How-to: Crate Pad

We own a queen size bed, and since this will not fit two humans, two felines, and one fully grown German Shepherd at the same time, Abby generally spends the nights inside her crate, which is also located in our bedroom. She's still part of the pack, she's just got her own bed.

Finding a good crate mat has been difficult.

While the local Petsmart and Target carry a variety of different dog pads and beds, not all of those are suitable to be used in a crate. Some dog beds aren't even washable because they don't have removable covers, and some are just plain too thick to fit inside a crate. Add to this the fact that Abby can't leave well enough alone and tends to push any pad, blanket, or towel inside her crate to one end, and lie on the other, finding something that works has been hard.

The ideal crate mat has to fill a couple of requirements - it has to provide a comfortable surface, be easy to clean, and difficult to lodge out of its proper position.

Since I wasn't able to find anything that worked, I've decided to make my own and simple is always a good way to go. I give you, the Crate Pad Project.

That's exactly what you think it is - one standard size military sleeping mat, easily found at any surplus and outdoors store for approximately $10. It rolls up and ties for easy storage, is durable, and comfortable (better than the ground, anyway). And honestly, if I can stand sleeping on one of those, then so can Abby.

It's also very easy to clean, particularly since dog hair does not stick to it. I generally vacuum the dog hair off. The pad is easily rinsed using water, and if there are any difficult stains or spots, castille soap or non-chlorine cleaning wipes will get them out without much fuss.


The next step was to cut the pad into the correct size for the crate, which is very easy because it can be cut with a simple pair of scissors. I rounded the corners and gave about a quarter inch on all sides so that the mat would fit snugly against the sides of the kennel to make it harder for Abby to dislodge it. It worked - she's had it in there for five days and it's in the exact same position it was when I put it in.


I cleaned the whole crate inside and out with a kennel cleaner and disinfectant since I already had it in pieces, put the new mat in, and then put the whole thing back together. Of course, once you've done that, it has to pass the dog test. It's no good if the dog doesn't like it, after all. I don't think she minds... She actually looks pretty comfortable.

And there you have it ... the Crate Pad Project.

On a complete side note, yes, I am aware that the crate seems really small with Abby inside. She's a dog who enjoys being in small spaces rather than large ones - she would crawl underneath the bed when we first got her, so we purposely got her a smaller crate that she could ball up in, rather than one that has a lot of space that she wouldn't use. All dogs are different. Some are just a little more weird different than others.