Many retailers still sell dog crates as mere “iron cages” or “plastic boxes”—competing on price, size, and sturdiness. The result is that customers only focus on the lowest price, making it impossible to increase the average order value.
But truly savvy pet supply buyers have long since shifted their focus: selling pet crates as pet furniture. A large dog crate can be a decorative basket next to a side table or TV stand; a fabric dog crate looks like a storage basket—consumers are willing to pay a 40%-60% premium for this.
This article provides retailers with a truly practical “scenario-based display photography guide,” covering topics such as how to photograph in a home décor style, how to arrange display props, how to combine products, and even the underlying profit data. We’ll help you transform pet carriers and dog carriers from warehouse tools into desirable items in your living room.
Traditional selling method: Emphasizing size, load-bearing capacity, and folding mechanism; customers only care about “whether it’s big enough” and “how easy it is to pack.”
Scenario-based selling method: Displaying a collapsible dog crate next to a sofa, with magazines or a remote control on top. Data shows: Retailers using home-scene displays see an average increase of 32% in average order value and a 55% increase in associated purchases (additional purchases of cushions, toys, food bowls). Because consumers aren’t buying a “dog crate,” but rather “a nice piece of furniture for their home that also makes their dog feel safe.”
Home Decor Style Photography Solutions—Making Every Main Image Look Like a Magazine Photoshoot. Whether you’re selling on Amazon, running an independent website, or providing display images for supermarkets, the following three home decor style photography solutions can be directly applied:
① Nordic Minimalist Style (Suitable for light-colored products such as soft-sided dog crates and portable dog crates)
Background: Light wood flooring, white walls, cotton and linen curtains
Props: White wool blanket, cement gray cushions, dried branches in a glass bottle
Shooting Angle: Partially unfold the dog crate foldable, line the inside with a matching soft cushion, and have a dog lying quietly inside; place a design magazine next to it.
One-line Caption: “Its bed is also your furniture.”
② Modern Industrial Style (Suitable for heavy-duty fabric dog crates, extra-large collapsible dog crates, and travel dog crates for cars) (Showcase) Background: Cement or dark gray wall, black metal frame, leather sofa Props: Black wrought iron tray, tin water bowl, vintage spotlight Shooting angle: Place the soft-sided dog crate for car in a corner of the living room, next to a pair of leather slippers, emphasizing the contrast of “strong but gentle”
One-line tagline: “Rugged exterior, soft interior.”
The following list of props can be easily sourced from Ikea, Amazon, or 1688. Independent sellers are advised to purchase a dedicated “scene display kit” for shooting main images and short videos.
Textiles: Faux wool mats, linen cushions, knitted blankets, cotton and linen throw pillows. These can be placed inside or on top of a fabric dog crate to instantly add warmth to your home.
Decorative Plants: Artificial greenery (small potted Monstera deliciosa or eucalyptus), wicker trays, ceramic jars, scented candles. Place them directly on top of a large dog crate or an extra-large folding dog crate to make it look like a side table or display cabinet.
Books and Magazines: Large-format interior design books, pet picture books. Stack them on the side of a collapsible dog crate to create a natural, lived-in feel.
Pet-Specific Props: Handmade cotton and linen dog toys, wooden food bowls, leather leashes. Display these with a pet carrier or dog carrier to reinforce the idea that “pets are family members.”
Lighting: Warm-toned desk lamp, LED string lights, and small fill lights. When shooting soft-sided pet carriers, using warm light to highlight fabric texture and stitching details can significantly reduce return rates.
Trust endorsement: Create a transparent acrylic standee with “BSCI & ISO 9001 Certified Factory,” “CE,” and “Patent Protected” written on it. Place it at the edge of the frame; users will feel more confident placing an order.
A practical tip: Placing portable dog crates and pet flight carriers directly next to the sofa in the shooting scene results in a conversion rate more than 3 times higher than hanging them alone on a plain white background wall.
Retailers can recommend different combinations based on customers’ home spaces to increase cross-selling:
Scenario A: Living Room Side Table/Coffee Table Alternative
Main Product: Large Collapsible Dog Crate or Extra Large Folding Dog Crate
Rationale: Large enough to serve as a small side table, with space for lightweight items like remote controls.
Bundled Sale: Fabric Dog Crate Large Scratch-Resistant Mat + Matching Color Pillow
Keywords: Large Dog Travel Crate Foldable, Best Collapsible Dog Crate for Large Dogs
Scenario B: Bedroom or Study Corner
Main Product: Soft-Sided Dog Crate, Medium or Folding Fabric Dog Crate
Rationale: Foldable for storage, space-saving; soft material won’t scratch floors.
Bundled Sale: Soft Travel Crate for Dogs with Removable and Washable Inner Liner + Pet Comfort Toy
Keywords: Soft Collapsible Dog Crate, Fabric Dog Crate for Car (Shown in both home and car scenarios)
Scenario C: In-Car Travel + Dual-purpose for home and home use
Main products: Travel dog crate series, such as soft-sided dog crates for car travel and dog crates for car backseats.
Rationale for bundling: One product meets multiple needs, making it more practical for customers.
Bundled sale: Portable dog crate for car with waterproof lining + seatbelt fastening strap
Keywords: Best dog crates for cars, travel crate for puppy, dog travel kennel
For retailers with brand ambitions (Amazon sellers, independent websites, supermarket customization), simply selling generic molded products is unlikely to generate a premium. The following three steps can be directly replicated:
Choose molds with US/EU design patents.
For example, Canbo’s foldable dog kennel and collapsible soft-sided dog crate series have already been granted design patents. You can apply for patent licensing and directly indicate “Design Patent No. XXX” on the product page. Competitors cannot copy this, increasing the average order value by over 25%.
Customize the colors with private label/white label.
Based on your brand’s main color scheme, change the fabric of the fabric dog crate to Morandi gray, navy blue, or olive green. The factory supports OEM/ODM with flexible minimum order quantities. These “pet furniture colors” get 2.3 times more clicks on Instagram and Pinterest than black/blue.
Include a “scene card” in the packaging.
The card features a real-life photo of a large soft-sided dog crate placed in a Scandinavian-style living room. Consumers will imitate the display after receiving the product, spontaneously taking photos and uploading them to social media, bringing you free traffic.
Here is some data based on public market research:
The gross profit margin of DTC pet brands typically falls between 45% and 65%, with leading brand BARK reporting an even higher 63.6% in its 2025 fiscal year report. The effectiveness of scenario-based displays in improving conversion rates has been repeatedly proven—the well-known pet brand Petmate increased its conversion rate by up to 67% by optimizing product main images (A/B testing). Meanwhile, the benchmark return rate for the pet accessories industry (including soft crates and travel gear) is 5%–10%, and through more realistic and lifelike scenario displays, it’s entirely possible to reduce the return rate to below 5%.
Based on the above data, by implementing the scenario-based display and product mix strategies outlined in this guide, your brand can expect to maintain a competitive gross profit margin above 45% while keeping the return rate below 5%.
When you stop selling dog crates as cages and start selling them as pet furniture, your brand value and profitability will fundamentally improve.
All pet products listed above can be sourced from Changzhou Canbo Travel Products Co., Ltd. We are a source factory with 5 production lines, over 200 employees, and a total factory area exceeding 20,000 square meters, holding BSCI and ISO 9001 certifications. Our products are CE certified, and most dog crates, pet carriers, and travel dog crates have US and EU design patents, supporting patent licensing.
We professionally manufacture a full range of pet travel gear, including large dog crates, soft-sided pet carriers, portable dog crates, pet carriers for airplanes, and foldable dog kennels. We accept bulk orders, wholesale, sourcing, OEM/ODM, private label, and white label orders, primarily exporting to Europe, America, the UK, Japan, South Korea, and Australia. Whether you are an Amazon seller, supermarket buyer, domestic platform distributor, or independent brand, we can provide value-added services such as patent licensing and CE certification.
Please contact us through Alibaba.com or our independent website to request the latest “Pet Furniture Series” product catalog.
From dog crate suppliers to brand-specific supply chains, Changzhou Canbo is your trusted long-term partner.
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