Dinner parties, the kitchen, and parties are just some of the places you don’t want your dog to be. It’s not because we don’t love them, but because we know that they are safer when away from burning stoves and tipsy guests.
It’s not always easy to shut them away, and closing the door on them can leave everyone feeling sad and disconnected.
However, there is another way. Indoor gates are not just great for keeping kids safe, but they can also protect your dog and help you to keep everyone apart without shutting them out from the action.
It’s the perfect way to stop them from going upstairs, sniffing around the kitchen, or just keeping them from being stepped on by party guests. Whatever your reasoning, an indoor gate could be the perfect solution, and there are plenty to choose from for dogs of all shapes and sizes – as you will soon discover.
It’s not always easy to know which gate is going to be right for your dog, but we are here to give you a hand with things.
In order to help you find where to buy the best indoor dog gates, we have put this guide together, compiling all of the relevant indoor dog gates reviews in one place, allowing you to find the best deals for your dog’s security.
Best Dog Indoor Gates (In Order)
1. Bettacare Indoor Dog Gate
Editor’s Pick – Best Dog Gate for Jumpers
Even smaller dogs can surprise you with how high they are able to jump, leading you to wonder if they are actually a part goat. Some are able to scale a standard gate with ease, but the tall models work wonders for security. So, check this model out below and see if it suits your escape artists.
The Good
This indoor dog gate comes in a standard white and has bars that are close enough together that even the smallest dogs won’t be able to push their way through the gaps.
It stands at 104 cm tall, which means that even the ones that love to jump shouldn’t be able to scale this at all. There are even extensions available, which is ideal for those who have wider than average doorways.
It is a pressure gate, which means you do not need any tools or fixings in order to install it, and this also makes it easier to move around the home as you see fit, but you can attach it with screws if you prefer.
There is also a unique double lock system that ensures you are the only one who can open it, and the addition of pinch-free hinges means that it is perfectly safe for dogs and children alike.
Drawbacks
There have been no negative reviews for this model of the indoor gate so far.
Editor’s View
This indoor dog gate comes at a reasonable price and makes for a great option for any dog owner to buy if they have an escape artist for a dog. With no negative reviews, it’s no wonder this is such a popular model and one that can really help to keep your pets safe.
It has all the features you need to ensure maximum security, and the available extensions allow you to mix things up and fit different doorways as needed. Plus, it’s practically impossible for dogs to jump over it.
2. Lindam Indoor Stairgate
Best Baby Gates for Dogs
Baby gates aren’t just for kids, they work amazingly for dogs as well, and are often the perfect way to keep them safe and comfortable when you need to.
If you are in search of a good baby gate to buy for your dog, then check out the reviews below and see if this one has everything you want.
The Good
This baby gate for dogs comes in white, but there are other designs available to buy – you may find that the price varies for these though.
The bars are quite close together, preventing escape when something exciting happens, or they just want to try for freedom.
While the gate itself can adjust to fit wider doorways and openings, there is a whole range of extensions that you can pick up for it.
It uses a pressure point fit, with four cups that stick to the wall without causing any damage or need for a permanent fixture. The pressure indicator will also help to ensure that you have fitted it correctly, and there are two locks.
The lock on the top requires a squeeze and lift, so only you can open it, and there is an additional one on the bottom for added security, especially when away.
Drawbacks
Some customers found that the opening mechanism was a little fiddly to use and it took time to get used to.
Editor’s View
This indoor gate is not just cheap, it is also incredibly practical and can fit most homes with ease – especially with the additional extensions that can be bought. While the lock can be a little tricky to use at first, it is something that you get used to and will be able to get the hang of in time.
It really has proved an effective method for keeping dogs and kids away from the places they shouldn’t bed, and the suction cup fit adds peace of mind for those who rent their home.
Read More: Most Friendly Pet Apartment Guide
3. Baby Dan Indoor Gates
Best Pet Gates for Large Dogs
Even large dogs like to test their luck sometimes, or they get overly excited and hug everyone that comes through the door.
Fear not, however, as the option to use a gate is a perfectly valid one for your friendly giant. Take a moment to read below and see what you think of this gate.
The Good
This indoor dog gate comes in white or red, so you can pick the one that you think suits your home and style best.
It is ideal for large dogs that need to be kept safe or left to calm down, and even the biggest canines will have a hard time trying to scale this gate effectively.
On top of that, it is also fully adjustable so that it can fit a variety of openings without the hassle of purchasing extension pieces.
Despite being made from metal, it is actually surprisingly light, and you will be pleased to know that it conforms to all of the latest safety standards.
It is fixed to the wall and comes with everything you need to install and secure it, while also having a quick and easy installation process. It can open in either direction you choose and comes with stop pins for use at the top of the stairs for safety.
Drawbacks
Some customers found that it was a little trickier to install than they had anticipated.
Editor’s View
This indoor gate is cheap and comes at a price that almost anyone can afford without issue. While there are some who found the installation process more difficult than they thought, it still did not take too long and was worth the effort for each of them.
The opening mechanism is good, the fact that it can be fully adjusted in terms of size is exceedingly helpful, and it is ideal for keeping your big dog out of the room when you need to.
Further Models of Indoor Dog Gate
Here are some further models of indoor dog gates, just in case the ones above do not quite meet your requirements.
4. Baby Dan Stairgate
Best Dog Gates for Stairs
This indoor gate is incredibly tall, which is ideal for dogs who are able to jump high, or those who are just large in general.
As a result, it should be quite effective when it comes to keeping them where you want instead of running up and down the stairs.
It comes in black, and the bars are so close together that no dog will be able to squeeze through when left unattended.
It can be fitted straight from the box without the need for wall fixings or tools, and the pressure indicators will let you know that it has been installed correctly.
It fits most standard doorways or stairways very easily, and there is a latch to open it up that your dog will not be able to use. It comes at a good and reasonable price and is actually surprisingly lightweight.
Bettacare Indoor Dog Gate
his indoor gate comes in white and is incredibly tall, helping to keep large breeds and jumpy dogs at bay when you need to.
While this model should fit most standard stairways and doorways, there is actually the option to choose different sizes so that your home can be accommodated without issue.
The bars are close together to prevent any escape attempts, and the double lock means that only you will be able to open and close the gate – giving you peace of mind when you have to leave them unattended.
The hinge doesn’t pinch either, and it is entirely safe for use around dogs and kids alike, so there is no stress or hassle.
It comes at an affordable price and is also very easy to set up, with no need for tools or wall fixings in order to use it. Overall, it makes for a good choice.
What to Consider When Choosing your Dog Gate
Before you buy your dog gate there are some things that you will need to keep in mind. Here’s a quick list to help you make a clearer decision.
Permanent? Think about where you want to put your gate(s). Is there an area of your home that you definitely do not want your dog to enter at any point now or in the future? If yes, you may want to consider a permanent gate to keep them out.
These are screwed into the wall and very secure, giving you peace of mind while also taking the effort of assembling it and taking it down again later.
Bumpers –
This is quite a common feature on pressure-mounted gates. They are one of the most popular gates because they are both portable and very easy to use. They also don’t require drilling into the wall, and while this can leave them a little wobbly, there is a way to fix this issue.
Bumpers can be secured to the gate, making them safer and more stable so that you can leave them without worrying. They don’t cause damage like drilling, and they can be used as temporary fixtures.
Accessibility –
Whether permanent or temporary, you are likely to want to walk through your gate when needed. Most of them use pressure, a swing, or a sliding mechanism so that you can open and close them easily.
The type all depends on what you want. Usually, these are permanent installations, but a temporary one can be fitted with a little more effort and tweaking.
Portability –
Not everyone needs to keep the gate up forever, or wants to, so having a portable model instead can be a great advantage. Plus, a portable gate means that you can take it on trips such as camping.
The pressure-mounted gates are the most commonly used for this function, especially as they can be flat-packed for your convenience when you are travelling. Freestanding gates are also known to fold up, and neither of them needs to be secured to walls or doorways with tools.
Material –
What kind of material do you want your gate to be made from? Usually, the options are wood, plastic, or metal. It all depends on your preference, and they all have their own traits that may make you choose them or walk away.
Wood is inexpensive and looks good, but it is also a lot less durable and breaks easily. Plastic is very lightweight, perfect for travel, but also easily tackled by large dogs. Metal is durable, reliable, and sure to keep all dogs at bay, but it is also the most expensive out of all of them.
Gate Door –
Some pet gates come with a dog door. Seems like an odd addition to have, but it can also be pretty handy in some regards. Here’s a good example. If you have a cat and the dog likes to seek snacks from the litterbox, you might have a gate up so that the dog can’t sneak in and get up to no good.
However, you can also have a little door in the gate that the cat can get through (very handy for elderly cats and young kittens) but the dog cannot. It can be a great way to separate the house for some and allow access to others.
Why use a dog gate?
A dog gate can seem like a pretty goofy thing to have in your home. However, it also has a plethora of uses that make it a pretty valuable asset to any and every dog owner. For example, I have excitable dogs, and when I open the door to let people they run to greet them; it risks them getting outside.
In order to help them stay calm and contained, I have a gate over the front entrance so that they cannot get down and cause mischief. It keeps them safe, and it also means that the guests won’t be mauled by licky dogs when they walk in.
They can be really handy for puppies as well. The little fluffs are very adventurous, and they absolutely love to put everything they can find in their mouth. If you are going out for an hour, or you just need some time to get tasks done, having a dog gate can be an absolute lifesaver.
It keeps them separated from areas that might cause them harm, but because they can still see through the bars they are not isolated either.
Similarly, most gates can be taken from place to place, so if you go on holiday and you need to keep your pooch in a secure area, you have a gate that can make that happen. This is especially handy if you go on camper van holidays and you want to have the door open without the risk of the dog getting out.
If you think that your home may not be suitable for a dog gate, think again. The freestanding gates are the most flexible, offering you a lot of reach without needing to worry about securing it to the wall. This way, even open-plan homes can benefit from necessary segregation when you have visitors, builders, or movers walking around the house.
It can be pretty dangerous for everyone involved if dogs are running free when movers and builders are trying to do their work, so keeping your dogs in a secure area is absolutely paramount.
If a gate is not quite the solution you were looking for, how about an indoor playpen instead? These are similar to dog gates in terms of function, but you can place them in the room so that your dog has a fun place to run around and enjoy themselves while also remaining safe.
They do take up a good deal of space, but they can be taken apart and put away again very easily as well. Plus, if you have puppies, they are a fantastic way to give them an area to zoom while you go about your day.
The Optimum Height for a Dog Gate
The ideal height for a dog gate is approximately 30 inches. This tends to be high enough to hold back pretty much every breed of dog and is also optimum height for young children as well.
The minimum height for a dog gate is 22 inches, but this is only suitable for smaller dogs, and large breeds will likely have a much easier time jumping over.
You do have to keep in mind that dogs can jump higher than kids, and this is especially true of spitz breeds like Huskies, who have been known to easily scale a six-foot fence. If your dog is a known jumper, you are going to want to go higher.
While many of them can be expanded with the help of extra panels to give more height, this can also bring instability and is not recommended.
Types of dog gates for the home
Buying a pet gate is not as cut and dry as it might seem; you need to choose the right type of gate for the job as well. Luckily, this part is easier than it seems because there are only three types of pet gates on the market. Below, you can learn a little more about each of them.
Pressure-Mounted –
This is the most popular form of gate. They are not secured to the wall using screws or nails, instead, they use soft discs that stick to the wall through the pressure from each side of the doorway.
They are very portable as a result, and the fact that they leave no marks on the walls is a massive bonus (especially for those in rented accommodation).
However, the downside is that they are not always the most secure. This is also why they should never be used at the top of the stairs; they are very easy for children or pets to open.
Wall Mounted –
This is the most secure form of pet gate because it is secure to the doorway/wall with screws. This means that it will always stay in place, and they are much harder to open because of the added security.
Of course, the way they are fastened to the doorway means that they are not suitable for rented homes unless agreed by the landlord. They are also less portable and take a bit longer to install.
Freestanding –
This is the easiest form of pet gate to use, and probably the quickest to set up.
They tend to look nicer and can be moved around the home quickly, as well as used to segregate rooms as opposed to just doorways.
The main downside to these is that they are not massively secure and can be knocked over. However, they are great for rental properties and are also very portable if you like to travel a lot.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is a Pet Gate?
Essentially, it is a fence that can be placed in any of the doorways in your home so that you can block access to certain areas of the home. It’s a great way to keep them out of the kitchen, separate them from guests, or make sure they stay out of the way of any building work.
There are also three main types of pet gates available for you to choose from, but this is something you can find in the informational section of this guide.
Can I Use a Baby Gate For My Dog?
Yes, you can use a baby gate for your dog. They are an ideal way to contain them in one area for their safety (or to stop them from destroying the sofa while you are out). The thing is, there is practically no difference between a dog gate and a baby gate as they are both made from the same material.
The main difference is in the design (freestanding and pressure-mounted, for example) but all of these are available for both pets and kids. So, if you have an old baby gate or you were looking at them instead of pet-specific ones, you are perfectly fine to use them.
What Is The Tallest Pet Gate Available?
The tallest pet gate on the market can be expanded to six feet tall. It’s basically a door, but it works well for all those giant breeds that manage to jump their way over the shorter gates. All you need to do in order to get it to its full height is use clip-in extensions that you can buy from the manufacturer.
This also means that you can essentially have three gates throughout the home, all depending on how you want to use them.
Otherwise, the average height for a pet gate is around 2-2.5 feet tall. This is actually the same as baby gates. Some will even go as low as one foot, but this can only really work with very small breeds of dogs that cannot jump very high.
Are Pressure-mounted Baby Gates Safe For Top of Stairs?
No, pressure-mounted baby gates are not safe for the top of the stairs at all. In fact, having one there with a baby or dog is very dangerous. This is because it is actually really easy for either of them to open it if they just apply pressure to the top of the gate. The next thing you know, it’s swinging open and you hear them falling down the stairs.
While most gates are pressure-mounted, there are also plenty of models that use clips to secure the top and bottom of the gate instead. These are much safer for the top of the stairs, and the pressure-mounted gates can then be used throughout the rest of the home.
To Conclude
Hopefully, this guide has helped you to find the best indoor dog gate, and the indoor dog gate reviews have given you an idea of what you need for your home, and which gate is going to work best when it comes to keeping your pups at bay.
A lot of the time, indoor gates are there for their own safety, and sometimes we need to keep them confined to a specific area for a few hours. Of course, not every dog will be quiet about it, and there are some that will do their best to break out.
However, the gates that we have selected are difficult to escape from and will provide you with the peace of mind you need to take your eye off them for a few minutes and go do what you need to. With a whole range of price tags for you to compare as well, we know that you are going to find a gate at the best price for you.
What did you think of our indoor dog gate guide? Are there any that you would have liked to see or recommended? We love hearing from you, so make sure to leave us a message in the comments below.
For over a decade, Adrienne has been a freelance content writer and blogger who’s passion lies in anything related to dogs. Growing up, dogs were a very important part of family life in the Hardwick household. Now, Adrienne is the proud parent to two Swedish Vallhunds called Moose and Pumpkin.