Short answer
A crate divider is a removable panel that closes off part of a crate, so you can buy a crate your puppy can grow into and make the space smaller for now, as the RSPCA and PDSA suggest1,2. Set it so your puppy can still stand, turn around, lie down and stretch out, and move it back as your puppy grows.
Why use a divider?
This article answers one question from our complete guide to what size crate your dog needs.
Neither the RSPCA nor the PDSA mentions dividers. What they do say is to think about your puppy's adult size. The RSPCA says: "For a puppy, get a crate that's big enough for your pup to grow into."1 The PDSA says: "For puppies - choose a crate based on their adult size or increase crate size as they grow."2
A divider is one way to do that with a single crate. You buy the adult size once, close it down for a small puppy, and give your puppy more room as it grows, instead of buying two or three crates.
What a divider is
A divider is a flat panel, usually the same mesh as a wire crate, that fits inside the crate across its width. It splits the crate into a space for your puppy and a closed-off space behind. Most can be fixed at several positions along the crate.
Not every crate has one. MidWest, a US crate maker, says "Most MidWest Homes for Pets crates come with a free divider panel"3, but other crates need one bought separately or don't take one at all. Check the product listing before you buy, and fit it following the maker's instructions.
What a crate maker says
MidWest Homes for Pets, a US crate maker, gives its own divider instructions. These are one maker's advice for its crates, not official UK guidance.
- Size for the adult dog. "The size of the crate should be determined by the size your dog will be when he is fully grown. A divider panel can be used to adjust the length of the living space as your puppy grows."4
- Start small. "Just insert a divider panel into the home allowing only enough room for your puppy to lie down."4 Its sizing page describes the space as "just enough room for your dog to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably"3.
- Move it back as your puppy grows. "As your puppy grows, you can move the divider panel back to accommodate his larger size."4 "As your dog grows, gradually move the divider panel to expand the available space inside the crate."3
- Why keep the space small. MidWest says "Puppies tend to sleep in one end of the home and eliminate in the other end"4, which is why it suggests not giving a young puppy the whole crate.
Use the RSPCA and PDSA test as the minimum
MidWest's FAQ suggests starting with room only for your puppy to lie down4. The RSPCA and PDSA describe more: room to stand, turn around, lie down and stretch out1, and to sit without touching the top2. Whatever the divider setting, make sure your puppy can do all of those.
How to set the divider
- Measure your puppy's length, from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail.
- Add room. We suggest about 10 cm, as our own rule of thumb.
- Fit the divider so the space is at least that long, following the maker's instructions.
- Check the RSPCA and PDSA test, not just room to lie down. Some makers suggest starting with room only to lie down4, but UK charities describe room to stand, turn around, lie down and stretch out1.
- Watch your puppy in the space. It must be able to stand, turn around, lie down and stretch out1, and sit without touching the top2. If it can't, move the divider back, whatever the tape measure says.
When to move it
Puppies grow quickly, so the right setting won't last long. We suggest checking the divider every week or two, and moving it back as soon as the space looks snug.
- Your puppy can't lie flat on its side and stretch out.
- It has to duck its head to sit up, or can't turn around easily.
- Its tail hits the sides when it wags2.
- It always lies pressed against the divider.
"Too big is better than too small"
If you're unsure whether to give your puppy more room, the PDSA's tip is that "too big is better than too small"2. When in doubt, move the divider back a notch.
Dividers and car travel
The RSPCA also says: "don't travel with your puppy in their adult-sized crate - they'll be better protected in a smaller space."1
A divided home crate is still a big crate. For car journeys, we suggest a separate travel crate sized to your puppy now. Read wire or fabric crate, and which for the car? for more on travel.
Puppy crate guides by breed
Our puppy crate guides cover the adult crate size for each breed, how to set the divider at 8 weeks, 3, 4, 6, 9 and 12 months, and which crates come with one:
- Labrador puppy crate
- Golden Retriever puppy crate
- German Shepherd puppy crate
- Cockapoo puppy crate
- French Bulldog puppy crate
- Cavapoo puppy crate
- Border Collie puppy crate
- Springer Spaniel puppy crate
Breed crate guides
Every breed needs a slightly different crate. These guides cover UK size guidance for the breed, sizes in each brand in inches and cm, and how to measure.
- Labrador Retriever crate sizeSizes by brand, measuring and fit
- Cockapoo crate sizeSizes by brand, measuring and fit
- German Shepherd Dog crate sizeSizes by brand, measuring and fit
- Golden Retriever crate sizeSizes by brand, measuring and fit
Find your dog's crate size All breeds
Questions
What is a crate divider?
A removable panel that closes off part of a crate, so a puppy can use an adult-size crate. You move it back as your puppy grows.
How much room should I leave when I first set the divider?
Do the RSPCA or PDSA recommend dividers?
How much space should my puppy have with the divider in?
How often should I move the divider?
We suggest checking every week or two while your puppy is growing, and moving it back as soon as the space looks snug.
Can I travel with my puppy in its divided adult crate?
The RSPCA says not to travel with your puppy in its adult-sized crate, because it will be better protected in a smaller space1.
Does every crate come with a divider?
No. MidWest says most of its crates come with a free divider panel3, but other crates need one bought separately or don't take one. Check before you buy.