Ways to Recycle and Repurpose a Dog Crate

Like many pet owners, I invested in a large wire dog crate when I got a puppy a number of years ago. That first puppy was only in the crate for a very short time before it was folded and put away. It seemed like a waste of money at the time, but I was able to come up with ways to repurpose the dog crate for other than containing the dog.

From Dog Crate to Plant Starter

When starting seeds indoors before planting in my garden, I needed a way to keep the kittens away from the seedlings, so the dog crate became a mini garden area in my living room. By clamping the grow light to the top of the wire cage, I was able to adjust the position of the light as needed and since the wire cage wasn't flammable, it wasn't a fire hazard.

The crate also made it easier to harden off the seedlings in the spring since all plants could be moved in one trip. It provided additional protection from critters looking for a snack or plaything while the tender shoots got acclimated outside.

Note: If you wanted to get really creative, you could enclose the dog crate in plastic to keep the space moist enough to germinate your newly planted seeds.

From Plant Nursery to Chick Nursery

A large plastic storage tub as a brooder set inside the dog crate became a temporary home to six baby chicks until they feathered enough to be put outside. The cage allowed them to become accustomed to being around dogs and cats, while keeping them safe from curious paws. The wire on all sides and top provided many options for positioning the warming light to keep the growing chicks warm without roasting them.

As they started to feather, I was able to bring the chicks outside in the cage for short periods on sunny days to gradually acclimate them to their outdoor home. The dog crate kept them safe from my laying hens who might not be so kind to the little intruders.

From Chick Brooder to Chicken Hospital

One of my hens was acting sickly and recently lost her feathers and wouldn't have survived an Ohio winter outside. Poor Ophelia would hop out of the coop and not be able to fly back in so the dog crate became a temporary chicken hospital in my living room.

I ran plastic sheeting underneath and a few inches up the sides and secured it to the wire cage with heavy tape to keep the shavings in, tossed in a spare cat dish for chicken feed and water and she settled right in.

Having the crate nearby allowed me to keep an eye on Ophelia throughout the day while ensuring that the rest of my critter family didn't get a tasty chicken dinner. (Ophelia recovered nicely after ten days in her makeshift hospital coop)

What Else Can You Use a Dog Crate For? Think Crate and Barrel

Hosting a buffet dinner party and need more serving space? Set cardboard or plywood on top of the dog crate and cover with a tablecloth for a makeshift sideboard to display plates and flatware. The dog crate can be similarly used as an extra table to showcase jewelry or cookware at a home demonstration party, or on the front lawn for yard sale items.

I've used mine to house kittens left by stray mama, and as a recovery room for dogs, cats and baby birds that fell from a tree. Think outside the crate. What other things can a dog cage be used for?

Note: Always thoroughly wash and disinfect the dog crate before using for any other purpose.