, is made with UV-resistant mesh, and is rustproof. It takes up little space when left open.
However, after a while, the mesh might start to sag, and determined animals will probably be able to get through it (particularly by crawling under it). Also, the process of unlocking the gate to open it can be quite tedious. You need to press and hold a button while pulling it open, or the gate locks up.
Pros
Comes in two heights and four colors
Can be used inside and outside
Can be locked and retracted
UV-resistant and rust-proof
Takes up little space
Cons
Mesh might start to sag after a while
Animals might be able to get through it (especially under it)
Unlocking and opening it is a pain
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Right Gate for Your Pet
Now that you’ve had the chance to read about the various gates available, check out our buyer’s guide. We included some food for thought before you purchase your new pet gate.
Width
The width of the pet gate will depend on the width of the space that you’re trying to fill. Most gates can cover a specific range of sizes, and many also include an extension or give you the opportunity to purchase separate extensions to help fill the space. Always measure your designated area carefully before buying a gate.
Height
This is an important factor if you own a cat, particularly if you have a young and agile cat. First, be sure that there is nothing close to the gate that a cat can use to launch over it. You can purchase two or three gates that can be mounted on top of each other. In that case, you’ll want to aim for lightweight ones that are made of wood and wire or mesh.
Ease of Opening
If you’re looking for a gate that you can open easily with one hand, read the descriptions and the reviews. Some companies will state that their grates can be opened with one hand when that isn’t always true. Many gates need two hands to open, so bear that in mind while shopping.
You can shop for baby gates in addition to pet gates. They all serve the same purpose, so if you’ve been searching for just cat or dog gates, try searching for baby gates to give you even more options.
Style of Gate
Some gates need to be removed completely to get through, while others have a door that you can unlock and step through. All gates have their advantages and disadvantages, so it depends on how high traffic the area is.
Some gates are not suitable for smaller animals because there’s too much of a gap between the bars, while others, you’ll have to fight with to unlock. Just double-check the reviews and read the descriptions carefully.
Conclusion
The MidWest Wire Mesh Pet Safety Gate is our choice for the best pet gate because it’s one of the tallest at 44 inches, which might help contain those acrobats! The MyPet North States Mesh Gate is a nice lightweight gate made with hardwood and vinyl-coated wire and has an excellent price. Finally, the Dreambaby Chelsea Safety Gate is pricey, but you’ll end up with a sturdy gate and the opportunity to extend it up to 88 inches!
Our reviews of these 10 gates barely scratch the surface of the numerous pet and baby gates available out there. But we hope that we’ve managed to narrow your search down and that you’ll find the right one for your household needs.
Featured Image Credit: Lukas Maverick Greyson, Shutterstock
