Best Dog Crates for Home, Travel and Training
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A dog crate is a safe, enclosed resting place that you use for house training, travel and quiet time, and picking one comes down to size, construction and what goes inside it. The pack for this guide covers furniture-style crates for small dogs and the pads and fan that make any crate more comfortable, so it reads as a guide to a small-dog home setup rather than a catalog of every wire or plastic model. Each listing is described with the facts it states, and missing facts are marked as not stated.
Quick answer
- A crate that doubles as an end table: the Viviendo (internal 22.6″ x 18.5″ x 19.3″) and the YATINEY (22.6″D x 19.7″W x 25.6″H outside) are both for small dogs.
- Soft padding: the K&H Ultra Plush bolster pad fits crates from 19″ x 30″ to 28″ x 40″, and the Furhaven and MidWest pads cover smaller crates.
- Airflow: the Cool Pup clip-on fan lists two speeds and a built-in thermometer.
- Always measure your dog first. Several listings tell you to add a few inches to length and height.
How to choose a dog crate
Size: room to stand, turn and lie down
The Viviendo listing gives practical advice: measure your dog’s height and length and add 2 to 4 inches for a comfortable fit. That is a sensible rule for any crate. Too small and the dog cannot stretch; too large and a puppy may use one end as a toilet. If your dog is still growing, ask your vet or breeder how big the adult dog is likely to get before you buy a crate you will need to replace.
Style: wire, furniture or soft
This pack focuses on furniture-style crates, which hide the cage look in a living room or bedroom. They are heavier and cost you floor space, but they double as a table. The two Viviendo listings and the YATINEY are all in this style. A conventional wire or folding crate is easier to move and fold for travel, but none are in this pack, so the guide does not compare them.
Construction and escape risk
Look at the frame, bar spacing and latch. The YATINEY lists a solid metal frame with wood-look panels and a secure latch. The Viviendo lists a heavy-duty metal wire frame that it calls chew-resistant, bar spacing of 1 inch and sliding door locks. The one-inch spacing matters for small breeds, and the listing names Chihuahuas, Yorkies and puppies. Neither listing says the crate cannot be damaged, and it would be wrong to assume that. If your dog is a determined chewer or escape artist, supervise first and ask a trainer.
Surface and cleaning
The Viviendo describes a waterproof, scratch-resistant coating on the top panel and base that wipes clean with a damp cloth. The YATINEY lists an engineered wood top. For padding, check care instructions: the MidWest pad is machine washable and dryer friendly, the K&H is machine washable with separate-wash instructions, and the Furhaven pads are hand or machine washable.
Heat and ventilation
Crates trap warm air. The YATINEY lists paw-print cutouts that add airflow. The Cool Pup fan hangs on a crate, cage or carrier and circulates air. A fan does not make an unsafe situation safe, so never leave a dog in a hot crate or car, and talk to your vet about heat risks for your breed.
At a glance
| Product | Type | Key size | Weight limit stated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Viviendo (brown or grey) | Furniture crate with drawer, cushion, power strip | Inside 22.6″ x 18.5″ x 19.3″ | Top supports 60 lbs |
| YATINEY | Two-tier furniture crate | 22.6″D x 19.7″W x 25.6″H outside | Not stated |
| K&H Ultra Plush Bolster Pad | Crate pad, large | 36″ x 26.5″ x 3″ | 200 lbs (listing) |
| Furhaven Small Sherpa Pad | Crate pad | 24″ x 18″ x 2.3″ | 25 lbs |
| Furhaven X-Small Sherpa Pad | Crate pad | 22″ x 13″ x 2.3″ | 10 lbs |
| MidWest QuietTime XXS | Plush crate mat for 18-inch crates | 17″ x 11″ x 1.5″ | 6 lbs |
| Cool Pup crate fan | Clip-on battery fan | 8″ x 6.25″ x 2.5″ | Not applicable |
The crates
Viviendo Dog Crate Furniture with Cushion and Charging Station
This is the most feature-rich crate in the pack and it comes in two finishes: rustic brown and grey. The listing says it includes a custom 1.4-inch cushion with a washable cotton-linen cover. The wire has 1-inch bar spacing and is described as chew-resistant, with sliding door locks. A three-section drawer with ball-bearing slides is meant to run quietly. There is a built-in power strip with 2 AC outlets, a USB-A port, a USB-C port and a 4.92-foot cord. The top panel is waterproof and scratch resistant, the top supports 60 pounds, and the crate weighs 42 pounds. The internal space is 22.6″ long, 18.5″ wide and 19.3″ high, so it suits small breeds, and the listing names the French Bulldog, Pug, Shih Tzu, Corgi and Miniature Schnauzer. Assembly takes 40 to 50 minutes with tools provided, according to the listing.
Two practical notes: the power strip and the dog share the same piece of furniture, so route the cord away from where the dog can reach it. And a 42-pound crate is not one you will move often, so decide where it belongs before you assemble it. Choose the brown or grey based on your room; the two have matching specs.
View on Amazon (rustic brown) View on Amazon (grey)
YATINEY Two-Tier Dog Crate Furniture
The YATINEY is a smaller-footprint, simpler end-table crate. It lists a metal frame with engineered wood panels in white and walnut, a two-tier layout with a rest area below and a shelf above, and paw-print cutouts at the front that add airflow. The outside size is 22.6″ deep, 19.7″ wide and 25.6″ tall, and the tabletop is 1.5 inches thick. The listing says it has a secure latch, a welded frame, and that it comes with an assembly guide and accessory package; a screwdriver is the recommended tool. It lists no internal dimensions or weight limit, so measure carefully, because the outside size overstates the room inside. Choose it for a compact living space where the crate needs to be decorative.
Crate pads and mats
A crate without padding is hard, and many dogs rest better on something soft. The key is to match the pad to the floor of the crate, not to the dog. For more picks, see crate mats and pads compared.
K&H Ultra Plush Deluxe Bolster Crate Pad, Large
The K&H pad is the one to choose for a large crate. The listing says its patented design lets one size fit several crate sizes: it fits crates from 19″ x 30″ (best fit) to 28″ x 40″ (flatter fit). The smaller the crate, the taller the bolster will be. It has a non-slip bottom and fleece cover, measures 36″ x 26.5″ x 3″, weighs 2 pounds and lists a 200-pound maximum weight recommendation and a one-year limited warranty. Care instructions: machine wash separately in cold water on a gentle cycle with mild detergent and no bleach, then air dry or tumble on lowest. Because it is large, it may overfill a smaller furniture crate, so compare it to the internal dimensions above.
Furhaven Sherpa Fleece Bolster Crate Pad, Small
The small Furhaven measures 24″ x 18″ x 2.3″ and the listing says it is for dogs up to 25 pounds, with a faux lambswool and sherpa fleece cover and recycled fiber fill. It is the best fit among the pads for the Viviendo or a similar small furniture crate, because its footprint is under the 22.6″ x 18.5″ interior. The warranty is a 60-day worry-free warranty if you register it within 14 days, plus a 90-day limited manufacturer warranty. Care is hand or machine wash following the tag.
Furhaven Sherpa Fleece Bolster Crate Pad, Extra Small
The extra-small version is 22″ x 13″ x 2.3″ with a 10-pound maximum weight and a removable, washable sherpa fleece cover. It lists CertiPUR-US certified foam in its description and recycled fiber fill in the specifications, so note that the listing is not completely consistent about the fill. Use it for toy breeds, kittens or a carrier. The listing says the line includes sizes from XS to Jumbo.
MidWest QuietTime Deluxe Plush Pet Bed, XXS
The MidWest is the smallest pad. It lists 17″ x 11″ x 1.5″ for 18-inch crates, an overstuffed tufted cushion, a non-slip bottom and a 6-pound maximum, with toy breeds up to 10 pounds mentioned in the bullet text. Use the lower figure. It is machine washable and dryer friendly, and it carries a one-year warranty against manufacturer defects. It is a pad for a very small dog or cat, not a puppy that will grow.
Crate fan
Cool Pup Crate Fan with Built-In Thermometer
The Cool Pup is a battery-powered clip-on fan with two speeds, retractable arms for hanging on a crate, cage or carrier, a built-in thermometer and a port for an AC/DC adapter (not included). It measures 8″ x 6.25″ x 2.5″. The listing says the fans circulate air and can help protect a pet from overheating, which is a manufacturer claim, not a guarantee. Treat it as an accessory that moves air, not a substitute for a cool room or supervision. Keep the fan on the outside of the crate so a dog cannot chew it or its cord.
Crate training and placement
- Location: put the crate in a room where the family spends time, away from drafts and direct sun.
- Introduce slowly: short, calm sessions with treats work better than shutting a dog in. A trainer can help with anxious dogs.
- Cushion thickness: thinner pads like the MidWest (1.5 inches) leave more headroom; the K&H (3 inches) takes more.
- Cord safety: for the Viviendo with its power strip, keep the cord out of the crate and away from chewing.
Furniture crates can also use accessories. See dog crate covers compared by size and airflow and water bowls for dog crates for related gear.
FAQ
What size dog crate do I need?
Measure your dog’s height and length and add a few inches. The Viviendo listing suggests 2 to 4 inches. If the listing gives internal dimensions, use them rather than the outside size.
Is a furniture-style dog crate a good idea?
It suits a small dog and a household that wants the crate to be part of the room. The trade-off is weight (the Viviendo lists 42 pounds) and fixed position.
Do I need a crate pad?
Many dogs like a soft surface, and the Viviendo even includes a cushion. Whether your dog needs one depends on the dog; a heavy chewer may destroy soft bedding, so supervise.
Can the same pad fit different crates?
The K&H listing says one pad fits crates from 19″ x 30″ up to 28″ x 40″. Others, such as the MidWest, are sized to a single crate length of 18 inches.
Are crate fans safe?
A fan only moves air. Do not leave a dog in a hot space, and ask your vet about heat risks for your dog.
How long can a dog stay in a crate?
The listings do not say, and the answer depends on age and temperament. Ask your vet or trainer for your dog.
Bottom line
Measure the dog, check the interior size, then add padding that fits the floor of the crate. Choose the Viviendo for a small dog that needs storage and a cushion, the YATINEY for a simple end-table look, the K&H for a large crate and the Furhaven or MidWest for small ones.
