The Best Indoor Dog Fences

Having a dog means we get the pleasure of watching them run around, play, and wag their tails. However, not every room needs to be their personal play space. Tails can knock over glasses, pawprints can stain, and most items of household furniture can become your best friend’s favorite chew toy. That’s why it’s a smart choice to have a dog fence or two on hand. Whatever the case may be, let’s dive in and take a look at some of the best indoor dog fences on the market.

What to Look For

We wanted to recommend only the best indoor dog fences on the market, so we looked for options that offered sturdy designs, convenient mobility, pet-safe materials, and fair prices. With these criteria in mind, we found a handful that stood out from the pack. Our favorite was the MyPet portable dog gate, which proved easy to set up in a flash and take down when it’s time to let the pets roam free. But for those that want to set up a permanent gate that only humans can operate, we recommend Carlson’s extra-wide gate. It has a nifty latch that lets humans through and leaves four-legged friends behind. For more of our in-depth reviews, read on.

MyPet Portable Dog Gate

Safety for your dog and home

This easy-to-install gate is the perfect choice for you and your dog.
Best Overall

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Let’s face it, if we could let our dogs run amok and lounge on every piece of furniture without causing any wear and tear, we would. But alas, sometimes their jovial nature can prove destructive. MyPet knows this, and that’s why they’ve come up with this gate that’s durable, safe, and requires zero tools to install. Plus, it’s easy to set up, take down, and won’t ruin your walls or floors.

Pros:

  • Sometimes it’s hard to beat the sturdiness and practicality of plastic, and we think a dog gate is one of those cases. When safety is your priority, this gate is the one to go for.
  • Though the style itself is more practical than pretty, both color options are neutral enough to go with any décor, and the paw prints add a fun touch to the design.

Cons:

  • The locking mechanism can take some getting used to.

PetMaker Foldable Free-Standing Wooden Gate

Little pups stay put

Lightweight and wooden, this gate is the perfect choice for your smaller dogs.
Best For Puppies

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This gate will have your pup contained and still allow them to feel like they’re part of the action. Portable and lightweight, this item simply folds out and doesn’t need to be wedged into any door frame, making it the ideal choice for smaller dogs who won’t barrel through and knock it over. Adding to the appeal is the fact that it fits into most closets when not being used.

Pros:

  • We appreciate the variety of rich finish options that allow us to match our décor with ease.
  • We love this option as a handy piece to have ready when hosting friends and their animals. It’s a small courtesy that can go a long way.

Cons:

  • The wooden surface is not consistently smooth, so you might want to sand it down here and there to prevent splinters.

Carlson Extra-Wide Walk-Through Pet Gate

Walk on by

This hassle-free blockade easily opens and closes while mounted to the wall.
Most Convenient

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This pressure-mounted gate is a safe bet for long-term use. Constantly putting a fence up and taking it down can prove tedious after a while, especially if there’s a room that’s permanently off-limits to your pet. If that’s the case, Carlson has you covered. This fence can extend up to four inches for those wider door frames or stairways, and if you need to get through, there’s an easy-latch door that opens right up. Convenience is key with this option.

Pros:

  • Seeing how sturdy and effective this gate is, we were surprised to learn that it requires no tools at all for installation — the pressure-mount system has you covered.
  • The steel construction holds up to bumps and everyday wear and tear, so it’s safe for pups that like to play rough.

Cons:

  • The latch is prone to misaligning, so it helps to keep an eye on it to make sure it’s in place.

Pawland Wooden Freestanding Gate

Fashionable fences blend right in

Stylish and functional, this gate easily effortlessly blends with your home’s décor.
Most Stylish

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An indoor dog fence can serve more than just one purpose, and Pawland knows that. Therefore, they’ve developed a three-in-one design that can act as a gate, room divider, and pet pen. With a contemporary wood finish, this item stands out in all the right ways, giving your home a modern touch in the process. This gate also folds up, making it easy to store.

Pros:

  • Since the design is so lightweight, we love the addition of non-slip rubber feet that keep this fence in place throughout the day.
  • This piece folds into a zigzag shape, a clever design that allows it to be adjusted to fit most areas.

Cons:

  • This lightweight option is easy for us to move, but bigger dogs may be able to move it easily, too.

Pawland Extra-Wide Dog Gate

Perfect for wide doorways

Pawland has you covered for those wide doorways and staircases.
Most Spacious

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Not everyone has a standard-sized doorframe or a regular-sized staircase. That’s okay because Pawland knows that every home is different, which is why they created this sprawling 144-inch gate that’s perfect for those larger spaces. There’s even a small door to walk through, which only adds to the convenience. Because this fence is so wide, you can also fold it into a playpen for your furry friend.

Pros:

  • We’re big fans of this piece’s thoughtful design. For example, the arch is more than just decorative — it’s super helpful for finding the door, which can be frustrating with longer gates.
  • We know it’s not all about looks, but this gate’s wood framing and metal wire interior are seriously stylish. We like that the black option creates a more uniform look while the white lets the contrast make a statement.

Cons:

  • We wish the door hinges felt a bit sturdier.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are certain things I should look for when purchasing an indoor dog fence?

There are a few things you’ll want to keep an eye out for. If your pet is on the larger side, it’s recommended to get a taller gate, preferably one that can fasten to archways or staircases. However, with smaller breeds, you can safely get away with a shorter, freestanding gate that can easily fold away and fit in your closet. Some of these gates are designed for durability, while several others focus on aesthetics. Reading the reviews will help give you a sense of what might be the right gate for your best friend.

Will these gates damage floors and doorways?

With rubber padding and soft floor grips, these gates should keep your home safely intact and scrape-free. Even the free-standing gates have smooth bottoms, so most options glide easily without leaving scuff marks.

About the Author

Tana lives in Vermont with her beloved old crotchety hound dog, Hannah. Growing up on a farm, Tana spent her days with chickens, ducks, and goats, instilling in her a lifelong love and respect for all animals. When she’s not teaching yoga, Tana researches dog products so she can help fellow owners discover the best of the best for their canine.

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