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This is our review of the best crate mat for chewers.

Adding a mat or padding to your dog’s crate can help your canine be comfortable while you are away. It can also add a layer of support, especially if the bottom of your crate is make from metal or plastic. 

But what happens to that crate mat if your dog is a chewer…a really destructive chewer? 

Hours of research were completed to offer our recommendations so you can make the best choice for purchasing a crate mat for chewers that will, hopefully, outlast your dog’s teeth. 

We looked at several features that benefit dog owners, like what materials were used and ease of cleaning.

This is one the one we liked best is the K9 Ballistics Chew Proof Armored Pad.

While there are several products that advertise pads and mats that are indestructible, it’s important to understand that no crate mat is 100% chew-proof. However, many are made with reinforced seams and durable material that should be pet-safe in case your furry friend wins the battle!

Let’s take a look at our best picks. 

Best in Show: K9 Ballistics Chew Proof Armored Pad

Earth Friendly Honor: K9 Ballistics Tough Dog Crate Pad

Best in Comfort: Big Barker Orthopedic Dog Crate Pad

We reviewed several other crate mats designed for chewers, but many weren’t quite as durable, even for moderate chewers, as we were hoping. 

While we understand that no crate mat is 100% indestructible, we only wanted to review mats that could help owners of dogs that chew make a good decision for their canine. 

Now let’s take a closer look at our reviews. 

K9 Ballistics Chew Proof Armored Padded Dog Crate Pad 

Washable: Clean with damp cloth or spray with water hose

Water Resistant: Yes

Material: Polyester ripstop fabric and aluminum frame

Warranty: 120 days

Of all the crate mat for chewers that we reviewed, the K9 Ballistics Chew Proof Armored Pad came closest to being indestructible for the strongest chewers. It has an aluminum frame on the edges that prevents biting and makes it difficult for teeth and claws to grip any of the material.

It comes in five sizes from small (29″L x 18″W) to extra extra large (50”L x 33”W) to fit most standard crate sizes.

Filled with recycled fiberfill  – we love the the eco-friendly nature of recycling plastics and transforming them into soft fiber fill. Buying a durable crate mat for chewers hopefully means less destroyed crate mats heading towards the landfill. 

Even though it can’t be tossed in a washing machine, since the material is water resistant, it should make spot cleaning quite easy. We liked the ability to use it in a crate or as a dog bed, as well as used indoor and outdoor. The pad and frame arrives assembled, which is another perk for dog owners. 

While the mat is an investment, K9 Ballistics also officers a Chew Proof Promise for a one time replacement withing 120 days. Many dog owners agree the price is worth it to them if it saves them several mat replacements.

K9 Ballistics Tough Dog Crate Pad

Washable: Yes

Water Resistant: Yes

Material: Polyester ripstop 

Warranty: 120 days

This is the second product from K9 Ballistics we selected to review for the best crate mat for chewers. While this one is geared toward the more moderate chewer, we liked the ability to anchor it to crate corners, the non-skid bottom, and the manufacture’s efforts to choose earth-friendly materials. 

The K9 Ballistics Tough Dog Crate Pad is designed to fit most standard size dog crates, with sizes ranging from extra small (18” x 29”) and extra extra large (52” x 36”). There are no zippers, velcro, or exposed seams which can sometimes cause weak spots in material or be a safety risk for you dog. 

While most owners are happy with the purchase, others wanted to stress it may not last long with a persistent and aggressive chewer.

Big Barker Orthopedic Dog Crate Pad

Washable: Yes (cover only)

Water Resistant: Yes

Material: Cordura “super-weaved” nylon

Warranty: Yes

We liked the extra comfort this thinker pad can provide to dogs that might have joint issues, are older, or simply dislike laying on hard crate metal or plastic trays. 

The Big Barker Orthopedic Dog Crate Pad comes in four sizes all with a mat height of 4 inches. It’s a good idea to measure your crate to decide if you have enough extra room to add this crate mat without crowding your dog.

The manufacturer describes Cordura “super-weaved” nylon as a military grade material that’s highly tear resistant and durable.

As with all crate mats we reviewed, it’s designed to tolerate moderate chewing, but heavy chewers often find ways to destroy just about any material. 

Guide to Buying a Crate Mat For Chewers

There are a few features to consider when looking at buying a crate mat for your dog. Some of the areas we researched are the types of material, washability, and sizing. 

First, let’s take a closer look at the kind of material often used to make a crate mat for chewers. As you might have guessed, the strength of the mat is only as strong as the materials that make it!

Ballistic Nylon

As the name suggests, this is a fabric that is made to offer protection from ballistic impacts and is one of the most durable materials for strong chewers.

Durable Canvas

While this material is very durable and rip-resistant, it might be better for a moderate chewer. If your dog aggressively chews and shreds, take a look at other materials. 

Heavy Denim 

Like the canvas, this material is aimed towards moderate chewers and holds up quite well, but not as indestructible as the ballistic nylon crate mats.

Ripstop Fabric

This material can be made with a variety of materials including polyester, nylon, and ballistic nylon. It is often woven with yarn to help create durability and strength. The degree of indestructibility depends on the exact materials used, but the blending of materials helps reinforce the fabric making it tough to chew and tear. 

Materials Should Be Pet-Safe

Any material for a crate mat for chewers should be made with pet-safe materials in case your canine ingests any of the products. It should also be free of dyes or harmful chemicals. 

Take a look at what other materials might come on your crate mat. Are there zippers, magnets, buttons, or any other objects that could accidentally be swallowed and make your dog sick?

Keeping your dog’s crate mat clean and making sure it’s a good fit for the crate are also important.

Washing

One of the easiest ways for a dog owner to clean a crate mat is to toss it in the washing machine. No matter which crate mat you choose, make sure the washing instructions are manageable to fit into your lifestyle conveniently. 

Waterproof

Dog owners like the ability to wipe off small messes or spills without having to wash the entire mat. Waterproof material can also be beneficial if you plan to use the crate mat outdoors where it could be exposed to weather.

Sizing

It’s important to purchase a mat that fits the size of your crate. Excess padding can bunch up and make an easy target for chewers. The opposite is also true if the mat is too small and slides around in your dog’s crate. 

Why Dogs Chew And What You Can Do

Chewing is a natural behavior for dogs to sense and discover the world around them. However, some dogs have chewing and biting behaviors that can become quite destructive and require special products or training. 

Let’s take a look at why some dogs chew and what you can do about chewing behavior. 

Bordom

High energy and clever dogs might simply be bored in a crate and become destructive with their behavior. Look for chew toys that are safe to leave in the crate. When possible, provide your pup with some pre-crate exercise. A long walk might be just the trick! 

These ideas might not solve the boredom issue, but it may create a playful distraction or naptime for your canine.

Anxiety

Many dogs that chew also have anxiety about their surroundings or separation. For example, if being put inside a crate makes them anxious instead of safe, chewers might be trying to gnaw a way out. 

Likewise, separation anxiety can cause a canine to exhibit chewing behavior if their human isn’t nearby. Some dog owners have found that background noises like leaving music or a TV on while they are away can help take the edge off their anxious pup.

Both kinds of anxiety can benenfit from proper training, but talking to your vet or a pet behavioralist can also help provide tips and tricks specific to your chewer

Crate Escape Connections

While this kind of chewing behavior might also be triggered by anxiety, if your dog has found a way out of their crate in the past, there’s a chance they will continue to chew and look for ways to repeat their crate break victory. Intelligent chewers can become quite good at finding weak points in crate construction and the same could be true for any thin materials or weak closures in crate mats. 

If your furry friend is destroying crates as well as crate mats, you might want to consider our guide for investing in an escape proof dog crate. Upgrading to a heavy duty metal crate with strong latches might take the edge off your dog’s desire to chew when crated.

Benefits of Crate Training

Another reason your dog might destroy a crate mat (or other belongings) is that your furry friend could use some proper crate training. 

Crate training doesn’t happen overnight, but there are several techniques dog owners can use to help make the process move along quickly. Take a closer look at our detailed guide on how to crate train your pup and keep the experience positive for everyone. 

However, if your dog seems stressed or is behaving in a way that causes harm, reach out to your vet for specific ideas for your situation before crate training.

Our Final Thoughts

Keeping in mind that especially destructive behavior will likely destroy even the most indestructible crate mat, we reviewed some good options that will work well for most dogs. 

After researching the material, durability, and washing recommendations, we are handing our Best In Show award to the K9 Ballistics Chew Proof Armored Pad.

You know your dog best, so consider how easily your canine can destroy even tough, durable material. As much as you might want to give your chewer a crate mat or pad, not all dogs should have one if they are capable of tearing them apart. This is especially true if they are left unsupervised.  

We hope this review points you in the right direction for the best crate mat for chewers – and you find one that survives your dog’s teeth!