Best Dog Beds for Crates

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What Should Not Be Done With a Crate

• Never Use a Crate as Punishment: Never leave a dog inside for extended periods of time without bathroom breaks or crate a dog without proper acclimation. A crate should be a positive, safe sanctuary, not a prison or a substitute for training and supervision. Doing this teaches them to fear and resent the space.
• Avoid Over-Crating: Dogs are highly social animals. Leaving them in a crate all day can cause severe physical and psychological stress, sometimes referred to as “cage rage” or caged dog syndrome.
• Don’t Skip the Training Phase: Throwing a dog into a closed crate without introducing it slowly can cause trauma and intense anxiety. This is what you want to avoid.
• Never Leave Dangerous Items Inside: Loose blankets, towels, collars, or leashes can pose serious strangulation or choking hazards.
• Don’t Use It To Ignore a Dog: The crate should not be used merely to give yourself peace and quiet when an energetic puppy demands attention.
• Never Ignore Signs of Extreme Stress: If your dog is excessively howling, drooling, or tearing at the crate door, they are not acclimated and could injure themselves.

When to Open the Crate

• Puppies: Should not be crated for more than 2 to 3 hours at a time, as they need frequent opportunities to relieve themselves and socialize.
• Adult Dogs: Generally, they shouldn’t be crated for more than 4 to 5 hours while you are away during the day, barring overnight sleeping.

How Should Dog Owners Use a Crate?

• Secure Sanctuary: Dog owners should use a crate as a positive, secure sanctuary for house training, safety, and peaceful resting. It should mimic a natural den where your dog feels completely safe and relaxed.
• Establish It As a Positive Space: Feed your dog meals, toss high-value treats, or give safe puzzle toys like stuffed KONGs inside the crate to build positive associations.
• Keep the Door Open Initially: Let your dog explore the crate completely on their own terms during the first few days of training.
• Use It for Potty Training: Dogs naturally avoid fouling their sleeping area, making the crate an excellent tool for teaching bladder control.
• Size It Perfectly: Choose a crate where your dog can comfortably stand up, turn around in a full circle, and lie down completely stretched out.
• Provide Safe, Appropriate Bedding: Line the crate with a durable, flat pad or a specialized hypoallergenic dog bed if your pet has sensitive skin, ensuring they do not chew or swallow the material.
• Feed Meals in the Crate: Feeding your dog inside the crate builds positive associations.
• Practice Short Sessions: Begin with short periods inside the crate while you’re home before increasing duration.
• Utilize It for Safe Travel: Secure the crate inside your vehicle during road trips to protect your dog from sudden stops and prevent driver distraction.
• Incorporate It into Your Routine: Use the crate for overnight sleeping or during short periods when you cannot actively supervise your dog to prevent destructive chewing.
• Create a Bedtime Routine: Many dogs sleep comfortably in crates overnight once properly trained.

Tailoring Crate Use to Your Dog’s Needs

• Anxious Dogs: Place the crate in a quiet corner and consider adding a breathable cover to block out visual triggers that cause distress.
• Young Puppies: Position the crate near your bed at night so you can easily hear them when they need to go outside for a midnight bathroom break. 
• Differentiate Boredom from Anxiety: If the behavior stems from severe separation anxiety, crating can actually escalate panic and cause self-inflicted injuries like broken teeth or torn nails.
• Increase Physical and Mental Exercise: A tired dog is far less likely to dig or chew. Provide a long walk, a game of fetch, or a puzzle toy immediately before crating them.
• Limit the Crating Duration: Do not leave a known chewer or digger crated for long periods, as frustration will build and trigger the destructive behavior.

Can Crates Be Used for Chewers or Diggers?

 Yes, you can absolutely use a crate for chewers or diggers, but they must use a highly durable heavy-duty crate and ensure the dog’s physical and mental needs are met beforehand. Crating a dog who digs or chews out of boredom, separation anxiety, or frustration requires specific safety precautions to prevent injury.

You may need to consult your vet if you see your dog exhibiting the separation anxiety behavior before using the crate.

How To Choose the Right Crate

• Avoid Plastic and Standard Wire: Heavy chewers can easily destroy plastic vents, and determined diggers can bend thin wire crates, creating sharp metal edges.
• Invest In Heavy-Duty Steel: Look for escape-proof crates made of thick steel tubing or aluminum, which cannot be bent or chewed through.
• Select a Secure Latching System: Smart dogs can learn to manipulate simple sliding latches, so opt for dual, slam-latch, or tamper-proof locking mechanisms.

Setting Up the Crate for Safety

• Remove All Fabric Bedding: Eliminate soft blankets, towels, or plush beds. A dog that digs or chews will easily tear these apart, creating a severe foreign-body obstruction hazard if swallowed.
• Remove the Collar: Never leave a collar, harness, or leash on a crated dog. It can easily catch on the crate bars or hardware and cause strangulation.
• Provide Indestructible Chew Toys: Give them ultra-durable rubber toys (like a black KONG Extreme) stuffed with frozen peanut butter to safely redirect their chewing energy.

Recommended Beds for Chewers or Diggers

1. For Aggressive Chewers & Diggers

• K9 Ballistics Chew Proof Armored Bed: This bed features an all-aluminum frame that covers every edge and corner, preventing access to the fabric. The double-coated vinyl or rip-stop ballistic sling cannot be torn or punctured by persistent digging.
• Kuranda Aluminum Bed: The gold standard for indestructible beds. The solid aluminum frame is designed so the fabric edges are hidden inside the frame, giving your dog zero material to chew on.

2. For Mild to Moderate Chewers

• K9 Ballistics Tough Ripstop Orthopedic Bed: If your dog doesn’t chew metal frames but loves to tear into traditional beds, this padded mat is a great alternative. The exterior is built with heavy-duty ripstop fabric that is scratch-resistant and highly chew-resistant.
• Orvis ToughChew Lounger: A traditional-looking stuffed bed with an exceptionally tough, hidden liner that is specifically designed to resist scratching and chewing. 

Note: For dogs with high separation anxiety, heavy-duty options are available from specialized manufacturers like Impact Dog Crates or Rock Creek Crates.

Crate Tips for Success

Using a crate properly can help your dog feel secure and relaxed. Below are some tips:

• Make It Comfortable

Add a quality crate bed, favorite toys, and a soft blanket to create a welcoming environment.

• Use Positive Reinforcement

Reward your dog with treats and praise when they enter the crate voluntarily.

• Keep a Routine

Dogs thrive on consistency. Use the crate at regular times for naps, bedtime, or quiet time.

• Cover the Crate if Needed

Some dogs relax more when the crate is partially covered, creating a den-like atmosphere.

• Place the Crate in a Social Area

Dogs are social animals and usually prefer being near family activity rather than isolated in another room.

Conclusion

A crate should always be a place of comfort, security, and relaxation for your dog. The right crate bed can improve sleep quality, reduce anxiety, and make crate time a positive experience.

By choosing durable, supportive, and properly sized bedding while also using the crate responsibly you can create a safe space your dog genuinely enjoys.

Whether you have a gentle sleeper, a growing puppy, or a determined chewer, there’s a crate bed that can meet your dog’s needs and help them feel right at home.

When traveling by car or plane be sure to use a recommended crate that supports your pet and meets airline specifications.

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Dog Crates

• MidWest Homes Single Door Crate Home Use, 8 Sizes, Durable Construction, $24 – $230

 

• FDW 2-Door Folding Crate Home Use Durable Construction, Easy to Clean, Removable Tray, 5-Single Door Sizes, 5-Double Door Sizes $32 – $100

• SportPet Travel Dog Carrier with Removable Wheels Airline Compliant, 2 Colors, 6 Sizes, Easy to Clean, Collapsible, $49 – $364

• JOYTUTUS Car Travel Crate Collapsible, Color Blue, 4 Sizes, Comes Pre-Assembled, Anti-Slip Corner Pads, $60 – $110

• EliteField Folding Car Travel Crate 5 Colors, 5 Sizes, 2-Year Warranty, Collapsible, $44 – $129

Crate Pads/Mats

• VERZEY Crate Pad 8 Colors, 6 Sizes, Fits into Wire Crate, Totally Washable, Anti-Slip Bottom, OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certified, $23 – $40

• KSIIA Crate Pad Bed 7 Colors, 10 Sizes, Non-Skid Bottom, Scratch Resistant, Non-Shedding, Washable, Made with Rose Velvet, $18 – $80

• OhGeni Orthopedic Crate Bed 6 Colors 3 Crate Sizes, Soft Flannel Fabric, Removable Washable Cover, Egg Crate Foam, Waterproof Inner Liner, Lifetime Warranty, 30 Days Free Return Replacement $25 – $44

• CAPT.SNOOZE Orthopedic Crate Bed 6 Colors, 2 Sizes, Washable Removable Cover, Water Resistant, Egg Crate Foam, 1-Yr. Warranty, $28 – $40

• Cozila Orthopedic Crate Bed 5 Colors, 2 Crate Sizes, Waterproof Liner, Anti-Slip Bottom, Easy to Clean, Removable Washable Cover, Egg Crate Foam, $33 – $40