These Are the Top Cat Gates That Actually Work

If you have a cat that you’ve been wanting to keep away from a certain section of your home, you’re probably looking for a cat gate. Cat gates are used for a variety of purposes, including isolating animals from one another, blocking them out of an area, or just confining them in one place for a period of time. 

There are several options available, and we have everything you need to know how to pick the best option out there. Everything from where you want it installed in your home to the size of your cat and the material you pick might all make a significant impact on how well the gate will work for your home. To make your life simpler, we’ve put together evaluations of the top cat gates, so keep reading to find the appropriate cat gate for you.

Top Picks: The Best Cat Gates Today

#1 Overall Best: Regalo Easy Step Extra Tall Walk-Through Gate

After plenty of research, we’ve found that the Regalo Easy Step Extra Tall Walk-Through Gate takes the cake for the top spot. One of our favorite features is that it’s taller than most other cat gates, measuring 36 inches tall. It has a simple, yet sturdy design that will look great in practically every household, and comes in black, white, and platinum. And if you’re looking for a gate that has a trusty locking mechanism, the one-touch lock release feature will be something you’ll enjoy! 

The Regalo Gate is incredibly easy to install and is made to fit openings that are 29 to 36 ½ inches wide. If you have a sassy cat that tries to escape, the all-steel construction will keep them in their place. Pet parents will also appreciate that there are extension pieces included that can extend the gate another 4 inches if needed. This is a pressure-mounted gate that will stay firm in place on its own but there are also extra mounting brackets available for a more permanent choice. We do want to mention that the bars are a bit wider on this gate, however, making it best for full-grown cats instead of tiny kittens who might be able to squeeze through.

Pros and Cons of the Regalo Easy Step Extra Tall Walk-Through Gate

Overall Best

Regalo Easy Step Extra Tall Walk Thru Gate

• Taller than the average gate
• Very good locking mechanism
• Easy to install
• All-steel construction

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2. Best Budget: Carlson Pet Products Tuffy Expandable Gate With Pet Door 

If you’re looking to save money on a cat gate, check out the Carlson Pet Products Tuffy Expandable Gate With Pet Door, our top budget-friendly option. Our favorite thing about this pet door is that it requires absolutely ZERO assembly! This allows you to use the gate right after unboxing it. 

The stainless steel body of the Carlson Pet Gate makes it incredibly durable. It stands 24 inches tall, and it can fit into doorways that are 22 to 38 inches wide. If you have multiple pets in your house, you’ll love the small door that can let them through, while keeping larger dogs in their place. This smaller door, measuring 9 by 9 inches, also has a locking mechanism on it. There are also little rubber stops on the sides to keep the gate from scratching or damaging your wall.

We will say that there are some comments from customers about the locking mechanism being difficult to use with one hand. Unlike our top choice, this gate does not have a door that you can pass through. You either must remove it (which is easy to do), or step over it.

Pros and Cons of the Carlson Pet Products Tuffy Expandable Gate With Pet Door 

Best Budget

Carlson Pet Products Tuffy Expandable Gate with Pet Door

• Budget-friendly option
• No assembly required
• Made from durable stainless steel
• Fully expandable

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3. Best for Kittens: MyPet Paws Portable Pet Gate

The MyPet Paws Portable Pet Gate is a great choice for homes that need to restrict where kittens go. Did you adopt a precious, purring kitten? Perhaps your cat just gave birth to a litter. Whatever the case may be, not all pet gates are designed for smaller feline bodies.

Unlike most cat gates, the MyPet Paws Portable Gate has plastic bars with a lattice grid to prevent even the most clever kitty from squeezing through. We want to mention that this isn’t a tall gate, however, making it an ideal choice for homes with cats only. The gate is made from durable plastic, comes pre-assembled, and has paw print cutouts for a playful look.

This gate is 23 inches tall and expands from 26 inches to 40 inches and there’s no assembly required. It will work in most homes and can easily fit baseboards that are up to 4 inches high! You won’t have to worry about it damaging the wall, as the rubber bumpers protect paint and wood finishes. It also has an ergonomic handle and an EZ-track system so that you can lock it firmly in place.

This gate is very lightweight, making it a great option if you need to move it from place to place. However, because of this, larger animals (such as dogs) can knock it down. In addition, it is a pet gate without a door, so you will need to remove it or step over it in order to pass through yourself.

Pros and Cons of the MyPet Paws Portable Pet Gate

Best for Kittens

MyPet Paws Portable Pet Gate

• Features plastic bars with a lattice grid
• No assembly required
• Comes with rubber bumpers to protect paint
• Easy to work lock

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4. Best for Wide Spaces: Toddleroo Wide Deluxe Décor Baby Gate

If you are looking for an extra-wide cat gate look no further than the Toddleroo Wide Deluxe Décor Baby Gat by North States. It’s the widest gate we could find, adjusting up to 72 inches wide! This gate is 30 inches high and fits spaces that are 38.3 to 72 inches wide. If you need it to be even longer, you can purchase additional 15-inch extensions to expand the gate.

There are two color options: a matte bronze color or warm white, and the heavy-duty metal structure will last a long time. You can simply open the gate with just one hand, and a triple-locking mechanism for enhanced security closes it automatically. The gate may be adjusted to swing in, out, or in both directions, and it can also be left open when not in use. It can also be adapted to fit walls that are at different angles, such as the bottom of the stairs.

Something to note is that this gate will take some work to install. Attaching the mounts and keeping the gate level is a two-person job. This is not a pressure-mounted system; it is hardware mounted and requires you to drill holes in your wall. However, customers report that the screws that come with the gate are not very high quality, so we suggest using your own screws to mount the gate. 

Pros and Cons of the Toddleroo Wide Deluxe Décor Baby Gate

Best for Wide Spaces

Toddleroo Deluxe Décor Baby Gate

• Extra-wide gate, adjust to 70 inches
• Made from heavy-duty metal
• Triple-locking mechanism
• Stylish design

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Choosing the Best Cat Gate: What to Look For

When choosing the best cat gate for your home, there are several important features to consider: the ease of installation, locking mechanisms, how easy it is to walk through, build quality, width, and height. Let’s take a look at each of these in detail.

Ease of Installation

Pressure-mounted and wall-mounted gates are the two most common types of gates that you can get for your cat. Pressure-mounted gates are a fantastic way to prevent drilling holes in the walls by using the tension between both walls to support the gate. Drilling is usually more touchy in areas containing woodwork, such as entrances or stairway supports.

The installation of pressure-mounted gates is quick and easy, requiring only a few minutes. Wall-mounted gates, on the other hand, take longer to install but are also usually sturdier and more durable.

For maximum stability, wall-mounted gates are secured to the wall using screws and drywall anchors. This also implies that uninstalling them will take longer and will involve repairing holes in the walls. When open, they provide complete clearance from top to bottom. You don’t have to worry about tripping because there isn’t a bottom bar.

Locking Mechanisms

The majority of pet gates are designed as baby gates. Because of this, locking mechanisms are found in practically every option. You’ll want to make sure you pick a gate that has a locking mechanism. If it does, even the most skilled four-legged escape artist won’t be able to get through. 

Easy to Walk Through

Gates are useful for separating your pet from undesirable areas, but they should not confine to their owners. When necessary, we should be allowed to stroll freely through the gates. Simply stated, the wider the gate, the better, since it allows for more natural mobility through it. To maintain stiffness, many pressure-mounted variants require additional construction on both sides of the door.

Build Quality

If you have a large dog in your house as well, who loves to lean up against the gate, one of the heavier types may be the better choice. However, taller gates may be a bit less sturdy for larger pets. You’ll want to look at the materials of the gate (such as metal or plastic), and how well it stands up to the size of your pet.

Width

The size of the cat gate will be determined by the size of the area you’re attempting to accommodate. Most gates come in a variety of sizes, and many come with an extension or the option to purchase additional extensions to further fill the area. Always take precise measurements of your allocated area before purchasing a gate.

Height

This is especially important if you have a small and nimble cat. To begin, make sure there is nothing near the fence that a cat may use to help them jump over it. Two or three gates can be purchased and stacked on top of each other. If that’s the case, you’ll likely want ones constructed of wood, and wire or mesh, as these will be much lighter. However, this can make it more difficult for you to pass through.

The Different Types of Cat Gates: Pros and Cons Compared

There aren’t too many different types of cat gates available on the market. They come in different finishes and styles to meet the aesthetic needs of buyers. Let’s take a look at the main factors that set apart the two types of pet gates. 

• Tension of Pressure-Mounted: Tension gates are the easiest to install and often require no assembly. They often have smaller doors to allow cats to walk through while keeping other animals in place. While still sturdy, they are slightly less durable than wall-mounted gates.
• Wall-Mounted: This type of cat gate takes more work to install but is popular because it’s incredibly sturdy. Wall-mounted gates often come in wider sizes and don’t usually have a separate small doorway for cats. However, you do have to screw them into the wall, so they are not as easy to remove.

Verified Review: User Experience

Having a gate that your cat can’t jump over is key; otherwise, the gate is completely pointless. An Amazon user who uses our top pick, the Regalo Easy Step Extra Tall Walk-Through Gate, has this to say:

“We originally bought these gates to keep our cat out of our entryway. They’re tall enough that she couldn’t jump over them.”

As pet parents, we know how important installation is. The less you have to do to get it set up, the better. Our budget-friendly choice, Carlson Pet Products Tuffy Expandable Gate With Pet Door, earned this glowing review:

“Easy and quick to install! No drilling holes. The tension means I could put it up easy, but also easy to twist so that it stays in place.”

Reviewers of the MyPet Paws Portable Pet Gate report that it works great for kittens and smaller dogs:

“I love the pet gate! I would like to say that if you have a big dog or a strong dog it would not be beneficial. The gate prevents my cocker spaniel from going out the front door. It’s just a barrier but if you need something that is real sturdy against a larger dog or a heavier dog this may not be the gate for you. But for my situation I love it. My cocker spaniel has not ran out the front door since I bought it and that was my goal.“

Where you put the gate matters as well. It’s common to want to place one at the beginning of the stairway on a deck to ensure your pet stays safe. A pet owner has this to say about their experience with the Toddleroo Deluxe Décor Baby Gate:

 “This gate is good looking, and works great! The option for it to self-close, or stand open is handy. We installed it in our 6-foot opening at the top of the steps to our porch/deck. Then we added a 2×2 deck rail to each side of the opening to attach the gate hinges. We used deck screws suitable for pressure-treated lumber. It couldn’t have been easier to install, and if we ever need to remove to use the full width of the opening, it’s a snap to lift the entire gate off, and snap it back onto the hinges.”