Quick answer: the best dog crate bed is one cut to the crate's inside floor, thick enough that your dog is not lying on the panel, with a cover that zips off and goes in the washing machine. Measure the inside floor of the crate (not the outside), choose a filling that keeps its shape, and buy two covers or two cushions so one is always dry while the other is in the wash.
This guide covers how to size a crate cushion, what fillings and fabrics hold up to daily use, and how to wash one without ruining it, using the cushion that comes with our own houses as the example.
Why a crate bed matters more than it looks
A crate is a hard box. The cushion is the part your dog actually touches for hours a day. A cushion that slides, bunches or gets damp is the most common reason a dog stops using a crate that fitted perfectly on paper. Three things fix that: the right size, a filling that does not flatten in a week, and a cover you will actually wash because it is easy.
Step 1: measure the inside of the crate, not the outside
Product listings usually give exterior dimensions, and the panels take a few centimetres on each side. Open the door and measure the floor panel corner to corner in both directions. A crate bed should fill that floor edge to edge; a gap of more than a couple of centimetres lets the cushion slide and lets a paw slip between cushion and wall.
If you own a Lotus house, you do not need to measure: our cushions are cut to fit each model and size. Tell us the model and size (for example Mid L, BCL XL, Master Size 3) and the cushion will drop into the floor panel.
Step 2: choose a filling that keeps its shape
| Filling | Good at | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Bead fibre (polyester cluster fibre) | Soft, springs back after use, dries quickly, machine-washable cover | Fluff it after washing so the filling redistributes |
| Memory foam | Joint support for older or heavy dogs | Heavy, slow to dry if the inner gets wet, needs a waterproof liner |
| Solid foam slab | Firm, holds edges | Can feel hard; cheap foam flattens and crumbles |
| Loose polyester fill | Inexpensive | Clumps and migrates to the corners within weeks |
Our cushions use a soft bead-fibre filling. We chose it because it springs back after your dog gets up, it dries fast when the cover is off, and it stays comfortable without the bulk of a foam mattress inside a crate that is already sized to the dog.
Step 3: pick a fabric that survives claws and noses
Crate beds get dug at, drooled on and stepped on with wet paws. Look for an upholstery-grade fabric rather than fleece or thin cotton: a tight weave resists claws, sheds hair with a quick brush and wipes clean between washes. Check that the fabric is described as non-toxic or pet-safe, and that any dye is fast so it does not mark a light-coloured crate floor.
Ours is the same dirt-resistant, non-toxic sofa fabric we use throughout our houses, in black, white, gray and beige. Light colours show the room off; darker colours hide hair better between washes. Match or contrast with the house as you like.
Step 4: make washing easy, or it will not happen
- Removable cover: a zip-off cover is the single most useful feature. Washing a whole cushion means a day of drying and a lumpy filling.
- Cold, gentle cycle: hot water shrinks covers and breaks down elastics and zips. Cold and gentle keeps the size right.
- Air dry: tumble drying is the fastest way to shrink a cover so it no longer fits the cushion. Hang it or lay it flat.
- Wash the inner only when needed: if the inner gets wet, wash it on its own, then fluff and shape it while it dries.
- Two is the right number: a spare cushion or cover means the crate is never empty while one is drying. With puppies and older dogs, this matters weekly.
Our cushion cover zips off for a cold, gentle machine wash and air drying. A spare cushion in any of the four colours ships in the same box as a house, or on its own.
Crate beds for puppies and senior dogs
- Puppies: accidents are normal. Use the removable, water-resistant floor panel under the cushion, keep a spare cushion ready, and do not add a loose blanket a puppy can chew and swallow.
- Senior or heavy dogs: if your dog struggles to get up, a firmer or thicker cushion helps. Make sure any extra thickness still leaves headroom to sit up inside the crate.
- Chewers: a dog that chews bedding should not be left alone with any cushion in a wooden crate until the habit has passed.
Where to place the crate so the bed stays comfortable
Keep the crate away from radiators, fireplaces and direct afternoon sun; a warm cushion in a warm box is uncomfortable for a dog that cannot move away. A level floor and a spot with a view of the room do more for settling than any bedding.
Our cushions
Every Lotus Dog House comes with a cushion cut to its floor, with a removable, machine-washable cover. Spare cushions are available in black, white, gray and beige and ship in 1-4 business days. Shipping is free and tracked on orders over US$250 to the US, Canada, the UK and Europe, with duties included; a cushion ordered on its own ships for US$25 tracked, so adding it to a dog house order is the cheaper route.
- Extra cushion: four colours, cut to your model and size
- Dog crate beds and cushions
- All indoor dog houses: cushion included with every one
Frequently asked questions
What size bed goes in a dog crate?
Measure the inside floor of the crate, corner to corner in both directions, and choose a cushion that fills it edge to edge. For a Lotus house, tell us the model and size and the cushion is cut to fit.
How often should I wash a dog crate bed?
The cover every one to two weeks for most dogs, and immediately after any accident. The inner only when it is soiled. A spare cushion or cover keeps the crate in use while one is drying.
Can I put a dog crate cushion in the washing machine?
Wash the removable cover on a cold, gentle cycle and air dry it. If the inner gets wet, wash it separately on the same cycle, then fluff and reshape it as it dries. Do not tumble dry.
Which filling is best for a crate bed?
Bead fibre for most dogs: it springs back, dries fast and does not add bulk. Memory foam suits older or heavy dogs that need joint support, if the crate has the headroom and the cushion has a waterproof liner.
Do Lotus dog houses come with a cushion?
Yes. Every house includes a cushion cut to its floor with a removable, machine-washable cover. Spare cushions in black, white, gray and beige are sold separately.
