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- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
When it’s hot out, a lot of pet parents avoid crating their dog. But there are times when crating feels unavoidable or is important for safety. Thankfully, dog parents have discovered a simple summertime solution: dog crate fans.
Experts say that alongside other cooling methods, crate fans are a good tool to help keep your pup comfortable—albeit under a specific set of circumstances: when the thermometer reads between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
When the temperature gets higher than that, or if your dog is looking visibly uncomfortable in their crate, it’s best to find cooler territory. But for AC-controlled car trips, supervised down time on warm days, or summer crate training, a fan can make a difference in a dog’s comfort.
Top Features of the Best Dog Crate Fans
Used correctly, crate fans can offer your pet relief from the heat. But what makes one fan better than another? And which type of fan will best suit your pup? Here are some features to look for:
- Battery-powered: This eliminates the risk of electric shock that cords present for chew-happy dogs. If possible, look for rechargeable batteries, or efficient fans that won’t eat through batteries quicker than you can replace them.
- Quiet motor: Some dogs may not mind a whirring fan, but pet parents with nervous dogs who don’t appreciate loud noises will want to prioritize a quiet motor.
- Enclosed blades: Blades should be encased in a cover with small holes that your dog’s paws can’t fit through.
- Multiple speed settings: Variable speeds ensure you can get the airflow right for your dog’s preferences.
- Easy to position: Ideally, you’ll be able to angle the fan so your dog isn’t forced to sit directly in front of it at all times.
With those guidelines in mind, here are six crate fans worth considering—for every type of dog.
Most Powerful: Lucky Duck Dog Kennel Fan
This heavy-duty fan by Lucky Duck is ideal for pet parents seeking the strongest wind action. The dual fan design offers maximum airflow, keeping your hot dog cool and comfortable. A rechargeable 12V lithium-ion battery is included, and the fan sports a charging port in the front. On the low setting, it should run for 8 hours, and up to 6 hours on high speed.
While it’s not the most affordable dog crate fan, plenty of pleased buyers think the powerful airflow and long-lasting battery life are worth the extra money. The Lucky Duck Kennel Fan is also designed to be water-resistant.
Key Features:
- Powerful airflow
- Attaches easily to most kennels and crates
- Rechargeable battery
- On the pricey side
Find at Cabelas Find at Bass Pro Shops
Quietest Fan: Treva Crate Fan
For nervous dogs—and pet parents who appreciate quiet—this Treva crate fan is reported to be “whisper” quiet. Is it the most powerful crate fan? Not exactly. But if you’re looking for an affordable fan that won’t disturb your dog or household with excess noise, the Treva fan might be a smart pick.
Clip-on brackets make it a breeze to install. And the compact, folding design means it’s easy to store.
Key Features:
- Runs on two D batteries (not included)
- Quiet design
- Budget-friendly
Best for Travel: Cool Pup Hanging Dog Crate Fan
For pups on the go, the Cool Pup Crate Fan makes car travel more comfortable. It has all the features you’d want in a travel-friendly fan: it’s compact, battery-operated, attaches to most metal crates, and has a quiet motor.
A built-in thermometer helps you regulate the temperature, so your dog doesn’t get too cool. On the downside, a lot of reviews complain about how quickly this fan eats through batteries, which can get expensive if you’re planning to use it often.
Key Features:
- Portable
- Quiet design
- Built-in thermometer
- Requires four C-batteries
Find on Amazon Find on Walmart Find at the Rover Store
Best for Outdoor Doghouses and Kennels: Solar Panel Dual Fan Kit
Looking to make your dog more comfortable in their outdoor kennel or doghouse? This solar-powered dual fan is designed to cool down outdoor spaces. The fan’s motor is coated to prevent damage from rain, and a double metal protection net prevents dogs from injuring themselves with the blades.
One thing to keep in mind is that there’s no built-in battery: this fan relies entirely on sunlight. Which means it works great when the sun is shining. But in weak sunlight, this fan won’t be as powerful—or it may even stop working completely.
Key Features:
- Solar powered: no batteries or outlets required
- Weather-proof design
- No “ON-OFF” switch
Most Versatile: Mikikin Portable Clip-On Fan
This fan isn’t technically designed for dog crate use. But we still think it deserves a spot on this list. With its flexible neck, rotating design, and strong clamp, you can position this fan virtually anywhere—including your dog’s crate or in the back of the car.
A dense net cover keeps paws (and children’s teeny fingers) away from the blades. Unlike other cooling crate fans that only offer two speeds, this fan offers three speed settings. Plus, it’s an affordable option, making it a good choice if you’re unsure about using a fan for your dog’s crate.
Key Features:
- 13-inch flexible neck is easy to angle
- Lightweight: only 0.49 pounds
- Dimensions: 3.7 x 4.6 x 13.2 inches
- USB-rechargeable battery
- Available in dark blue or white
Best for Small Crates: Metro Vacuum Crate Fan
A tiny crate requires a tiny crate fan, and this Metro Vacuum model definitely fits the bill. The fan’s brackets clip on easily to your smaller dog’s metal crate door. It operates with two D-batteries, which manufacturers claim will give users up to 100 hours of cooling time.
Key Features:
- Dimensions: 3.5 x 6.69 x 7.48 inches
- One-year warranty
- Two speeds
How We Chose
The dog crate fans featured here were selected based on a combination of our own hands-on testing, a comprehensive look at customer reviews across a wide variety of retail platforms, and interviews with veterinary experts. We prioritized convenience, durability, battery life, and power. We’re also guided by the experience of living and playing alongside our own much-loved and strongly opinionated pets, who are never stingy with their feedback.
