When you look at your bed, or your bedroom as a whole, what do you see? Likely you have a soft mattress, blankets, maybe a couple of good books on the nightstand – in other words, you have a cozy space filled with creature comforts. The crate acts similarly to your dog’s bedroom, and it’s natural to want to fill their space with comfort items as well. However, what you put into your dog’s crate will depend on your dog, their habits, and what is safest for them.
Be Wary Of Heavy Chewers And Destructive Tendencies
Your dog’s crate should first and foremost be a place of safety. This means that if your dog has destructive tendencies or is a heavy chewer, it may be best to carefully consider what items are able to be in their crate with them. There are a multitude of reasons dogs may exhibit destructive behaviors. According to the Animal Health Foundation, some of which include:
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Stress – Like humans, dogs also experience stress, but where we differ is how we express these big emotions. While a human might grow irritable, tired, or short-tempered during times of stress, dogs will need a more species-appropriate outlet. Dogs aren’t able to communicate stress like we can, and therefore often take to destructive behaviors to soothe the tension they’re feeling.
This stress may be due to frustration during crate training, it might be caused by pent up energy, it may stem from separation anxiety, or it may be due to unfamiliar factors in their environment. For instance, an otherwise calm dog left alone at home during a thunderstorm may exhibit destructive behaviors due to the stress from the “scary” noises outside. In another example, a dog who is gentle and balanced while in the company of their people may resort to destructive behaviors when left by themselves in the crate or out.
- Teething – Like humans, young dogs go through a teething process that can sometimes be uncomfortable. For some breeds, teething may not fully stop until a dog is well over a year old. During this teething process, the young dog will have an insatiable urge to chew in order to alleviate any oral discomfort they’re feeling, and they’re not picky with what they choose to chew on. Young dogs in the teething stage should be watched very carefully when provided with any comfort items in their crate.
- Curiosity – Dogs are curious creatures by nature, and they’re most apt to explore their surroundings with their noses and their mouths. While some dogs may grow out of chewing or other destructive behaviors carried out due to curiosity, others will not and may continue “exploring” your home with their mouths for life.
- Boredom – A bored dog is an unhappy dog, and an unhappy dog will engage in behaviors that entertain them and stimulate their senses. Dogs who have been bred for jobs like Shepherds, Malinois, Collies, or other working breeds have the need for work deep in their DNA. Without a job, or a task to perform, these dogs are likely to grow bored and therefore may adopt destructive behaviors to compensate. For these highly intelligent and high energy breeds, putting a stop to these destructive behaviors may be as simple as making sure they’ve had plenty of mental and physical stimulation throughout the day.
What Do Destructive Behaviors Look Like In Dogs?
When you think about destructive behaviors in dogs, you likely think of chewing first. While chewing is one of the most dangerous destructive behaviors dogs may carry out, it’s certainly not the only one.
Chewing is the most dangerous because of the risk for ingestion. Not only can dogs harm their teeth, gums, and jaws while chewing inappropriate objects, but ingesting these materials can put dogs at risk for choking or bowel obstruction. Obstruction occurs when an undigestible material gets stuck in the dog’s intestine and will likely require urgent life-saving surgery to remedy. According to Lemonade, a bowel obstruction surgery may cost pet parents anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000 depending on the complexity of the obstruction and the procedure.
While chewing might be the most urgent, dogs may exhibit destructive behaviors through clawing or digging as well according to Anxious Canine. The health consequences of scratching, clawing, are likely less urgent than those associated with chewing, but that doesn’t mean these actions are free from risk. Scratching or digging as a result of anxiety or stress may lead to broken nails, toes, or other injuries to the legs and feet.
Start With The Right Crate
Before determining what to put in dog crate, make sure to have the best crate for your dog first. A safety-tested, strong, and comfortable crate is best for keeping dogs safe and secure while spending time relaxing in their own space.
To ensure you invest in the right size, take two measurements of your dog before selecting the perfect crate. First, use a soft tape measurer to measure your dog from nose to tail while standing. Once you have your measurement, add 3 to 4 inches to that number and you have your ideal length measurement. Your second measurement will be from your dog’s front toes to the top of their head while standing on all fours. Add 3 to 4 inches to this number to get your ideal height measurement.
While you may not find a crate that matches these exact numbers, getting as close as possible is okay. When selecting your crate, it’s best to go for one that’s slightly larger than one that is slightly smaller. Your dog should be able to enter their crate, turn around, and lay down in their space comfortably.
Accessorizing Your Dog’s Crate
Once you have that perfect crate, you can begin to consider what to put in dog crate. Some accessories or comfort items should be reserved only for dogs who can be trusted to not engage in destructive behaviors, while others are universal and create a more comfortable space for all dogs. Some of these universal comfort items include:
- A safe crate pad – Sleeping on a hard crate floor might be perfectly fine for some dogs, but most would enjoy a bit of a softer surface to relax on. Especially as your furry best friend gets older, they’ll likely appreciate a cozier space. A Primo Comfort Pad is moisture resistant, durable, and comfortable to create a welcoming space for your dog.
- Crate fan – Whether you take your dog on hiking and camping adventures, or you only crate them while at home, it’s always much more comfortable for them to have a bit of airflow in their space. A crate fan adheres to the outside of their crate, ensuring airflow is maximized to keep your dog cool and comfortable no matter where they are. Because the fan attaches to the exterior of the crate, it’s safe for dogs with destructive tendencies and doesn’t take up any interior crate space.
- Insulated crate cover – While this isn’t something that goes in your dog’s crate, it is something that goes over your dog’s crate to ensure their comfort. An insulated crate cover is a must-have for those who take their dog adventuring with their crate, keeping your dog warm, cozy, and dry even in inclement weather.
Additional items that may be able to be put into your dog’s crate, depending on your dog, include:
- Favorite toys – Sometimes a favorite toy can be just the comfort item to keep your dog comfortable and calm during their crate time. If your dog is not prone to chewing or destructive behaviors, this might be a soft toy they gravitate toward during snuggle or play time outside of their crate. For dogs who may tend to chew, durable rubber toys can help to keep dogs happy and occupied as they settle in for a nap.
- Cozy blankets – Some dogs love to burrow into a cozy blanket while settling into their crate, but these should be heavily considered before being put into your dog’s crate. Dogs who tend to chew could be tempted by the blanket, which may lead to bowel obstruction or other hazards. However, if your dog does not take to chewing on these materials, a soft blanket (especially one that smells like you) could be just the comfort object they crave during crate time.
While there are some accessories or comfort items that meet the needs of what to put in dog crate, there are others that are best avoided. Items to avoid putting in your dog’s crate include:
- Food – Dogs may be fed in their crate, but food should not be left in their crate while they’re spending time in it alone. Food bowls are easily spilled, eating can lead to the urgent need for “outside time” and bowls take up valuable crate space.
- Water – While you may reach for your nightstand water bottle during the night, the same doesn’t apply quite the same way for your dog. Like food, having water in the crate may lead to accidents, urgent needs to relieve themselves, or spilling that your dog may be stuck laying with for extended periods of time.
- Treats and bones – Every dog loves a good treat now and again, but treats and bones should always be given with supervision. If a dog is left in their crate with a treat or bone, eats it a bit too quickly, and begins to choke – pet parents want to make sure they’re present and ready to help.
When it comes to what to put in dog crate to create the coziest space for your dog, first consider your dog and then consider what would make you most comfortable while relaxing in your own space. With a sturdy crate, a durable crate pad, and proper airflow as a start, you’re well on your way to creating the kind of space your dog can’t wait to relax in.