Best Dog Crate Pads

Crate training your dog is one of the best ways to keep him safe while you're house-training him.

It also keeps your home safe from chewing jaws and puppies piddling.

But laying on the hard floor of a crate isn't going to be comfortable for your pooch.

That's why you also need to invest in the best dog crate pads to keep him comfy.

Wild dogs dig dens to create a safe home for their families.

When you crate train your pet, you give him the chance to have his own safe, secure den right in your home.

In order for him to want to use his new “den,” it must be warm and comfortable. That's where a dog crate pad will come in CRTE handy!

Just keep in mind that your pet doesn't have infinite room inside his kennel.

The best dog crate pads provide comfort without taking up all of the room inside the crate.

You have to measure precisely and think about the height of the crate.

If you have a small breed, you may not have to worry about this as much.

But, if you have a large, tall dog, he's going to need all of the space he can get while inside his crate.

Here are some great options for dog crate pads that are durable, comfortable, and affordable.

CRATE RANKINGS: Top 50 Best Dog Crates of All Time

The Best Dog Crate Pads

1Orthopedic 4″ Dog Crate Pad by Big Barker

Big Barker Orthopedic 4" Dog Crate Pad Fits 30" x 21" Crate - Waterproof & Tear Resistant - Thick, Heavy Duty, Tough, Washable Cover - Luxury Orthopedic Support Foam Inside - Made in USA First on our list is Big Barker’s 4-inch orthopedic dog crate pad, which is made up of two layers of US-made foam.

The 2-inch H24 support foam has high density and acts as a firm base, while the 2-inch H10 comfort foam on top molds to your pet’s body and serves as a cushiony bed.

The small size is quite large at 30” x 21” and fits most crates. A removable 100% waterproof cover makes this crate pad easy to clean and maintain.

We realize that it’s not that easy looking around for the best dog crate pads.

We picked out this orthopedic crate pad from Big Barker for very important reasons.

First, the Orthopedic 4″ Dog Crate Pad by Big Barker is made of closed-cell foam, which is dense, supports weight, does not retain water or air, and does not flatten down to the crate’s metal or hard plastic base.

Big Barker Orthopedic 4" Dog Crate Pad Fits 30" x 21" Crate - Waterproof & Tear Resistant - Thick, Heavy Duty, Tough, Washable Cover - Luxury Orthopedic Support Foam Inside - Made in USA Second, the cover is sturdy and truly protective of the inner foam.

It is made of a rugged and non-porous material, can be cleaned with a damp cloth, and has a long zipper to make removing and returning the foam very easy.

Overall, this is a crate pad that has not traded off quality for the price.

PROS:

  • Made of two 2-inch layers of US-made foam
  • Orthopedic foam comforts and supports joints and bones
  • Available in 4 sizes
  • Equipped with a removable 100% waterproof cover for easy cleaning
CONS:

  • Much more expensive than the other best dog crate pads on this list
  • While no crate pad is resistant to destructive chewers, some reviewers noted that their dog was able to easily tear the cover and found entertainment in shredding the foam inside

Most helpful review (read the full Amazon review): “This might be only the second or third time in my life that I have been motivated enough to actually write a review. There are a lot of dog beds on the market. Most of them are made in China with the goal…”

 

2IMK9 Large Dog Crate Mat

IMK9 Large Dog Crate Mat

 

UPDATE: As of 2023, this product is not showing as listed on Amazon.

IMK9’s large dog bed is a combined portable mat and crate pad in one. It has a velvety top cover with a waterproof nylon bottom.

This is an upgrade of the usual mat because it is thickly padded with soft fillers and has baffled sections to improve air circulation.

These baffled sections also make it easy to fold or roll for portability.

As a crate pad, this isn’t as thick or supportive as Big Barker’s orthopedic crate pad but works really well for crates with bases that are flat or even.

  • Dog crate pad reviews: Read opinions of other pet owners

You’d find this a very affordable, portable, breathable, and versatile dog crate pad.

It functions more like thick bedding or mat that you can carry around wherever you go with your dog.

The IMK9 Large Dog Crate Mat is not too hard or too soft.

While it doesn’t have the double-layer orthopedic support of the Big Barker foam, it does provide comfort and warmth and isn’t as bulky or heavy as the dense crate pad.

best dog crate padsThe baffled sections of these best dog crate pads offer another plus aside from improving air circulation and keeping the fillings in place.

They make it difficult for dogs to pull on the outer shell in their effort to clump it up, such as what they do when they’re nesting.

This outer shell, however, is not removable. You’d have to wash the whole thing when the time comes.

Meanwhile, you may just blot out spills or stains from the plush cover. The nylon bottom is water-resistant, but the top is not.

PROS:

  • Crate pad and portable dog bed in one
  • Velvety top cover with waterproof nylon bottom
  • Baffled chambers provide good support and prevent nesters from bunching the bed up
CONS:

  • The outer shell is not removable, so you have to wash the entire bed if need be
  • When it is rolled up for transport, it's too bulky for some buyers' liking

Most helpful review (read the full Amazon review): “This dog bed is amazing! I bought it to protect my car seats from my 2 labs and it is really high quality. It almost looked like a sleeping bag since it has 2 adjustable straps with fasteners just like the ones on the…”

 

3MidWest Homes for Pets Deluxe Micro Terry Bed

MidWest Homes for Pets Deluxe Micro Terry Pet Bed, Dog Bed & Crate Mat, Taupe, 23.0" L x 18.0" W x 1.2" Th Midwest Homes for Pets' Deluxe Terry Bed will do great as an all-around dog bed and crate pad.

It is available in 8 sizes, and the 24″ size is ideal for standard metal crates.

The top outer fabric is made of a soft terry material, while the bottom is made of poly/cotton fabric.

The outer shell is not removable, but the whole pad is machine washable.

These best dog crate pads are designed for standard-size crates, and they come in eight sizes.

These sizes are just what you’d need if your dog already has a crate.

The MidWest Homes for Pets Deluxe Micro Terry Bed is rather thin, as dog beds go.

It has barely an inch of thickness with the dog on it, but it is sturdy, not limp.

It may not be your best option for crate floors made of widely spaced metal bars, but it would do just fine for crates with plain plastic floors.

MidWest Homes for Pets Deluxe Micro Terry Pet Bed, Dog Bed & Crate Mat, Taupe, 23.0" L x 18.0" W x 1.2" Th Probably the best thing about this crate pad is its absolutely cheap price and relative usefulness.

Straight stitching runs about 2” along the rim and creates an inner section with raised edges.

This stitching helps to prevent the bunching up of the soft filler inside.

For an inch of difference between this pad and an existing crate, its edges may turn up a little along the crate wall, but there won’t be any issues there.

PROS:

  • Available in 8 sizes
  • The top outer fabric is made of soft terry material, and the bottom is made of poly/cotton fabric
  • The entire pad is machine washable
  • One of the cheapest and best dog crate pads available
CONS:

  • Measures just over an inch thick
  • Multiple reviewers say that these best dog crate pads do not hold up well in the washing machine

Most helpful review (read the full Amazon review): “My dog loves this mat! She instantly started lying on it when I pulled it out, and when she isn't cuddling up with us, she's lying on this mat. I bought this for the living room. She has a bed in the bedroom, but didn't really have…”

 

4MidWest Homes for Pets Quiet Time Deluxe Pet Bed for Dogs

MidWest Homes for Pets Deluxe Dog Beds Super Plush Dog & Cat Beds Ideal for Dog Crates Machine Wash & Dryer Friendly, 1-Year Warranty, Gray, 24-Inch Here’s another plush bed from MidWest Homes for Pets, made more luxurious by the swirly faux fur fabric used and the tufted inner section.

The Quiet Time Deluxe Ombre Pet Bed is stuffed with soft polyester fillers that are tufted in place to prevent the pad from bunching up or losing its shape.

It has a non-slip base, and that’s one reason why this crate pad also doubles as an everyday pet bed that you may lay on the floor.

These best dog crate pads are available in 7 sizes.

This is much thicker than the MidWest terry pad.

The twirl-patterned cover is both a pro and a con – pro for its visual and tactile appeal, but it is a con because it invites clawing from curious and busy-pawed pets.

If your dog is the type that has passed that stage or isn’t interested in swirly furs, then surely such a well-behaved pet deserves the MidWest Homes for Pets Quiet Time Deluxe Pet Bed for Dogs.

MidWest Homes for Pets Deluxe Dog Beds Super Plush Dog & Cat Beds Ideal for Dog Crates Machine Wash & Dryer Friendly, 1-Year Warranty, Gray, 24-Inch The bottom is made of rubber that keeps the pad in place.

Overall, it’s soft and fluffy, a pad that a dog would very much want to sit on in the car or on the floor.

Inside a metal crate, however, it will not provide firm bottom support without a plain tray underneath.

The price is great, though, and most kennels have a plastic or metal tray on the bottom anyway, so this will be perfect.

PROS:

  • Faux fur fabric on the outside is extra soft
  • Stuffed with soft polyester fillers that are tufted in place to prevent bunching
  • Equipped with a non-slip bottom
  • Available in 7 sizes
CONS:

  • Soft fur fabric on the top is very enticing for dogs to scratch and nest into, which could cause damage to these best dog crate pads over time
  • Multiple reviewers say that these best dog crate pads do not hold up well in the washing machine
  • Some reviews note that this crate pad goes flat after a short amount of time

Most helpful review (read the full Amazon review + PHOTO): “Well worth the $$. The box is the perfect size…”

 

5MidWest Homes for Pets Reversible Paw Print/Fleece Pet Bed

MidWest Homes for Pets Reversible Paw Print Pet Bed in Blue / Cream, Dog Bed Measures 23.5L x 17W x 2.8H for Small Dogs, Machine Wash Get double the look for the price of one with this reversible fleecy bed.

It resembles the Deluxe Terry Bed in many ways, and that’s because they’re both made by Midwest Homes for Pets.

The outer shell is fleecy cream on one side and blue with black paw prints on the other. These best dog crate pads are available in 8 sizes.

With this pad, as in the other pads from MidWest, the cover is not removable but is 100% machine washable. It takes weekly washing pretty well.

The MidWest Homes for Pets Reversible Paw Print/Fleece Pet Bed will fade some and slightly differ in appearance, but not drastically so. It would eventually give in to wear and tear, but not after long use.

MidWest Homes for Pets Reversible Paw Print Pet Bed in Blue / Cream, Dog Bed Measures 23.5L x 17W x 2.8H for Small Dogs, Machine Wash The pad is so soft but firm – you’ve got to try it to find out just how soft.

Dogs would definitely love to sleep on it. When placed on the floor, it will tend to slide and move about, which is to be expected because both sides are made of fuzzy fabric.

This is a slim pad, and when placed on top of a metal grate, your pet may feel the metal parts and be uncomfortable.

So if you opt for this, make sure that you have something between this pad and the metal crate flooring.

PROS:

  • The outer shell is made of ultra-soft synthetic fur and is reversible 
  • The entire pad is machine washable and dryer safe
  • Comes with 1-year manufacturer's warranty
CONS:

  • Reviewers note that this pad fades after a few washings, but not drastically
  • Slides around because the bottom is not equipped with a non-slip material
  • The slim design may be uncomfortable if the crate you're using has a metal grate on the bottom

Most helpful review (read the full Amazon review + PHOTOS): “I bought the small one for my dog's kennel when he was a puppy. As he got bigger… I tried other beds & he chewed up all of them. So I took this small midwest quiet time bed and left it out for him & he would lay half…”

 

6AmazonBasics Padded Pet Bolster Bed

THIS PRODUCT IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE

So far, the beds we’ve featured were basically flat except for the two from MidWest with slightly raised edges.

Our 6th item from AmazonBasics is bolstered along the rim, making it look like a cradle.

Straight crisscrossing stitches form large grids, creating a quilt-like pattern on the flat part of the pad.

These best dog crate pads are available in 6 sizes.

The top cover is faux Sherpa fabric with a soft polyester filling material.

The bottom cover is made of polypropylene fabric.

There’s a loop on the underside, which you will find handy for securing the pad on the crate.

The AmazonBasics Padded Pet Bolster Bed holds up really well to frequent washing.

It would eventually show some sagging here and thereafter, multiple washes, but not after giving your pet restful nights the whole year-round.

Per our calculation, that’s pretty cost-effective at the price it’s being offered now.

These best dog crate pads range in thickness from 2.5” to 3.5″, which is thicker than most pads in this price range.

It’s still rather slim compared to our Big Barker orthopedic foam pad, but there’s no competition here, considering the huge price difference. We find this bed well-constructed, very comfortable, and easy to maintain.

PROS:

  • The top cover is faux Sherpa fabric with a soft polyester filling material, and the bottom cover is made of polypropylene fabric
  • Comfortable bolster for added comfort
  • The pad is machine washable,
CONS:

  • Some buyers were not satisfied with the thickness of this crate pad
  • Like all of the other pads on this list, this one isn't suitable for chewers or shredders

Most helpful review (read the full Amazon review + PHOTO): “My Husky/Lab mix puppy said it just spontaneously exploded while we were gone. Before we left the two of them alone, the pet bed seemed stable, and not at all likely to supernova. The crate proved to be a reasonably…”

 

7K&H Manufacturing Crate Pad for Pets

THIS PRODUCT IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE

K&H Pet Products' pet crate pads are made in three variations, and this one is the memory foam variation.

It is distinct from the odor-control and self-warming styles, but they have common features such as the same color choices of mocha and gray, the same sizes with slits on the corners, micro-fleece material, and non-slip underside, and machine washable.

These best dog crate pads use dense memory foam, like Big Barker, but it's very thin.

At barely half an inch, it can’t possibly provide the orthopedic support expected from memory foams. However, being slim has its advantages, in a way.

Dogs that have difficulty getting in crates with the added bed height would definitely find the K&H Manufacturing Crate Pad for Pets friendlier.

Most dogs use their crates without pads, especially for floors made of plain surfaces or grids with narrower gaps.

Having this memory foam pad will greatly improve their situation, though it would have been perfect had it been thicker.

But then again, for its price, it’s pretty satisfactory. This pad will be much softer on your dog’s paws than those bare grids will be.

PROS:

  • Available in 6 sizes and styles, including memory foam, odor control, and self-warming
  • Slits in all corners to make them fit into crates simple
  • The top is a soft micro-fleece for added comfort, and the underside is a non-slip material
  • Machine washable
CONS:

  • Less than 1″ thick
  • Many reviewers said that their dogs did not like this pad, likely because it was not comfortable for them
  • Like all of the other pads on this list, this one isn't suitable for chewers or shredders

Most helpful review (read the full Amazon review): “I know I sure wouldn't want to lay on this thing on the floor, it's thinner than just throwing a towel or something down. It does feel warm to the touch though, via whatever magical space age technology they put in…”

Top Dog Crate Pads


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Dom Naish is a Phoenix-based writer, vegan, cupcake addict and dog lover. Years in the animal rescue trenches have taught him every aspect of dog ownership from behavioral problems, personality and breed specific trait differences of all dogs.