Cage or Kennel?

Date

July 14, 2025

Author

Silvia Palatroni

The use of cages in our furry friends’ lives can sometimes be useful and even appreciated. But is this always the case?

Have you ever wondered how your dog truly feels inside a cage?

How a cage is used plays a crucial role in defining whether it is beneficial or harmful. For this reason we need to make an important distinction.

A cage and a kennel may look like the same structure, but from a dog’s perspective they are perceived very differently.

By definition a “cage” is a structure made of bars or wires designed to confine animals – such as dogs, cats, birds etc – into a restricted space. It is often a restricted space, especially for smaller animals, based on the assumption that they don’t require much room. But what happens when a cage is used correctly, and when it isn’t?

When the cage is a Kennel

A kennel is a designated space where the dog can rest, sleep, or seek shelter. It can vary in size depending on the dog’s preferences; some dogs feel safer in a smaller, enclosed area, while others prefer a spacious setup. Unlike cages, kennels should serve as a voluntary retreat for dogs, not as a tool for long–term confinement.

Now that we understand this distinction, let’s take a look at how cages are commonly used here from a dog’s perspective.

When the cage is a Prison

Imagine being locked in a small room for most of your life – unable to move freely, explore, or interact with others. How would you feel? For many dogs being kept in a cage is not temporary – it’s their daily reality. While cages are often seen as a practical solution, their long-term use can have severe emotional and physical consequences.

Keeping a dog in a cage for extended periods leads to serious issues:

EMOTIONAL DISTRESS – anxiety, depression, and frustration develop when a dog is deprived of social interactions and mental stimulation. Long-term confinement can lead to “learned helplessness”, a psychological state where the dog stops reacting to discomfort or stress, showing signs of apathy and withdrawal. This emotional shutdown also affects behaviour, making the dog less responsive to training, interactions, or even basic self-care. Chronic stress and emotional suffering don’t just affect mind; they also weaken the immune system, increasing susceptibility to infections, skin conditions and even life threatening disease. This happens because prolonged stress keeps the body in a constant state of alert, disrupting physiological balance and preventing proper recovery and healing.
BEHAVIORAL ISSUES – excessive barking, destructive behaviour and even aggression often arise from frustration and lack of proper outlets for energy. Some dogs develop compulsive behaviours like pacing, circling or biting the cage bars.
PHYSICAL HARM – muscle atrophy and joint problems occur when movement is severely restricted. Poor cage conditions can also lead to skin infections, respiratory issues, or pressure sores from lying on hard surfaces. In extreme cases, prolonged stress and frustration may cause self-inflicted injuries such as excessive licking, biting, or hitting against the bars.

Extreme Heat: A Hidden Danger of Outdoor Cages

In tropical climates like the Philippines, confining dogs in outdoor cages poses additional risks, even when the cage is placed in the shade.

Dogs are far more vulnerable to heat than we might think. Unlike humans, they can’t cool down by sweating and rely mainly on panting – a method that becomes ineffective when the air is too hot. This makes keeping a dog in a cage outdoors, particularly in warm and humid climates, extremely dangerous.

Metal cages placed in direct sunlight can become scorching hot, turning the enclosure into an oven-like trap. But even cages in the shade offer little relief when temperatures remain high, as the air inside can quickly become stagnant and stifling. With no room to move freely, dogs cannot seek out cooler spots or escape discomfort.

Limited access to water makes the situation even worse. In confined spaces, dogs may accidentally knock over their bowls or be unable to reach them, leaving them without hydration for hours, a serious risk in hot weather.

Prolonged exposure to these conditions can lead to dehydration, heat exhaustion, or even fatal heatstroke. This is why ensuring dogs have access to well-ventilated spaces, constant hydration, and the ability to move away from heat sources is crucial to their well-being.

Beyond extreme temperatures, environmental stressors such as loud noises and sudden disturbances pose additional threats to caged dogs.

Environmental Stressors and Their Impact on Caged Dogs

Urban environments are filled with sensory stimuli that can overwhelm dogs, especially those confined to cages without the possibility of escape. Sudden loud noises such as car horns, construction sounds, and street celebrations can trigger intense fear responses. For dogs in cages, this stress is amplified as they are physically unable to move away from the perceived threat — a natural coping mechanism for animals in distress.

This becomes especially dangerous during events like fireworks or thunderstorms. In these situations, the intense noise combined with bright flashes can overwhelm a dog’s senses, triggering panic that may lead to injury, self-harm, or even heart complications. Dogs kept outdoors in cages face the highest risk, as they are not only trapped in a stressful environment but also exposed to extreme weather conditions that can worsen their distress.

How to Protect Dogs from Environmental Stressors

The best protection is prevention. Whenever possible:

Bring the Dog Indoors: Creating a quiet, sheltered space inside the house — such as a bathroom, laundry room, or a cozy corner — provides dogs with a safe retreat. Adding blankets or pillows to this area can enhance their sense of security.
Sound Masking: Playing white noise, classical music, or calming nature sounds at a moderate volume can help drown out loud noises.
Natural Remedies: Consulting a veterinarian in advance is essential. Options like CBD oil, calming herbs, or supplements can help reduce anxiety. These remedies should ideally be administered several days before the anticipated event to maximise their effectiveness.

If you wish to introduce your dog to a kennel, consulting a professional trainer can help create a positive association, ensuring your dog feels safe and comfortable in this space.

For dogs in shelters or outdoor kennels, additional measures can help reduce stress:

Isolate the Kennel Area: Relocating dogs to quieter sections of the facility, away from open spaces or perimeter fences, can reduce noise exposure.
Create a Calming Atmosphere: Playing relaxing music or white noise in the kennel area can provide some relief.
Natural Calming Agents: Just like with pets at home, shelters can collaborate with veterinarians to implement natural remedies that help dogs remain calmer during stressful episodes.

Ultimately, ensuring dogs have access to a secure and comfortable environment is crucial. Without such options, their risk of severe psychological distress — or even heart failure — becomes dangerously high.

Emotions

For a long time scientists and philosophers have studied animal emotions. Even in ancient times, thinkers like Pythagoras and Plutarch believed that animals had souls and emotions, deserving respect and compassion. The Neoplatonist philosopher Porphyry, in his work on Abstinence from Animal Food, argued that animals possess reason, emotions, and moral worth, challenging the idea that they exist solely for human use. Even Aristotle, though considering humans superior, acknowledged that animals feel pleasure and pain too.

In more recent times, scientists like Charles Darwin and Konrad Lorenz have demonstrated that animals – especially mammals – experience emotions just like us. Studies by researchers such as Jane Goodall (primates), Donald Griffin (animal cognition), Frans de Waal (empathy in animals) and Jaak Pankseep (emotional systems in mammals) have further confirmed this. Ethologists such as Marc Bekoff, Carl Safina and many more have also explored the emotional lives of animals in depth, bringing these findings to a wider audience. And the list goes on.

Today we know that emotions are not exclusively a trait of mammals but are present in a much wider range of living beings. We now have undeniable evidence that we share the same fundamental emotions with many animals, as well as core values related to family bonds and social structure. This is why we instinctively describe their feelings using the same language we use for our own emotions.

But if we know that animals feel emotions just like us, why do we sometimes act as if they don’t?

Cognitive Dissonance: Why do we ignore what we know?

Despite this awareness, we sometimes find it easier to believe that animals do not experience emotions as deeply as we do. This belief acts as a psychological shield, allowing us to avoid discomfort and guilt when our actions contradict our values.

A clear example of this psychological conflict is known as cognitive dissonance. It describes the tension people feel when they genuinely care about animal welfare but continue to support industries that harm them. We often justify these contradictions by conforming to social norms, convincing ourselves that our actions are acceptable simply because they are widely practiced.

WELFARE REGULATION: Laws vs Reality

Animal welfare laws exist to protect animals from cruelty and neglect, ensuring they receive proper care.

In the Philippines, several regulations recognize the importance of animal well-being and outline specific protections. However, enforcement is often lacking, and certain rules indirectly normalize long-term confinement instead of preventing it.

Laws That Should Protect Animals

The Philippines has several laws that, in theory, aim to safeguard animal welfare:

Republic Act No. 8485 – Animal Welfare Act (amended by RA 10631)
Prohibits cruelty, neglect, and torture of animals.
Recognizes the Five Freedoms of animal welfare:

Freedom from hunger and thirst.
Freedom from discomfort.
Freedom from pain, injury, or disease.
Freedom to express natural behavior.
Freedom from fear and distress.

Regulates pet shops, kennels, and shelters, requiring proper food, water, space, and veterinary care.

Republic Act No. 9482 – Anti-Rabies Act of 2007

Mandates mass vaccination of dogs.
Establishes responsible pet ownership guidelines.
Aims to control stray populations through humane methods.

Regulations for pet shops, kennels, shelters and breeders (DA AO No. 21, 2004 & DA AC No. 03, 2015)

Requires pet shops to provide food, water, and enrichment.
Sets minimum space and hygiene standards.
Limits how long animals can be displayed for sale.

Transport and confinement regulations (DA AO No. 19, 2006)

Requires humane conditions during transportation.
Prohibits overcrowding and excessive restraint.

On paper, these laws show an effort to protect animals. But what happens in reality?

When Laws Fail: Loopholes and Lack of Enforcement

Confinement Is Not Explicitly Banned

The law prohibits animal cruelty and neglect, yet it does not explicitly ban the prolonged use of cages. This legal gap allows pet owners, breeders, and even shelters to keep animals in restrictive enclosures for extended periods without consequences. As long as basic needs like food and water are provided, confinement is not considered mistreatment—even if it leads to severe psychological and physical harm.

Pet Shops: Laws Exist, but Are Rarely Enforced

Regulations require pet shops to provide food, water, and proper space for animals, yet many puppies are left without these necessities.

This is particularly concerning for puppies, as maintaining physical contact with their mother and siblings is crucial during their early development. This close bond not only provides comfort but also shapes their ability to manage stress, build social skills, and develop a healthy immune system. When deprived of this essential contact and handled improperly, puppies are more likely to suffer emotional trauma, become weak, and fall ill.

In situations where puppies are separated from their mother and littermates too early, providing soft fabrics, pillows, or cushioned surfaces becomes essential. These elements offer warmth and comfort, helping puppies feel more secure and protected during this vulnerable stage. Without such support, they are at greater risk of stress, restlessness, and poor development.

The law mandates that animals should not be displayed for sale for more than 14 days. However, due to poor enforcement, many pet shops ignore this rule, keeping animals confined for much longer. This prolonged exposure, combined with the absence of proper care, significantly increases their risk of illness and behavioural issues. Puppies deprived of social contact during this crucial phase may develop fearfulness, difficulty socialising, or even aggressive tendencies later in life.

Transport Laws vs. Reality

Transportation laws state that animals must travel in safe and humane conditions. However, in reality, overcrowding, poor ventilation, and extreme heat are common issues.

Some animals are left inside transport cages for hours or even days, turning a temporary measure into prolonged confinement.

Weak penalties for violations mean that many transport companies and pet sellers ignore the rules without consequence.

Weak Penalties and Minimal Consequences

Despite laws against animal cruelty, penalties in the Philippines remain relatively low, reducing their impact as a deterrent. While the law allows fines of up to 100,000 pesos and prison sentences for severe cases, actual penalties are often much lower. For example, in 2024, three men who slaughtered a dog were fined only 6,000 pesos each, and in another case, an ex-government official received just one year in prison for killing a dog. Meanwhile, many other forms of cruelty go completely unpunished, reinforcing the idea that harming animals has no real consequences.

When cruelty is ignored or barely punished, it does not just affect animals—it sets a dangerous precedent for society. Normalising violence against animals can desensitise people to suffering, contributing to a culture where neglect and abuse become acceptable behaviours, even beyond the treatment of animals. Multiple studies have shown that individuals who harm animals are more likely to engage in violent acts against people. Many criminals and domestic abusers have a history of animal cruelty, making this issue not just an animal welfare concern, but a serious social problem.

What We Find Abroad

The use of cages in the United States is quite common due to the practice of ‘crate training,’ but there are many concerns and criticisms regarding the amount of time dogs spend confined, highlighting the importance of a balanced and respectful approach.

Even though there is no explicit EU-wide regulation banning the caging of dogs, as there is for some farm animals, several countries have national or local regulations that limit dog confinement, such as bans on keeping them chained or in inadequate spaces.

In many shelters and facilities across Europe, dogs are not kept in small cages but in kennel runs or enclosures—larger spaces where they can move freely, express natural behaviours, and socialise whenever possible, following established welfare guidelines. So, while small restrictive cages are not explicitly banned everywhere, they are widely considered unacceptable in most countries with high animal welfare standards. Keeping a dog in an inadequate cage or confined for prolonged periods
could also be considered a violation of animal welfare laws.

The contrast highlights how outdated confinement practices can be – especially in a country with a warm climate, where long-term cage use poses even greater risks.

This stark contrast raises an important question: if other countries have already moved away from long-term confinement, why is the practice still normalised here?

One of the most common arguments in favour of caging dogs in the Philippines is the fear of rabies. While rabies is still a significant public health concern, long-term confinement is not the solution. In fact, improper housing can increase the risk: stressed, fearful, or aggressive dogs are more likely to bite. Studies show that free-roaming stray dogs—often blamed for rabies cases—tend to avoid conflicts, while owned dogs, especially those kept in poor conditions, account for the majority of recorded bites. The real solution lies in responsible pet ownership, widespread vaccination, and humane population control measures—not in restricting a dog’s movement and well-being.

These inconsistencies highlight a deeper issue: keeping an animal confined is not always the safest option, even from a human safety perspective. We already discussed how dogs kept in cages experience pent-up frustration and negative emotions, which can increase their likelihood of reacting aggressively and biting.
If these loopholes remain unaddressed, countless animals will continue to suffer
while society turns a blind eye, reinforcing a system that fails both animals and
humans alike.

How Can We Improve This Situation?

Understanding the problem is the first step, but real change happens when we take action. Here are some ways we can help improve the well-being of dogs:

For Dog Owners 🏡
✔ Use kennels as a safe retreat, not as a form of long-term confinement.
It is essential to introduce kennels properly. A professional can help create a positive association, ensuring that the dog sees the kennel as a safe space rather than a place of punishment or isolation.
✔ Provide daily exercise, mental stimulation, and social interaction to prevent behavioural issues. All activities that have to be personalised considering the dog we are dealing with.
✔ If you must restrict your dog temporarily, ensure they have adequate space, comfort, and enrichment (toys, chews, visual stimulation). Each tool has to be chosen regarding the dog involved.

For Pet Shops & Breeders 🏪
✔ Improve living conditions by reducing isolation and providing enrichment.
✔ Follow humane housing guidelines to prevent emotional and physical harm.
✔ Educate customers about responsible pet ownership and the importance of early socialisation.

For Authorities & Law Enforcement ⚖️
✔ Ensure stricter enforcement of animal welfare laws, especially those regulating
confinement and pet shop conditions.
✔ Implement regular inspections to verify compliance.
✔ Strengthen penalties for violations to discourage neglect and mistreatment.

For the Public 🐾
✔ Adopt from ethical breeders or shelters that prioritise animal welfare.
✔ Report cases of neglect or abuse to local authorities or animal welfare organisations.
✔ Educate others about the risks of long-term confinement and promote humane
alternatives.

Even small changes in our daily actions can make a huge difference in the lives of dogs. By choosing to be informed, responsible, and proactive, we can work towards a future where cages are no longer prisons, but safe spaces when needed.

The way we treat animals reflects the kind of society we create. A country’s values are seen in how it treats its most vulnerable. By choosing compassion over confinement, we shape a better future—for them and for us.