Most dog crates have a removable tray to catch waste and keep your dog’s crate clean and hygienic. That’s an essential feature of the crate, especially if you have an elderly dog with continence issues or if you’re potty training a puppy.
But crate trays do wear out, so you’ll need to replace yours eventually. So, can you buy replacement crate pans, and how do you make sure you buy the correct size?
Read this guide to learn more about dog crate tray sizes and find out how to measure your dog’s crate for a new waste pan.
How To Measure Your Dog’s Crate For A Replacement Tray
If you’re unsure of the make and crate model but you have an existing crate tray, you can measure the tray. Use a tape measure to measure the length and width of the tray from edge to edge. If you don’t have an existing dog crate pan, measure the width of the crate pan slot opening and the length of the crate.
Getting the right size of the replacement waste tray is essential. If the tray is too small, it will slide around in the crate, or the dog could chew it. It won’t lay flat on the crate floor if the tray is too big. So, choosing a tray of the correct size is essential.
To measure your dog’s crate for a replacement waste tray, you need to know what length of dog crate you have.
Use the quick-reference chart below to determine what size replacement dog crate pan you need.
Crate Size
Length of Crate
Dog’s Weight
XS
19″
<20 lbs
S
24″
20-30 lbs
M
30″
30-40 lbs
L
36″
40-70 lbs
XL
48″
80-100 lbs
XXL
60″ to 72″
100-180 lbs
Crate Size
XS
Length of Crate
19″
Dog’s Weight
<20 lbs
Crate Size
S
Length of Crate
24″
Dog’s Weight
20-30 lbs
Crate Size
M
Length of Crate
30″
Dog’s Weight
30-40 lbs
Crate Size
L
Length of Crate
36″
Dog’s Weight
40-70 lbs
Crate Size
XL
Length of Crate
48″
Dog’s Weight
80-100 lbs
Crate Size
XXL
Length of Crate
60″ to 72″
Dog’s Weight
100-180 lbs
If you’re still unsure what size crate replacement pan to buy, most crate manufacturers will provide you with a sizing guide on request.
Also, see our crate sizing chart.
Do You Need A Dog Crate Tray?
So, does every dog crate need a waste tray? Well, that’s not necessarily the case. The requirement for a waste tray depends on the types of crates you have.
Metal Dog Crate
You’ll undoubtedly need a waste tray if you have a metal dog crate.
The tray is there to catch any dog waste and spilled food that drops into the bottom of the crate. If you have a puppy that you’re potty training or an older dog with incontinence issues, a waste tray is essential to save your flooring from damage.
Plastic Dog Crate
Plastic dog crates don’t generally have a waste tray. You can wash soiled crate bedding and wash out the crate with warm, soapy water.
Furniture Crates
Furniture-style dog crates are generally made from wood or rattan and usually have a crate tray.
A waste tray is essential here, as cleaning soiled wood is virtually impossible. Once dog urine has soaked into the material, you’ll struggle to remove the smell and staining.
Soft-Sided Fabric Dog Crates
Material dog crates don’t usually have a waste tray, although some have a removable base pad that you can wash in your washing machine.
What Are Crate Waste Trays Made Of?
Most crate waste trays are made of flexible polypropylene material or composite plastic. The material used is highly durable, long-lasting, and chew-resistant.
Some heavy-duty dog crates are fitted with metal dog crate trays.
Are Metal Dog Crate Trays Bad For Dogs?
Metal crate trays are constructed from galvanized or stainless steel.
Although the metal is not bad for dogs, galvanized steel can rust over time if exposed to moisture, whereas a stainless steel pan should not. Also, some dogs that have oily skin can sometimes react badly to galvanized steel dog crate trays, causing a film to form on your dog’s fur.
Popular Replacement Crate Trays And Pans
This section of our guide reviews some of the best replacement crate trays and pans. Remember to measure your dog crate carefully so that you choose the correct size of a tray.
Replacement Pan For MidWest Dog Crate
Various sizes available
Leak-proof, acrylic material
Injection-molded construction
This plastic replacement crate pan is compatible with the MidWest pet crate range of single and double-door, folding metal dog crates.
The plastic waste pan is made from odor-resistant, durable polypropylene plastic composite material that cleans up quickly and easily without leaving any staining or lingering odor. The pan is designed to slide right out of the crate so cleaning up is convenient and accessible in the event of an accident.
The injection-molded pan is more robust and durable than a vacuum-sealed waste tray. The waste tray can be used for many other purposes around your home and garden and comes with a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty.
PROS
- 1-year manufacturer’s warranty
- Injection-molded construction
- Multi-purpose design
- Easy to clean, slide-out design
CONS
- It only fits MidWest metal dog crates
Red Hound Auto Metal Tray
Wide range of sizes available
Leak-proof, galvanized steel
Chew-proof material
This dog crate tray is made from galvanized steel, ensuring that you’ll have no more chewed or cracked crate liners.
These precision replacement crate pans are designed for your dog’s safety. The edges are pre-ground and hemmed to protect your hands and your dog’s paws. The welded corners won’t pinch, are leak-proof, and all are polished and ground smooth. The material doesn’t crack or freeze, emits no chemical fumes, and doesn’t absorb odors. You can use this tray for most slide-out style crates, and the unique angled sidewall ensures a great fit.
You can use the crate replacement tray as a standalone floor protector for holding pet potty pads, pet food bowls, and even your muddy shoes and boots!
The heavy-gauge steel is galvanized to protect the tray from weather damage.
PROS
- Anti-chew material and design
- It doesn’t absorb odors and stains
- Multi-purpose design
- Easy to clean, slide-out design
CONS
- Expensive compared to other waste pans
Pinnacle Systems Replacement Tray for Dog Crate
Wide range of sizes available
Leak-proof steel
Chew-proof material
The Pinnacle Systems replacement tray for dog crates helps eliminate the need for plastic floor liners. Unlike many plastic composite crate pans, this metal pan is chew-proof and won’t crack or split, so you won’t need to buy a replacement every few months.
The material is stain and odor-resistant, protecting your floors and making cleanup quick and straightforward. Unlike some plastic pans, this metal one doesn’t release strong odors that your dog might find unpleasant. The crate has rounded corners and no sharp edges that could injure your dog and comes in a range of custom sizes.
If you can’t find the correct size listed for your dog crate model, contact the manufacturer, and they’ll make you a made-to-measure version.
You can also use this long-lasting, robust waste tray in your garage, garden, mudroom, etc.
PROS
- Anti-chew metal
- It doesn’t absorb odors and stains
- Multi-purpose tray
- Easy to clean, odor and stain-resistant
CONS
- Heavier than other metal pans
KOPEKS – Heavy Duty Multipurpose Replacement Metal Tray
Two sizes available
Leak-proof galvanized steel
Smooth, safe design
This metal replacement pan is constructed from durable, odor-resistant steel galvanized to protect your flooring from leaks. The sturdy, well-made pan’s slide-out feature makes the tray easy to clean up in spillage or accident.
You can use this pan with all single and double-door metal and wire dog crate brands. The crate’s corners are rounded and folded over for your dog’s safety and comfort, so there are no rough surfaces or sharp edges to worry about. The galvanized metal won’t emit any unpleasant fumes that could harm your dog.
The crate is also perfect for use in your car, garage, closet, mudroom, or even in your closet.
PROS
- Rust and crack-proof
- No sharp edges or rough surfaces
- Multi-purpose waste pan
- Easy to clean, slide-out design
CONS
- Tray does rust if exposed to moisture
Frisco Dog Crate Replacement Pan
Multiple sizes available
Tough Durable Plastic
Easy to clean
These budget plastic pans are built to withstand the normal daily wear and tear that a crate pan needs to take. The pans are made from durable, hard-wearing plastic that’s made to last, and when accidents happen, cleanup is straightforward.
The pans are designed to slide out of the crate via a flip latch for easy replacement. You can also use the crate for other purposes around the home, including in your garden, garage, and other areas of the house.
These pans are specifically designed to be compatible with Frisco crates. However, you can use them with other crates, too. However, measure your crate carefully before you order to ensure you get the perfect fit.
PROS
- Slide-out design for easy cleaning
- Highly affordable crate pan
- Multi-purpose
- Durable, hard-wearing plastic
CONS
- Not suitable for use with determined chewersst if exposed to moisture
Final Thoughts
Did you enjoy our reviews of replacement dog crate pans? If you found the article helpful, please share it!
If you have a metal or wooden dog crate, you’ll need a waste pan to catch dropped food and dog waste when accidents occur. You can buy metal and plastic replacement dog crate pans. Plastic pans tend to be vulnerable to damage by chewers, and they can eventually crack, too. Metal waste trays are a good choice, provided you choose a high-quality tray that has no sharp edges or rough surfaces and won’t rust when exposed to moisture.
Did you buy a replacement dog crate pan? Tell us which one you chose in the comments box below.
