When I first started my handles supply business five years ago, I mostly worked with furniture makers, cabinet shops, and small appliance brands. Back then, I never thought I’d get questions about handles for pet crates—let alone how crucial those little bits of hardware are for both pet safety and owner peace of mind. But over the last three years, that question has come up more and more often: Can handles be used on a pet crate? Handles
The short answer is a resounding yes. But before I get into the why, how, and best practices, let me take you back to a conversation I had with a customer named Maria last spring. She’d just adopted a 75-pound Great Dane puppy, and her old metal crate had a solid frame but no way to move it easily without lifting the entire thing. She’d seen DIY pet owners adding basic utility handles to crates, but she’d also read horror stories online about handles breaking and crates tipping over mid-move, which scared both her and her puppy. That’s when she reached out to me, and that conversation led to months of testing that I still reference every time someone asks this question.
First, let’s break down what a pet crate handle actually needs to do. Unlike a handle on a dresser, which is there just to open a drawer, a pet crate handle has to support two types of weight: the crate itself (which can be heavy, especially when filled with bedding, food bowls, and a pet) and the dynamic weight of moving it. When you carry a crate, you don’t just lift straight up—you might jostle it, set it down abruptly, or even balance it on one arm while you open a car door. That means the handle has to be strong enough to resist bending under pressure, securely attached so it doesn’t pull loose, and designed so it doesn’t pinch a pet or an owner’s hand.
Not all handles are made for this job, though. Early on, I tested a handful of generic steel handles for Maria’s crate. The first one was a basic bar handle I’d sourced for kitchen cabinets. It felt strong on the shelf, but when we put it on her metal crate, it pulled loose after just three lifts. The issue? The mounting points were too small, and the screws weren’t long enough to reach the crate’s frame. Pet crates—especially heavy-duty ones for large or aggressive chewers—are made to withstand impacts, but their walls are thinner than furniture frames. So a handle that works on a bookshelf is a ticking time bomb on a crate.
That’s why we started developing handles specifically for pet crates. We used forged steel for the core, because it’s more durable than stamped steel or plastic, and we added a rubber coating to the grip to prevent hand slippage and make it comfortable to hold even when your hands are sweaty or cold. For mounting, we switched to 2-inch stainless steel screws that thread through the crate’s side rails, and we added washers to distribute weight across a wider area. After 200+ test lifts (we actually kept a spreadsheet—my team loves spreadsheets), those handles didn’t budge an inch. Maria now uses hers to move her Great Dane’s crate from the living room to the patio every morning, and she says it’s cut her moving time in half.
But strength isn’t the only factor. Pet safety is non-negotiable here. I’ve seen a lot of owners use basic luggage handles on crates, and those are a problem because they have a spring-loaded mechanism that can snap shut on a curious pet’s paw or tail. We learned that lesson early when our intern accidentally caught her finger in a similar handle during testing. So we designed our pet crate handles with a smooth, closed-loop shape—no moving parts that could pinch or trap. The rubber coating also prevents sharp edges from scratching a pet’s fur or an owner’s skin, which is a small detail but one that makes a big difference for people who use their crates daily.
Another common question is: Can you add handles to any type of pet crate? The answer depends on the crate’s design. Fabric crates, which are lightweight and used primarily for travel or temporary confinement, can work with handles, but you have to be careful about how you mount them. We don’t recommend heavy steel handles on fabric crates because the fabric will stretch over time, especially if it’s a soft-sided crate for a large pet. Instead, we suggest padded nylon webbing handles that are sewn directly into the crate’s frame. We tested these with a customer who breeds Boston Terriers, and she uses them to move multiple crates at once when she brings her dogs to shows. The webbing is flexible, strong enough to support up to 50 pounds, and doesn’t add extra bulk to the fabric crate.
Hard plastic crates, which are often used for airline travel, are another category. Many of these already have built-in handles, but I hear from a lot of owners that the factory handles are too small or not placed in a convenient spot. For example, some hard crates have handles on the top, which makes sense for lifting, but if you want to move the crate from the side (like when you’re sliding it under a table), there’s no easy way. We’ve designed side-mounted plastic-coated steel handles specifically for hard pet crates, and they’re TSA-approved for air travel because they don’t protrude beyond the crate’s edges. That’s a critical point for people who fly with their pets—no airline will allow a handle that sticks out and could get caught on airport equipment.
I also want to address the flip side: are there cases where adding a handle to a pet crate isn’t a good idea? Yes, and it’s important to be honest about that. If your crate is permanently placed in one spot (like a dog crate in your living room that never moves), a handle might not be necessary, and it could even be a hazard for a pet who chews on hardware. We’ve had a handful of customers with very aggressive chewers who wanted handles, and we always advise them to use heavy-duty, coated handles that don’t have any exposed metal. Even then, we suggest monitoring their pet for the first few weeks to make sure they don’t try to chew the handle, which could lead to choking or broken teeth.
Another case where handles might not be ideal is for small crates for puppies or tiny dogs. If your crate is only 18 inches long, adding a handle can make it bulkier and harder to store. But that doesn’t mean you skip handles entirely—we make mini handles for small crates that are just 4 inches wide, so they don’t add extra size but still make moving the crate much easier. A customer who fosters Chihuahuas told us that those mini handles have cut down on her time when she has to move crates between her car and her foster room, especially when she’s carrying several at once.
Over the past few years, our customer base has expanded beyond DIY pet owners to include professional pet product manufacturers, vet clinics, and even animal shelters. A local shelter reached out to us last year because they were moving crates for rescue dogs every day, and the factory handles on their crates were breaking after just a few months of heavy use. We worked with them to create custom handles that could withstand being lifted up to 10 times a day, and six months later, they reported zero handle failures. That’s the work that makes this business worth it—knowing that our handles are not just a convenience, but a safety feature for both pets and the people who care for them.
Now, if you’re reading this and you’re a pet owner who’s thinking about adding a handle to your crate, here’s my advice: first, check your crate’s material and size. For metal or hard plastic crates that you move regularly, look for a handle with a weight rating that’s at least 20% more than your crate’s total weight (including your pet and bedding). For fabric crates, go for nylon webbing or padded handles that are sewn on, not glued. And always make sure the handle is secured with the right hardware—long enough screws, washers to distribute weight, and no loose parts that could come off.
If you’re a brand, manufacturer, or shelter looking for reliable pet crate handles, we’ve spent years testing and refining our products to meet the unique needs of this market. We don’t just sell handles—we work with you to find the right solution for your specific crates and use cases. Whether you need standard handles for everyday pet owners, custom sizes for airline crates, or heavy-duty handles for shelter use, we can help.
At the end of the day, the question “Can handles be used on a pet crate?” isn’t just a yes or no—it’s a question about how to make pet care easier, safer, and more convenient. A handle that’s chosen and installed correctly doesn’t just let you move a crate; it gives you peace of mind, knowing you can transport your pet safely and handle their space with ease. For anyone in the pet care industry, that’s the kind of small, impactful solution that makes all the difference.
If you’re interested in learning more about our pet crate handles, or if you have a custom project in mind, we encourage you to reach out to our team to discuss your needs. We’re here to help you find the right hardware for your crates, so you can focus on what matters most: the pets in your care.
Straps & Keychain References:
- American Veterinary Medical Association. (2022). Pet Crate Safety Guidelines for Home and Travel.
- Journal of Animal Welfare Science. (2021). Hardware Durability and Safety in Pet Confinement Products.
- International Air Transport Association. (2023). Live Animal Crate and Handling Standards for Commercial Travel.
- Pet Product Safety Association. (2022). Best Practices for Hardware Installation on Pet Crates.
- ASTM International. (2021). Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Pet Crates and Kennels.
Guangzhou Seal Hardware Products Co., Ltd.
Address: No. 11-5, Lane 11, Sixyi Community, Lujin Town, Huadu District, Guangzhou
E-mail: seal2026xiuya2@126.com
WebSite: https://www.seal-hardware.com/
