Best Dog Crate Cover (2026): Privacy Without Stale Air
The best dog crate cover fits your crate, keeps airflow open, and comes off easily for washing. Measure first, then choose a cover your dog will not chew.
By Harper Lin
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The short answer: (paid link) Measure the outside of the crate and keep at least one side open when your dog is inside.
Our picks
A crate cover can make a wire crate feel calmer. It must never trap heat or become something your dog can pull through the bars. Measure the crate, not the photo. Roll up the door flap so air still moves. If your dog chews fabric, skip a loose cover until you can supervise.
For the crate itself, see best dog crate. A cooling cot is a different job in best elevated dog bed.
Privacy without stale air
Covers help dogs that startle at hallway traffic. They also cook a crate in a sunny room if every panel is closed. Keep the door flap open whenever the dog is inside. In summer, cover the back and sides only. In winter, you can drop more fabric, still not the whole box.
Wash the cover when it smells like the crate, not when it looks dirty. Hair and accidents hide in the seams.
Our pick: MidWest Dog Crate Cover
The MidWest Homes for Pets Intermediate Dog Crate Cover, Black Polyester Privacy Kennel Cover Fits Most 36-Inch Crates, Machine Washable (paid link) is the everyday cover for a 36-inch MidWest wire crate. Polyester washes. Roll-up flaps let you keep airflow without taking the whole cover off.
This size is for a 36-inch crate. A smaller crate swims in extra fabric a dog can grab. A larger crate leaves gaps that defeat the point. If you need a more generous fit, use the larger MidWest cover instead.
Skip any loose cover if your dog shreds fabric. A chewed cover through the bars is a swallow risk. Ask a trainer or vet if crate chewing is already a habit.
Fit and first use
Measure length, width, and height of the crate frame. Put the cover on, then open the door flap before you put the dog in. Stay nearby for the first nap. If the dog paws the fabric through the wire, take it off.
Bottom line
Buy the MidWest Homes for Pets Intermediate Dog Crate Cover (paid link) for a 36-inch wire crate when you want a calmer den and you will keep a flap open. Size up if the crate is larger. Skip a cover if heat or chewing is the real problem.
Keep it clean like you would any pet fabric: shake off loose hair, check the corners where dust collects, and wash when the crate scent builds up. In the first week, watch how your dog uses the door flap. If the flap stays open on its own and the cover does not sag, you have the right balance of privacy and airflow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should a crate be covered all day?
No. Use the cover for naps, bedtime, or a noisy room. Open it whenever your dog needs more light, airflow, or a clearer view.
Do crate covers help separation anxiety?
They can reduce visual stimulation for some dogs. They do not replace gradual training, safe exercise, or help from a qualified trainer.
Can a crate cover trap heat?
Yes if every panel is closed. Keep the door flap open whenever the dog is inside. Skip a loose cover if your dog chews fabric through the bars.
When should I ask a professional?
Gear can make home routines easier. It cannot diagnose health, behavior, or safety problems. Ask your veterinarian or a qualified trainer when the problem goes beyond normal home care.