Dog Crate Pads and Kennel Pads in Bulk: A Buyer's Guide

Quick answer: For kennels and daycares, order dog crate pads made to the inside size of each crate or run, with firm foam and a zipped removable cover in a wipe-clean or washable fabric. Keep spare covers on hand so pads stay in use on laundry days, and there is no minimum order.

Off-the-shelf crate pads come in a handful of sizes, and almost none match the crates and runs a working kennel actually has. Gaps at the edges get dug at, pads bunch up, and covers wear through. This guide is for boarding kennels, dog daycares, groomers, trainers and breeders who need pads that fit, last and clean easily. To quote a full kennel, send your sizes through our bulk cushion enquiry form.

We make custom dog beds and crate pads to measure, from a single grooming table pad to a pad for every run in the building.

Where businesses use crate pads and dog beds

• Boarding kennels: pads for every crate and run, plus spares.
• Dog daycares: beds for rest areas and nap rooms.
• Groomers: waiting crate pads and drying area beds.
• Breeders: whelping area and puppy crate pads.
• Trainers and vets' waiting areas: beds and bench pads for calm corners.

Measuring crates and runs

1. Measure the inside floor: length and width of the crate floor or run, not the outside frame.
2. Allow for a snug fit: a pad that fills the floor leaves fewer edges to dig at. Tell us if you want a small allowance for easy removal.
3. Check door clearance: make sure the crate door still closes over the pad thickness.
4. Group by size: list how many crates you have of each size. Most kennels have a few standard sizes and a few odd ones.
5. Label each size: for example "Run A, large" or "Crate 36". We repeat the label on the spec sheet.

Every pad is made within ±0.5 inch of the ordered size, or we remake it free.

Foam and thickness

• Crate pads: 2 to 3 inches of firm foam is common. It gives cushion without making the crate cramped.
• Dog beds: thicker beds suit older and larger dogs. Our builder goes up to 8 inches, and thicker is quoted by email.
• HD36-R: firm and durable for daily use.
• Dryfast: open-cell foam that drains quickly, useful for outdoor runs and covered patios. 5-year foam warranty.

Our US foam is CertiPUR-US certified, from The Foam Factory, and made without added flame-retardant chemicals.

Fabrics for dogs and daily cleaning

Sunbrella fabrics are solution-dyed and resist fading and mold. Most Sunbrella fabric is water-repellent, not waterproof, so for wet areas choose the waterproof range or Horizon marine vinyl. No fabric is chew-proof, so supervise dogs that chew and swap damaged covers quickly. For more on fabric choice, read pet-friendly fabrics for dog cushions.

Dog beds vs regular cushions

A dog bed is built differently from a seat cushion. It is lower, it is used for lying rather than sitting, and its cover needs to come off more often. Our article on dog cushions vs regular cushions explains the differences in more detail.

A cleaning routine that works

• Wipe vinyl pads between dogs with mild soap and water, then dry.
• Unzip and wash fabric covers following the fabric maker's care guide.
• Keep at least one spare cover for every pad in daily use.
• Air foam fully before putting a clean cover back on.
• Replace covers with tears straight away, before foam is damaged.

Matching pads to each area

Not every part of a kennel needs the same pad. Splitting your order by area keeps spending sensible and makes cleaning simpler.

• Overnight boarding: wipe-clean vinyl pads that staff can clean quickly between guests.
• Senior and large-breed suites: thicker beds in a softer-feel fabric with spare washable covers.
• Daycare nap areas: larger floor beds sized to the room.
• Grooming and drying: thin pads in wipe-clean vinyl for waiting crates.
• Covered outdoor runs: Dryfast foam with vinyl or waterproof-range covers, brought inside during storms.

Use one or two colors across the building. Matching colors make spare covers interchangeable within each size, so staff do not need to hunt for the right one. Mid-tone and darker colors also hide wear and hair between washes better than very light shades.

Notes for groomers and breeders

Groomers usually need thin, wipe-clean pads for waiting crates and a few softer beds for nervous or older dogs. Keep pads low so dogs can step in and out easily, and choose a color that does not show shampoo marks. Breeders often want pads sized to whelping areas and puppy pens, with several spare covers per pad, because covers come off for washing far more often in those spaces. Tell us the size of each pen or box, how often you plan to change covers, and whether pads sit on a hard floor or inside a crate tray. We size each pad to the space and make spare covers to match.

Mistakes to avoid

• Measuring the outside of the crate instead of the inside floor.
• Choosing pads so thick the door will not close.
• Using water-repellent fabric in a wet outdoor run.
• Running without spare covers, so pads are out of use on wash day.
• Ordering one size for every crate when your crates vary.

Ordering for a business

1. Send a size list with quantities to operation@fabricakraft.com or through our kennel pad enquiry form.
2. Order swatches. They are $7 each, and the cost is credited back with a one-time code on your order.
3. Approve the spec sheet before anything is cut.
4. Production takes 2 to 3 weeks for standard shapes and 5 to 6 weeks for custom shapes. Rush production and express shipping are available at extra cost.
5. Covers can be ordered without foam later, so you can top up spares at any time.

Fabric carries a 5-year warranty from our fabric partners and workmanship carries 2 years. Pet businesses that reorder often can join our trade program, with 10%, 15% and 20% tiers, and pet shops that resell beds get the same tiers. See our commercial cushion services for reception and waiting-area seating too.

Frequently asked questions

Can you make crate pads for odd-sized crates and runs?

Yes. Every pad is made to the size you send, so odd crates and runs are no problem.

What is the best fabric for kennel pads?

Sunbrella Horizon marine vinyl for wipe-clean boarding crates, or Sunbrella upholstery fabric with machine washable covers for softer beds.

Are the pads chew-proof?

No fabric is chew-proof. Supervise dogs that chew, and replace damaged covers quickly.

Can we order just spare covers?

Yes. Covers can be ordered without foam, made to the same size as your pads.

Is there a minimum order?

No. We make one pad or a full kennel.