Best Dog Bed for Crate Training Puppies: Chew, Accident and Fit Checks

By Dog Gear Hub Editorial Team · Updated 15 November 2026

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Not veterinary advice. This article shares general information about dog gear only. It is not a substitute for advice from your veterinarian. Check fit and supervise your dog with new gear, toys and chews, and ask your vet about health, diet, injuries or behaviour concerns.

A new puppy's crate should feel like a safe, comfortable den. The natural instinct is to fill it with a fluffy bed and a pile of blankets. Then, a few nights later, you find stuffing all over the crate, a soggy bed that needs washing for the third time this week, or a puppy who has learned that the soft bed is a great place to pee.

The best dog bed for crate training puppies is the one that matches where your puppy is in training. Early on, that often means something tough, flat and washable, or nothing soft at all. Later, once your puppy is reliably clean and not shredding fabric, you can add more comfort. This guide covers when to add bedding, what makes a crate bed puppy-friendly, real crate beds with the details their makers publish, and how to keep everything safe and clean.

Should you put a bed in a puppy's crate?

Not always straight away. The American Kennel Club's crate training guide advises caution when putting a bed or blankets inside, because many puppies prefer to go potty on soft, porous surfaces. It suggests waiting until your dog consistently doesn't have accidents or shred fabric before adding these items for extra comfort.

That gives a simple rule of thumb:

• Puppy is still having accidents or chewing fabric: use a tough, waterproof or wipeable pad, an elevated cot bed, or leave the crate floor bare with a soft area just outside.
• Puppy is clean overnight and ignores the bedding: add a comfortable, washable crate pad.
• Adult dog with good habits: choose any comfortable bed that fits the crate.

Some puppies chew everything; others never touch their bedding. Watch your puppy and adjust.

What to look for in a crate bed for a puppy

Chew resistance

Puppies explore with their mouths. Stuffing and fabric pieces are a hazard if swallowed. Look for beds where fabric edges are hidden or encased, no loose tags or zippers to pull, and a maker that clearly states how much chewing the bed can take.

Easy cleaning

Accidents happen. A waterproof or water-resistant surface, a cover that zips off, or a bed that goes straight in the washing machine saves a lot of frustration. Having two pads so one can be in the wash is useful.

The right size for the crate

A crate pad should cover the floor without bunching up, so your puppy can't grab a loose corner. AKC's guide says the crate itself should be just large enough for your puppy to stand up, turn around and lie down comfortably; if it's too large, your puppy can eliminate in one end and sleep in the other. Our guide to how to choose a dog crate size explains how to measure and how to use a divider as your puppy grows.

Flat and low

A thin, flat pad leaves more headroom and is harder to grab than a puffy, bolstered bed.

Warmth and comfort

Crates on hard or cold floors benefit from some insulation. An elevated bed keeps your puppy off a cold floor; a padded crate mat adds cushioning.

Crate beds and pads to know

These are from brands that state plainly what their beds are and aren't built for. Measure the inside of your crate before buying.

Suits puppies who chew fabric: Kuranda Dog Crate Bed

Kuranda's Dog Crate Bed is an elevated cot-style bed. Kuranda says the frame encases the fabric, so there's nothing for your dog to pull at or chew, and offers a one-year chew-proof warranty on its Classic Canvas and Heavy Duty Vinyl fabrics; the brand notes its Breathable Mesh fabric is not covered. The bed comes with two sets of legs, 3" legs for inside the crate and standard-height legs for outside it, has no stuffing, uses stainless steel fasteners and is rated up to 100 lbs.

Kuranda advises measuring the inside dimensions of your crate and choosing a bed slightly smaller. An elevated bed also lifts your puppy off a cold floor and drains if there's an accident, though a puppy may still need a few days to get used to the feel of it.

Browse Kuranda dog crate beds

Suits diggers and scratchers who mostly leave bedding alone: K9 Ballistics Tough Ripstop Dog Crate Pad

The Tough Ripstop Dog Crate Pad from K9 Ballistics is a flat pad made from ripstop ballistic fabric with recycled polyester fiberfill padding, a non-skid bottom and tie-downs for wire crates. The brand says it is machine washable, sized to fit standard wire crates (for example, its XS pad is listed as ideal for 24" x 18" wire crates), and that the original ripstop version has a waterproof backing, though seams can still let fluid in.

Importantly, K9 Ballistics says this pad is recommended for light to mild chewers only, should not be left unattended with a heavy chewer, and that the padded center can cause blockages if ingested. It points heavy chewers to its armored crate bed instead.

Browse K9 Ballistics crate pads

Suits the early, accident-prone weeks: washable crate mats

If your puppy is still learning, a pair of thin, machine-washable crate mats lets you swap one out after every accident. Check that the mat fits the crate floor closely and inspect it for chewed corners.

Browse washable crate mats for puppies

Suits extra comfort once your puppy is reliable: crate pads with removable covers

Once your puppy is clean overnight and ignores the bedding, a thicker crate pad with a zip-off washable cover adds comfort. Keep an eye out for any new chewing, especially during teething.

Browse crate pads with removable covers

Keeping the crate safe

• Check bedding daily for holes, loose threads and chewed edges, and remove anything damaged.
• Remove your puppy's collar in the crate. AKC's crate training guide says that, for safety, you should always take your dog's collar off when they're in the crate.
• Skip loose blankets and towels for puppies who chew, since pieces can be swallowed.
• Choose safe chew toys sized for your puppy rather than leaving soft toys in the crate. Our guide to dog toys for strong chewers covers durable options.
• Know the warning signs of a swallowed object. The AKC's guide to intestinal blockage in dogs lists vomiting as the most common sign, along with gagging or retching and loss of appetite. Call your vet promptly if you think your puppy has eaten stuffing or fabric, rather than waiting for symptoms.

Making the crate comfortable without lots of bedding

• Location: place the crate somewhere quiet but not isolated, out of drafts and direct sun.
• Temperature: in a cold room, an elevated bed or a well-fitted pad keeps your puppy off the floor.
• Cover: a crate cover or a light sheet over the top and sides, kept out of chewing reach, can make the crate feel more den-like.
• Enrichment: a safely stuffed chew toy can make crate time positive. See our lick mat ideas and safe toppings and frozen dog treat toys for ideas, and offer them only when you can supervise until you know how your puppy handles them.

AKC's guide also notes that puppies who are well-rested tend to chew less, so regular naps in a calm crate can help with chewing in the rest of the house.

Cleaning up after accidents

1. Remove the bedding and blot or rinse away as much as you can.
2. Wash according to the label, using an enzyme cleaner for urine odor if the maker allows it.
3. Clean the crate tray too, so the smell doesn't encourage repeat accidents.
4. Dry completely before putting bedding back.

Our guide to how to wash a dog bed covers washing temperatures and drying.

Read next: How to Choose a Dog Crate Size (and Which Crate Type to Get) →