Dog Crate Accessories Worth Buying

On this page (8 sections)

1. Which dog crate accessories are worth buying?
2. Should you add a divider to a puppy’s crate?
3. Is a crate pad a good choice for your dog?
4. When should you use a crate cover?
5. Is a crate dolly worth the space?
6. How do you choose dog crate accessories that fit?
7. What mistakes should you avoid with crate extras?
8. Which dog crate accessories should you choose?

Dog crate accessories are most useful when they solve a specific problem: a divider adjusts a puppy’s space, a washable pad adds a soft surface, a cover offers adjustable privacy, and a dolly helps move bulky equipment. Start with the crate you have and your dog’s habits, then choose only what fits.

Not every dog needs all four. If the crate is already the right size and easy to clean, leaving it bare may be the simplest setup.

Which dog crate accessories are worth buying?

A divider, pad, cover, or dolly is worth considering when it fits your crate and suits your dog’s behavior. Check measurements and use needs before buying.

Start with the accessory that addresses the clearest need. If you’re deciding what belongs inside the crate, our guide to what to put in a dog crate covers other items and when to leave them out.

Should you add a divider to a puppy’s crate?

A divider can reduce the usable space in an adult-sized crate as a puppy grows. It needs to fit the exact crate model and sit securely across the width.

The MidWest 42-inch divider fits several listed MidWest and New World crate models, including select iCrate, Life Stages, Ultima Pro, and Ovation models. Check the model number on your crate; a similar length alone doesn’t confirm a fit.

Set the panel snugly across the crate, then check that it stays in position. Remove your dog’s collar, leash, harness, and apparel while using the crate and divider.

The American Kennel Club’s crate-training guidance advises removing collars in a crate because they can catch on the bars. For more on choosing and preparing the crate, read how to choose a dog crate and how to set up a dog crate.

A divider suits a puppy whose crate is sized for adult growth. Skip this panel if your crate model isn’t among the compatible models or if you can’t confirm a secure fit.

Is a crate pad a good choice for your dog?

A washable pad suits a dog that rests calmly on bedding and leaves it intact. Skip it if your dog chews, pulls apart, or swallows bedding.

The 42 x 28 in VERZEY pad has a faux-fur surface and a non-slip back. It’s designed for large wire crates, so compare its dimensions with the crate’s usable floor area rather than relying on the outside size.

Before setting it in the crate, shake and pat the pad to restore its fluffiness after unpacking, then wash and dry it. The care instructions allow machine washing on a moderate setting and low-temperature drying or sun drying.

Check the pad regularly for damage, especially if your dog is still learning to leave bedding alone. Remove it if it becomes torn or your dog tries to chew it.

For a simple cleaning routine, see how to clean a dog crate.

When should you use a crate cover?

Try a cover if your dog settles better with less visual activity, and remove it if your dog seems uncomfortable. Keep ventilation open and check that the cover matches the crate’s doors and shape.

The MidWest cover is lightweight polyester with side flaps that can be raised for visibility and airflow. It fits selected MidWest models and most standard 42-inch metal crates, but it doesn’t accommodate top-door crates.

Measure the crate’s outside dimensions and confirm the door layout before buying, especially if you have a crate from another brand. Hook-and-loop tabs hold the cover in place, and it can be machine washed and dried.

MidWest says the cover can help reduce behaviors such as barking and chewing. Treat it as an optional comfort adjustment, not a substitute for gradual crate training or a response to every kind of distress.

A cover may not suit a dog that wants to watch the room, or a crate that needs its top door open. Raise the flaps or take the cover off if airflow is restricted or your dog doesn’t settle.

Is a crate dolly worth the space?

A dolly is useful when you regularly move a heavy crate or other pet equipment over a suitable route. It adds another piece of equipment to store, so check the platform size and where you’ll roll it.

The MidWest universal dolly measures 41 x 23.75 x 8 in and weighs 17.4 lb. It has 5 in wheels, with swivel front wheels and fixed rear wheels, and is designed for large wire crates, plastic carriers, grooming tables, and heavy bags of dog food.

Before loading it, compare the crate’s footprint with the platform and make sure the crate sits securely. Test the route with the load under control, since a wheeled platform can be awkward on narrow turns and won’t replace carrying on stairs.

Choose a dolly if moving equipment is a regular task and the route is mostly level. Skip it if you only move the crate occasionally or have little storage space.

How do you choose dog crate accessories that fit?

Choose accessories by checking compatibility first, then matching each item to your dog and your routine. A useful extra can become a problem if it shifts, blocks airflow, or gives a dog something unsafe to chew.

For a divider, find the crate’s model number and match it to the panel’s compatible models. Once installed, confirm that it fits snugly and remains secure.

For a pad or cover, measure the crate and compare the interior floor or outside dimensions as appropriate. Also check the door layout, especially if your crate has a top door or more than one entry.

Think through how your dog uses the crate before adding soft or enclosing items. A calm dog that leaves bedding alone may do well with a pad, while a dog that chews bedding should have a simpler setup.

What mistakes should you avoid with crate extras?

The most common mistake is choosing by crate length alone. Two crates with the same advertised length can differ in model, shape, door layout, and usable space.

• Don’t use a divider unless it matches the crate model and sits securely.
• Don’t assume a 42-inch pad fits every 42-inch crate; compare the floor dimensions.
• Don’t cover a top-door crate with a cover that doesn’t accommodate that access.
• Don’t leave bedding in the crate if your dog chews or tears it.
• Don’t put a loaded dolly on stairs or a route where you can’t control it.
• Remove collars, leashes, and harnesses before crating.

A quick fit check before use can prevent most setup problems. Recheck the accessories when your dog grows, the crate changes location, or the setup starts to shift.

Which dog crate accessories should you choose?

Pick the divider for a growing puppy in a compatible adult-sized crate, the pad for a dog that leaves bedding intact, the cover for a dog that settles with less visual activity, and the dolly for regular equipment moves. Leave out any accessory that doesn’t fit securely or match your dog’s habits.

If you’re still choosing the crate, compare wire dog crates and dog crates: the complete buyer’s guide. Match extras to the crate you own, and keep the setup simple enough to check and clean.

Frequently asked questions

What should I put in my dog’s crate?

Start with a correctly sized crate and add only items your dog can use without chewing or swallowing pieces. A washable pad may suit a calm dog, while a puppy may need a divider to adjust the open space.

Remove collars, leashes, and harnesses before crating, and make sure bedding does not block airflow.

Does every dog need a crate cover?

No. A cover is optional, and some dogs prefer seeing their surroundings.

If you try one, keep airflow clear and check that your dog can rest comfortably.

A cover that fits the crate and allows door access can be useful, but it should not replace gradual crate training.

Can I use a crate divider with any crate?

No. A divider must fit the exact crate model and sit securely across its width.

Check the crate model before buying, then inspect the divider after installation.

A panel made for a 42-inch MidWest crate may not fit another brand or crate design.