How to Choose and Use a Dog Crate Cover Safely

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A crate cover turns a wire crate into a darker, quieter den. Many dogs settle better that way, and a cover can help during noisy nights or fireworks. A cover can also trap heat or turn into something to chew. This guide explains when a cover helps, how to pick one that fits your crate, and how to use it safely, using advice from the AKC, Dogs Trust, Battersea, Blue Cross, PetMD and VCA.

How we wrote this: we looked for crate cover roundups in which a named reviewer tested covers hands-on with their own dogs. The roundups we found (Vetstreet, Hepper, BestReviews and others) were desk research or did not name a tester, so we changed this page to a how-to and name products without links. Product facts come from each maker’s own page, checked on 31 October 2026. Care and safety advice comes from the American Kennel Club, Dogs Trust, Battersea, Blue Cross, PetMD and VCA Animal Hospitals. We did not test these covers ourselves, and we do not show prices or ratings.

Does a dog crate need a cover?

A cover is optional, but many dogs like one. The AKC says you can cover the top of the crate with a blanket or buy a crate cover made for the job to further mimic the “den” atmosphere. An AKC crate training article by Stephanie Gibeault notes that some dogs prefer a wire crate so they can see the world around them, while others settle better in a darker, more den-like crate, such as one with a removable cover (AKC). VCA’s veterinary behaviorists, Dr. Debra Horwitz and Dr. Gary Landsberg, say some dogs feel more secure if a blanket is draped over the crate (VCA).

A cover can help with:

• Settling at night. In PetMD, veterinary behaviorist Dr. Wailani Sung says covering the crate with a blanket can create a calm, den-like environment and block out distractions that keep a puppy from settling down.
• Noise and draughts. Dogs Trust says you can cover the top and sides with a blanket to exclude draughts and reduce sounds from outside.
• Fireworks and scary nights. Dogs Trust says a crate can be covered to make the space even more quiet, which is particularly helpful during fireworks when your pup may feel scared.
• Looks. Molly Mutt sells its covers on looks as well, calling wire crates an eyesore (Molly Mutt).

A cover does not train your dog. The crate itself needs to be a good place first; see our how to crate train a puppy guide. If your dog panics when left in the crate, read should you crate a dog with separation anxiety and ask your vet or a qualified behaviorist before covering it.

How much of the crate to cover

The sources do not all agree, so start small and watch your dog.

• Half covered: for a dog on crate rest, Blue Cross suggests covering half of the crate with a blanket or towel, so your dog can choose a darker space out of sight or stay in the light, where they can see what is going on.
• Top and sides: Dogs Trust says you can cover the top and sides.
• All sides but the door: Battersea says that to increase a dog’s sense of security you can cover the crate in a thick blanket or towel so that all sides are covered apart from the door.

Our suggestion: start with the top and the back, and leave the door side open. Add more only if your dog settles better that way. Leave at least one side open so air can flow and your dog can see out, and use less cover when the room is warm.

What to look for in a crate cover

• Fit for your crate size. Crate covers are sold by crate length, but widths differ between brands. Molly Mutt carries two 30 inch sizes because 19 and 21 inches are both common wire crate widths: it says Amazon Basics, Frisco and MidWest tend to be 19 inches wide, while other brands use 21 inches. Measure your crate’s length, width and height, then check the cover’s size chart. Our dog crate size chart covers crate sizes.
• Made for your brand, or universal. MidWest makes its QuietTime Crate Covers to slip over the top of its own MidWest crates. Molly Mutt says its 8 sizes fit crates from 24 to 54 inches from all major brands, and K9 Ballistics says its cover is compatible with most standard wire crates.
• Doors and roll-up sides. MidWest says its cover works with crates with 1, 2 or 3 doors, and that each side can be lifted and hooked in place if your dog prefers a little light. On every Molly Mutt cover, the front and right-side flaps roll down for sleep and roll up so you can place the crate however you like.
• Breathable fabric. MidWest says its cover offers proper ventilation, and Molly Mutt calls its covers breathable. A thick, heavy cover holds more heat, so keep it for cool rooms.
• Easy to wash. MidWest says its polyester cover is machine washable and dryer friendly. Our guide to cleaning a dog crate covers the rest of the crate.
• Pan access. MidWest’s cover leaves access to the slide-out plastic pan, so you can clean the crate tray without taking the cover off.
• Toughness, not chew-proofing. K9 Ballistics makes its cover from the same ripstop ballistic fabric as its tough beds, but says it is not considered to be as chew resistant, and recommends supervision when you first give it to a more destructive chewer.

Crate covers to know

We did not find a hands-on test by a named reviewer for any of these, so we name them without links. Facts are from each maker’s own page.

• MidWest QuietTime Crate Cover: durable polyester with hook and loop tabs, machine washable and dryer friendly, made for MidWest crates, in black, in seven sizes from 22 to 54 inches (MidWest).
• Molly Mutt crate covers: printed fabric covers in 8 sizes for crates from 24 to 54 inches, with front and right-side flaps that roll up or down (Molly Mutt).
• K9 Ballistics Tough Ripstop Dog Crate Cover: heavy-duty ballistic fabric, for most standard wire crates, sold as the cover only (K9 Ballistics).

If you are still choosing the crate itself, start with our best dog crate guide, then pick a cover that fits it.

Crate cover safety

• Keep air moving. The AKC says to buy a well-ventilated crate. Leave at least one side uncovered and keep the cover off vents, heaters and direct sun.
• Do not cover in the heat. The AKC says heatstroke can develop within minutes in hot, humid places or enclosed spaces, and that puppies, senior dogs, overweight dogs, dogs with short snouts and dogs with health problems are at higher risk. In warm weather, take the cover off. Early signs of overheating include heavy panting, rapid breathing, excessive drooling and bright red gums and tongue. If you see them, move your dog somewhere cool and call your vet. The AKC says a vet visit is essential even if your dog seems to recover. See also how to keep a dog cool in summer.
• Remove it if it gets chewed. Dogs can pull a cover through the wire. The same AKC article suggests waiting to add soft bedding until your dog consistently does not shred fabric, and the same caution makes sense for a cover. If your dog chews the cover, take it off. If you think your dog has swallowed fabric, call your vet.
• Never as punishment. VCA says the crate should not be used for punishment. Covering a crate to quiet a dog that is crying is not training; PetMD says a puppy should not be screaming for hours in its crate, and that screaming could mean they are scared, hurt, hungry or need to go potty.
• Not for travel. A cover for a wire crate at home is not a travel crate. For car trips, see how to travel with a dog in the car.

How to introduce a crate cover

1. Make sure your dog already likes the crate with the door open, as Dogs Trust and Battersea describe.
2. Put the cover on while your dog is out of the room, with the door side rolled up.
3. Let your dog go in and out freely. Drop in a reward when they choose to go in.
4. Lower the back and sides over a few days, then the front for naps or at night, if your dog stays relaxed.
5. If your dog paws at the cover, pulls it in or seems stressed, go back a step or leave the crate uncovered.

FAQ

Should I cover my dog’s crate at night?

You can if your dog settles better that way. PetMD says a blanket over the crate can create a calm, den-like space for a puppy. Keep at least one side open for air, and leave it off on warm nights.

Is it OK to cover a dog crate with a blanket?

Yes, with care. The AKC, Dogs Trust and VCA all mention covering the crate with a blanket. A blanket is easier to pull through the wire than a fitted cover, so watch for chewing.

Should I cover all sides of a dog crate?

Not usually. Blue Cross suggests covering half so your dog can choose; Battersea says all sides apart from the door. Leave at least one side open and use less cover in warm rooms.

Do crate covers help with anxiety?

Some dogs feel more secure in a covered crate, says VCA, and Dogs Trust says covering can help during fireworks. A cover is not a fix for separation anxiety; ask your vet or a qualified behaviorist.

Can a dog overheat in a covered crate?

Yes. The AKC says heatstroke can develop within minutes in hot enclosed spaces. Take the cover off in warm weather and call your vet if you see heavy panting, drooling or red gums.

For more, read the dog beds and crates buying guide, best dog crate and how to crate train a puppy.