Dog Crate Covers, Mats, and Bedding: What Helps and What Doesn’t
By dogbowwow · Updated November 2, 2026
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. This guide is educational and is not a substitute for advice from your veterinarian.
A towel thrown over a crate often changes a dog’s behavior within minutes. A dog who was barking at every shadow goes quiet, and a puppy who would not settle curls up. That quick result is why crate covers are so popular, and also why people forget that the same fabric that calms a dog can hold heat in, hide a problem or end up shredded in the dog’s stomach.
A good dog crate cover is one part of a small system that also includes the floor surface, the bedding and the position of the crate. This guide explains what each piece actually does, where the risks hide, and how to choose items that match your dog’s habits rather than a product photo.
Quick Answer
A dog crate cover can make a crate feel like a den, but it must never block airflow, especially in warm weather. Choose breathable fabric that fits the crate, keep one side open, and match the mat to your dog's habits: washable and waterproof for puppies with accidents, bare or very tough for chewers.
What a Cover Can and Cannot Do for Your Dog
A cover works by cutting down what the dog sees. Dogs who bark at passing people, flinch at movement near a window or struggle to wind down in a busy living room often settle more quickly when the visual world shrinks. A cover also blocks some drafts and softens bright light, which helps dogs who sleep in a room where lamps stay on.
It does not cure anxiety. A dog in real distress at being alone, or one who panics in confinement, needs a different kind of help, which is explained in our guide to heavy-duty crates and escape behavior. A cover can make a calm dog calmer. It cannot make a frightened dog feel safe.
Some dogs dislike covers, too. Watch the first few sessions. When a dog pulls at the fabric, panics as the light goes down or sits staring at the gap, take it off and try a different approach, such as covering only the back and one side.
Ventilation and Heat Come First
The most important rule is simple: a covered crate must still move air. Dogs shed heat mainly by panting, and that depends on a steady supply of cooler air. A crate wrapped fully in thick fabric, pushed against a wall and sitting in a warm room can heat up faster than you would guess.
In practice, that means a few habits. Leave at least one side uncovered, or lift the cover at the bottom edge. Choose a breathable fabric such as a lightweight cotton or a mesh-panel design, and avoid heavy blankets, rubber-backed fabric or anything that stops you from seeing through it. Keep the crate away from direct sun and heating vents. On warm days, remove the cover entirely or switch to a thin sheet draped over only the top and back.
Fabric near heat is a separate hazard. Keep covers, blankets and bedding away from space heaters, heat lamps, candles and other warm surfaces. Do not assume a product is flame resistant just because it feels thick; read the label and treat the claim cautiously.
Getting the Fit Right
A cover that does not fit causes most of the common problems. Too loose and it sags onto the dog or slips off. Too tight and it pulls open at the corners.
Measure the crate’s width, depth and height, including any handles or latches on the outside. Compare these with the cover’s stated dimensions rather than its size label, because wire crate labels such as “36 inch” refer to length and not necessarily to the other measurements. If your crate has doors on the front and side, look for a cover with roll-up flaps or zippered panels on each. If you have measured your crate for your dog already, our crate size guide covers the numbers you need.
Secure the cover where your dog cannot reach it. Clips, ties or a snug fit on the outside of the frame keep fabric from being tugged inside. Never tuck the cover into the crate. A dog who can grab an edge will pull it in, and a chewed cover is a small step from a swallowed one.
Mats and Pads: Match the Surface to the Dog
Inside the crate, what the dog lies on matters as much as the cover. The right choice depends on the dog.
Puppies with accidents. Choose a thin, washable pad, ideally with a water-resistant backing, and keep a second one ready. Thick bedding hides wetness and absorbs it, so a puppy may lie in damp fabric. Some owners start with a bare tray during house-training and add a mat later. Our guide to a puppy’s first night setup goes through what to put in the crate on day one.
Chewers. The safest crate for a chewer may have no bedding at all. Swallowed fabric and stuffing can cause an obstruction that needs a veterinarian’s attention. For a bedding chewer, look at the options in our article on dog beds for chewers, and be willing to go without while they learn.
Seniors and joint-sensitive dogs. A dog with stiff joints benefits from cushioning that doesn’t flatten. A thin pad on a hard crate floor offers little support. Ask your vet about what your dog needs.
Adult dogs who like to nest. Offer a washable blanket they can rearrange, as long as they don’t chew it.
Whatever you choose, make it easy to wash. If you are comparing materials, our guide to washable dog beds explains what to check on the label.
Item-by-Item Comparison
This table sums up the main options and the problems that tend to come with them.
| Item | Helps with | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Breathable fabric cover | Barking at movement, bright light, drafts | Heat buildup, dogs who pull it inside |
| Partial cover (top and back only) | Den feel with good airflow | Needs securing so it doesn’t slide |
| Blackout or heavy cover | Very light-sensitive sleepers | Poor ventilation; avoid in warm rooms |
| Thin washable crate pad | Puppies with accidents, hard floors | Slides around if not backed with grip |
| Waterproof mat with removable cover | Wet or leaky dogs, easy cleanup | Can feel slippery or crinkly to some dogs |
| Thick orthopedic pad | Seniors, large heavy dogs | Takes up height; hides wetness; too soft for some puppies |
| Durable, tightly woven mat | Light chewers | No bedding is truly chew proof |
| No bedding, bare tray | Strong chewers, early house-training | Cold and hard; ask your vet about comfort |
Use the table as a conversation starter with your own dog’s habits. If you are unsure which row fits, start at the simplest end and add one item at a time, so you know what caused any change.
Seasonal Changes: Warm Weather Versus Cold
The same setup rarely works all year. In summer, strip the crate back. Remove the cover, use a thin sheet or no bedding, and position the crate where air moves, such as near a fan that blows around the room rather than directly into the crate. Some owners use cooling mats. Products vary, and a dog who chews a gel mat can be harmed, so supervise any first use and ask your vet about safety.
In winter, add layers carefully. A cover over the back and one side keeps drafts off. A blanket gives warmth, but a thick pile can smother a puppy or end up chewed. Dogs differ: a short-coated or elderly dog feels the cold sooner than a thick-coated breed. Keep the crate off cold, bare floor where possible, and away from cold windows and heating vents alike.
Washing, Rotating, and Knowing When to Retire Things
Crate textiles take a lot of abuse. Wash covers and pads on a regular schedule suited to how your dog uses them, and more often after accidents or illness. Having two sets means one is always clean. Follow the care label, and use a fragrance-free detergent if your dog is sensitive.
Retire anything that is torn, thinning, or has loose threads, since dogs swallow strings and shreds. Check zippers, ties and clips for wear and make sure no piece has come loose and could be chewed. Fabric that smells even after washing may be holding urine; an enzymatic cleaner designed for pet accidents is usually more effective than extra rinsing, though always follow the product label.
Mistakes That Turn Cozy Into Risky
- Covering all four sides and the top. A sealed box holds heat, and some dogs grow more anxious when they cannot see the room.
- Using a heavy comforter as a cover. It looks cozy and blocks air, and the weight can pull it into the crate.
- Leaving bedding in with a dog who eats it. Swallowing fabric is a reason to remove it and talk to your vet.
- Adding more padding after an accident. Extra layers hide wetness. Find the cause of the accident instead.
- Covering an anxious dog and leaving. If you have not watched how your dog responds, you do not know if the cover helps or panics them.
- Ignoring the crate’s edge. Covers draped over the top often slide down. Secure them.
Worries about crate behavior, overheating or swallowed fabric belong with your veterinarian. AVSAB behavior and humane-training position statements and AVSAB behavior and humane-training position statements offer general reading while you wait for an appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I cover my puppy’s crate at night?
Many puppies settle more easily with a partly covered crate, but it depends on the individual. Start by covering the back and sides while leaving the front uncovered, and check that your puppy is comfortable and not too warm. If a covered crate makes your puppy cry more, remove it.
What fabric is best for a crate cover?
Breathable, lightweight fabrics such as cotton or a mesh-and-fabric blend suit most dogs. Avoid heavy blankets, plastic-backed material and anything your dog can easily chew through. Washable is important.
Can I use a regular blanket instead of a purpose-made cover?
You can, as long as you keep it light, secure it from the outside and leave airflow. A purpose-made cover usually fits better and stays put, which reduces the risk of a dog dragging fabric inside.
Is a crate pad necessary?
Not always. Some dogs are fine on a bare tray, and puppies in early house-training often do better without absorbent bedding. Older, thin-coated or joint-sore dogs are the ones for whom a supportive pad is a sensible addition.
Why does my dog shred the crate bedding?
Dogs shred bedding for many reasons, including boredom, teething, stress or just texture. Remove it and offer a safe chew elsewhere, then speak to your vet or trainer if the habit continues or if your dog is swallowing pieces.
How often should I wash crate bedding?
Wash it whenever it is soiled, damp or smells, and on a regular schedule that fits your dog’s habits. Puppies and dogs with accidents will need more frequent washes than a clean adult. Keep a spare set so cleaning does not leave the crate bare.
Start Small and Watch Your Dog
Begin with the least you can add: a light cover over the top and back, one thin washable pad, and the front open. Watch the first few sessions from another room. If your dog settles, add one thing at a time. If your dog pulls, paces or chews, take the change out and ask what the crate is trying to tell you.