PETSEE 36in Soft Collapsible Dog Crate Review

Intro — why I tested the PETSEE 36" soft collapsible crate

I’m the Pet Dude: a hands-on pet parent who lives and travels with dogs most weeks of the year. I look for gear that saves space, moves easily, and gives my dog a comfortable, secure spot without hauling a heavy wire crate everywhere. The PETSEE 36 x 25 x 25 soft collapsible crate (model 94A-3691-01) is one of those portable options that promises pop-up setup, four-door access, and chew-proof mesh windows. I spent time assembling, folding, transporting, and sleeping nearby to test how it actually behaves in regular life—at home, in the car, and on short trips.

What it is — first look and product snapshot

The PETSEE Basic Collapsible Dog Crate is a soft-sided, pop-up-style kennel designed for indoor, outdoor, transport and travel use. The listing calls out a few headline features that matter to traveling pet parents:

• Dimensions & weight: the 36 x 25 x 25 inches model weighs 12.8 pounds as listed and is one of several sizes the product comes in.
• Construction: the listing cites a steel frame plus 600D Oxford fabric and polyester material type, with reinforced stitching and multiple mesh ventilation windows.
• Design highlights: collapsible/portable, four-door access, removable fleece pad that’s machine washable, water-resistant bottom, and a cover included in the box.
• Intended uses: indoor, outdoor, transport and travel; the product is listed for small, medium and large dog sizes and for other pets including cats and small animals.

Available colors on the listing are Grey and Beige, and PETSEE lists multiple sizes (including 26 x 18 x 18, 30 x 21 x 21, 36 x 25 x 25 and 42 x 31 x 31 inches), so you can pick a scale that better suits your pet.

In daily use — hands-on testing and real-world behavior

Setup and takedown

The first setup is the moment that separates good portable crates from frustrating ones. The PETSEE promises a pop-up design that "sets up in under 1 minute" in the listing copy, and once you get the hang of how the frame nests into the shell the pop-up action is quick. In my early sessions, however, the frame fit is intentionally tight: you insert the metal frame into the fabric shell and then lock the side and top bars together. That final top-bar connection is the fiddliest step—expect to use some elbow grease the first few times and be mindful of finger pinches when the top bars snap together.

Once the crate is assembled a couple of times, setup and takedown speed up significantly. It does fold down flat and stores compactly for car trunks, closets, or travel cubbies. I found the unit much easier to carry than a steel wire crate of similar interior size.

Comfort, ventilation, and access

• Ventilation is excellent: multiple mesh panels provide good airflow and sightlines for dogs that like to look around.
• Four entry points let you place the crate in different orientations and still have an easy entry door—handy in hotel rooms and tight living spaces.
• The removable fleece pad is thin but machine washable as the listing states; for more cushion I added a thicker bed inside and the crate handled it without crowding the interior.

In practical use the large mesh panels make the crate feel airy and less claustrophobic than solid-sided soft crates. My dog settled quickly when I left familiar bedding inside. For calm, crate-trained pets this is a cozy, travel-friendly den.

Portability and travel

Where this crate shines is portability: it’s light for its size and collapses flat in seconds once you’re accustomed to the frame. I easily packed it into a car for a weekend trip and set it up at a family home without hassle. The listing’s claim that this model is suitable for transport and travel aligns with my experience—compact storage and lighter weight make it a reliable grab-and-go alternative to heavy metal crates.

Durability in everyday life

The fabric, mesh, zippers and stitching feel heavy-duty for a soft-sided, portable crate. In repeated setups the zippers ran smoothly and the handles and seams stayed taught. That said, this is not an aggressive-chew-proof solution. The listing’s title mentions "chew proof mesh windows," but in hands-on testing I treated that claim cautiously: the mesh is durable for normal wear and supervised use, but a determined or anxious chewer can damage soft panels. If your dog is a known escape artist or power chewer, this crate should be considered temporary or supervised-only.

Materials & build quality

The listing lists the materials and several build details I check first:

• 600D Oxford fabric: listed on the product page as the primary fabric, and it feels sturdy compared to thin camping-type fabrics.
• Frame: steel frame is specified in the setup copy, which explains why the crate stays rigid once the bars are locked into place.
• Mesh panels: breathable, large windows that give both airflow and visibility.
• Removable fleece pad: machine washable according to the listing; it’s thin by design so the crate can fold compactly.
• Water-resistant bottom: the product notes a water-resistant bottom to protect floors and resist pequenos spills.

Practical details that owner experience highlights include reinforced stitching, solid zippers, and convenient carry handles. The thin pad compresses for storage (which is why it’s thin) but you can replace it with your own thicker bed if you want more cushion.

Safety considerations

Pet safety is always my top priority. Here are the safety signals I pull from the listing and hands-on use:

• Escape & chew risk: although the product title calls out "chew proof mesh windows," my real-world testing shows the mesh is sturdy but not indestructible—an aggressive chewer or anxious pet can damage soft sides. This makes the crate best for crate-trained, calm dogs or for supervised use with pets that are new to travel.
• Assembly pinch risk: installing the top support bars can be tight and requires force; be aware of finger placement during that step to avoid pinching.
• Ventilation & overheating: multiple mesh windows provide good airflow and visibility, which helps reduce anxiety and keeps your pet cooler than a fully enclosed soft carrier.
• Floor protection: the water-resistant bottom is a useful feature to protect indoor floors from spills or light dampness during outdoor use.
• Initial odor: some units may have a noticeable chemical smell on first unpacking—airing the crate for a few days reduces that.

The overarching safety rule I follow: don’t leave a strong chewer unattended in soft-sided crates. For calm, crate-trained dogs, or for short supervised travel and visits, this PETSEE model is a sensible and safer option than leaving a reactive dog unsupervised in a mesh-sided kennel.

Who this is for — and who should skip it

Best fit

• People who need a travel-friendly, collapsible crate for road trips, hotel stays, or camping.
• Owners of calm, crate-trained dogs who want a lightweight alternative to a wire crate.
• Families who appreciate multiple doorway access, strong ventilation, and a machine-washable pad.
• Pet parents who need a temporary or emergency grab-and-go crate that folds flat for storage.

Who should skip it

• Owners of power chewers, escape artists, or dogs that claw/tear at mesh—this is not a chew-proof replacement for a heavy-duty steel crate.
• People who want a padded, fully enclosed crash-proof crate; the included pad is thin and the design prioritizes portability over heavy cushioning.
• Those who expect a truly tool-free, foolproof initial assembly—first-time setup can be fiddly and tight, especially the top bar connection.

Value & maintenance

The PETSEE crate is positioned as a portable, mid-tier collapsible kennel that balances durability and weight. Maintenance is straightforward: the removable fleece pad is machine washable per the listing, and the canvas/mesh exterior vacuums or rinses out and dries quickly in warm, dry climates. Because the pad is thin, many owners choose to replace or supplement it with a thicker bed when they want more overnight cushioning.

Verdict — my take as a traveling pet parent

Overall, the PETSEE 36 x 25 x 25 soft collapsible crate delivers on what it promises: a roomy, well-ventilated portable kennel that collapses flat for travel and stores easily. The build uses 600D Oxford fabric, a steel frame, and polyester mesh panels that feel heavier-duty than bargain soft crates. Multiple doors, a removable machine-washable fleece pad, and a water-resistant bottom make it genuinely useful for travel, visits, and temporary home use.

That said, don’t buy this crate expecting indestructible, chew-proof performance. Real-world use shows the mesh and fabric are durable for normal use but not immune to determined chewing or scratching. The initial assembly requires patience and some force for the top bars, and a fresh-out-of-the-box odor is possible until the crate airs out.

Check before you buy — quick checklist

• Measure your dog and compare to the listed dimensions: 36 x 25 x 25 inches is the interior footprint for this model.
• Decide if a thin, machine-washable fleece pad is enough, or whether you’ll add a thicker bed for overnight comfort.
• Plan for an initial break-in: allow time for assembly practice and for any packaging odor to dissipate.
• Don’t rely on this as a chew-proof or escape-proof solution for aggressive chewers or uncrate-trained dogs.
• Confirm the color you want—available options include Grey and Beige—and choose the size that matches your dog’s weight and sleep posture.

Final verdict: a smart, travel-friendly soft crate that scores highly for portability, ventilation, and overall build for a collapsible kennel. It’s best for supervised travel, crate-trained dogs, and owners who prize lightweight convenience over chew-proof security.

Check before you buy (short form)

• Size: 36 x 25 x 25 inches for this model; other sizes available.
• Weight: listed at 12.8 pounds.
• Materials: steel frame, 600D Oxford fabric, polyester mesh; removable fleece pad included.
• Use cases: indoor, outdoor, transport, travel; listed for small to large dogs and some small animals and cats.