What is the best crate pad for your large dog? What you pick depends on the age, breed, temperament and health of your dog. Many pups are better off with no crate pad at first. Ripping one up is just too much fun and can be dangerous. Exceptions include tiny toy breed pups and short-haired pups. Read on for the 3 Best Crate Pads for Large Dogs.
My Pip, who is almost 9 years old, went years with no pad by her own preference but recently I bought her a wonderful, thick orthopedic pad which she loves. She goes into her crate more to nap now; I find her there often dreaming away.
Here are a few popular dog beds that work in crates along with their best features.
Top 3 Crate Pads for Large Dogs
1. Midwest Reversible Paw Print Pet Bed
If you just want something super simple to add a layer of comfort, this is a good basic crate pad. The “reversible” just means that the top and bottom are the same, except for the color, unlike many others on this list. It is solid colored on one side and has a paw print on the other. While not advertised as chew-resistant, reviewers seem pleased with its durability, both in terms of how it resists washing and against the dog.
- Available in 8 sizes from 18 to 54 inches
- Machine washable and dryer safe
- Synthetic fur fabric
2. Hero Dog Crate Pad
Another fairly simple, nice-looking pillow that has a lot of fans. Reviewers love this pillow for its non-slip bottom surface that prevents it from sliding on the crate tray, and there are many comments about how much their dogs love it too. The fabric is made of fleece with an attractive quilted texture and the filling is made of thick cotton.
Four sizes, 27.5 to 47 inches on Amazon, two others from the manufacturer, Four colors and Machine washable (cold) and dryer safe.
3. K&H Manufacturing Crate Pad
The self-heating version of the dog crate does not make a loud crinkling noise (which is often a problem for other self-heating pet beds). Thanks to the smart slots in the corner of these mats, they fit perfectly in almost any size crate.
The K&H Manufacturing Crate Pad offers three great crate options: memory foam, self-heating, and odor control. The memory foam cushion is soft and soft and provides extra softness for your dog’s crate.
The self-heating pad radiates your pet’s body heat and provides comfort for puppies who need extra warmth. The deodorizing pillow has charcoal in the inner layers that absorbs unwanted pet odors.
All three options are an inch thick and have non-slip fabric on the bottom and soft microfleece on the top.
Features:
- Machine washable. Covers cannot be detached, but all three styles are machine washable.
- Various sizes. This bed comes in a variety of sizes to fit different crates from small (14 “x 22”) to large (37 “x 54”) and has different sizes in between. The largest pillow weighs less than 4 pounds, making it a lightweight choice compared to other brands.
- Colors. The color choices are limited to mocha and gray for the memory foam and odor control pads, while the self-heating pad is available in mocha, gray, and brown.
What to consider when choosing a dog crate pad for large canines
Bolster Crate Pads
These have a bolster/side all around them and are especially good if you have a wire crate. Wire crates inevitably (and bafflingly to me) have gaps below the door where eager puppy feet can get snagged some or going. A bolster dog bed makes that less likely.
The center “bed” itself often has little or no padding. That works fine for some dogs but comfort-seeking dogs may need more “cushion” than that. Click on the images below to check them out:
Orthopedic Crate Beds
If you have an old dog or an orthopedically compromised dog, an orthopedic crate pad is a good investment in their comfort and health. I just shelled out the cash for this one and am delighted with the quality and support it offers:
Some dogs are messy due to age, breed or health and they need easy wash bedding so you can keep them clean without spending your life washing dogs beds. Washable covers are great but if your dog is truly messy, you need bedding that you can wash all of it with ease. Here are my top choices:
And a special shout out to Fleece Sheets – incredibly easy to wash, don’t fray into dangerous-to-swallow thread balls if chewed, can be folded to suit most sized crates and, when folded over, make a soft-enough cuddle spot for more dogs. Can be used for tiny toy dogs or pups who get cold as they can burrow in. These were “go to” bedding options for pups and tiny toys at many kennels.
Wrapping Up… Our recommended dog crate pad for large dogs
Depending on your dog’s age and activity level, you may need a thicker, more supportive dog crate pad or you may prefer a lighter, easier-to-clean pad.
However, most pet parents will find that the K&H dog crate pad is the winner when it comes to comfort and price.
The bed comes in several versions to suit your dog’s unique needs – older or larger dogs will opt for the memory foam, while smaller puppies can benefit from the self-warming version.
