You can cover your dog’s crate at night if the dog settles comfortably, but it is not necessary for every dog. Try a partial cover, keep the crate well ventilated, and stop if your dog seems distressed, too warm, or tries to chew or pull in the fabric.
When a crate cover may help—and when it may not
Some dogs appear more settled in a den-like space. Cornell’s Riney Canine Health Center recommends that owners who cover a wire kennel leave one or two sides open. A cover is an option to test, not a requirement or a guaranteed way to make a dog sleep.
Watch your dog’s response rather than assuming quiet means comfort. If the dog relaxes and rests normally, the setup may suit them. If they pant heavily, drool, pace, bark or howl persistently, or make frantic attempts to escape, uncover the crate and reconsider confinement.
Choose a setup that stays cool and ventilated
Keep airflow unobstructed: cover only part of a wire crate, leaving one or more sides open. Avoid placing the crate in direct sunlight or near a heat source, and check that your dog is comfortable. A cover can trap heat, so remove it if the crate feels warm or your dog shows signs of discomfort.
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- Only Cover, Without Crate - Dimension: 42L x 28W x 30H inch. Universal fits for most brands' 42-inch standard wire crate.
- Premium Material - Made of heavy duty and windproof oxford cloth, which blocks most of the direct sun, cut off the cold wind.
- Convenience - Easy to install, top zipper for portable handle when removing.
- Breathable - Two entrance doors can be used together or seperately, and mesh window with flap can adjust visibility and ventilation.
- Security - Four toggles on the bottom clips to the cage so it can't blow off in wind, or get taken off some other way. Universal fits for indoor and travel use.
The crate itself should give your dog room to stand, turn around, and lie in a natural position. New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries includes these space, ventilation, and temperature-protection principles in its dog welfare code; they are general welfare guidance, not a household crate-cover measurement.
Pick a cover based on your dog’s behavior
| Setup | What to consider |
|---|---|
| Uncovered crate | No fabric to pull in or chew, and airflow is not obstructed by a cover. It may be the better choice if your dog is comfortable without one. |
| Partial sheet or blanket | Can make a wire crate feel more enclosed, but leave sides open and keep loose fabric out of reach if your dog pulls or chews it. |
| Purpose-made crate cover | An alternative to a loose blanket when you want a cover designed for a crate. It still needs to allow ventilation, and your dog must tolerate it. |
No type of cover is automatically safest or most effective for every dog. Choose based on comfort, airflow, and whether your dog can reach and chew the material. If a cover prompts chewing or pulling, remove it rather than leaving fabric within reach.
Rank #2
- Only Cover, Without Crate - Dimension: 42L x 28W x 30H inch. Universal fits for most brands' 42-inch standard wire crate.
- Premium Material - Made of heavy duty and windproof oxford cloth, which blocks most of the direct sun, cut off the cold wind.
- Convenience - Easy to install, top zipper for portable handle when removing.
- Breathable - Two entrance doors can be used together or seperately, and mesh window with flap can adjust visibility and ventilation.
- Security - Four toggles on the bottom clips to the cage so it can't blow off in wind, or get taken off some other way. Universal fits for indoor and travel use.
Introduce a cover gradually
A cover does not replace crate acclimation. Cornell recommends building a positive association and proceeding at the dog’s pace. If your dog is new to the crate, introduce it gradually and observe their response instead of covering the crate and expecting them to settle immediately.
- Start with the crate uncovered. Let your dog become comfortable entering and resting in it.
- Add a partial cover. Drape or position material so one or more sides remain open and the fabric cannot be pulled inside.
- Observe your dog. Look for relaxed resting as well as signs of heat, distress, or chewing.
- Adjust or remove the cover. If your dog is uncomfortable, leave the crate uncovered; do not persist just to establish a covered routine.
If the crate itself causes distress
A cover is not a treatment for separation anxiety or fear of confinement. Cornell and the ASPCA advise against forcing a dog to remain crated when confinement triggers significant distress. UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine cautions that crating an anxious dog may not reduce anxiety and can make it worse.
Rank #3
- Only Cover, Without Crate - Dimension: 48L x 30W x 33H inch. Universal fits for most brands' 48-inch standard wire crate.
- Premium Material - Made of heavy duty and windproof oxford cloth, which blocks most of the direct sun, cut off the cold wind.
- Convenience - Easy to install, top zipper for portable handle when removing.
- Breathable - Two entrance doors can be used together or seperately, and mesh window with flap can adjust visibility and ventilation.
- Security - Four toggles on the bottom clips to the cage so it can't blow off in wind, or get taken off some other way. Universal fits for indoor and travel use.
If your dog repeatedly panics, tries to escape, or remains distressed when confined, stop treating the cover as the solution. Consider a dog-proof room or another safe arrangement, and ask a veterinarian or qualified behavior professional for help. VCA notes that a crate may be placed where the family spends time, including a bedroom, but some dogs may not tolerate crate training.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- DURABLE, LIGHT REDUCING DESIGN: create a dark space for your pet to den; light reducing design helps eliminate outside distractions for anxious pets; stain and tear resistant fabric with thick reinforced stitching for long lasting use
- BREATHABLE CONSTRUCTION: adjustable closures at the cover's seam for added ventilation; mesh window at front and back of crate cover can be opened or closed for added visibility
- OPENS AT ALL SIDES: cover features side flaps that roll up and tie at all sides to accommodate crates with 1, 2, or 3 door openings
- STAYS IN PLACE: hook and loop fasteners at seams close crate cover; additional hook at loop fastener at the bottom corners help secure cover to crate; cover sizing aligns with standard size crates
- MACHINE WASHABLE, COMPATIBLE WITH MIDWEST HOMES FOR PETS, AMAZONBASICS, BESTPET: crate cover measures 42 inches x 28 inches x 30 inches so securely fit a standard 42 inch crate; available in many sizes to fit all size crates; machine washable; crate not included; indoor use only
Rank #4
- Only Cover, Without Crate - Dimension: 36L x 23W x 25H inch. Universal fits for most brands' 36-inch standard wire crate.
- Premium Material - Made of heavy duty and windproof oxford cloth, which blocks most of the direct sun, cut off the cold wind.
- Convenience - Easy to install, top zipper for portable handle when removing.
- Breathable - Two entrance doors can be used together or seperately, and mesh window with flap can adjust visibility and ventilation.
- Security - Four toggles on the bottom clips to the cage so it can't blow off in wind, or get taken off some other way. Universal fits for indoor and travel use.
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