We love going everywhere with our furry friends, and they enjoy being our little shadows too! We shouldn’t have to let a little bit of rain or cold weather get in the way of that.
Whether you’re bringing your dog along for a road trip in the back of your pickup truck or they’re hanging out in the back yard while you work in the garage, insulated crate covers will give them a safe, warm place to retreat while still sticking close to your side.
Insulated crate covers are made to protect your dog from the elements, including rain, snow, and cold weather. They’re thicker and retain heat more than regular crate covers. Only recommended for use in cold climates (otherwise your dog might overheat), insulated covers keep your dog dry and warm.
In this article, we’ll discuss our top three picks for the best insulated dog kennel covers out there! But first, let’s talk about whether these covers are suitable for you and what to look for in a great insulated crate cover.
Related article: Should I Cover My Dog’s Crate
Table of Contents:
Is an Insulated Kennel Cover Right for You?
Insulated covers are used to protect pups in the cold and rain. They’re made for cold weather when your dog will be outdoors and are often used on car trips, especially if you need your dog’s crate to be tied down in the back of your pick-up.
Hunters, campers, and hikers all benefit from an insulated crate. However, they shouldn’t be used to house dogs outdoors—this is unsafe and inhumane.
Remember to check on your dog often in their crate, as these covers are built to retain heat. Only use them in cold weather, never when it’s already hot outside.
While these covers are great at preventing hypothermia (when a dog gets too cold), they can cause hyperthermia (heatstroke) when used incorrectly.
If weather conditions are too cold, even an insulated cover might not be enough to keep your dog warm. This is another reason it’s crucial to check on them, feel the conditions inside of the crate, and ensure your pup stays safe.
Related article: Best Dog Crate Covers
6 Things to Look for When Buying Insulated Crate Covers
1. Ventilation
The most important thing to look for in a crate cover is good ventilation. Without good airflow, hot air will become trapped in the kennel, and your dog will have difficulty breathing.
Poor ventilation can lead to suffocation and heatstroke. Some dogs, like brachycephalic or long-haired breeds, are more prone to heatstroke, which makes good airflow even more vital.
Look for breathable fabrics and keep a close eye on your dog the first time you use the kennel cover. Check regularly to ensure it isn’t too hot and your dog seems comfortable.
2. Washability
Some dogs are very messy, dragging mud into their crate, spilling their food dish, or drooling everywhere. Others are more cleanly, but you’re still likely to run into accidents or find that an odor builds up on the crate cover over time.
Machine-washable covers are easiest to handle since they can go straight in the washer with your dog’s other bedding. Materials that can quickly be wiped down are also fantastic.
If a cover you’re looking at needs to be hand-washed or air-dried, consider whether you want to put in the time and energy. If you have a busy life, like most of us do, it might be best to look for an alternative.
3. A Good Fit
If the crate cover is excessively baggy, it’s really no different than throwing a sheet or blanket over the crate. If it’s too small, it won’t do you any good at all!
Always measure your crate first so that you can find the perfect fit. Also think about what’s important to you—if you’re trying to block out light, for instance, the cover will need to be very well-fitting on all sides.
Someone else might not mind the sides being a little short or not coming together at the corners, but it’ll ruin the purpose completely for you.
4. Durability
If you’re using your crate cover outdoors, it’s even more important that it’s durable and stands up to various weather conditions, like rain and wind.
Well-made crate covers often cost more but last longer.
If your dog is a destructive chewer, a durable cover might be enough to keep them from destroying it. Also look for covers that latch firmly onto the crate and don’t have any pieces, such as hooks or straps, that go inside of the crate where your dog can reach.
Keep in mind that no crate cover is completely indestructible, so large dogs that are heavy chewers will be able to tear apart most of them. Training is the only solution to this.
5. Weather Protection
Insulated crate covers are meant to protect your dog from the elements. They should keep your pup dry and warm in the cold, snow, wind, and rain. Otherwise, they’re no different from a normal cover!
How well-insulated your cover needs to be will depend on how, when, and where you use it. If you’re going on a short trip with your dog in the bed of your truck in 40-degree weather, you’ll need less protection than you would when keeping your dog outdoors to accompany you in the garage when it’s -10 degrees outside.
Your local climate and lifestyle play a huge role here—some people live in warm areas and don’t need an insulated cover at all, while others live in areas so cold that it’s necessary for even a short trip.
6. Extra Features
If you’re buying an insulated crate cover for travel purposes, pockets, carrying handles, and windows are great features to look for.
Pockets can hold items like your dog’s leash, harness, and collar—none of which they should ever wear while inside the crate, as it’s unsafe.
Mesh windows are great for added ventilation and to let your dog safely observe their surroundings. It’s best if these can be covered so that you have the option, since some dogs may feel more stressed in crowded areas if they can see around them.
These covers can also be found on the door panels, but some are difficult to keep open. It’s best if the cover comes with a tie or strap to hook the panels to the top of the crate for easier use.
Related article: Best Dog Seat Cover
3 Best Insulated Dog Kennel Covers
1. Mud River Dixie Insulated Kennel Cover
Great for hiking, camping, or road trips, the Mud River Dixie Insulated Kennel Cover is equipped with many extras that you’ll love.
Plentiful pockets allow you to store water bottles, leashes, and any other accessories your pup needs while on the go. You’ll probably even have room for your cell phone and a water bottle for you!
The two handles at the top make it easy to heft the crate around, and metal rings make it easy to secure in the trunk of an SUV or truck bed if needed. However, many people report intense wear and tear from taking the crate in and out of a truck bed with the cover on.
It’s not machine washable, but the company claims you can hose it down and allow it to air dry. I foresee cleaning becoming more complicated if the cover becomes very messy, as you’ll likely have to do some scrubbing by hand.
The insulation works wonders and keeps the crate very warm! Always be sure to check on your dog periodically with any crate cover for their safety.
There’s also a visor over the windows that redirects rain so that it doesn’t pour into the kennel when the window is open.
This cover fits over the entire crate snugly, so it may be a little tricky to get on and off—but that’s the price you pay for a perfect fit!
Pros
- Well-insulated to keep your dog warm and dry.
- Made with so many pockets, it’s difficult to keep track of them all!
- Two built-in handles to move the crate around easily.
- A snug, perfect fit that wraps around the entire crate like a sleeve.
Cons
- Not machine washable.
- Retains too much heat for mild or hot climates.
- May be difficult to take on or off of the crate.
CLICK HERE to learn more and see pricing for the Mud River Dixie Insulated Kennel Cover.
2. ArcticShield Insulated Kennel Cover
This simplistic cover is great if you don’t need extra features or gadgets. The ArcticShield Insulated Kennel Cover is built to protect from snow, rain, cold, and wind.
It slips easily onto any crate, with an elastic bottom and three straps to keep it in place. This also makes for a nice fit. However, it doesn’t cover the entirety of the crate—the bottom is left open, which can allow in water or cold air with some crates.
You won’t experience as much wear and tear when taking it in and out of a truck bed this way, though, so it might be a win if you have a crate with a solid bottom!
Features are minimal and include two top handles for easy lifting, four d-rings to tie the crate down in a truck bed or SUV, and a window on each side.
The windows and doors can unzip and are held up by elastic loops when opened. They can also zip closed for extra protection from the elements.
Pros
- Two straps at the top for easy carrying.
- Panels for doors and windows stay up easily with elastic loops to hold them in place.
- Elastic bottom and straps make it easy to take on and off the crate as needed.
Cons
- Doesn’t wrap around the bottom of the kennel.
- No pockets included.
CLICK HERE to learn more and see pricing for the ArcticShield Insulated Kennel Cover.
3. Ducks Unlimited Insulated Kennel Cover
If you’re looking for a durable, lasting crate cover, the Ducks Unlimited Insulated Kennel Cover is the one for you! With two beautiful camouflage patterns to choose from, multiple large pockets, and a non-skid rubber bottom, this crate seems to have it all.
Multiple mesh windows can be opened and closed, turning into visors when opened to redirect rain from the kennel. There’s nothing worse than getting soaked when your window is open, and I’m sure your dog agrees!
The door panel zips closed and, when opened, can be rolled to the top with three Velcro straps to keep it in place.
This cover fits entirely around the crate, providing great insulation. That cold air won’t get in unless you want it to!
The drawback to this is that the cover fits tightly, and it’s pretty difficult to take on and off for this reason. Luckily, the sturdy fabric allows you to fight with it without tearing the cover.
Though the cover isn’t machine washable, it can be hosed down in your yard and air-dried. This might sound easier than handwashing, but tough stains may still require some scrubbing on your part.
Pros
- The material is sturdy and durable.
- Two handles make carrying easy.
- Multiple mesh windows with panels that can open or close.
- Various large pockets for carrying all of your dog’s accessories.
Cons
- Not machine washable.
- Can be difficult to get on and off the crate due to tight, wrap-around fit.
CLICK HERE to learn more and see pricing for the Ducks Unlimited Insulated Kennel Cover.
Last update on 2022-01-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
