5 Best Dog Crate Mats and Pads

For a standard 36-inch crate, look for a pad listed at about 35 to 36 inches long and 22 to 23 inches wide. Choose a thin, fully washable pad if your dog leaves bedding alone, foam if your dog is older or larger, and a waterproof liner if accidents happen. If your dog chews bedding, the best first step is to take the pad out and talk to your veterinarian or a behavior professional, because no pad guarantees it will survive chewing.

The product details below come from Amazon listings and are described as listing claims. No independent source compares crate pads, so this guide does not rank them on quality. It matches each one to a need instead.

Crate Size vs. Pad Size

A crate pad should cover the crate floor (the pan) without bunching up at the edges. Crate pans differ slightly by maker, so measure the inside of your pan and check each listing’s size chart before ordering. If you are still choosing a crate, our guide to dog crates by size and type covers the options.

For crates that are not 36 inches, measure your pan and compare it with the sizes in each listing. The Bedsure sizes above are shown only as examples of how listings pair pad size with dog weight. The MidWest QuietTime line is also listed in other crate sizes, so check the size chart for your crate.

Our Top Picks

Here is how the five pads compare on the details every listing provides.

For a fully washable pad: MidWest Homes for Pets QuietTime Bolster

This is a soft crate pad for dogs that leave bedding alone. The whole pad goes in the washing machine, which makes weekly cleaning simple. The padded bolsters give a dog something to lean against.

Key specs (per the Amazon listing):

• 36 x 23 x 2.6 in, designed for standard 36-inch crates and carriers
• Synthetic fleece top, padded polyester bolsters and polyester fiber fill
• Fully machine washable and dryer safe
• Elastic corner straps hold it to the crate pan
• Listed for medium to large dogs, 41 to 70 lb

Consider: MidWest’s own description says it is not suited to excessive chewers or dogs with high separation anxiety. The bolsters also take up some floor space inside the crate.

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For a thin everyday pad: Exsnugy Washable Dog Bed Mat

A flat, lightweight pad is a good fit when you want to keep as much headroom as possible. It folds easily and goes in the wash whole. It suits dogs that already lie down calmly in the crate and do not touch their bedding.

Key specs (per the Amazon listing):

• About 36 x 23 x 1.5 in (size L)
• 300gsm plush top, polyester
• Fully machine washable
• Flat rectangular shape, foldable and lightweight
• Listed for most standard crates and dogs up to 65 lb

Consider: At 1.5 inches it offers less cushioning, which may matter for older or heavy dogs. It has no bolsters, and the listing gives no chewing guidance, so treat it as a pad for dogs that do not chew bedding.

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For foam support: Bedsure Memory Foam Orthopedic Crate Pad

This pad uses memory foam over a supportive base layer, so it suits older or larger dogs that need more than a thin fleece pad. See our list of orthopedic beds for senior dogs for more on foam beds. If your dog is stiff or sore, talk to your veterinarian about what bedding suits your dog.

Key specs (per the Amazon listing):

• 35 x 22 x 3 in (size L), listed for dogs 30 to 50 lb
• Dual-layer foam, listed as CertiPUR-US certified
• Flannel cover with a zipper; the cover is machine washable and tumble dry
• Non-skid bottom
• Other listed sizes: S, M and XL (XL is 41 x 29 x 3.5 in, for 50 to 90 lb)

Consider: Only the cover is washable, not the foam core. The listing says it is not recommended for pets with chewing behavior, and 3 inches of thickness reduces headroom.

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For accidents: Vonabem Waterproof Orthopedic Crate Pad

This reversible pad suits puppies in house-training and dogs that sometimes have accidents. The waterproof lining sits inside the cover to protect the foam. It has a flannel side and a faux leather side, so you can switch depending on the day.

Key specs (per the Amazon listing):

• 35 x 22 x 3 in (size L), listed for 36-inch crates and dogs up to 50 lb
• Egg crate foam fill
• Reversible: flannel side with a waterproof TPU inner lining, faux leather on the other side
• Removable cover with an L-shaped hidden zipper; machine wash and tumble dry low
• Ships vacuum packed; the listing says to allow 24 to 48 hours to expand

Consider: The oxford fabric on the sides is only water-resistant, and the listing notes excess liquid may seep through. Plan ahead for the 24 to 48 hour expansion time, and note the listing does not describe it as suited to chewers.

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For dogs that chew soft bedding: K9 Ballistics Armored Padded Crate Bed

This is a different kind of crate bed: an aluminum frame covers the edges, and a ripstop fabric sling holds a padded center. It is aimed at dogs that have chewed soft crate bedding. No bed is guaranteed to survive chewing, so supervise your dog and remove the bed if it gets chewed. You can check the warranty terms on the maker’s site before you buy.

Key specs (per the Amazon listing):

• Medium size, 35 x 22 in, for standard 36-inch wire crates
• Aluminum frame, 1200D ripstop fabric sling, padded center 1.5 in thick with recycled polyester fiberfill
• Padded center machine washes on delicate and dries on low; spot cleaning is also listed
• Four aluminum legs included for an elevated bed, or use it flat without legs for more headroom
• Rubber corner pads and capped feet; listed weight about 9.1 lb

Consider: You remove the crate’s bottom tray and slide the bed in diagonally, so it replaces the pan rather than sitting on it. It is heavier and firmer than a soft pad. The maker’s warranty has conditions, so read the terms rather than assuming coverage.

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Match the Pad to the Crate

Leave room to stand and turn

Both Humane World for Animals and the AKC say a crate should be big enough for your dog to stand up and turn around. A thick pad raises the floor, so it reduces the headroom your dog has. As general practical advice, measure your dog’s height while sitting and add the pad’s thickness to see how much room is left under the roof.

The step-by-step measuring method is in our dog crate size guide. If a 3-inch foam pad leaves the headroom tight, a thinner pad or a frame bed used flat may be a better fit. For more on materials and shapes, see how to choose a dog bed.

Keep the pad flat and in place

A pad that is wider than the pan will curl up at the edges, and one that is too small leaves bare plastic or metal. Corner straps, a non-skid bottom or a frame help hold a pad in place, depending on the product. Humane World also says a crate should always have a comfortable place to lie down, so do not skip bedding altogether unless your dog chews it.

Chewers: Supervise and Remove the Bedding

Chewing is normal in puppies and adult dogs, according to the ASPCA. The ASPCA advises ruling out separation anxiety first, which looks like chewing only when the dog is alone, along with whining, barking or restlessness. It also says sucking or chewing fabric can become compulsive and may need help from a behavior professional.

The ASPCA suggests providing plenty of chew toys and rotating them every few days. It also says to supervise your dog while awake and to remove anything the dog should not chew from a confined area. For a crate, that means taking out any bedding your dog chews.

Swallowed fabric is a real risk. VCA Animal Hospitals says dogs can swallow cloth and that an intestinal blockage can be life threatening and sometimes needs surgery. Signs include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, straining or small stools, and lethargy. If you think your dog swallowed fabric or stuffing, call your veterinarian right away, because time matters.

PetMD advises supervising puppies so they do not chew and swallow fibers, and avoiding frayed fabric, loose threads and fringe. If a pad starts to fray or tear, retire it. Our guide to dog beds for chewers goes further on this topic.

Cleaning Your Crate Pad

The AKC notes that medical and public health sources recommend washing a dog’s bedding weekly. It suggests an unscented detergent and drying the bedding completely, because leftover moisture can lead to mildew. If a bed still smells after washing and is old, it may be time to replace it.

Check each pad’s care instructions first. Among these picks, the MidWest and Exsnugy pads are listed as fully machine washable. The Bedsure and Vonabem pads wash by cover only, and the K9 Ballistics padded center is listed for a delicate cycle or spot cleaning. For a full routine, see how to clean a dog bed. PetMD also recommends washing blankets regularly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I put a mat in my dog’s crate?

Humane World for Animals recommends a soft blanket or pad so the crate is a comfortable place to rest, and says the bedding should be washable and suit your dog’s chewing habits. If your dog chews or shreds it, take it out and ask your veterinarian or a trainer for help.

What size crate mat do I need?

Measure the inside of the crate pan and pick a pad close to that length and width. For a 36-inch crate, the pads in this guide are listed at 35 to 36 inches long and 22 to 23 inches wide. Check the listing’s size chart, because crate pans vary by maker.

Is a waterproof crate pad a good idea for a puppy?

A waterproof liner can protect foam from accidents, which is how the Vonabem listing describes its liner. Its sides are only water-resistant, so clean up promptly and wash the cover. Puppies that chew fabric should be supervised, and any bedding they chew should be removed.

How often should I wash a crate pad?

The AKC cites recommendations to wash dog bedding weekly. Dry it completely afterward, since leftover moisture can lead to mildew.

Can any crate mat stand up to a chewer?

No pad can be guaranteed against chewing. Reinforced designs may hold up differently from soft pads, but your dog still needs supervision. Remove any bedding that gets chewed, and call your veterinarian right away if you think your dog swallowed fabric.

Conclusion

Choose the MidWest QuietTime for an easy-to-wash soft pad and the Exsnugy for a thin pad that keeps headroom. Bedsure suits dogs that need foam support, and Vonabem suits dogs that have accidents. K9 Ballistics is for dogs that have chewed soft bedding, but it still needs supervision. Measure your crate pan first, and remove any pad your dog chews.

Sources

• Humane World for Animals, How to Crate Train Your Dog or Puppy
• ASPCA, Destructive Chewing
• VCA Animal Hospitals, Ingestion of Foreign Bodies in Dogs
• PetMD, Blanket Safety for Pets
• American Kennel Club, How to Clean Your Dog’s Bed and Why It’s Important
• American Kennel Club, How to Crate Train a Dog
• K9 Ballistics, Guarantee & Warranty

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