How to Make a Dog Crate Pad

When beginning to crate train your dog, you want him to be as comfortable as possible in his crate, and nothing makes a crate more comfortable than a crate pad. It instantly transforms an uncomfortable crate into a warm and inviting space for your dog. A crate pad can be made quickly and simply at home using washable fabrics and batting, making it easy to clean if your pooch has an accident while crated.

Things You'll Need

  • Washable fabric
  • Batting
  • Scissors
  • Thread
  • Measuring tape
  • Straight pins
  • Sewing machine
  • Fabric marker
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure the interior floor of your dog crate with a measuring tape. This can be done by removing the top of the crate and placing the tape against one corner of the floor and measuring the length and width.

    • 2

      Fold your washable fabric in half with the wrong side facing out. Lay out the folded fabric on a clean, flat surface. Mark the measurements you took of the crate floor with a fabric marker. Cut the fabric to the measurement markings.

    • 3

      Fold or stack your batting until it is your desired thickness. Batting comes in various thicknesses, but generally, about four layers of batting is enough to make a dog crate pad. Subtract two inches from both the length and width of the crate floor measurements. Measure, mark and cut the batting to these measurements.

    • 4

      Pin three sides of your folded fabric together, about 1 1/2 inches from the edge to allow for the seams. Leave one side open.

    • 5

      Sew the three sides of the dog crate pad that you pinned together on the sewing machine. Sew closely to the pins to allow for the seam. Try any excess fabric away from the seam, while being careful not to cut through the seam. Remove the straight pins and turn the fabric right side out.

    • 6

      Roll up or fold your batting so that it will fit through the open end of the fabric. Insert the batting into the fabric and unroll or unfold it inside. Try to center the batting as much as possible inside the fabric and check to make sure there are no leftover rolls or creases.

    • 7

      Pin the two open edges of the fabric together as close to the batting edge as possible. This will prevent the batting from sliding around inside the fabric. Stitch the final open edge together on your sewing machine, staying as close to the batting edge as possible. Trim the excess fabric near the seam for a tidy look.

    • 8

      Place the pad inside the dog crate. Batting is very flexible so it can folded to fit through the crate door.