Cage vs. Crate — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 9, 2024
Cage, typically made of wire or metal bars, provides visibility and air circulation for its occupants, while a crate, often enclosed with more solid materials, offers security and privacy.
Difference Between Cage and Crate
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A cage is usually constructed from wire, metal bars, or mesh, allowing for ample visibility and air flow, which is essential for certain pet or laboratory animal needs. On the other hand, a crate is often made from plastic, wood, or heavy-duty fabric, which limits visibility but can provide a cozier and more secure environment.
Cages are often used in zoos, research facilities, and pet stores to house animals in a way that keeps them visible to people, whereas crates are commonly used by pet owners for transport and training, providing a safe retreat.
While cages may facilitate easier cleaning due to their minimalistic design and materials, crates might require more effort to maintain cleanliness because of their enclosed structure and the variety of materials used.
Cages are not typically recommended for long-duration containment as they offer less privacy and can cause stress, while crates can be equipped with comfortable bedding and covers to help reduce anxiety and create a den-like space for animals.
The choice between a cage and a crate can depend on the specific needs of the animal, including the need for security, privacy, and the intended duration of use.
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Comparison Chart
Material
Wire, metal bars, mesh
Plastic, wood, heavy-duty fabric
Visibility
High
Low
Air Circulation
Excellent
Moderate to low
Privacy
Low
High
Primary Use
Housing in visible settings (zoos, stores)
Transport, training, and secure retreat
Compare with Definitions
Cage
A structure of metal bars used to confine animals or birds.
The parrot fluttered anxiously in its cage.
Crate
A slatted wooden case used for transporting or storing goods.
The warehouse was stacked with crates of oranges.
Cage
A framework used to support something.
The rib cage protects the vital organs beneath it.
Crate
A box used for storage.
Old vinyl records were stored in a wooden crate in the attic.
Cage
A skeletal enclosure for protective or restraining purposes.
The lobster was trapped in a cage under the water.
Crate
A container often made from plastic or metal used for transport.
We used a sturdy crate to ship the artwork safely.
Cage
A barred room or fenced area for confining prisoners.
The old jail featured small cages for each inmate.
Crate
A protective case for transporting animals.
The puppy whined softly in its travel crate.
Cage
An openwork enclosure containing a cashier or bank teller.
She handed the check to the teller at the bank cage.
Crate
A framework for packing large items.
The sculpture was secured in a custom-built crate for the exhibition.
Cage
A cage is an enclosure often made of mesh, bars, or wires, used to confine, contain or protect something or someone. A cage can serve many purposes, including keeping an animal or person in captivity, capturing an animal or person, and displaying an animal at a zoo.
Crate
A crate is a large shipping container, often made of wood, typically used to transport or store large, heavy items. Steel and aluminium crates are also used.
Cage
A structure for confining birds or animals, enclosed on at least one side by a grating of wires or bars that lets in air and light.
Crate
A container, such as a slatted wooden case, used for storing or shipping.
Cage
A barred room or fenced enclosure for confining prisoners.
Crate
A container, usually of plastic, metal, or wood, used to house or transport an animal.
Cage
An enclosing openwork structure
Placed a protective cage over the sapling.
A bank teller's cage.
Crate
(Slang) An old rickety vehicle, especially a decrepit automobile or aircraft.
Cage
A skeletal support, as for a building; a framework.
Crate
To pack into a container, such as a slatted wooden case.
Cage
An elevator car.
Crate
To put (an animal) into a crate.
Cage
(Baseball) A batting cage.
Crate
A large open box or basket, used especially to transport fragile goods.
Cage
(Sports) A goal, as in hockey or soccer, made of a net attached to a frame.
Crate
A vehicle (car, aircraft, spacecraft, etc.) seen as unreliable.
Cage
To put or confine in or as if in a cage.
Crate
(programming) In the Rust programming language, a binary or library.
Cage
An enclosure made of bars, normally to hold animals.
We keep a bird in a cage.
The tigers are in a cage to protect the public.
The most dangerous prisoners are locked away in a cage.
Crate
(transitive) To put into a crate.
Cage
The passenger compartment of a lift.
Crate
(transitive) To keep in a crate.
Cage
The goal.
Crate
A large basket or hamper of wickerwork, used for the transportation of china, crockery, and similar wares.
Cage
An automobile.
Crate
A box or case whose sides are of wooden slats with interspaces, - used especially for transporting fruit.
Cage
(figuratively) Something that hinders freedom.
Crate
To pack in a crate or case for transportation; as, to crate a sewing machine; to crate peaches.
Cage
(athletics) The area from which competitors throw a discus or hammer.
Crate
A rugged box (usually made of wood); used for shipping
Cage
An outer framework of timber, enclosing something within it.
Crate
The quantity contained in a crate
Cage
(engineering) A skeleton frame to limit the motion of a loose piece, such as a ball valve.
Crate
Put into a crate; as for protection;
Crate the paintings before shipping them to the museum
Cage
A wirework strainer, used in connection with pumps and pipes.
Cage
(mining) The drum on which the rope is wound in a hoisting whim.
Cage
(baseball) The catcher's wire mask.
Cage
(graph theory) A regular graph that has as few vertices as possible for its girth.
Cage
In killer sudoku puzzles, an irregularly-shaped group of cells that must contain a set of unique digits adding up to a certain total, in addition to the usual constraints of sudoku.
Cage
To confine in a cage; to put into and keep in a cage.
Cage
(figuratively) To restrict someone's movement or creativity.
Cage
(aviation) To immobilize an artificial horizon.
To prevent damage to its gimbal mountings during extreme aerobatic maneuvers, the navball should be caged before the start of a display sequence.
Cage
To track individual responses to direct mail, either (advertising) to maintain and develop mailing lists or (politics) to identify people who are not eligible to vote because they do not reside at the registered addresses.
Cage
A box or inclosure, wholly or partly of openwork, in wood or metal, used for confining birds or other animals.
In his cage, like parrot fine and gay.
Cage
A place of confinement for malefactors
Stone walls do not a prison make,Nor iron bars a cage.
Cage
An outer framework of timber, inclosing something within it; as, the cage of a staircase.
Cage
A skeleton frame to limit the motion of a loose piece, as a ball valve.
Cage
The box, bucket, or inclosed platform of a lift or elevator; a cagelike structure moving in a shaft.
Cage
The drum on which the rope is wound in a hoisting whim.
Cage
The catcher's wire mask.
Cage
To confine in, or as in, a cage; to shut up or confine.
Cage
An enclosure made or wire or metal bars in which birds or animals are kept
Cage
Something that restricts freedom as a cage restricts movement
Cage
United States composer of avant-garde music (1912-1992)
Cage
The net that is the goal in ice hockey
Cage
A movable screen placed behind home base to catch balls during batting practice
Cage
Confine in a cage;
The animal was caged
Common Curiosities
What are the typical materials used for cages?
Cages are typically made from wire, metal bars, or mesh.
Are cages or crates easier to clean?
Cages are usually easier to clean due to their open and minimalistic design.
What are the advantages of using a crate for pets?
Crates provide security, help in training pets, and offer a private space for pets to retreat.
Can cages be used for transporting animals?
While cages can be used for short trips, crates are generally safer and more comfortable for longer transport.
How do crates affect the stress levels of animals?
Crates can reduce stress by providing a secure and private space, similar to a den.
How do visibility levels differ between cages and crates?
Cages offer high visibility while crates provide low visibility, enhancing privacy.
Why might a pet owner choose a cage over a crate?
A pet owner might choose a cage for better visibility and ventilation.
What kind of crate is best for air travel?
Airline-approved hard plastic crates are typically required for air travel.
Is it safe to leave a pet in a crate for long periods?
It is not recommended to leave pets in crates for extended periods without breaks and supervision.
Can a cage provide a secure environment for pets?
Cages are less secure compared to crates, as they are easier for pets to escape from.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
