Should You Cover a Dog Crate? Day and Night Tips

Many dogs settle better when part of the crate is covered, but only if air can still flow and the dog cannot pull the fabric inside to chew it. The AKC says you can use a lightweight blanket to mimic a den, as long as the crate stays ventilated and not too hot. Treat a cover as an optional extra, not a requirement, and drop it if your dog chews it, overheats or seems more stressed.

Why Some Dogs Settle Better

A crate is meant to work like a small, quiet retreat. According to the AKC, some dogs relax more in a darker, den-like space, and some crates come with a removable cover for that reason. VCA Animal Hospitals notes that some dogs feel more secure when a blanket is draped over the crate.

PetMD adds that if a dog accepts a cover, it might reduce exposure to outdoor sounds and slow the dog’s awareness of sunrise. Our sources describe this as something that helps some dogs, not all, and none of them present a cover as a treatment for anxiety. Watch your own dog: if it lies down and rests more easily with a cover, it is working. If it paces, whines more or ignores the cover, skip it.

How to Cover a Crate Safely

The goal is a dimmer, calmer space, not a sealed box. These steps keep the cover useful without adding risk.

Leave at least one side open. Keep the front or another side uncovered so air moves through and your dog can see out. This is general practical guidance, and it fits the AKC’s advice to keep the crate ventilated.
Choose lightweight, breathable fabric. The AKC specifically mentions a lightweight blanket. Avoid heavy fabric, and PetMD warns against weighted blankets and unsupervised electric blankets.
Keep the fabric out of reach. Drape it over the top and sides from the outside, and secure it so no loose edges hang through the bars. Skip frayed material, loose threads, fringe and fuzzy fabrics that are easy to gnaw, as PetMD advises.
Manage heat. PetMD says a cover can cause a crate to heat up and should only be used when someone is home to supervise. Keep the crate out of direct sun and away from heat sources, and watch for any sign your dog is uncomfortable or too warm.
Wash the cover regularly. PetMD recommends washing blankets often. Our guide to where to put a dog crate covers room choice, which affects both noise and temperature.

At Night vs During the Day

Night is the easiest time to use a cover. A trainer quoted by PetMD says covering a crate at night, or to give a dog quiet time, is ideal. A dim crate in a quiet room is a natural fit for bedtime.

Daytime needs more care. Rooms tend to be warmer and sunnier, and a cover is more likely to trap heat. PetMD limits covering to times when someone is home to supervise, so a partial cover during a supervised rest is a reasonable approach. Leaving a covered crate closed up while you are out is not.

It also helps to get the order right. VCA suggests exercising your dog and crating it overnight first, and only practicing daytime crating once the dog sleeps well at night. Add a cover after your dog already treats the crate as a comfortable place to be.

Puppies

The AKC recommends that puppies sleep in the crate at night and says some may cry for the first night or two while they adjust. A partial cover can be part of making that first week calmer. Start with the cover loosely arranged on top and one side while you are in the room, and see how your puppy reacts.

Chewing is the main concern. PetMD says puppies need close supervision so they do not chew and swallow fabric fibers or pieces, which can cause an intestinal blockage. If your puppy goes after the cover, take it off and talk to your veterinarian if you are worried about anything it swallowed.

Night-time potty breaks matter more than the cover. Many puppies need to go out overnight for their first few months, and the AKC advises taking a puppy outside if you are in doubt. Humane World for Animals suggests placing the crate in your bedroom or a nearby hallway at first, so you can hear your puppy whine when it needs to go out. If you are still choosing a crate, our dog crate size guide explains how to match the size to your dog, because a cover will not fix a crate that is the wrong size.

When Not to Cover

Skip the cover, or switch to a different setup, in these situations:

Your dog chews or pulls at fabric. PetMD says very active or anxious dogs might pull a blanket into the crate and destroy it. For those dogs, PetMD points to a crate cover designed for the purpose. We would still keep an eye on how your dog reacts to it.
It is hot. In a warm room, or for a thick-coated dog, remove the cover or use much less of it. PetMD mentions a crate fan for hot months, aimed so it does not blow directly on the dog.
Your dog seems stressed. The AKC lists pacing, trembling, scratching or biting at the door, prolonged howling or barking, and drooling as signs a crate may be causing distress. A cover will not fix that.
You suspect separation anxiety. Humane World says a crate does not cure separation anxiety. Talk to your veterinarian or a qualified behavior professional, and consider whether a playpen or other confinement area suits your dog better.

Blanket vs Fitted Crate Cover

Either can work for a calm dog who leaves fabric alone. A purpose-made cover is the better choice for a dog who tugs at fabric. The comparison below is general practical guidance, not a ranking.

Feature	Household blanket	Fitted crate cover
Fit	Can slip or sag, and may need clips or tucking	Made to match crate dimensions, so it stays in place more easily
Airflow	Depends on how you arrange it, and a thick blanket can block air	Varies by design; look for panels you can roll up or open
Chewing risk	Loose edges can reach through the bars	Less loose fabric, though a determined chewer can still reach it
Cleaning	Easy to wash and replace	Check the care instructions before buying

Some crates come with a removable cover, as the AKC mentions. Our guide to the best dog crates by size and type can help you compare options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I cover my dog’s crate at night?

You can if your dog settles better that way. A trainer quoted by PetMD calls covering a crate at night or for quiet time ideal. Leave one side open for airflow, keep the fabric out of reach, and remove it if your dog chews it or gets too warm.

Can I cover a dog crate completely?

It is better not to. Both the AKC and PetMD stress ventilation and avoiding heat buildup. Leaving at least one side open is simple, practical guidance.

Should I cover a puppy’s crate at night?

It is optional. If you try it, use a light cover and stay close, because puppies may chew fabric and swallow it. Keep the crate near your bed at first so you can hear when your puppy needs a potty break, and ask your veterinarian if you have concerns.

Will covering the crate stop my dog from barking or whining?

Not reliably. Our sources say some dogs feel calmer with a cover, but none show that it solves anxiety or barking. If your dog panics in the crate, talk to your veterinarian or a qualified trainer or behavior professional.

Sources

About the author

Best Pet Supplies Guide

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