Dog Crate Mats: Washable, Waterproof or Padded?
The MidWest Homes for Pets Quiet Time Deluxe Ombre Swirl Pet Bed is the best all round crate mat for comfort and machine washing. The Furhaven Water-Resistant Indoor Outdoor Dog Bed Mat is the better value option, and the Brindle Waterproof Memory Foam Dog Bed Mat suits older dogs with joint issues.
The MidWest Quiet Time Deluxe mat is the one we would put in most crates, with the Furhaven water resistant mat as the value pick and the Brindle memory foam mat for senior dogs who need real joint support.
Crate mats look interchangeable online, but the differences show up after a month of use, when thin polyester fill has flattened into a pancake and a mat without a waterproof layer has soaked through to the crate tray. We compared current options on fill thickness, whether the cover is removable, how the waterproofing is constructed and what owners report about shape retention after repeated washing.
Our top picks
MidWest Homes for Pets Quiet Time Deluxe Ombre Swirl Pet Bed
This is the mat most crate owners end up with, and for good reason. The synthetic fur top is genuinely soft, the sizing matches MidWest crate dimensions exactly, and it goes through a home washer and dryer without falling apart. Padding is moderate rather than orthopedic, so it suits healthy adult dogs best.
Pros
- Sizes line up precisely with common crate dimensions
- Survives repeated machine washing
- Comfortable enough that dogs settle on it quickly
Cons
- No waterproof layer underneath
- Determined chewers can open a seam
Furhaven Water-Resistant Indoor Outdoor Dog Bed Mat
A tough Oxford fabric shell over egg crate foam that shrugs off dirt and light accidents. It works as well on a porch or in a car boot as it does in a crate, which makes it useful beyond the one job. The cover unzips for washing while the foam core stays dry.
Pros
- Fabric wipes clean rather than absorbing
- Foam holds shape better than loose fill
- Doubles as a car or porch mat
Cons
- Water resistant rather than fully waterproof
- Firmer feel than plush mats
Bedsure Waterproof Dog Crate Mat
A proper waterproof liner sits between the cover and the fill, so accidents stay on top instead of soaking into the padding and the crate tray. That makes it the sensible pick for puppies in training or dogs recovering from surgery. The quilted top still feels soft rather than plasticky.
Pros
- Liquid genuinely stays on the surface
- Non slip base stops it bunching in the crate
- Washes without losing the waterproof layer
Cons
- Thinner padding than orthopedic options
- Liner can rustle when the dog shifts
Brindle Waterproof Memory Foam Dog Bed Mat
Shredded memory foam gives noticeably more support than polyester fill, which matters for older dogs and larger breeds that press through thin mats onto the crate pan. A waterproof inner cover protects the foam, and the outer cover unzips for washing. Heavier to handle than the plush options.
Pros
- Real cushioning for arthritic or heavy dogs
- Waterproof inner keeps the foam clean
- Foam recovers loft rather than matting flat
Cons
- Bulky in smaller crates
- Foam takes a while to air dry if the inner is soaked
Gorilla Grip Waterproof Crate Pad
Built with a denser fabric and reinforced stitching that stands up better than plush mats when a dog likes to dig and rearrange bedding. The waterproof layer and grippy base keep it flat and dry. Not indestructible, but noticeably harder to destroy than fleece topped alternatives.
Pros
- Reinforced seams resist digging and pawing
- Stays put on plastic crate trays
- Wipes clean between washes
Cons
- Less plush than a fur topped mat
- Still not safe for a dedicated destructive chewer
Petmate Deluxe Quilted Kennel Mat
A straightforward quilted pad that gives a layer of comfort between the dog and the crate floor without much bulk. It is thin, and it is meant to be, which makes it easy to wash, quick to dry and simple to keep two of in rotation. Good starter bedding for a new puppy.
Pros
- Cheap enough to buy two and rotate
- Dries quickly after washing
- Adds warmth without eating crate space
Cons
- Minimal cushioning on hard floors
- Slides around without a grip backing
K&H Pet Products Original Pet Cot
Not a mat at all, but worth considering for hot climates and dogs that overheat in a crate. The suspended mesh keeps air moving underneath and lifts the dog off a warm plastic tray. It only fits crates with enough interior height, so measure before ordering.
Pros
- Airflow underneath keeps dogs cooler
- Nothing to soak up accidents
- Rinses clean in seconds
Cons
- Needs a taller crate to fit
- Hard surface without an added pad
How to pick the right one
Measure the crate floor, not the dog Crate mats are sold to crate dimensions, so measure the internal floor and buy to that rather than guessing from your dog’s size. A mat that is slightly too big bunches at the edges and becomes a chew target. Slightly too small leaves cold bare tray, which most dogs will avoid by curling awkwardly.
Waterproof and water resistant are not the same Water resistant fabric buys you time to mop up a spill. A waterproof mat has a sealed membrane inside that stops liquid reaching the fill. For puppies in house training, senior dogs with continence issues and post surgery recovery, only the second is worth having. For a reliably clean adult dog, water resistant is usually enough.
Fill type decides how long the comfort lasts Loose polyester fill feels great in week one and compresses to almost nothing by month three, especially under a large dog. Egg crate and shredded memory foam hold loft far longer, and owners report they stay usable through many more wash cycles. Foam is heavier and slower to dry, which is the trade you make.
Chewing changes the calculation entirely If your dog destroys bedding, no consumer crate mat will survive indefinitely, and swallowed stuffing is a genuine veterinary risk. Reinforced, tightly woven mats last longer than plush ones, but supervision is the real fix. For a persistent chewer, an elevated cot or bare crate under supervision is safer than replacing shredded mats every month.
Compared at a glance
| # | Model | Top surface | Best for | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MidWest Homes for Pets Quiet Time Deluxe Ombre Swirl Pet Bed | Synthetic fur | Best overall | 9.4 | Check price |
| 2 | Furhaven Water-Resistant Indoor Outdoor Dog Bed Mat | Water resistant Oxford fabric | Best value | 9.2 | Check price |
| 3 | Bedsure Waterproof Dog Crate Mat | Internal liner layer | Best waterproof | 9.0 | Check price |
| 4 | Brindle Waterproof Memory Foam Dog Bed Mat | Shredded memory foam | Best for senior dogs | 8.8 | Check price |
| 5 | Gorilla Grip Waterproof Crate Pad | Durable woven fabric | Best for chewers | 8.6 | Check price |
| 6 | Petmate Deluxe Quilted Kennel Mat | Quilted polyester | Best budget | 8.3 | Check price |
| 7 | K&H Pet Products Original Pet Cot | Elevated mesh cot | Best elevated alternative | 8.0 | Check price |
Questions worth asking
How do I stop my dog pushing the mat into a heap?
Look for a non slip backing and a mat sized to the crate floor rather than smaller. Some owners secure the corners with crate clips. Persistent bunching is often nesting behaviour rather than a fault with the mat.
Are memory foam mats worth it for young dogs?
Usually not. Healthy young dogs are comfortable on moderate padding, and memory foam adds weight, bulk and drying time. Save it for seniors, large breeds and dogs recovering from joint problems, where the extra support genuinely helps.
How often should a crate mat be washed?
Every one to two weeks for a normal indoor dog, and immediately after any accident. Keeping a second mat in rotation makes this painless, because the crate is never left bare while one is drying.
Can crate mats go in the dryer?
Many can on low heat, but foam filled mats generally should not, since heat degrades the foam and it can take a long time to dry through. Check the care label and air dry foam cores whenever possible.
What if my dog chews the mat?
Remove it and supervise. Ingested stuffing can cause an intestinal blockage, which is a serious veterinary emergency. Reinforced mats slow determined chewers down but do not stop them, so address the chewing itself with more exercise, enrichment and shorter crate sessions.
Do puppies need a waterproof mat?
During house training, yes, it saves a lot of laundry and stops odour building in the padding. Once the puppy is reliably clean you can switch to a plusher mat without a membrane.
Will a crate mat make a crate too warm in summer?
It can, particularly thick foam mats in warm rooms. Thin quilted pads or an elevated cot with airflow underneath are better in hot weather, and many owners simply swap bedding seasonally.
Should the mat cover the whole crate floor?
Generally yes, so there is no cold bare tray. Some dogs prefer a cooler bare patch to stretch out on in summer, so a mat covering most but not all of the floor is a reasonable compromise for a warm room.
The bottom line
The MidWest Quiet Time Deluxe mat suits the widest range of dogs and washes well enough to stay in service for years. Choose the Bedsure Waterproof Dog Crate Mat if accidents are still part of daily life, and the Brindle memory foam mat if your dog is older, heavier or recovering. The Petmate quilted mat is the sensible second mat to keep in rotation.
