Pet Gates: Our Top Choices to Stop Dirty Paws Reaching Your Furniture

Pet gates offer a huge range of benefits for any animal-hosting household. Below we have listed some of the biggest advantages of using a pet gate in your home:

Keeps Certain Rooms off Limits

There is no doubt that a dog or cat can fast become an integral part of any family. Despite this, there may be certain rooms you want to keep off-limits for your pet. Whether you have newly installed hardwood floors or have recently invested in expensive couches, a pet gate can preserve these spaces from dirty paws, animal hair or chew-happy pets.  

Separate Animals

If your home has multiple pets then a gate can also help keep certain animals apart. Like their human owners, even two dogs may not always get along, and so keeping them in separate enclosed spaces can ensure their freedom and wellbeing. This is also useful if you have younger animals or new pets that need to become integrated into the family gradually and safely.

Less Cleaning

Keeping your dog or other pets in areas of the home where the floor is laminated or tiled means less cleaning for you. Sometimes mess in the form of animal fur, food or training accidents are inevitable, but keeping them away from carpets and rugs can mean you can maintain a clean and hygienic home more easily. Furthermore, if some family members have allergies, this may make them more manageable, since you can keep some areas of the house pet-free.

Keeps Small Children Safe

If either animal or child are new to the family, it can take a little time for a pet to adjust. Sometimes even a trip to the bathroom can be stressful since both children and animals can be unpredictable. Making use of gates when you can’t be present to supervise will give you peace of mind that your child and your pet are both safe if you leave the room for a moment.

Makes Your Pet Feel More Secure

Boundaries are useful for everyone and pets are no different: in most cases, pets such as anxious dogs and cats will benefit greatly from having a designated space at home to call their own. It will give them a sense of belonging and a routine that can contribute to a much happier and calmer pet.

Since doorways and entrances will inevitably vary, it is important that you choose a pet gate that is suited to your circumstances. Pet gates come in many shapes and sizes and naturally vary in quality and durability. The type and size of your pets should also play a role in deciding the type of gate you get. Below we discuss some of the key points to consider when choosing your pet gate:

Material

Material is just as much about quality as it is about the aesthetics. Plastic pet gates can come in a variety of colours which can suit modern home decor, but they may not be as sturdy as other options. Wooden gates, meanwhile, often complement more traditional home settings. A dark wood gate, for example, will be strong and will look right at home in a room where there is other dark wood furniture. If your pet likes to gnaw at things though, a wooden gate may not be the best option. Steel is also a popular option for pet gates. It is a strong, sturdy material which can withstand chewing and strong animals such as larger breeds of dog. This is probably the best option if you have an energetic and boisterous pet.  

Height & Durability

How tall and sturdy your pet gate needs to be will highly depend on the size of your pet. If you have a large dog, you will need to consider a gate that it cannot jump over or knock down with ease. Most smaller pets will do fine with more lightweight options.

Location

Some gates have to be wall mounted or may have narrower widths. Mounted gates are ideal for doorways, but if you wish to cordon off certain areas of your rooms or need to travel with your gate, you’ll need to go for a free-standing and portable option.

Budget

As with all purchases, you should decide how much you’re willing to spend on a pet gate before you start shopping as this will narrow down your options. It is important not to compromise on quality for a cheaper price, since a flimsy gate won’t do what it is supposed to and will be a complete waste of money. We advise going for something midrange so you get good value for your money without breaking the bank. Our above reviews feature pet gates from all price ranges, though, so there should be something to suit everyone.

Safety

You will want to ensure that the gate you choose is safe for your four legged friend. Unfortunately, some gates may compromise on safety and quality which leads to the potential for harm. Double-checking safety features and product recommendations from expert organisations such as the APA (American Pet Association) will give you the peace of mind knowing your family and pets are safe

Design

Some gates have smaller doors or cat flaps to let smaller animals through. If your intended use is to keep certain animals apart, then this may be the kind of gate you need. When making your choice, ensure the smaller door is actually small enough to keep out your larger pet. You should note, however, that these types of gates are usually not safe for households with babies or small children. You should also make sure the human door is easy to open and close, so that you are not hindered when moving around your home.

Installation

If you don’t want to fiddle around with drills and screws, then you will want to look at alternative options to a secure wall mounted gate. Pressure mounted and freestanding gates can be moved around the home more easily and make great alternatives; however, these may not be strong enough to prevent a larger or more determined pet from breaking through.

• Can I use pet gates for babies too?

• Freestanding pet gates can double as a barrier around a play area for children, but they shouldn’t be used without supervision. Any type of pressure mounted gate should be avoided on the stairs if you have children, as there’s the potential for them to get pushed out of position either by children or stronger pets. If you need to childproof your home, securely wall-mounted gates can usually multitask as a baby gate, but you should always read the manufacturers advice first.

• What if my dog keeps chewing on the railings?

• If you have a pup that likes to chew on everything or an anxious dog likely to try to break free, you should choose a metal gate. Enthusiastic chewers can easily weaken the structure of plastic and wooden gates and can also increase the risk of ingesting splinters and wood chips. If you’re concerned about your pet damaging their teeth, you could try using an anti chewing spray to deter them.

• What type of gate should I buy if my pet is an escape artist?

• If your pet likes to break free, you will need to carefully consider the type of gate that you buy. Larger pets naturally need taller gates, but even if you have a smaller dog, you may need to go for a tall model if they are somewhat of a Houdini. Either way, we would recommend opting for a cheaper option and testing out various heights before spending a bigger chunk of your bank balance on a gate which may not be secure enough.