How to make a dog crate comfortable

Step 1: Choosing the right crate size

Room to stand up & turn around

Every good dog crate setup starts with size. Humane World for Animals says the crate should be large enough for your dog to stand up and turn around in, and the American Kennel Club adds lying down to that list. Veterinary behaviorists writing for VCA Animal Hospitals put it as room to stand, turn and stretch out.

Puppies are the tricky case. Humane World suggests choosing a crate for your dog's adult size if they are still growing, and notes that some crates adjust as a dog grows and some local shelters rent crates so you can trade up along the way. The AKC's version is a larger crate with a divider that sections off half of it until the puppy grows into the space.

Humane World lists three common types of crate:

• Plastic crates, often called flight kennels
• Fabric crates on a collapsible, rigid frame
• Collapsible metal pens (VCA notes that a collapsible metal crate with a tray floor works well)

Whichever type you choose, measure the inside floor, length and width, before you buy anything to go in it.

Step 2: Lining the crate with a dog crate mat

A soft, dry layer underfoot

A dog crate mat is the base layer of a comfortable crate: it covers a hard plastic or metal tray, gives your dog something soft under their paws, and catches drips from a wet coat, a muddy paw or a water bowl before they reach the floor.

The best dog crate mat is the one that handles the mess after it happens. Look for three things:

• A waterproof layer, so moisture stays in the mat and off the tray
• A machine washable build, so cleanup is a wash cycle and not a scrub
• A non-slip backing, so the mat stays flat when your dog turns around

Lovewag mats are made in those three layers: an absorbent top layer, a waterproof, leak-proof barrier and a non-slip backing. Lovewag lists its 16 x 24 size mats for use "inside crates and carriers", and they come in 2-packs, so one can stay in the crate while the other is in the wash. The Caramel Creme dog crate mat is in stock in that size at the time of writing, at $24.99 for two. If your dog also rides in a carrier, the travel mats collection gathers the patterns in one place.

Check the fit against the floor you measured. A 16 x 24 mat lines a crate floor of about that size. In a bigger crate it covers the sleeping end, with the bed beside or on top of it. Lovewag lists its larger sizes for playpens, bedding areas and floor protection rather than crates, so measure before you size up.

Step 3: Adding a dog crate bed or crate pad

Something soft to sink into

Humane World's guidance is that the crate should always have a comfortable bed, and its FAQ answers yes to putting a bed or blanket in a dog crate to make it cozy and inviting. A dog crate bed, a dog crate pad or a folded blanket can all do the job, as long as the bedding is washable and right for your dog's size and chewing habits.

Choose by shape and fit. A flat crate pad leaves the most standing room in a snug crate, while a bed with raised sides needs a crate with room to spare. Either way, it should lie flat without bunching.

Layer the bed over the mat, not instead of it. The mat protects the floor and catches spills, and the bed is the cushion. When the bed goes in the wash, the mat is still there, so the crate is never bare.

Step 4: Placing the crate in a quiet spot

Close to the family, away from the bustle

Where the crate sits matters as much as what is in it. Humane World's crate training basics say to place the crate in an area where the family spends a lot of time, such as the family room, and in a calm part of the home where your dog can relax without constant stimulation or noise. In practice that means a quiet corner of a busy room.

At night, Humane World suggests keeping the crate in your bedroom or a nearby hallway at first, especially with a puppy, so your dog does not link the crate with being alone. Once your dog sleeps comfortably through the night, you can move it gradually to the spot you prefer.

• Keep the door open when you are home, so your dog can go in for quiet time on their own
• Ask children and guests not to poke fingers through the bars, tap on the sides or bother your dog inside
• Try low background sound: VCA notes a radio or television may help calm a dog left alone in a crate

Step 5: Keeping the crate clean & dry

Clean bedding on a dry floor

A crate collects whatever your dog brings in: water drips, a damp coat after a rainy walk, crumbs from a chew, the odd accident. A waterproof dog crate mat keeps that moisture in the mat and off the tray, and a washable dog crate mat lets you reset the whole floor in one wash cycle.

Lovewag's care routine is short. Shake out debris regularly, spot clean spills right away, and machine wash cold on a gentle cycle with any household detergent, then tumble dry low or air dry. Lovewag suggests a wash every one to two weeks for best results. The Lovewag mat FAQ adds that you should skip bleach to protect the designs, and that a splash of white vinegar or a laundry sanitizer can go in the wash for extra freshness.

• Every day: shake out the mat and check the bed for crumbs or damp spots
• When it happens: spot clean spills and dry your dog off before crate time
• Every one to two weeks: wash the mat cold and gentle, and the bed by its own label
• Before it goes back: let everything dry fully, and wipe the tray dry too

That last step matters for grip. Lovewag says its non-slip backing works best on clean, dry floors, so a damp tray lets the mat slide. When you shop for bedding, check whether the dog crate pad washable claim covers the whole pad or only its cover, and follow that maker's care label for the pad and Lovewag's for the mat.