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10 Best Gates for Cats and Dogs – 2024 Reviews & Top Picks

Kathryn Copeland

By Kathryn Copeland

Gates for Cats and Dogs

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.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites (2024)

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
MidWest Wire Mesh Pet Gate MidWest Wire Mesh Pet Gate
  • Well priced
  • Super tall at 44” for cats
  • Fits 29–50” openings
  • Best Value
    Second place
    MyPet North States Mesh Gate MyPet North States Mesh Gate
  • Good price
  • Made with hardwood and vinyl-coated wire
  • Pressure mounted and notched lock bar
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    Dreambaby Chelsea Safety Gate Dreambaby Chelsea Safety Gate
  • Comes in four different widths (all the same height)
  • Available in black or white (depending on size)
  • Extensions can be bought separately
  • MidWest Steel Pet Gate MidWest Steel Pet Gate
  • Comes in two different heights
  • Chew-proof
  • Just need one hand to open the gate
  • MyPet Petgate Passage Gate MyPet Petgate Passage Gate
  • Steel gate with matte bronze finish
  • 42 inches high
  • Door can swing in either direction
  • The 10 Best Gates for Cats and Dogs

    1. MidWest Wire Mesh Pet Safety Gate — Best Overall

    MidWest Wire Mesh Pet Safety Gate (1)

    Height: 44 inches
    Width: 29–50 inches
    Material: Wood and wire

    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).

    Pros
    • Well priced
    • Super tall at 44” for cats
    • Fits 29–50” openings
    • Notched bar to lock in place for security
    • Made with wood frame and metal mesh

    Cons
    • Need to take it down to enter the area
    • Won’t fit every space


    2. MyPet North States Mesh Gate — Best Value

    MyPet North States Mesh Gate (1)

    Height: 37 inches
    Width: 5–48 inches
    Material: Wood and wire

    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.

    Pros
    • Good price
    • Made with hardwood and vinyl-coated wire
    • Pressure mounted and notched lock bar
    • Can accommodate 4” molding

    Cons
    • Locking bar notches makes it difficult to adjust
    • Might be flimsy


    3. Dreambaby Chelsea Extra-Tall & Wide Safety Gate — Premium Choice

    dreamable safety cat

    Height: 5 inches
    Width: 28–32, 28–35.5, 28–42.5, 38–42.5, 38–53 inches
    Material: Metal

    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
    • Can be set to stay open

    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Doesn’t always lock behind you


    4. MidWest Steel Pet Gate

    MidWest Steel Pet Gate (1)

    Height: 39 inches
    Width: 5–38 inches
    Material: Steel

    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.

    Pros
    • Comes in two different heights
    • Chew-proof
    • Just need one hand to open the gate
    • Spring-loaded latch keeps gate closed
    • Door opens in either direction

    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Skinny cats might get through the bars
    • Can be difficult to open for some


    5. MyPet Petgate Passage Gate

    MyPet Petgate Passage Gate (1)

    Height: 42 inches
    Width: 75–38 inches
    Material: Steel

    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.

    Pros
    • Steel gate with matte bronze finish
    • 42 inches high
    • Door can swing in either direction
    • Large handle for easier operation
    • Has smaller pet door

    Cons
    • Can be challenging to assemble
    • Smaller cats can get through the bars


    6. Carlson Extra Wide Pet Gate

    Carlson Extra Wide Pet Gate (1)

    Height: 30 inches
    Width: 29–36.5 inches
    Material: Steel

    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


    7. Regalo Easy Step Baby Gate

    Perma Child Safety Retractable Gate (1)

    Height: 36 inches
    Width: 29–36.5 inches
    Material: Steel

    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.

    Pros
    • S.-based customer service
    • Includes 4” extension kit
    • Easy to take down and store

    Cons
    • Can’t open it with one hand
    • Smaller animals can get through the slats


    8. Carlson Home Design Extra Tall Pet Gate

    Carlson Home Design Extra Tall Pet Gate (1)

    Height: 37 inches
    Width: 30–41.5 inches
    Material: Steel

    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

    Safety 1st Eco-Friendly Nature Next Bamboo Gate (1)

    Height: 24 inches
    Width: 28–42 inches
    Material: Bamboo and recycled plastic

    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
    • Locking mechanism is quite the challenge


    10. Perma Child Safety Retractable Gate

    Perma Child Safety Retractable Gate (1)

    Height: 41 inches
    Width: Up to 71 inches
    Material: Plastic and polyester

    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 have 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 may 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.

    Baby Gates

    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.

    Final Thoughts

    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 Photo Credit: Lukas Maverick Greyson, Shutterstock

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